As our bodies age and get more tired it becomes fairly easy to allow ourselves to reduce how much we move around each day. However, there is much to be said for the benefits of maintaining and improving your overall mobility. Whether you make the effort to go outside for a walk each day, commit to doing stretches regularly or take up a new activity like pickleball, improving your day-to-day mobility will have many benefits.

Benefits of improving your mobility

Do you have mobility issues and feel you can’t get out more and be active? Think again, Volaris Rollators have allowed thousands of seniors and those with mobility issues to do more outside with our industry leading, all-terrain rollators. Go further, get more exercise and walk upright!

Though there are many benefits to improving how much and how well you move your body each day, the health benefits you’ll feel are going to be the most significant of all.

You’ll lower your risk of injury

Seniors often experience a higher rate of injury than the average person, and that can be a result of muscles and bones becoming weakened and atrophied. The best way to counter these risks is to maintain a regular level of activity. While some seniors may struggle to get overly active each day, participating in low impact activities like walking and stretching will help them to maintain physical mobility for longer than if they allow their reduced mobility to take hold.

Posture will improve

The more time someone spends sitting or leaning over in a chair or while walking with a rollator walker, the poorer their posture will naturally become. Taking time throughout each day to stretch and strengthen muscles in the back, stomach, hips and torso will help people of all ages to maintain and improve their posture.

Exercise is a stress reducer

Regardless of how old you are and how well your body works, when you live your life each day it’s easy to get lost in the moment and forget to focus on your body. Taking even just a few minutes a day to focus on your breathing and to do a few stretches can help reduce tension and stress that you’ve been carrying in your body.

You may reduce pain

When you take time to work on lengthening and strengthening muscles by stretching and maintaining regular movement a common by-product of increased mobility is that you’ll end up experiencing less pain. Lower back pain especially is tied to the common and unnatural pressure that many feel thanks to a pelvic tilt that many people have, and increased mobility can help reduce this.

Life may feel more positive

It’s no surprise that when your body hurts and you struggle just to move around, life itself feels like that much more of a struggle. So, on the flip side, if you’re able to move around with more ease you’ll likely feel more positive about your day-to-day life.

Interest in getting active may improve

If regular movement is hard or includes pain, it’s natural to avoid doing the things that bring on this struggle. As it gets easier and less painful to move around, a person’s interest in doing so will naturally increase.

They may feel more confidence

As a person’s balance, vision and strength change with age, it can be intimidating to do tasks that they once took on without a second thought. Activities like walking on uneven or slippery surfaces, crossing a busy road or navigating a grocery store can feel intimidating when they aren’t confident about how their body may behave in a given situation. Making an effort to maintain mobility through stretching, strength training and other regular physical activity can allow seniors to feel more confident in these situations.

They may maintain independence

The ability to carry out day to day tasks with ease and confidence will help seniors to hold onto their independence for longer than if they aren’t able to things like walk down stairs, navigate the bathroom, clean their kitchen or pick up their own groceries.

Brain functions better

While cognitive function tends to decrease as people age, regular exercise has been shown to help reduce this effect. A recent study has shown that older adults who exercise in the morning and then take brief walks throughout the day are more likely to maintain short term memory and decision-making skills as compared to those who sit for several hours each day.

Improve Mobility for Health’s Sake

Live better. It’s a choice we make and there are things we can do to improve our quality of life. Invest in the best tools and equipment to help you live a healthier and more ENJOYABLE life. For all the benefits listed, you owe it to yourself and loved ones to get active and assistive devices like premium rollators can help immensely.

Walking upright is something that most of us have done for most of our lives, so it’s easy to take the ability to do so for granted. But the truth is, as individuals start to rely on mobility support aids it’s common to see their posture start to regress and some associated problems start to occur. If you or someone you know is using a mobility aid and haven’t given much thought to the posture that is maintained, now is the time!

Poor spinal posture creates a host of issues

Did you know? Our goal at Xlent Care Products is to help our customers live better with more freedom. All our products are geared at promoting wellness and reducing pain. It’s no wonder that our walk-upright line of rollators are recognized as the gold standard for seniors and those with mobility issues.

As we age and start struggling to walk independently, it’s natural for our bodies to start hunching over and bending forward. However, this shift in posture can create some significant issues for the rest of our body, from breathing struggles to joint pain.

