Walking Rails / Parallel Bars

Parallel Bars / Walking Rails

Frequently Asked Questions

What are walking rails used for?

Walking rails are a piece of physical therapy equipment primarily used to provide support and stability to individuals during rehabilitation or physical therapy. They assist with patients who have mobility impairments or balance issues while walking, and regaining strength and mobility after an injury or surgery.
Walking rails are commonly used in physical therapy clinics, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes, as well as in home settings for individuals with chronic conditions or disabilities.

What are parallel bars?

Parallel bars is simply another name for walking rails. They can also be known as disability rails. They are a piece of equipment which consists of two parallel handrails, used to support and stabilise an individual during therapeutic exercise or rehabilitation. When we discuss walking rails we may also refer to them as parallel bars.

How do parallel bars benefit rehabilitation?

Parallel bars are an important piece of rehabilitation equipment, there are a number of important benefits to using parallel bars during rehabilitation.

1. Improved Balance. Parallel bars provide stability for individuals to work on improving their balance. The individual will hold onto the bars whilst practicing walking or standing, and the bars allow the individual to gradually improve their stability and reduce their risk of falling.
2. Strengthening. Parallel bars can be used to perform exercises which target specific muscle groups, such as leg lifts or squats. By performing these exercises regularly, individuals can strengthen their muscles and improve their overall strength and mobility.
3. Gait Training. Parallel bars can be used for gait training, which involves practicing walking patterns and movements. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals requiring exercise training who have suffered a stroke, as it can help them relearn how to walk and improve their gait.
4. Fall Prevention. Parallel bars can help prevent falls during the rehabilitation process. This is especially beneficial for elderly individuals who may be at higher risk of falls or with neurological conditions that affect their balance.
5. Confidence. The security of using the parallel bars can boost confidence during the rehabilitation process. As they improve their balance, strength, and mobility, an individual may feel more comfortable and confident in their ability to perform daily activities and participate in social situations.
6. Paediatrics: ABCO Health Care’s parallel bars can be designed upon request to suit a height range of 500-700mm. This makes them highly suitable for use in Paediatrics, where children with mobility difficulties may require the rail to provide support and stability during rehabilitation and to practice and develop their walking skills.

Are walking rails adjustable?

Height adjustment is a typical feature for walking rails, as it allows the therapist to accommodate the height of the user and any specific needs. ABCO Health Care’s walking rails are adjustable, for full information about the adjustability of each walking rail it’s best to refer to the product page or contact us for more information.

The ABCO Fixed Walking Rails offer a simpler, manual type of adjustment with pins and hand wheels on each leg. For a faster and accurate height adjustment with a digital height display the ABCO Premium Electric Walking Rails are ideal.

Folding walking rails are designed to  be sturdy and durable, yet lightweight and easy to move. The ability to fold down the rail is a popular feature which is highly suitable for multi-use spaces, where the walking rails cannot be permanently fixed to the floor or wall.
Folding rails are designed to be easily set up or taken down as needed. While this type of walking rail is not normally fixed to the ground, ABCO Health Care’s folding walking rails do come with fixing holes to allow permanent fixture if desired.

Do the parallel bars need to be connected to a power source?

ABCO Health Care offers two varieties of electric walking rails, the ABCO Electric Walking Rails and the ABCO Premium Electric Walking Rails. Both of these rails are completely battery operated, utilising a 4AH battery. This is handy as they do not rely on electrical cables which can get in the way or cause a tripping hazard.
Batteries need to be charged overnight once per week.

What types of walking rails are available?

• Electric walking rails. Fully battery operated with no hazardous electrical cables. Electric walking rails offer a faster and accurate height adjustment feature, as well as a memory feature in the ABCO Premium Electric Walking Rails. (pictured below)
• Fixed walking rails. These rails featured shaped and lacquered wooden hand rails, and manual height adjustment. Fixed walking rails are designed to be bolted to the floor for a permanent placing.
• Wall mounted rails. ABCO Health Care offers a timber and also a steel version of our wall mounted rails. These rails are mounted to the wall, with a fixed height to allow supported walking / gait training.
• Folding walking rails. Designed to be easily folded down and stored away when not in use. These rails featured shaped and lacquered wooden hand rails, and manual height adjustment
• Longer walking rails. Walking rails with a length greater than the standard size can be ordered through ABCO Health Care. Longer rail lengths are available for both the folding and fixed rail options.

Can walking rails be used by someone with a disability?

Yes, walking rails are commonly used by individuals with disabilities. ABCO Health Care rails are designed to provide support and stability while walking or standing, making them a critical part of rehabilitation for individuals with mobility impairments or balance issues.
Walking rails can be used by people with a variety of disabilities, including those with neurological conditions, musculoskeletal disorders, and injuries. The height of the bars can be adjusted to accommodate the user's height and specific needs, and the bars can also be used for therapeutic exercise or rehabilitation purposes.

How much weight can the walking rails support?

The weight capacity will depend on the specific rail product.
Fixed or folding walking rails have a vertical weight capacity of 200kg per rail. The ABCO Electric Walking Rails have a lifting capacity of 200kg per rail. The ABCO Premium Electric Walking Rails allow for a lifting capacity of 300kg per rail and static load of 600kg per rail. Wall mounted rails have a safe working load of 200kg provided there is adequate attachment to the wall.

For full information about the weight capacity of ABCO Health Care walking rails please refer to each individual product description or contact us for further information.