Your latest workout motivation is here- and it’s exhilarating!

Is it actually possible to use an electric bike for exercise?

Can working out really be this easy?

Are these your thoughts right now? If you’ve just had a go on an electric bicycle for the first time, you’re probably also thinking – “I’ve hardly broken a sweat”, “This is so much easier than riding a pedal bicycle”, “Am i cheating exercise?”. So how does an electric bicycle fare against a pedal bicycle in getting fit? Can e-bikes provide you with ‘exercise that doesn’t feel like exercise’?

The answer is YES! For starters, in paying attention to regular electric cyclists we chant the adage ‘the proof’s in the pudding’. But here’s a more concrete proof that should clarify your perplexity:

1. Electric bikes vs. pedal bicycles

Researchers from Bringham Young University conducted a study which discovered the science behind electric bike exercise. The study was of 33 subjects, who had to ride both an e-bike and regular mountain bicycles on a rolling six mile track that wound along the countryside in Utah. The results were very interesting. The larger majority of the tested subjects claimed to have not felt the strenuous exhaustion of doing a workout while riding an e-bike. The heart rate monitor and fitness trackers, however, indicated otherwise. The test subjects were shown to have experienced ‘vigorous’ levels of exercise on their electric bikes.

Why is this so?

Pedal assist doesn’t necessarily mean you cheat exercise on an e-bike. Contrary to popular belief, e-bikes do not overrule the need to pedal. Infact, it propels forward on the basis of partial assist which is gauged by the sensors on the bike. For instance, Coppernicus e-bikes use torque sensors which compute the amount of force exerted in pushing the pedal. In return, the electric bicycle adjusts accordingly, and provides assist to you. This helps you moderate exactly the amount of exertion expended without overburdening yourself. The extra motor-provided assist helps shift a portion of the strain from your legs. E-bikes serve several purposes that give a maximized utility while helping you shed calories throughout the way. This is to say that e-bikes promote a healthy lifestyle through its direct ability to help us build into it.

2. E-bikes can transform the way you travel to work every day

Travel to workout. Bicycles are limiting when it comes to longer commutes, especially on a hot sunny day, and it’s always summer where I come from. E-bikes reduce the time of commute and can take you places without having to break a sweat. Choosing to take your e-bike to work in itself amounts to 5-6 days of regular physical activity- boosting your chances of success. E-bikes have greater mobility on roads, and can also get you to work faster- gaining you those extra minutes that can help you get ahead of your schedule. Furthermore, riding an electric bike is a great aerobic exercise which helps maintain blood sugar levels and lose weight. Using an electric bike for a workout, as well as for commute, amounts to increased utility. Plug in your earphones as you ride to work with some upbeat music that will rekindle your spirit of adventure.

3. Weight loss Vacation is the best workout motivation

Vacations and health may not always go hand in hand, but an e-bike vacation with your friends is a great way to ride your way into the pink of health. E-bikes let you ride longer, farther, and faster, making it ideal to trek steep roads and hills with ease. Be it exploring the outskirts of your city, or a planned destination vacation- e-bikes have you covered. The sheer exhilaration of speeding along the roads will give you an intensive workout without any of the pain. Don’t forget to pack up on nutrition to fuel you in reaching your destination.

4. Cheat your mind into loving exercise- no matter the age!

The best part about going electric is that they’re for everyone- the young and the old alike. A big plus? You don’t even need to bother yourself with registering for a license. Life in the later half makes getting exercise rather difficult. The areas around the joints and the muscles in the legs weaken. Needless to say- you’ll find yourself running low on some workout motivation.

How do E-bikes help the elderly and more sedentary individuals meet their physical fitness goals?

Well, E-bikes reduce the load on your leg muscles. Riding e- bikes have also proven to improve our motor functioning which causes our overall functioning to become more controlled. It’s the reason some of the regular bikers reading this may have noticed improved handwriting and better hand and leg coordination. E-bikes have the potential to effectively assist people with neurobiological impairment to maintain an active lifestyle.

5. Going the extra mile on an electric bike to get fit!

Here, it’s important for you to remember that e-bikes are built to enable longer commutes. And this is exactly how you would receive a longer workout without cutting corners on the calories burnt- at the end of the week. So rest assured that you aren’t cheating exercise, but actually just building into a more efficient routine! I think the best workout motivation is to see people never wanting to get off! For as the mantra goes- ride more, go electric.