According to Dr. Jonathan Kuttner, a pain specialist in New Zealand and the author of the Life After Pain book and course, spinal posture is an incredibly significant factor in health, energy levels and longevity.

It turns out that poor spinal posture (head forward posture and excessive rounding of the upper back) affects a whole range of important functions. To be fair, your spine is the pillar of our stance and the axis of all movement, so this is hardly unexpected.

Research shows that poor spinal posture increases stress in your body and nervous system. Tense muscles = no real relaxation = increased pain and tension in your neck, back and shoulders.”

In his book Dr. Kuttner also explains that

…poor spinal posture decreases your lung capacity and ability to breathe efficiently. It prevents you from getting enough air into your lungs every time you breathe.

Upright rollators are the best option

Though there are many different kinds of mobility aids available on the market and it can be hard to decide which one will suit your needs best, it’s important to remember that a rollator walker that encourages you to stand upright rather than hunched over will have the most significant benefits in your everyday life for many reasons.

Helps maintain good spinal posture

A regular walker or rollator will often have you bent over, standing over the frame. A rollator walker will encourage the user to stand inside of the frame with an adjustable height setting to allow them to maintain un upright stance. This will help the spine to stay straight, reducing the likelihood of developing joint pain, back pain, muscle tension, and reduced circulation.

There’s more support

An upright rollator walker is designed to have comfortable handlebars with an easy-to-use brake system and a built-in seat providing the user with more support and comfort than with a standard walker.

Rollator walks are more stable

When using a regular walker, a user is more apt to lean forward, throwing off their center of balance and causing them to feel unstable. However, when using a rollator walker the user stands inside of the frame, not behind it.

All terrain usage

Rollator walkers come equipped with the ability to be used both indoors and outdoors and on many different kinds of terrain. Larger wheels, built in suspension and a unique flexframe structure allow some models to be used on more extreme terrain with ease.

Adjustable features

With the ability to adjust the height of their rollator and choose a frame that suits their needs, users will find that some of the pain that’s associated with poor spinal posture can be reduced.

Maintain good spinal posture, and your independence, with a rollator walker

Maintaining an active and comfortable lifestyle is an important part of a happy life, regardless of how well you are able to move around. The use of a rollator walker can help offer support in a way that allows you to ease the pressure put on your spine while allowing you to move around as freely as you’re able to.

Dr. Kutner notes that more than two-thirds of the world’s population the exact spinal posture that leads to the aforementioned issues. Taking steps to help improve your spinal posture can help make significant improvements in other areas of your life. The findings are an important lesson for us, and those that want to “live well and go further” in life!

What do YOU see in the image? If you have mobility issues and haven’t been to the beach in years, then you see a challenge. You feel you don’t have the freedom to walk on the beach. Volaris all-terrain rollator owners see it differently. They see a gorgeous beach they’d love to – and can – visit and walk themselves. Rollator Volaris wheeled walkers, with their trademark flexible frames, soft rubber tires and larger wheels tires (like on our Patrol All-Terrain Model) would make walking along sandy beaches a breeze. So enjoy more of what you love and the freedom to do it!

With warm summer weather suddenly upon us, hitting the beach to cool off and enjoy a sunny day by the water is tempting for everyone who lives near water. High temperatures seem to beckon us to the sandy beauty that the beach offers! However, if you or your beach-going partner use a walker, it can often feel like a hinderance when it comes to travelling on soft, sandy ground. Sand feels great between your toes, but can be difficult to walk on if you already struggle with getting around unsupported. Never mind trying to use a walker on the beach!

Luckily, there is a solution! A rollator walker that is designed for rough and hard to travel terrain can be just the ticket to fully enjoying your summer. Volaris all terrain rollators are designed with special features that will help make moving across a beach much easier than a regular rollator does.

Regular Walkers aren’t made for the beach

Unfortunately, when walkers were originally being designed, they were done so with the idea of walking on hard, everyday terrain, not so much surfaces like sand or rocks. This resulted in a general inability to use a walker on the beach. As soon as your 4 walker legs hit the sand and you put weight on the handles, you will sink in and be faced with a more difficult situation than if you had no walker at all.

