Can You Get Exercise on Electric Bike?

Riding an electric bike to get exercise on an electric bike is a great option. Let’s elaborate it more!

The difference between regular bikes and electric bikes is electric bikes offer an added option for customizing the number of resistance riders confront.

Anytime you get outside and get moving is beneficial to the body and mind. Electric bike offer a fun way to get outside and break a sweat. Electric bikes are a great alternative to regular biking. Depending on your age, endurance level or motivation, electric bikes can offer a similar workout as a regular bike. The key is to knowing what you are doing. Most electric bikes have different assistant levels that you can customize for a smooth easy ride or you can get gangster and peddle without any assistance. The great part is you have the option.

There have been multiple studies of riders wearing heart rate monitors analyzing calories burned by riding a regular bike vs riding an e-bike. The riders performed the same ride 2 separate times. Once with a regular bike and once with an e-bike with assisted peddling. In one specific study, the rider found that the road bike only burned 20 % more calories than the e-bike but found the e-bike ride 100 percent more enjoyable.

The real question is what is the best class of e-bike for me in reaching my exercise goals. There are 3 different classes of e-bikes and each class has a different activity level required to operate to get exercise on an electric bike. Think about pushups. There are numerous ways to perform pushups. Depending on your ability or desired intensity, will determine the type of pushups you do. You can do pushups on your knees, pushups on your feet, or even pushups with 1 arm. This is like the different classes of e-bikes.

Class 1 ebikes

Class 1 ebikes might be a good option in looking for a good work out. If you are looking for an ebike with limited assistance and are wanting to still get a workout but are looking for a little assistance to get up that hill or keep you fresh, then Class 1 ebikes be a good option. Class 1 ebikes come with no throttle. They only have peddle assistance. What does this mean you ask? Just that.

You must peddle to get the electric motor to kick on. Unlike the other classes, class 1 will require you to peddle like a normal bike. The class 1 e-bikes provide peddle assistance that is delivered with a max speed of 20 mph. Class 1 e-bikes are also legal on any paved surface that a regular bike can ride. This will be extremely helpful on steep hills and long rides will still provide an enjoyable workout.

Class 2 ebikes

Class 2 ebikes are also a great option for riders that are looking for a workout. Class 2 ebikes are different then the Class 1 ebikes in that Class 2 bikes have a throttle that can be used to power the bike without having to peddle. This does not necessarily mean that the class 2 ebikes do not offer the pedal assistance. This just means that you can ride the class 2 ebikes without having to pedal and gives you the option to start powering the ride with just applying the throttle.

This is great for situations where if you wanted to get to the desired speed or up a hill without having to peddle and giving the ability to continue the ride. The Class 2 e-bikes just give you the extra option of riding without having to pedal to access the electric motor power. Class 2 e-bikes typically come with pedal assistance as well. Like class 1 e-bikes class 2 e-bikes top out at 20 MPH for assistance. Most class 2 e-bikes have different options of peddling assistance that will allow you to control your workout.

Class 3 ebikes

Class 3 ebikes are the going to be like the class 1 ebikes in theory. They are supposed to be pedal assistance only with no throttle assistance. The problem is if you look on the internet you will find class 3 ebikes that have both peddle assistance and throttle control. Also depending on where you live class 3 ebikes might not be legal. You will need to check with your local authorities.

Either way, the big difference for the class 3 e-bikes is the max speed of 28 MPH. The class 3 e-bikes are commonly referred to as commuter e-bikes. Like all the other previous e-bikes the class 3 e-bikes will still provide you the opportunity to get outside and get a workout in with the added thrill of going faster than the previous classes.

Conclusion

Whatever e-bike you decide to go with, you will be able to get exercise on an electric bike.. It is like when you go to the gym. You will dictate the kind of workout you get. If you go into the gym and go through the motions on the stair stepper and turn down the resistance and go for a short duration, you will not burn as many calories if you turn up the resistance and go for a long duration.  

The same is with e-bikes. If you rely solely on the throttle or peddle assistance, the e-bike will not provide you with a great workout. The benefit of the different classes of e-bikes is the ability to control your biking support ability to get outside and taking pleasure in getting some exercise.