The turning circle is not good. Should have a brake which holds and has to be released. Pad was quite comfortable. I would not have bought it if I had tried it first.
I sustained a Jones fracture in my right foot recently and had gotten very good at hopping around on one leg until I got a knee walker. It's a great alternative to crutches and faster than using a cane. I'm happy I got it, but the turning radius on this thing is a nightmare! I live in a 991 sq. ft condo, so nothing in my place is very big. I had to keep lifting the walker up and putting it down in order to turn it with any degree of success. Not ideal to say the least. Oh, and as a 41-year-old guy, if you feel like a 9-year-old girl on a razor scooter where all you need is a pink bow and a bell, remember: that's all in your head. :-)
I was NOT looking forward to having to use a walker. Not at ALL. But I was very surprised about how well the Free Spirit walker worked for me. Look…I’m 51, so any walker or wheelchair makes me think I am getting old. But that wasn’t the case with this walker. I was easily able to get around because of its considerably light weight and I was also not just sitting around the house because it folds down easily to take with you when you leave the house. Half the time, I forgot I was even technically “off of my feet” like the doctor had suggested. The Free Spirit changed my opinion of walking assisted products completely.
One of my dear friends used the Free Spirit Walker after her ankle surgery last year and loved it. So when I broke my foot, I looked into it as well (no luck in borrowing hers, as she donated it to a nursing home). It was just as amazing as I remembered her telling me. The cushion was much more comfortable that I had expected and I was even able to assemble it all by myself…my husband was so proud! I was even able to take the half a mile walk to the other end of the neighborhood ON THE WALKER to see my friend and thank her for the recommendation!
While I wasn’t disappointed with the Free Spirit Walker, I wasn’t blown away, either. While it certainly got the job done, there was so much more I was looking for. First of all, this is a pretty heavy walker and for a single woman without any help around the house (with the exception of my gracious neighbors), this was pretty inconvenient. Also, and I know this is picky, I really would have preferred a basket rather than a bag to go along with it.
I wrecked my ankle in high school, again in college, and then aggravated it again on the job when I was 39. I’ve been on crutches quite a bit and can tell you that it’s terrible. So when I messed the same ankle up again at the age of 61, I knew I wanted something other than crutches after the surgery. So I did some research before my surgery and kept seeing great reviews for the knee walker. I resisted it at first but figured it would be better than crutches. I was right. This knee walker is comfortable, easy to maneuver, and an all-around lifesaver. I loved the knee pad cover because it was such a soft surface. I also really liked the fact that my grandkids found it interesting and were asking me questions about it. They thought it was cool and were eager to help me when I needed it. The knee walker is a great alternative to crutches, and while I’m not very experienced with walkers, I find it hard to believe there is anything better out there.
For the money, I really don’t think you’re going to get a better deal than what I got with my Free Spirit Knee walker. The knee pad is very comfortable and it gets the jobs done. This thing is heavy, though so it was hard to transport it from place to place even though it’s easy to collapse. Nothing super special about it but it made my recovery much easier than I had expected.
I had reconstructive surgery to repair a totally ruptured Achilles Tendon. I am under a zero weight restriction for at least two months. I used crutches for a bit more than two weeks, then I rented this scooter and have not looked back. I wished I would have gotten this scooter from day one. This scooter is MUCH better than crutches for getting around. At 23 pounds, my wife can load/unload the scooter from the car with little effort. It is maneuverable, stable and has a good turn radius (or pop a wheelie and pivot it). Big cracks in the sidewalks present an obstacle that can be negotiated with very little trouble. The rear scrub brakes work fairly well and the parking brake feature is very handy. I use my crutches to get up and down my front steps ONLY. If you are under a zero weight restriction or need to use crutches for an extended period of time: buy or rent this scooter . . . period. You will be glad you did.
I broke my ankle pretty recently, and I started on this knee walker for my recovery time. It makes my life easier, although it’s a bit weird to balance on one foot while lifting the knee walker and putting it in my car. Otherwise, this was a wonderful help, and I highly recommend it.