Even rollator walkers, with wheels that make travelling rough terrain easier, aren’t likely to travel on sand very well. Small, narrow wheels aren’t meant to roll across sand or rocky ground. If you’ve been using a regular rollator or a 4-legged walker you may never have even tried to take it to the beach, and for good reason!

Top features on an all-terrain walker

While most rollator walker models typically come with similar features like a built-in seat and easy to use handle brakes, there are some extra features offered on all-terrain models that will greatly increase your ability to head to the beach and put your toes in the sand this summer.

Suspension frame – the flexframe of an all-terrain rollator walker plays a large role in how easily it will move across rough terrain. This unique frame allows the rollator to roll across uneven ground while still keeping all 4 wheels on the ground, offering you a steadier support as you navigate bumpy ground.

Larger wheels – The same way that a pulley with large wheels is easier to use, a rollator walker with large wheels is also easier to push across sand and rocky or pebbly ground.

Soft rubber tires – Tires that can absorb vibrations from the ground underneath them will offer a much smoother and steady walking experience. Rough terrain can be hard on your back and shoulders as you hold onto the handle bars, however soft tires can reduce this stress on your body.

Spending time outdoors is great for your health

Regardless of what kind of activities you’re taking part in, getting outside for some fresh air is great for both mental and physical health! And since June has been dubbed Great Outdoors Month, now is the perfect time to head out. Whether you prefer to enjoy your time on a nice bench watching the birds or a great sunset or like to get a bit more active and go for a walk or enjoy some beach time, you are sure to benefit in many ways.

Maintain your freedom with all terrain rollators

Using a walker should never mean having to compromise your freedom to live your life the way you want to. Rollator walkers come in many different models and styles, all of which can help you maintain independence and mobility, stay connected with friends and family, and keep you living a fulfilling and happy life. Enjoy the breeze coming off the water and the feeling of sand in your toes with the help of an all-terrain rollator walker this summer.

Using a rollator walker might seem like a hinderance to many when they first start using it, but the opposite is actually true. Once a user gets the hang of moving around with their rollator walker, they will no doubt find that their freedom and mobility will increase in turn helping them to maintain their independence and a higher quality of life. Regular physical activity is the best way for adults to maintain a healthy lifestyle and spend time in the great outdoors.

What do you see in the image? If you have mobility challenges, you likely don’t see a beautiful European cobblestone walkway lined with outdoor dining. You see a place you think you’d not be able to visit as your walker or rollator just wouldn’t cut it. Rollator walkers by Volaris with flexible frames, soft rubber tires and larger wheels tires (like on our Patrol All-Terrain Model) would make walking along such cobblestone paths easy. Make your vacation dreams a reality!

Man rollator features to consider

Choosing a rollator walker can be a confusing process. There are many different designs and features available on the market, and deciding which ones are actually needed can feel overwhelming. However, when it comes down to it, it all comes down to how the rollator is most likely to be used.

Someone that is only looking for support to move around their home and other indoor spaces will do well with a simple rollator walker with the basic included features. However, someone that would like to maintain a more active lifestyle will likely be looking for a rollator walker that can easily go on adventures with them, while still providing the support that they’ve come to expect from a mobility aid.

It’s all in the frame

When it comes to choosing a rollator that will work smoothly on a variety of rougher terrain, the frame is what will make the difference. A specialized rollator walker frame that can absorb vibrations from the ground it’s travelling will help create a smoother ride for the user.

The newly designed Flexframe that is found on some newer rollator walkers uses suspension to help ease the stress and pressure that one might feel in their arms and shoulders when using a standard rollator walker on rough terrain.

Patrol Rollator has it all

The Patrol all terrain rollator walker has many features that make it the perfect option for anyone looking to get outdoors more and experience some rougher terrain than a regular rollator is designed to handle.

Along with the standard features like a built-in seat and easy to squeeze handle breaks, the features that make the Patrol rollator walker the best all terrain walker available include:

A Flexframe – This frame absorbs shocks and bumps from uneven ground much better than a standard rollator walker. It also ensures that all four wheels stay on the ground even when it is uneven, offering more stability to the user. The Flexframe helps the rollator to traverse uneven walkways, stony forest paths, fields with tall grass, cobblestones and many other rough surfaces with ease.

