a gliding mechanism for a gliding recliner seating assembly comprises a floor - standing base having a longitudinal cross member parallel to a width of the seating assembly . two front connecting links and two back connecting links respectively connect , pivotally , front and back portions of the seating assembly to the floor - standing base . the longitudinal cross member supports a weight transferred by the seating assembly to the floor - standing base and is positioned closer to the back portion of the seating assembly than to the front portion of the seating assembly . the gliding mechanism can be made part of a gliding recliner chair , for example an armchair , having vertical side frames pivotally connected to the floor - standing base . a footrest can be added to the seating assembly and be operated in extended position without preventing gliding movement of the chair . the floor - standing base may comprise a pivoting portion allowing rotation of the chair .