The Free Spirit Knee Walker was everything I expected and more. It has been a real help during my recovery time. Seriously, I don’t know what I would have done without this knee walker. I would recommend that anyone considering a knee walker rent as opposed to buy, as it can be cheaper if you’re not required to be off of your foot for too long (I was only off my foot for about eight weeks).
This is the best investment I’d made – I have absolutely no regrets about using this knee walker. I’ve been using my knee walker for about six weeks, and I have another six weeks to go before I can start putting weight on my foot again. It feels pretty stable with my full weight on it, so it’d recommend this for anyone who’s on the heavier side.
I had surgery on my Achilles tendon, and I had to be off my foot for the first twelve weeks after my surgery. My doctor’s nurse gave me a brochure for Knee Walker Central when I told her I didn’t like the feeling of crutches. I gave them a call, ordered the Free Spirit Knee Walker, and got it the next day – lo and behold, I’m here writing a review for this really great product. I used it every day for twelve weeks without a problem, and it was pretty easy to use in my house and in my office. Definitely a lifesaver.
This knee walker is perfect for providing mobility to a person who has a broken foot or ankle. My husband broke his ankle and found it really difficult to get around on crutches. If you’ve ever used crutches before, then you know what I’ll mean when I say this: crutches are not as functional as they look. In fact, my husband joked they were more like torture devices. The overall sturdiness of the Free Spirit knee walker is great. The hand brake is very reliable, although my husband never went fast enough to warrant using the brake. The knee pad was well-cushioned. We ordered the extra knee pad cover, which he liked because of the added cushioning on his knee.
I heard about Knee Walker Central from a friend, and all I can say is that I wish I had heard about this from my doctor first! I am using the Free Spirit knee walker for a broken foot, as I can’t stand the feel of crutches. In fact, I would even venture to say that this is vastly superior to crutches in every way, shape and form. There’s no need to keep 100% of your focus on balancing, or worry about how you’re going to walk when there’s any change with the floor surface or the weather (seriously, crutches + rain or snow = the worst day ever). With crutches, I had so much trouble grooming myself and cooking in the kitchen, but I don’t have those problems with my knee walker. In addition to these benefits, I don’t have to worry about falling over like I did with my crutches. Assembly for the knee walker was pretty simplistic – in fact, I had it done in under ten minutes. The brakes work well, the overall quality of the knee walker is great, and the kneepad stood up to the test of time. Be sure to check with your insurance company to see if you can get reimbursed. My insurance company said they would 70% the cost of the knee walker at the end of my rental, so I was pretty happy about that. Overall, a fantastic decision – no problems whatsoever, and I’d recommend Knee Walker Central to anyone who has the misfortune to have a busted ankle or foot.
Not being able to put weight on my ankle for all of summer was awful, but the only way I got through it was because of my Free Spirit knee walker. Crutches are ridiculously slow, but the Free Spirit knee walker was able to keep me mobile. One of the other benefits of this is that I could lift my knee walker up without worrying about falling over or it dropping out of my hands because it wasn’t so heavy. You can use your good leg to push off with the knee walker, and you can use the handles to make relatively tight turns. The only thing I would say is that you need to watch the handles, as it can be easy to lose control if you don’t have a tight grip. Knee Walker Central was recommended by my surgeon, and I have to say that this really enabled me to be mobile and independent while I was recovering from my Achilles tendon surgery.
I broke a bone in my foot about eight weeks ago, and I was practically immobile on crutches. I pride myself on having considerable upper body strength, but I wasn’t able to handle the armpit/back soreness after spending hours on the crutches each day. By week three, I was over it. I ordered the Free Spirit knee walker, and the set-up was an absolute breeze. Once my scooter was set up, I went from hobbling around like an old wizard on my crutches to cruising with my knee scooter (seriously, I was walking going than my friends at some points).
