What does riding a scooter help with?

Electric scooters have many benefits. Some people are drawn to them for their affordability, eco-friendliness, and portability, while others simply love cruising the city streets with the wind rushing past them.

However, the benefits of e-scooter riding go far beyond that. One of the lesser-known benefits of riding an electric scooter is that it can improve your health, both physically and mentally.

How so? Some of the ways might surprise you.

Below, we’ll break down the many health benefits of riding electric scooters.

#1 Electric Scooter Riding Can Improve Your Balance

Electric scooters possess powerful motors, so you don’t need to exert much energy or work up a sweat to keep them in motion. While riding an electric scooter doesn’t involve intense cardiovascular activity, it still engages the body in many ways.

Notably, riding an electric scooter requires you to stabilize yourself as you skirt around corners, zip down hills, and slow down for stop signs. In turn, you can use each riding session to work on your balance. Over time, the improvements in your balance can be quite impressive.

When compared to strength or endurance, balance is an aspect of physical fitness that often goes overlooked. However, having good balance has many health advantages, including:

• Strengthen core and reduce pain
• Reduced risk of falling, lowering the chance of injury
• Improved athletic performance
• Enhanced body awareness

#2 Electric Scooter Riding Can Help You Build Core Strength

As many dancers and yogis know, balance is closely connected to your core strength. As you work on your balance while riding your electric scooter, you’ll also get the opportunity to tone your core muscles.

New e-scooter riders often grip the handlebars in an attempt to maintain their balance, but experienced riders know that tightening your core muscles is the proper way to stabilize yourself.

You may notice yourself tightening and relaxing your core continuously as you accelerate, decelerate, brake, and turn. As you get better at riding electric scooters, you’ll naturally build up your core muscle’s strength.

The best part? You don’t have to do any tedious sit-ups or crunches to get these gains.

#3 Electric Scooter Riding Can Burn Calories

As noted above, electric scooter riding isn’t a high-intensity workout by any means. However, it can still burn a considerable amount of calories, since you have to stand for the entire duration of your ride. Standing throughout the ride will help you burn more calories than if you were sitting in a car or bus. On top of that, you’ll have to engage several muscle groups to stay upright.

Considering how fun electric scooter riding can be, the additional calorie burn is the cherry on top. If you ride your electric scooter daily, you can even support your weight loss or weight maintenance goals.

To get an idea of how many calories you can burn riding an electric scooter, let’s take a look at the estimated number of calories burned doing similar activities for 30 minutes:

• Weight lifting – 110 calories
• Walking – 150 calories
• Cycling – 280 calories
• Elliptical training – 370 calories
• Running – 420 calories

#4 Electric Scooter Riding Can Tone Your Legs

Another major muscle group that you’ll rely on heavily while riding an electric scooter are your legs. Your legs support your weight the entire time you ride. They’ll also help you stabilize yourself as you turn, speed up, slow down, and brake.

After your first few rides, you may notice a little soreness in your legs due to all of this activity—it just goes to show how much your body is engaged while you ride.

Plus, since electric scooter riding is so addicting, you can turn every day into leg day.

#5 Carrying an Electric Scooter Can Tone Your Arms

Your arms may not get much of a workout while you ride an electric scooter, but they can certainly get one after you arrive at your final destination.

Electric scooters are known for their portability. Many models can be folded up and carried with you wherever you go. If you purchase a foldable e-scooter, you may be able to bring it inside stores, onto public transportation, and up the stairs to your office with ease.

Electric scooters can weigh anywhere from 35 to 80 pounds, so you can perform a decent arm workout when you carry your ride with you—no dumbbells required!

Looking for a high-powered, lightweight electric scooter? Consider the 35lb (15.9kg) Apollo Air—it comes with all the force of a vehicle-grade machine with the lightness that lets you carry it anywhere.

#6 Electric Scooter Riding Can Improve Your Coordination

Whether you’re naturally clumsy or well-coordinated, riding an electric scooter can help you improve your ability to execute several tasks at once. While riding, you’ll frequently need to:

• Kick-off into motion and rev your throttle
• Keep an eye on the road and evade upcoming obstacles
• Slow down your speed and signal turns

These tasks require hand-eye coordination and demand your full attention. As you practice them, you’ll eventually see improvements in your coordination. You may also discover that performing complex riding moves becomes second nature.

Eventually, your coordination may start improving in other areas of your life outside of riding. If it does, you can thank your trusty e-scooter for providing such fun coordination training.

