Pedal Power: Get Fit & Stay Fit

Cycling is one of the best low-impact cardiovascular workouts for any skill or fitness level. You may have heard the myth that using e-bikes is “cheating” and does not provide a rider with the same physical health benefits as standard bicycles. We are here to debunk that misconception and prove that you can still burn sufficient calories and break a sweat while on a bike with a motor. 

It’s called pedal-"assist” for a reason, meaning the electric bike offers assistance, but won’t do all the work for you. Riders love the flexibility of the assist feature, which is a similar concept to a treadmill or stationary bike, where you can select the level of your workout. Looking to burn some calories and get a workout? Turn the assist setting to 25% or less. 

Source: https://rideelectricbikes.co.nz/

Heading to a business meeting, or to meet up with friends for brunch? Turn it up to 75-100% and get to your destination more quickly and without breaking a sweat. The versatility of the e-bike gives you the power to control the type of ride and workout you want. An e-bike allows you to ride at a higher skill level, putting longer and more challenging trails within the realm of possibility.

The number of calories burned in a ride will depend on how quickly you pedal, the type of terrain you are riding on, and how much assistance you are using. On a low assistance setting, a 150lb person can burn up to 390 calories per hour on an e-bike. Studies have also shown that the average trip distance for e-bikes is significantly longer than for bicycles. So, while the standard cyclist may burn more calories per mile, the e-biker is likely to ride more miles overall. And, unlike standard bicycles, you can travel those longer distances with the piece of mind that you have a backup power source for when your quads need a breather halfway into your ride. 

Source: https://tanita.eu/

In addition to the calories burned, both e-bikes and standard bicycles offer numerous health benefits, including:

• Improved joint mobility
• Increased muscle strength and heart rate
• Increased balance, stamina, and aerobic fitness
• Decreased blood pressure and body fat 
• Decreased risk of disease such as arthritis, high cholesterol and diabetes. In fact, a large-scale research study in Finland found that people who cycled for more than 30 minutes per day had a 40% lower risk of developing diabetes.​

E-bikes are also game changers for individuals with injuries, respiratory problems, or those living a sedentary lifestyle and looking to change their habits. E-bikes make riding with a friend or in a group of varying skill levels much more enjoyable since the assistance level can be customized so everyone rides at the same speed. 

​In summary, e-bikes provide healthy exercise, efficient transportation and a whole lot of fun. We encourage you to take one of our models for a free 30-minute test ride to experience a smooth ride and learn what the pedal-assist feature is all about. Contact us at 808-633-8553 to schedule an appointment.  ​