These chairs are great! wide and strong enough for 250 lbs.  (5 stars pending part replacement)  Yes instructions are just a diagram and it is difficult to assemble.  The extra padding on this model is thin and is mainly beneficial at the top where a crossbar is behind the shoulders. Love the swivel.  It is true that the bottom support (foot bar) is low.  I am 6 ft tall and with shoes it is fine and hits me at the ball of my foot.  5' 9' it will hit at your toes, but you can twist with your foot at the vertical bars no problem.  Please make sure you are careful not to strip the screwholes as the bolts are harder metal.  Try to not screw everthing in all the way until you get them all in.  I do have a seam on one of my support legs that might have a small gap that I will request be replaced.  If they fix it, I will update to 5 stars