#7 Electric Scooter Riding Can Promote Better Posture

Many people spend the majority of their day hunched over in a chair looking at a computer screen—prioritizing good posture often falls to the wayside.

Unfortunately, bad posture can cause a slew of health issues, such as:

• Back pain
• Tension headaches
• Low energy levels
• Tight neck and shoulder muscles
• Reduced lung capacity
• Poor circulation
• Disrupted digestion

Riding an electric scooter encourages you to practice good posture more often. As you spend time riding around in an upright position, you may notice that you stand straighter during the rest of your day too. In turn, you may see a reduction in any poor-posture symptoms you’ve been experiencing.

#8 Electric Scooter Riding Can Boost Your Mood

So far, we’ve focused on the physical electric scooter health benefits you can experience when you ride an electric scooter regularly. However, an equally important area of health that e-scooter riding can enhance is your mental health and well-being.

Here are a few ways that riding an electric scooter can bestow you with a better mood:

• E-scooter riding can help you inject fun into your day – Juggling all of your daily responsibilities can be stressful. Luckily, riding an electric scooter can inject your day with a little fun. Zipping through the city or along a nearby nature trail can be an exhilarating experience. It also gives you a chance to take a deep breath, feel the wind in your hair, and appreciate the present moment.
• E-scooter riding may inspire you to explore the great outdoors – In addition to leading stressful lives, many people spend most of their days confined to indoor spaces. Spending time outdoors in nature is a well-known way to reduce stress and anxiety. When you own an all-terrain  electric scooter, you can go outside for relaxing nature rides anytime you want. Nearby nature paths and riding trails are your playground. While you ride outdoors, you can also soak in a little extra vitamin D, which is known to have mood-boosting effects. 
• E-scooter riding can connect you with a community – Loneliness is a common problem in our increasingly digital world. In a survey of people living in the US, one out of five struggle with feelings of loneliness and isolation. An easy solution? Hopping on your electric scooter, riding around your community, and saying hello to your neighbours. Your riding journeys offer plenty of chances to engage with new friends and old. You may even come across a fleet of fellow e-scooter enthusiasts and forge friendships with them. Positive social connections and a sense of community can bring more meaning and fulfillment to your day-to-day life.
• E-scooter riding can help you avoid common commuting stressors – If you choose to ride your electric scooter to work, you’ll get to skip out on many common commuter stressors, such as rush-hour traffic congestion, crowded public transportation, and scarce parking options. Many of these commuting struggles can compound the stress of your day significantly, especially after a hard day’s work. With an electric scooter in tow, you can whiz past sluggish traffic with ease and take your commute on your own time.

#9 Electric Scooter Riding Can Benefit Your Financial Health

You may have heard the saying “health is wealth.” However, this sentiment goes both ways—financial stress can wreak havoc on your wellness over time. Owning an electric scooter can mitigate some of this by offering you a more affordable way to get around town.

Here are a few ways that electric scooters can lighten the burden on your budget:

• Electric scooters are relatively affordable to purchase – Electric scooters are a lot more affordable than cars, motorcycles, and even some bicycles. In the long run, they may also cost less than public transportation and rideshare services.
• Electric scooters require minimal fees – Unlike cars and motorcycles, electric scooters rarely require insurance, registration, or special licenses (though laws vary from city to city). In turn, you most likely won’t need to pay any fees or premiums to ride your electric scooter legally.
• Electric scooters boast low operating costs – Most notably, electric scooters are inexpensive to charge, operate, and maintain. You can charge your e-scooter from the comfort of your own home using electricity, saving you countless trips to the gas station. Most charging sessions only cost a few cents.

#10 Electric Scooter Riding Can Improve the Health of the Planet

Is an electric scooter good for health? Yes. Is it also good for the health of the planet? Also yes.

As time goes on, climate change and pollution pose serious risks to everyone’s health on a global scale. So, while focusing on your personal health is of paramount importance, it’s also vital to think about the health of the planet.

One way you can reduce your environmental impact is by using an electric scooter in place of a car more often. After all, electric scooters are eco-friendly:

• They produce zero emissions – Unlike gas-guzzling vehicles, e-scooters don’t emit any carbon emissions while in use.
• They’re energy-efficient – Electric scooters are also impressively energy-efficient, boasting 1,000% more efficiency per mile than cars.
• They’re non-polluting – Lastly, e-scooters don’t contribute to your city’s noise or sound pollution. Instead, they’re sleek, clean, and quiet.

Thanks to these eco-friendly benefits, you can feel good about promoting a healthier planet every time you hop on your electric scooter.

