Is EUC riding healthy?

[Michael D]

Is EUC riding healthy for your body? Do you burn calories? After a long active ride with many turns and bumpy gravel roads, I feel a little bruised, with soreness pain in my legs, like after a day downhill skiing. I searched online and downhill skiing equates to a quick walk. What do you think?

[GothamMike]

My back is stiff the next day.

[.....]

Its healthy for both my mind and body.

Before I started riding euc, it was very common I would stay inactive for days at a time. Now I get out almost everyday on an euc, if even for a few minutes. My lower back is stronger, my legs are stronger and my core balance is better.  Off-roading builds the knees pretty darn good too. Of course an euc isnt giving me much cardio and it can very easily be a source of injury. Still yet, I think that the euc has helped build me up a bit and keeps me a little happier too. Mind and body connections are strong and happiness can benefit us in many ways. Euc also prompted me to learn to make t-shirts, film video and design 3d printed objects. I've even made a new friend or two.  Because of my EUC, my wife is learning to ride a scooter. Not only is the euc good for me, its trickling down to be a source of health for my spouse. Finding things to do together is rare, and the pev is now one of them. It also prompts me to take lots of small 'mini trips' to go find new places to ride. Did I mention, I now uber cool too?

An euc could harm a person if they are too physically injured to ride and they provoke worse. Just as any excercise, there are some that it isnt a good thing. Another thing an euc is terribly hard on... hard on...  . My bad, another thing an euc if terrible on.... my damn wallet!

Edited April 17, 2021 by ShanesPlanet

[Rawnei]

Compared to sitting still? For sure.

[Scottie]

1 hour ago, ShanesPlanet said:

Now I get out almost everyday on an euc, if even for a few minutes.

 

23 minutes ago, Rawnei said:

Compared to sitting still? For sure.

Amen ... to both of these!    It a cloudy, breezy and cool day here (47F - 8C) and I would not have went outside usually. But I just rode the 16X around in front of the house for 15 minutes having simple stupid fun and practice. Ran the EUC battery down a little but charged my battery up a little and improved my attitude for the day ... before I head off to work!  

Edited April 17, 2021 by Scottie

[OldFartRides]

Without going into any personal stuff, the euc experience has been very good for my mental health.  I definitely know it’s helping with my balance,esp. riding backwards.

I didn’t know if I would even be able to learn to ride it. One of those little nagging voices was saying “You’re too old. Those things are dangerous, etc...”.   I just took that chance. 
 

On the challenging trail rides,  I just walk it through the rocky sections, so I’m hiking as well. I’m not taking long rides (12 mi max), but I’m trying to get on it every day, weather permitting. Been out on plenty of cool (*40) days, and I just ride slower to reduce wind chill. Ok, enough. I’m riding downtown to run a couple of errands.

Keep the rubber side down guys n gals !

[VikB]

5 hours ago, Michael D said:

Is EUC riding healthy for your body? Do you burn calories? After a long active ride with many turns and bumpy gravel roads, I feel a little bruised, with soreness pain in my legs, like after a day downhill skiing. I searched online and downhill skiing equates to a quick walk. What do you think?

I ride bicycles, skateboards and hike/walk. Riding an EUC is the least active outdoor thing I do. In fact if there was one main negative to doing it that would be how passive it is and how little exercise I get. When I did my last big EUC ride I passed a lot of cyclists and joggers and I have to say I was a bit jealous of the workout I was missing!

So I would say if riding an EUC replaces time you'd spend walking/running/biking then it's not healthy for you. If it's something you do to replace driving a car/riding transit it's either neutral of a bit better for you.

Edited April 17, 2021 by VikB

[litewave]

When I started riding over five years ago, I probably burned 4-500 calories per hour. Nowadays, I probably burn 200 or so depending on how hard I ride, and how hard the terrain is. The physical health benefits will vary based on your weight, age, condition, and most importantly, how you ride, and how long you have been riding. For casual riding, I would compare the cardiovascular benefit to leisure cycling.  @Bob Eisenman calculated the calories burned a couple years ago on a Monster v1, and iirc he averaged 250/hour or so. @Marty Backe probably burned 500 or more per hour on his famous stress test rides in the mountains, and he appears to always be in excellent condition.

The quality of life and mental health benefits are off the charts.

[Surfling]

Definitely on mental health but personally, barely any strain for physical fitness benefits compared to my other hobbies - mtnbiking, surfing, hiking, rollerblading, skateboarding, dancing. That said, the EUC takes the cake for riding when my quads are dead from heavy squat sessions. 

[Simply_Striking]

The only way to burn a significant amount of calories is by doing technical mtb courses.. But mentally yes it does help a bunch. 

Edited April 18, 2021 by Simply_Striking

[.....]

9 minutes ago, Simply_Striking said:

The only way to burn a significant amount of calories is buy doing technical mtb courses.. But mentally yes it does help a bunch. 

Burning lots of calories is UNhealthy for us mere toothpicks tho. I agree, it really doesnt burn much calories to glide down the steet. I'd rather ride 20 miles than walk 2.

Edited April 18, 2021 by ShanesPlanet

[Surfling]

1 hour ago, Simply_Striking said:

The only way to burn a significant amount of calories....

I think there's plenty ways out there, my dude. Variety in Olympics for one....Ironman comp....

[OldFartRides]

I think @Simply_Striking was talking about burning calories while riding an euc.

[Simply_Striking]

12 hours ago, Surfling said:

I think there's plenty ways out there, my dude. Variety in Olympics for one....Ironman comp....