Oversized cushioned tires – The 10” wheels on the Patrol walker traverse rough terrain with ease providing significant shock absorption for the user.

Lubricated wheels – The wheels on the Patrol model are self lubricating allowing for less maintenance and upkeep.

X Frame construction – The Patrol walker folds in the center which allows it to stand on its own even when folded up. This makes transporting and moving it much easier than models that can’t stand on their own.

Compact body – The small frame allows the rollator to be tucked into a backseat or trunk without taking up a lot of space. It will also allow the user to bring the rollator indoors when needed, without feeling like their all-terrain rollator is getting in the way.

Lightweight construction – The more lightweight construction of the Patrol rollator walker means that it can easily be folded up and placed in a vehicle without straining the user.

Mobility is easier with the right rollator walker

With so many models of rollator walkers available there are many ways for anyone who struggles with mobility to comfortably get around. And now with all terrain walkers like the Patrol model, there is no reason that an outdoor enthusiast should feel held back from the outdoors. No one will have to compromise their interests will the mobility aids on the market today. From canes to rollator walkers with many features, the support they provide is the key to getting outside and continuing to live a full life.

In addition to being national seniors’ month, June is also known as the Great Outdoors Month! This means June is an excellent time to get outside and explore! A national holiday isn’t the only reason to choose June as the perfect time to spend more time outside, though. There are many reasons why going outside for some exercise and fresh air is a great choice for anyone- even those with mobility issues!

With the wet weather that comes with winter and spring well behind us, June is more likely to bring with it clear walkways and healthy fields, making walking outdoors much easier for anyone to enjoy.   

Many health benefits to getting outdoors

Did you know? Rollator walkers by Volaris are not just for those that need help walking. They’re loved by those who are active yet have mobility issues to help them go everywhere they have always enjoyed!

Your sleep will improve

Getting fresh air and exposing yourself to natural light daily, especially in the mornings, can help your body’s natural sleep cycle to regulate, allowing you to sleep better at night. Regular exercise can also help your body to expend energy and be more ready to rest and relax each night.

It can help support your mental health

Getting outside for a walk or to enjoy the fresh air on a regular basis can help increase the release of endorphins like serotonin which can help reduce feelings of anxiety, stress and depression which can in turn improve your overall mood. Regular exercise can also help improve your brain function leading to better memory retention, attention span and possibly even reducing the onset of dementia and other brain diseases. 

Vitamin D has many health benefits

Vitamin D is something that most people are low in, so getting outdoors this June will no doubt help to increase your supply. This vitamin is essential in helping your body to maintain a healthy immune system leading to a better defense against things like cancer, osteoporosis and even Alzheimer’s disease.

How to enjoy the outdoors

Hit the trails

With hundreds of trails in the Toronto area including sections of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail and the Great Trail that stretches across Canada, there is no shortage of great, easy to walk pathways to get to know. Many of these trails are paved and very easy to walk so they’ll be a great way to enjoy the outdoors.

Take up a hobby

Hobbies like photography and bird watching are a great way to spend more time outdoors. Whether you go for a walk to find the perfect view or just head to your favourite park bench and enjoy the nature close to home, the time you spend outdoors taking photos or looking for new birds to identify will have many positive effects.

Walk a dog

Taking a dog for a walk is the perfect excuse to get outdoors this June. Dogs need to spend time outside to get their exercise and fresh air, so if you or a friend has a dog you can use this furry friend as an excuse to get some movement in your day. Visit with family and friends Getting together with family or friends to go for a walk and have a visit is the perfect motivator to get outside, especially during 2021 when getting together has been difficult.

Use a mobility aid to help support movement

Even if you struggle to stay on your feet or walk for longer periods there are tools that you can use to help you get around. Spending time moving around outside has many health benefits so it is worthwhile to use tools like a rollator walker or a cane to help support you.

Rollator walkers have built in features like a seat, handbrakes, adjustable height and large wheels designed to move easily over a wide variety of terrain. These features can make maintaining freedom and independence much easier than if you try to push through without taking advantage of the support they offer.

The Great Outdoors Month is the perfect reason to get outside

Spending time outdoors has many benefits for everyone. If you need a push to spend more time outside and take in all the positive effects that fresh air and regular movement can bring, this national month-long holiday might be just the ticket!