The Free Spirit Knee Walker is one of the less expensive knee walkers to rent, so I decided to go for it after learning I would need to undergo surgery for my Achilles tendon and be non-weight bearing for several weeks. I was depressed when I learned about my injury, but then I realized that I would actually be able to move again thanks to my knee walker. One of the biggest advantages to this knee walker is that it has a lightweight aluminum frame. This is significant if you have to go from your home to your car to the office, as you don’t want to lug a massive knee walker around with you. The only complaint I had about the Free Spirit knee walker is that the knee pad gets uncomfortable after a few hours of supporting your weight. I ended up going back to the Knee Walker Central site and purchasing a soft cover. It’s like the difference between night and day, so make sure you get yours if you decide to rent this particular model. Otherwise, excellent lightweight product. Fast shipping and good customer service too.
If you’re considering the Free Spirit knee walker, I highly recommend renting it. It’s stable, easy to handle, and it takes tight turns, so you can use it in a smaller apartment or house. The wheels are relatively large, which will make you feel secure on a sidewalk or uneven surface. Get this knee walker before your foot or ankle surgery, because you won’t want to spend a single second on crutches!
This is my first experience with this knee walker model, and with Knee Walker Central. I can say with absolutely honesty that I’ve been a massive fan of the Essential Free Spirit knee walker. I had ankle surgery about three weeks ago, and it’s made recovery a breeze. My doctor tried to get me to use crutches, but when I found out that my insurance covered the expense of a knee walker rental, I (proverbially) jumped at the chance. I scoot down the halls of my office and can even walk on the sidewalks without worrying about slipping or falling. If you’re looking for a sturdy knee walker, this is the one for you. Just be careful of those brake locks, they snap back hard.
I remember using crutches when I broke my leg in 7th grade…and I ended up having to be on them for longer than I was supposed to, since I kept losing my balance and re-injuring my foot. Needless to say, when I had to get surgery for my ankle last year, I knew I didn’t want to go through that hellish experience again. So I checked out the knee walkers and decided to try out the Free Spirit Knee Walker (yeah, I got suckered in by the name lol). I rented this knee walker for a really affordable price (just over $100 a month) and was absolutely thrilled with my experience. My good knee was a little sore from supporting my weight, but that’s nothing compared to the sore upper arms and strained back that I remember from my evil crutches experience in middle school. Yeah, it was that bad. This model has really sturdy wide wheels, which gives you a really decent feeling of stability and support. The front wheel is small for sharp turning, but the turning radius is still pretty wide, so it’s not ideal for tight turns and spaces. My only complaint about this knee walker is that it’s a little unwieldy to pick up. It took me a little while to get the knee walker in the car, but after awhile I got used to it. And I should mention that it doesn’t lock in place when it’s folded up, so keep an eye out for that. If it wasn’t for this minor quirks, I would have happily given Essential Free Spirit Knee Walker five stars.
I rented the Essential Free Spirit knee walker from Knee Walker Central last month, and it was just what I needed. It shipped quickly and was easy to put together. It clears the smallest doors in my apartment, so there’s no limit to where I can go.
This is a good replacement for crutches, but it’s not exactly for those people with weak bodies. It’s tough to pick up and I had trouble carrying it up the stairs. I should have opted for a lighter model, but you do get a lot of stability and the brakes are very strong. If you need the upper body workout and can afford it, I’d say this isn’t a bad pick. Shipped quickly too.
One of the biggest complaints I have about crutches is that it’s so tough to get around outside. Add to the fact that we had one of the craziest winters up here in Boston, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. I felt like I couldn’t move without being paranoid that I was going to slip on ice. Enter the Essential Free Spirit knee walker. This kick-butt mobility device is so stable that I could use it inside AND outside. The price may be a bit more expensive than other models, but trust me, it’s well worth it. The front wheel turns sharply, which is helpful in my apartment and it’s small rooms. The knee walker is crazy study. I didn’t even worry on the icy sidewalks because I knew I was covered. I think there was only one time that I started to lose control, and that’s because I was walking downhill. I had to have my roommate help me load it in and out of my car at first, but I think over time I got used to it, because I could do it myself.