Context is everything my dude, and if you don't get it then cant help ya....

[Tawpie]

Just echoing, but standing is better than sitting and if you’re off road, you can get a real workout!

[Surfling]

3 hours ago, Simply_Striking said:

Context is everything my dude

Well, I learned something today.  I'd say my technical mtb rides do the job...

[pfries911]

Well I'm coming from couch bound for 6 years due to health issues, there will no doubt be benefits from it regardless. 🙂 I hope that it can help me get back into being as active as I am able for as long as I am able. The mental health aspect of it would honestly be more than rewarding enough for me.

[Scottie888]

3 hours ago, Surfling said:

Well, I learned something today.  I'd say my technical mtb rides do the job...

Now imagine that same dh run but on a diveted V mtb trail a foot or some wide single track with the opportunity to clip your pedals almost every inch of the way down. On 1 wheel instead of 2. Me & @DWOTR went for a ride on our local offroad playground (Nose Hill) & we went down & up. It was interesting & for sure, I was serious sweating hogs (either from the workout or fear or likely all of the above) by the time I got down. The up (another trail) wasn't as tough but still....

MTB runs are def a workout. Bike paths, not so much.

[mrelwood]

On 4/17/2021 at 7:50 PM, litewave said:

and most importantly, how you ride

This is the key. I know a few riders who stand dead still, straight legs, and hands in the pockets. For them it’s darn bear to just standing. I take a much more active attitude, and I constantly vary my level of crouch, posture, position, etc. There are bumps to dance around or into even on simple straight roads.

As mentioned, a seriously gnarly off-road path will get you sweating like a pig in no time, summer or winter.

 Then there is indeed the increase in general activity and mental uplift that easily burn the most calories.

[GoGeorgeGo]

On 4/17/2021 at 6:46 AM, Michael D said:

Is EUC riding healthy for your body? Do you burn calories? After a long active ride with many turns and bumpy gravel roads, I feel a little bruised, with soreness pain in my legs, like after a day downhill skiing. I searched online and downhill skiing equates to a quick walk. What do you think?

I often build up quite a good sweat when darting through offroad trails. The ups and downs and twists and turns and jumps and bumps really get your whole body into the action. Definitely a great workout. And even road riding is great for your calves and ankles and feet. My lower legs are ripped nowadays lol 

[DWOTR]

5 hours ago, Scottie888 said:

Now imagine that same dh run but on a diveted V mtb trail a foot or some wide single track with the opportunity to clip your pedals almost every inch of the way down. On 1 wheel instead of 2. Me & @DWOTR went for a ride on our local offroad playground (Nose Hill) & we went down & up. It was interesting & for sure, I was serious sweating hogs (either from the workout or fear or likely all of the above) by the time I got down. The up (another trail) wasn't as tough but still....

MTB runs are def a workout. Bike paths, not so much.

@Scottie888 It was just to put your suspension to the test and make me wish for some cushioning shocks... Given the weather, it is good we got out Saturday.

[DWOTR]

7 hours ago, pfries911 said:

Well I'm coming from couch bound for 6 years due to health issues, there will no doubt be benefits from it regardless. 🙂 I hope that it can help me get back into being as active as I am able for as long as I am able. The mental health aspect of it would honestly be more than rewarding enough for me.

@pfries911 Wow. 6 Years is a long time for health issues. I think you are dead on with the mental health aspect. Anything that gets you out, active, and feeling a sense of accomplishment after the last couple of years of restrictions and destruction is going to be good for you. Even more so if you have had to be home longer than the rest of society.

 

I saw your post looking for people to help you learn. I think the learning is very much an individual endeavor. You can watch the videos on youtube, or just get on it and get used to it. The only thing that is going to get you where you want to be is "seat time" (or pedal time, in this instance.) There really are no bad habits that I can think of that will not self correct.* That said, I hope you find a group local to encourage you.

 

*Maybe somebody will be along to correct me?

[Scottie888]

1 hour ago, DWOTR said:

@Scottie888 It was just to put your suspension to the test and make me wish for some cushioning shocks... Given the weather, it is good we got out Saturday.

Amen brother! All's I'm happy about is it was 20c sunshine when we rode & it was an all white 0c the following morning (ie. today). You did good postponing the visit to Sis.

It was a fun afternoon. Crazy to think we only rode <30kms for a 2-3hrs we spent on the hill, We'll do the ride again once my toes are no longer sore🤪.

[Carl Svanfelt]

Science supports the idea that exercise promotes good health. Riding an electric unicycle is a very good hobby for better condition. As a whole, you must also take other actions to achieve your healthy goals. For example, a varied diet, quit smoking, enough sleep et cetera.
During a ride, all the muscles in the body are trained, but the best news for us who are a little older is that a good balance ability prevents Alzheimer's disease. 

[damnbiker]

I did my first proper long ride yesterday, 42 km. It was a mix of sidewalks, terrible Toronto roads, mixed use trails (both paved and unpaved) and bicycle paths along the terrible toronto roads. At the end of my ride I was knackered and today my legs are feeling it, most likely from the unpaved portions.

My takeaway from this experience -  I'm horribly out of shape. I've been a couch potato for the past year and smoking like a chimney. The light at the end of the tunnel is that, for now my body has trouble keeping up with my Tesla and if I keep at it, that will eventually change. Then I'll start looking to upgrade. It will also give me a goal for exercising - important to keep motivated.

The down side, I have an EUC and a couple of new motorbikes. There's more things to ride than I have time! One of those good to have problems!