Ways To Lose Weight Using An Electric Bike

The fact that an e-bike comes with its own electric motor shouldn't make you think losing weight this way is harder than doing other types of training. Quite the contrary, in fact, as you'll see below, using an e-bike to lose weight is a smart and high-performance method that allows you to optimize your efforts and adjust your physical effort according to your needs and goals.

Burning calories while cycling is one of the most fun physical activities because, unlike other modes, it has the advantage of being outdoors and enjoying the view.

The advantages of training outside of a traditional gym are obvious. These are the first things that come to mind:

You can choose the route that suits your skill and experience level;

You can relax while pedaling and exercising;

Bicycles allow you to meet new people and explore new places;

You always have new stimuli to exercise alone or with others.

Avoid Using Minimum or Maximum Pedal Assist Levels

Pedal assist is what makes e-bikes an effective exercise tool for riders returning to cycling. Most e-bikes have pedal assist levels from 0 to 5, allowing you to fine-tune the amount of extra power the motor provides.

But I always advise new e-bike riders to avoid the lowest or highest pedal assist settings.

Some riders mistakenly choose the lowest level in order to get the best workout, but this often leaves new riders exhausted and dizzy. The last thing you want is to find yourself exhausted with miles from home.

On the other hand, the highest pedal assist is usually almost equivalent to "full throttle" and usually doesn't bring much exercise at all. The highest pedal assist levels are best for climbing steep hills and generally not for casual riding on flat surfaces.

So, like most things in life, moderation is key when it comes to pedal assist. Try starting in the middle and gradually reducing the pedal assist level as your fitness level increases.

Try to Use an E-bike Every Day (or as much as possible!)

Using an e-bike every day may sound difficult.

But the best way to make it happen is to incorporate your e-bike into your life as a means of transportation, not just as a piece of exercise equipment. Try to replace as much car travel as possible with an e-bike. Commit to cycling to the grocery store instead of driving. If you only need a few items from the store, throw on a backpack (or add a pair of panniers) and ride there. If you're visiting your friends at a coffee shop, consider biking instead of taking an Uber. You can find ways to incorporate electric bikes into your daily schedule. The more you ride, the more it fits into your lifestyle.

Try Adding Some off-road Trails to Your Ride

If off-road riding is an option for you, I highly recommend including it in your rides at least occasionally.

Bike lanes are great for traffic, and roads are certainly easier to pedal efficiently, but nothing beats riding on nature trails, the sights, sounds and smells around. You don't have to look for crazy, hyper-technical single-track courses. In fact, it would be better if you could start off on an easy, easy-going, flat trail. The point is not to make the ride harder, just to mix it with a more pleasant vibe.

Whether you have a local beach trail, forest trail, dirt road, or any other unpaved land, if you're used to riding an e-bike, you'll be surprised at how different it can be on the road. Anything you can do to make the e-bike experience easier and more fun will go a long way to ensuring that e-bikes are integrated into your lifestyle, rather than just being sidelined as some task you know should be done.

Ride with Others Whenever Possible

We all have good intentions to exercise in order to be healthy, but the truth is that many exercise options are boring. So try to find at least one person to ride with whenever possible. After you discover how much fun electric bikes are, you may be convincing them to buy an electric bike from a riding group or even just a friend. Riding with others can be another great way to make sure you get out more often. You're both going to be honest because it's harder to brag when you've already told someone you'll see them.

Electric bikes have become a hybrid of fitness, recreation and transportation. It's possible to do it all on an e-bike, and no other way!