StairSteady and AssiStep - A comparison
Are you on the lookout for a stair climbing aid to make sure you can age safely and securely in place?
Look no further! In this article we will compare the Stair Walker AssiStep and the sliding assist bar StairSteady and take a closer look at their differences.
Content of this article
✓ AssiStep vs StairSteady
✓ Usage and Gripping Options
✓ Supported Stair Types
✓ Service and Safety
AssiStep vs StairSteady
The AssiStep and StairSteady are both mechanical stair aids that help and support you when going up and down your stairs. Both devices use a handle which provides added security when using the stairs, helping to prevent falls.
Both the stair walker AssiStep and the StairSteady use a handrail that is mounted to the wall as well as a sliding handle which moves along the handrail and locks in place when it’s not in use or when you put pressure on it. The handles act as firm support for climbing up and down the stairs and both handles can be folded in towards the wall in order to reduce obstruction of the stairs.
The StairSteady is being manufactured in the UK while the AssiStep is being manufactured in Norway.
Usage and gripping options
AssiStep
The AssiStep consists of an ergonomically shaped handle and a stainless steel handrail. The handle is attached to the handrail and is moved along the rail for added support while climbing the stairs.
The patented locking mechanism prevents you from sliding or falling on the stairs, because as soon as you apply pressure to the handle, it locks immediately and thus offers the necessary support and safety.
The AssiStep is made of high-quality materials such as stainless steel and anodized aluminum and takes up minimal space.
Usage when ascending
When ascending the stairs, it's recommend to hold onto the lower part of the handle:
- Push the handle gently and arm length away from you
- Use the handle as support while you take a step up
- Repeat for each step
Usage when descending
When descending the stairs, you have many different gripping options, depending on your preference:
- Lift the handle slightly in the section furthest away from the wall
- Slide the handle an arm length in front of you
- Use the handle as support while taking a step down
- Repeat for each step
The stair walker works completely mechanically without any electronics for transmissions that could fail. This makes for a solid and reliable solution for everyday life.
Gripping options
With the AssiStep and its ergonomically designed handle comes a variety of different gripping options. This means that you can adjust your grip to your preference without having to compromise.
StairSteady
The StairSteady consists of a straight handle bar which is attached to a powder coated steel pipe. The user slides the bar along the handrail by twisting the handle, so that rubber pads don't grip on the railing.
The StairSteady is manufactured using steel and rubber and can be folded in towards the wall when not in use.
Usage
When using the StairSteady, you need to lift the handle up slightly to the horizontal position and push it up the railing until your arm is fully extended, while twisting the handle so that it can move forward.
Gripping options
The StairSteady bar offers you the possibility to grip it horizontally in order to securely use the stairs.
Supported stair types
AssiStep
The AssiStep can be installed on most stair types as one continuous railing system:
- Straight stairs
- Curved stairs with continuous inclination
- Curved stairs with one or more flat landings
- Curved stairs with both continuous inclination and flat landings
StairSteady
- The StairSteady can be installed in straight stairs as one continuous railing system.
- For stairs with landings, you would need to install it as separate systems for each straight stair section.
Service and safety
AssiStep
When the AssiStep was developed, there was one clear criteria: The product shall never compromise your safety.
The AssiStep is developed by some of Norway's leading industrial designers and engineers and its design makes the usage as simple and easy as possible - both with two hands or with just one hand without having to compromise on safety.
The patented locking mechanism consists of a solid stainless steel locking pin, which is coupled to a torsion spring. This ensures that that the handle always stays locked, until you actively lift the handle.
The locking mechanism has gone through vigorous testing with 120 kg of force applied to the handle at 200.000 repetitions, without experiencing any material fatigue.
Furthermore the AssiStep is certified by the leading international technical service provider TÜV in Germany and complies with all relevant medical device standards.
The AssiStep comes with a 2 year manufacturer warranty and is designed so that it doesn't require any annual servicing.
StairSteady
The handrail is secured to a wall by means of supports. Both ends of the handrail have a round section to allow the handle bar to fold away to prevent the obstruction of the stairs. The StairSteady also consists of a handle bar that protrudes at 90 degrees from the handrail. The handle bar includes, at one end, a sleeve that rides over the handrail. This sleeve houses two materials with different friction coefficients (high and low) that is bonded directly to the internal surface of the sleeve.
Due to the braking mechanism, it may be less ideal to be used with only one hand as it might compromise the braking mechanism depending on where and how you will grip the handle.
Moisture on the railing and daily wear and tear of the pads should be considered in regards to how the braking mechanism works. The manufacturer recommended that the rubber pads are replaced annually to ensure safe operation.
Staying active is your body's own medicine
One of the best things you can do to promote good health and increase life expectancy is to maintain active throughout life.
Scientific studies show that even short walks and climbing stairs in your home has a vital impact on your health. The study also shows that simple activities such as vacuuming, short walks, gardening is all it takes to promote good health.
A study including 36,000 people from Norway, Sweden, UK and USA shows that continuing climbing the stairs in your home by yourself, has a profound fall preventive impact, as people who continue to climb stairs, and thereby use their muscles, maintain their balance and core body strength for longer.
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