What is a "bariatric scooter"? Let's see. It is just an accepted fact of life that people who are overweight or obese develop knee or joint problems more frequently. With the obesity problem becoming such a big issue, especially in the USA, it is no wonder more and more people are looking for a solution. Unfortunately, with the obesity come additional, foreseen and less foreseen diseases that need to be dealt with. One of the quite obvious consequences of obesity is problems with the mobility. In many obese people, knees simply become damaged due to high external pressures they have to endure.

The cartilage in the joints is unable to restore itself fast enough and can at some places become erased, leading to bone-on-bone rubbing while walking which causes unbearable pain. A pain like that calls for the use of a mobility scooter. And since the owner is overweight, the capacity of such scooter must be adequate - thus the proliferation of the term "bariatric scooter." It simply means a mobility scooter that is designed to carry an overweight person, a person whose weight exceeds 250 or even 350 lbs. Some bariatric scooters have weight capacity as high as 500 lbs.

Bariatric scooters should not be confused with "Heavy Duty" scooters although in many ways, the two terms overlap each other. The heavy duty scooter means a scooter that can cross a variety of terrains, such as gravel, grass, sand, etc. It has high ground clearance, as much as 5 in. or more. It usually has strong suspensions. On the other hand, the bariatric scooter is just made to carry a heavy person, and not necessarily on rough terrains. It could just be designed for home and for the pavements.

Bariatric scooters feature weight capacities up to 500 lbs. or more, they feature stronger metal frames that can carry the weight. Correspondingly, they usually have larger wheels and stronger suspensions. Their ground clearance need not be extreme but is usually at least 2 in. One of the most important aspects is the sturdy and large chair that will accommodate a larger person. As a side note, because of these design characteristics of bariatric scooters, they happen to be more comfortable to ride as well compared to the smaller, lightweight mobile scooters.

A great example of a bariatric scooter is Pride Maxima. This is a luxurious line of bariatric mobile scooters by Pride. You can order Pride Maxima at a discount here through Amazon. It has 500 lbs. carrying capacity and is made by one of the most trusted manufacturers of mobile scooters in the US, Pride Mobility. The Maxima is a 3-wheel bariatric scooter with a solid, luxurious look and an extremely comfortable ride.