I recently tore my Achilles tendon and was told by my doctor that I had to stay off my foot for the next 16 weeks. This knee scooter was the best decision I made, especially since crutches, as another reviewer put it, crutches are “evil.” I live on a hilly city block (San Francisco), so it was really important for me to find a knee walker that had sturdy, durable brakes. I read all the reviews for the different knee walkers, and it seemed like the Essential Free Spirit knee walker was the best choice. The reviews were right – this knee walker was perfect for use on hills, as the brakes are incredibly strong (sometimes too strong – there’s no such thing as a “gentle stop” with this model). The knee walker is able to easily fit into a trunk of a car. I’d recommend putting it in the backseat of your car, but just make sure there’s enough space around you when you park. I got a temporary handicap permit after I dinged a car with the knee walker in my grocery store parking lot. I hope I never have to use a knee walker again, but if I do, this one works incredibly well.
My Essential Free Spirit knee walker was delivered quickly, so I started using this as soon as I was coherent enough after my foot surgery. It’s really stable so it gives you the kind of confidence you can’t get from traditional crutches. Yes, it’s more expensive, but in my opinion, it’s worth it. One of my friends was on crutches a few years ago and he ended up taking twice as long to heal his broken ankle because he kept re-injuring it by accidentally putting his weight on it.
This is a really good product. The knee walker fits my height perfectly (I’m five foot three), but I have to put the knee pad in the lowest position. The brakes can be a bit snappy, so I pull up from the bottom of the loop instead of the top. It’s sturdy and turns well. My insurance only covers part of the rental payment, so it is a little on the pricey side for me. But if you’re covered or can pay for a quality model, this is a good product.
Got this for my wife when she underwent foot surgery. She ended up not being able to use it due to a bad knee, but Knee Walker Central was so easy to deal with for the return. Don’t get a knee walker if you have a bad knee, as it will exacerbate any injury.
I started off with a different knee walker model from a different service, but I quickly switched to Knee Walker Central and opted for the Essential Free Spirit knee walker. This knee walker, to put it bluntly, is the best. Hands down. No questions asked. It’s sturdier than the other model I’ve used, it’s a lot easier on my body (the other model gave me lower back pain), and more comfortable on my knee. Don’t let the 5’4’’ height requirement scare you off. If you’re worried about the price, I’d say call your insurance company to see if they cover it. It’s really worth the price, and I’d even pay all of it out of pocket (fortunately, I got pre-approval).
I love my new knee walker, especially since I’m currently recovering from an Achilles injury. I don’t usually write reviews, but I’m pretty happy with my Essential Free Spirit Knee Walker. With that said, it’s important for customers to know that this isn’t the lightest knee walker model around. I had to get my husband to help lift the knee walker, and I found it cumbersome to carry it with me up the stairs. I considered getting cheaper models, but I honestly like the stability and stopping power of this knee walker.
Much easier on the my body than evil crutches!! I live by myself in the city, so crutches aren’t exactly the look to rock. Plus, I don’t have roommates to help me out, so this knee walker is good for independent living. The knee walker is sturdy, and it’s even a good conversation starter at parties and at work. Make sure you opt for a handlebar basket so you can carry thing. Thank you Knee Walker Central!!
If I said that I was impressed with the Free Spirit Walker, it would be an understatement. After I had metatarsal surgery on my right foot, all I knew was that I didn’t want to be bumping around my house on crutches. My doctor gave me a list of places to heck out for a walker and I really liked what I saw from Knee Walker Central. I decided on the Free Spirit Walker because of the great reviews and the bullet points used to describe the benefits. And let me tell you, there was no false advertising there. The Free Spirit is incredibly comfortable, easy to put together, and you can transport it from place to place without any trouble. It was very easy to maneuver around the house, even in some of the tighter spaces. I was almost sad to put it away once the doctor cleared me to put weight on my foot! I can’t suggest this walker enough!
I’m so glad I got a knee walker after I broke my ankle a couple months ago, because it’s allowed for so much more FREEDOM than what I would have gotten if I got crutches. Seriously, it should be illegal for doctors to recommend crutches to their patients.