Strongback ErgoSteel

Most wheelchairs let you slump. Ten minutes in and your lower back has given up, your shoulders have rolled forward, and you are breathing from the top of your chest.

The Strongback ErgoSteel is a steel-frame wheelchair built so that does not happen. Its backrest follows the natural curve of your spine instead of flattening it, so you sit upright without having to think about it, your ribcage stays open, and the hours stop being something to get through. It is the same patented backrest we build into our whole range, now in a steel frame at our most accessible price.

What it feels like to use

You stay comfortable for longer. The backrest supports you where you actually need it, so you are not shifting position every few minutes to relieve the ache. People tell us the difference shows up around hour three.

You can move it around the house. It folds narrow enough to pass through a standard doorway and store beside a wardrobe rather than in the garage.

You can get it into the car yourself. Take off the wheels, legrests, casters and anti-tippers and the frame comes down to 18.3 lb, light enough to lift into a trunk without help. Everything comes off by hand.

You are not paying for a badge. The steel frame is what keeps the price where it is. The ergonomics are not the compromise; the frame material is.

The backrest

A flat back panel pushes your lower spine backwards into a C-shape. Your pelvis tilts, your head comes forward to compensate, and your diaphragm has less room to work. That is why sitting still becomes tiring.

The ErgoSteel backrest is shaped, not flat. It fills the hollow of your lower back and lets your shoulders sit where they belong. It is the award-winning ergonomic design we build into every Strongback chair, and the reason we keep talking about it is simpler than the engineering: it is the difference between a chair you tolerate and a chair you forget you are sitting in.

Rated for users up to 300 lb

The ErgoSteel's steel frame is rated for users up to 300 lb, tested to ISO 7176-15. Steel is heavier than the aluminum in the Strongback Comfort line, but it gives a frame that tolerates years of daily use with very little maintenance, at under half the price.

Made for transfers and tight spaces

The footrests swing away and detach without tools, so nothing sits between the chair and a bed, sofa or car seat during a transfer. The desk-length armrests are shortened at the front, letting the chair pull up close to a table, desk or kitchen counter instead of stopping at the edge. Side panels keep clothing clear of the wheels.

Weights and measurements

The ErgoSteel weighs 18.3 lb as a bare frame. Frame, wheels and legrests together weigh 35.7 lb, excluding anti-tippers and the shipping box. We publish both, and we say which is which. Some manufacturers quote only the lightest number they can measure. You should always ask what a stated weight includes.

Which Strongback is right for you

Questions people actually ask

How heavy is it, really?

Two figures, both honest. The chair as supplied weighs 35.7 lb. Stripped down for the car, with wheels, legrests, casters and anti-tippers off, the frame is 18.3 lb.

Will it fit in my car?

Folded with the wheels off it is roughly 25 by 13 by 25 inches (height by width by depth), which fits the trunk of most sedans and every wagon, SUV or hatchback we have tried. If you are unsure, send us your car model and we will check.

Can I manage it on my own?

Most people can. The wheels release with a push button and come off by hand, and the 18.3 lb frame is a two-handed lift rather than a heave. If lifting is difficult for you, tell us and we will talk you through the alternatives.

What size does it come in?

One seat width, 18 in, measured between the inside faces of the armrests. If you need 20 in or 22 in, look at the Comfort L or the Heavy Duty. Measure your hips while seated, add an inch, and call us if the number lands between two sizes.

Why steel and not aluminum?

Cost. Steel is what keeps the price where it is, while the backrest stays exactly the same. If a lighter chair matters more to you than price, look at the Comfort range.

Is the backrest adjustable?

The ergonomic curve itself is fixed, shaped to support the natural lumbar curve without adjustment. For transport and storage the backrest folds down.

Does it come assembled?

Yes. Unfold it, click the wheels on and it is ready.

What if it is not right for me?

Tell us within 30 days and we will send you a return authorization. We would rather sort it out than have you sitting in the wrong chair.

How long is it covered?

Two years on the frame, and twelve months on the seat, footrests and all other components, from the date of purchase. The warranty covers the original purchaser against defects in manufacturing and materials. It does not cover normal wear or damage from misuse. If something goes wrong, fill in the warranty claim form and we will take it from there.

Not sure it is right for you?

Call us at (757) 349-7790 and describe your day, how long you sit, who helps you, what car you have. We will tell you honestly whether the ErgoSteel suits you or whether one of the aluminum Comfort chairs would serve you better.