Charles Luiting

So, you’ve heard a lot about electric bikes. They let you ride farther and climb up those hills with ease, and that’s all great for most of the time. But you have goals – fitness goals. Can an e-bike deliver on workouts too? Well, as it turns out… yes! An e-bike can absolutely deliver the exercise routine you’ve been looking for. Let’s dig into it.

It’s true that an e-bike motor can help you go farther and climb hills quicker than you might do on your own, but when it comes to exercise, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. If you use the pedal assist option on your e-bike, you’re still putting in effort. That means you can achieve a longer workout before you’re tired out. Plus, that workout will be more fun and less frustrating than it might be otherwise, so you may find yourself more willing to ride more often. Thus, more exercise overall. In fact, a great study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health demonstrates just that. It’s the kind of win-win we love to hear about.

Now that we’ve established that your e-bike can indeed be used for exercise, let’s think about how. We recommend two types of rides: the micro-adventure and the daily routine.

Best for weekends and vacation time, the micro-adventure is just like it sounds. It’s a fun filled ride around your town, the countryside, or national park. And fun is the key word there. Map out a route that’s filled with interesting scenery or places you’d like to stop at. With a battery range of up to 45 miles per charge on bikes like our Coston DX, you can really take the scenic route. That lets you turn the average ride-for-exercise into a true adventure.

By contrast, the daily-routine ride is where you try to fit your e-bike into your everyday life wherever it works best for you. There are no wrong answers here. Could you use your e-bike to commute to work or school? How about running errands and getting the groceries? Anywhere you can use your e-bike to get around, why, that’s a snack-sized workout right there. And you’ll be surprised how quickly that adds up through the week.

When it comes to exercise, there are three types of e-bikes you’ll want to consider. A cruiser e-bike is really best for casual rides in relatively flat areas. So, if you want a low intensity workout cruising up and down the beachfront (and, y’know, who doesn’t?) this may be a good option for you.

On the other end of the spectrum is a mountain e-bike. These rides can handle the rugged terrain of the trails. Nature lovers and thrill seekers, this one’s for you.

And last, but by no means least, is the hybrid e-bike – essentially the trusty Swiss army knife of e-bikes that can handle everything from the most casual cruise to light trails. It’s great for those who like variety, and those who don’t know which variety they like yet.

Of course, there are accessories. And we don’t mean spandex. If you really want to optimize your e-bike exercise, there are a few items you may want to consider.

First and foremost, a helmet. This no-brainer helps to protect your brain in case of an accident. But don’t worry, there are all sorts of styles, colors, and sizes so you’ll be able to find one that fits not only your head but your aesthetic too. Plus, be sure to check out our ERT helmets, which include an extra layer of padding that helps redirect force away from your head more effectively.

Anyone who likes early morning or evening rides may need to invest in a set of lights for their bike. Not only do they help you see the route in front of you, but it helps others see you. A variety of lights are available depending on your needs. However, if you ride a Coston or Marshall e-bike, you’ve got nothing to worry about – the lights are built right into the bike!

If you want to use your e-bike for errands and groceries – and get every ounce of exercise out of your day – you’ll probably need a way to haul your shopping bags. Rear racks, panniers, and even trailers make it easy. Plus, they’re simple to install in just a matter of minutes. Or, if you have young children in tow, we even have passenger trailers that will let you bring them along for the ride… like adorable little resistance weights.

So, there it is. E-bikes can absolutely be used for exercise and make that exercise more enjoyable at the same time. Now if you’ll excuse us, we feel the need for a ride. See you out there!