If you've searched for "zimmer frame" and ended up on pages showing walking frames, you're in the right place. A zimmer frame and a walking frame are the same product. The name confusion trips up a lot of Australians, and it's easy to sort out once you know the history.
In this article
- What Is a Zimmer Frame?
- Are They the Same Thing?
- What to Look For in a Standard Walking Frame
- Where to Find Walking Frames in Australia
What Is a Zimmer Frame?
"Zimmer" is the name of a US orthopaedic company, Zimmer Biomet, whose walking frames became so widely used in hospitals during the mid-20th century that the brand name stuck in everyday English. It's the same thing that happened with "Hoover" becoming a generic word for vacuum cleaner.
In Australia and the UK, older adults and many healthcare workers still say "zimmer frame" when they mean a standard, four-legged walking frame with no wheels. If your mum calls it a zimmer frame and her physio calls it a walking frame, they're talking about exactly the same piece of equipment.
Are They the Same Thing?
Yes, completely. A zimmer frame is a standard walking frame. Both terms describe a four-legged, two-handed mobility aid with no wheels that you lift and place as you walk.
You won't find products labelled "zimmer frame" in Australian stores or on Australian websites. Products are sold as "walking frames", "wheeled walkers", or "rollators". If you're shopping online, search for "walking frame" and you'll find exactly what you need.
What to Look For in a Standard Walking Frame
Folding vs Non-Folding
Most modern walking frames fold flat for storage and transport. If you need to put it in a car boot or store it in a small space, a folding frame is well worth the slight extra cost. Non-folding frames are simpler and marginally more rigid, but they're genuinely hard to move around.
Safe Working Load (SWL)
Every frame has a maximum weight rating. Always choose a frame with an SWL at least 20 kg above the user's body weight. Standard frames in Australia are typically rated from 100 kg up to 180 kg. Bariatric models go higher.
Handle Height Range
Handles should sit at wrist height when you stand upright with your arms relaxed at your sides. Most frames adjust between roughly 77 cm and 97 cm, which suits users from about 155 cm to 190 cm in height. Check the product's listed height range before you buy.
Where to Find Walking Frames in Australia
Walking frames are available at pharmacies, medical supply stores, and online. Buying online from an Australian retailer typically gives you access to a wider range, better prices, and a clear returns policy, which matters when you're making a safety-critical purchase.
Our walking frames collection includes standard folding frames, two-wheel frames, and four-wheel rollators, all with Australian stock, fast delivery, and a full returns policy if the fit isn't right. Browse the range here.