A sport wheelchair is built to move fast, turn on the spot and stay steady while you play. It looks and rides very differently from an everyday chair. Its wheels lean in sharply, its casters are tiny, and it fits you so closely that the chair moves when you move.
This guide covers what makes a court sport chair different, how chairs differ by sport, and how to size one. The figures here are typical ranges for sport chairs. Each product page gives the exact sizes and options for that chair. For an everyday chair, start with our manual wheelchair buying guide or our ultra lightweight wheelchair buying guide.
What makes a sport chair different
- High camber. The rear wheels lean in at the top, commonly about 15 to 20 degrees. That makes the chair very steady side to side and quick to turn, and it puts the push rims right under your hands. It also makes the chair much wider at the bottom than an everyday chair.
- A fixed frame. Court chairs have a rigid frame with no folding parts, so all of your push goes into the chair. Frames are commonly aluminum, chromoly steel or titanium.
- Small casters and anti tip wheels. Tiny front casters, about 3", let the chair spin quickly. One or two small wheels at the back stop the chair from tipping backward when you push hard or lean back.
- A close fit. The seat fits you snugly, and most players strap in at the feet, knees and waist. The chair then turns when your body turns.
- Light weight. Court chairs commonly weigh about 22 to 26 lbs.
Chairs by sport
| Sport | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Basketball | A strong frame with a bumper at the front to protect your feet and the chair in contact, high camber for quick turns, and an anti tip wheel at the back. |
| Tennis and pickleball | A light, adjustable frame built to pivot quickly and reach the ball, with small casters and a smooth glide across the court. |
| More than one sport | A multi sport chair with an adjustable frame suits a new player, a school or a club that wants one chair for several sports. |
If you are new to a sport, an adjustable chair lets you try different seat positions as your game develops. Experienced players often choose a fixed frame built exactly to their measurements, which is lighter and stiffer.
Sizing a sport chair
A sport chair is built to your measurements, often in 1" or half inch steps. Measure while sitting upright on a firm surface, with someone to help.
- Seat width. Measure across the widest part of the hips. A sport chair fits closer than an everyday chair, so the hips are held without pressing. Seat widths commonly run from about 12" to 20".
- Seat depth. Measure from the back of the hips to the back of the knee. Seat depths commonly run from about 10" to 20".
- Seat heights. The front and rear seat heights are set separately. A seat that is lower at the back holds you in the chair and gives more control. A higher seat helps you reach the ball or the rim. Coaches and experienced players are a good source of advice here.
- Rear wheels. Sport wheels commonly come in 24", 25" or 26". A larger wheel gives more speed on each push and raises the push rims.
- Weight. Court chairs are commonly rated for about 250 lbs. Choose a rating comfortably above your weight.
A sport chair is a second chair
High camber makes a sport chair too wide for most doorways, and its small casters catch on curbs and rough ground. It is made for the court. Most players keep an everyday chair for the rest of the day.
Wheels and tires
Sport wheels take a beating, and players often keep a spare set. Our tires and wheels collection carries replacement wheels, push rims and casters.
Insurance and Medicare
Hieline sells direct and does not accept Medicare or any insurance, so the price you see is the price you pay. If your private insurance covers durable medical equipment, keep your receipt for a reimbursement claim. Coverage varies by plan, and approval is never guaranteed. Medicare pays only for equipment from suppliers enrolled in Medicare, so it will not reimburse a purchase from us. For the steps to take with private insurance or Medicare, read our insurance and Medicare guide.
Buying from Hieline
Sport chairs are built to order to the sizes and options you choose on the product page. Shipping follows our shipping policy. Financing is available through CareCredit on purchases of $200 or more. Low price guarantee: find it advertised for less and we will work with you.
Returns
A chair built to the sizes and options you choose cannot be returned, so check each choice against your measurements before you order. Each product page says whether the chair can be returned under our returns policy.
How to decide
- Choose the sport, or choose a multi sport chair if you play more than one.
- Choose an adjustable frame if you are new, or a fixed frame if you know the setup you want.
- Measure seat width and seat depth, and talk to your coach about seat heights.
- Choose the camber, rear wheel size and casters.
- Check the weight rating.
Common questions
Can I use a sport wheelchair every day?
It is made for the court. High camber makes it too wide for most doorways, and its small casters catch outdoors. Most players keep an everyday chair as well.
What is camber, and why is it so high on a sport chair?
Camber tilts the rear wheels so the tops lean in. On a sport chair it is commonly about 15 to 20 degrees, which makes the chair very steady side to side and quick to turn.
Do I need a different chair for basketball and tennis?
Serious players usually have a chair for their sport. A basketball chair has a bumper for contact, and a tennis chair is built to pivot and reach. A multi sport chair can cover both for a new player or a club.
How much does a sport wheelchair weigh?
Court chairs commonly weigh about 22 to 26 lbs. Each product page gives the weight for that chair.
See every chair on our sport and recreation wheelchairs page.
