35 stone riser recliner chairs (222kg)

Why 35 stone is the most common rating

Many bariatric ranges are designed around a 35 stone rating because it covers a large number of heavier users with comfortable headroom. Manufacturers build more models at this level than at any other bariatric rating, which means more choice of styles and colours and more suppliers competing for your order.

For buyers, that choice is a real advantage. You can compare several chairs at the same rating, look at different back styles and fabrics, and pick the supplier whose aftercare and delivery suit you best, rather than taking whatever is available.

What a typical 35 stone chair looks like

A typical 35 stone bariatric riser recliner has a reinforced steel frame, a seat around 61cm to 66cm (24 to 26 inches) wide and a footrest rated to around 20 to 25 stone. Most are dual motor, so the back and footrest move separately, and many offer a battery back-up for power cuts. From across the room, though, most look like a well-made traditional armchair rather than a piece of specialist equipment.

Because they are larger than standard chairs, check the overall width and depth against your doorways and the space in the room. Ask too whether the back can be removed for delivery, which often makes a big chair much easier to get into the house.

Seat sizes and fit

At 35 stone, the seat size is often more important than the exact weight rating. A chair can be rated well above the user's weight and still feel tight if the seat is too narrow. Look for a little space either side of the hips when the user is sitting back, a seat depth that stops a few fingers short of the back of the knees, and a seat height that lets the feet rest flat on the floor.

Many suppliers offer more than one seat width at this rating, and some will build to measure. Taking the user's measurements before you ask for prices helps suppliers recommend the right size first time. Our measuring guide takes about five minutes.

Back styles

The back style changes how the chair supports the user and how it looks in the room. Common options at 35 stone include:

• Waterfall back: layered cushions that give a soft, deep feel and a traditional look.
• Lateral support back: shaped sides that help keep the user centred in the chair.
• Classic or button back: a firmer, more formal style.
• Higher back: useful for taller users who want head support when reclined.

The best way to choose is to sit in more than one style, which is easiest during a home demonstration.

Dual motor and tilt-in-space

Dual motor is the standard set-up at this rating, giving independent control of the back and footrest. Some 35 stone chairs also offer tilt-in-space, where the whole seat tilts back together while keeping the same seated position. It is a feature some users prefer for resting, and it is worth trying before you decide whether you need it.

Made to measure at 35 stone

Many suppliers build 35 stone chairs to order, so seat width, depth and height can be set to the user. That is often the best way to get a good fit for a larger frame, especially for users who are particularly tall or short for their width. A made-to-measure chair takes longer to arrive than a stock model, so ask for an expected delivery time when you get your quote.

When to step up to 40 stone

Choose 35 stone if the user's weight sits comfortably below it and a 66cm seat gives enough room. If they are already close to 35 stone, or the seat feels tight, look at 40 stone chairs, which usually come with wider seats and higher-rated footrests as well as a higher overall rating.

Choosing between 35 stone suppliers

With so many chairs at this rating, the supplier can matter as much as the model. Ask each one how long the frame and motors are covered, who carries out repairs and how quickly an engineer can usually visit. Check whether delivery includes carrying the chair into the room, assembling it and showing the user how it works, and whether an old chair can be taken away. Ask too whether their prices are shown with or without VAT relief, so you can compare quotes on the same basis. A supplier who answers all of this clearly, and gives you time to decide, is one you can buy from with confidence.

Living with a 35 stone chair

Once the chair arrives, a few habits help it last. Keep the area under and behind the chair clear so nothing gets caught in the mechanism, avoid sitting on the arms or standing on the footrest, and keep the power cable out of walkways. If the chair has a battery back-up, charge it as the manufacturer recommends. Report any new noise, jerky movement or slow lifting to the supplier early, while it is still easy to put right.

What to ask suppliers about a 35 stone chair

• The maximum user weight for the seat and, separately, for the footrest.
• The seat width between the arms, the seat depth and the seat height.
• Whether it is single or dual motor, and whether tilt-in-space or a battery back-up is available.
• Whether it can be made to measure, and how long that takes.
• The chair’s overall size, how it is delivered, and the warranty on the frame and motors.
• Whether they offer a home demonstration.

Buying for someone who is chronically sick or disabled? Read about VAT relief on bariatric chairs.

Other weight ratings

• 25 stone159kg. Heavy-duty standard chairs and entry bariatric models.
• 30 stone190kg. Bariatric models, plus a few heavy-duty standard chairs.
• 35 stone222kg. The widest choice of bariatric models.
• 40 stone254kg. Specialist bariatric models, often made to order.
• 50 stone318kg. A small number of specialist models.