Enhance Your Health With an Apollo Scooter

With so many benefits, ranging from improved strength to a better mood, purchasing your own electric scooter is a wonderful investment in your overall health and well-being.

If you’re looking for a high-performance e-scooter model that will support your health for years to come, Apollo Scooters has you covered. We carry electric scooters for beginners, commuters, and adventurers alike. We also have many convenient e-scooter accessories.

Discover which Apollo electric scooter is the right fit for your healthy lifestyle today.

 

FAQ

Does riding an electric scooter burn calories?

Yes, riding an electric scooter does burn calories. While it might not burn as many calories as high-intensity sports, it certainly contributes to your daily calorie expenditure. The exact amount of calories burned depends on factors such as your weight, the intensity of the ride, and duration of the ride. 

Is riding an electric scooter good exercise?

While riding an electric scooter may not be as physically demanding as other forms of exercise like running or cycling, it can still offer a decent workout.

Steering and balancing the scooter engages your core muscles and lower body. It also improves your balance, coordination, and flexibility. As with any form of exercise, the benefits depend on how often you ride and the intensity of your rides.

How to balance on an electric scooter?

Balancing on an electric scooter requires some practice but here are a few tips: Start by standing up straight on the scooter with one foot forward for stability. Hold the handlebars firmly but not too tightly.

Lean slightly forward as you start to accelerate. Always keep your weight centered over the scooter, not leaning too far forward or backward.

As you get more comfortable, you can gradually increase your speed. Wearing protective gear such as a helmet is always recommended for safety.

What are the health benefits of an electric scooter?

There are several health benefits associated with riding an electric scooter.

First, it can provide a form of low-intensity cardio exercise which can improve cardiovascular health.

Secondly, maintaining balance and steering the scooter can help improve your core strength, balance, and coordination. Electric scooters can also serve as a stress reliever, as outdoor activities often help to improve mood and overall mental health.

Additionally, using an electric scooter for transportation reduces car usage, which is beneficial for both your health and the environment.

Sources:

WebMD. Balance Training. https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/a-z/balance-training

Harvard. Improve your balance by strengthening your core.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/improve-your-balance-by-strengthening-your-core

Harvard. Calories burned in 30 minutes for people of three different weights.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/diet-and-weight-loss/calories-burned-in-30-minutes-for-people-of-three-different-weights

Gadget Review. How Much Does an Electric Scooter Weigh.
https://www.gadgetreview.com/how-much-does-an-electric-scooter-weight

Healthline. These 12 Exercises Will Help You Reap the Health Benefits of Good Posture.
https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/posture-benefits

Heart.org. Spend Time in Nature to Reduce Stress and Anxiety.
https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/spend-time-in-nature-to-reduce-stress-and-anxiety

Healthline. Vitamin D Benefits.
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/benefits-vitamin-d

HRSA. The "Loneliness Epidemic." https://www.hrsa.gov/enews/past-issues/2019/january-17/loneliness-epidemic

WebMD. The Effects of Stress on Your Body.
https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/effects-of-stress-on-your-body 

E-Scooter Nerds. Electric scooter charging cost.
https://escooternerds.com/electric-scooter-charging-cost/

WIRED. Let's Count the Ways E-Scooters Could Save the City.
https://www.wired.com/story/e-scooter-micromobility-infographics-cost-emissions/ 

The door slams, and it is your child bragging about the new scooter of his friend. All you hear is how fast it goes and how cool it is to ride.

It is obvious that your child wants a scooter too, but is riding a scooter really healthy? Well, according to the study of Tokyo, riding a scooter helps improve your child’s health and make them happier in life. 

Besides, according to many other studies, scooting is an excellent alternative to running or cycling and has many health benefits. It is, of course, not a miracle cure, but it offers opportunities for professional riders, amateur riders, and even rehabilitation patients.

So if you still have any confusion about the benefits of riding a scooter, then this article is for you and all. Now let’s take a closer look at the most significant health benefits of riding a scooter.

Top 10 health benefits scooting:

1. Burn more calories:

What you reply if someone asks you “does kick scooter burn calories?”

 Well, according to the study, riding a scooter is a type of exercise that can burn up to 30% more calories than cycling when protecting your joints and eliminating saddle pain.

The total of calories that you burn when scooting lies between that of running & cycling. The benefit of scooting over running is that you will find some injuries. One study showed that one hour of scooting could burn up to 950 calories.

However, it depends on you how passionate the ride you select and the total of calories burnt lies on your fitness level and body weight. Nonetheless, the most significant point is that it is always fun.

A study done by expert personal trainer revealed that “riding a scooter is beneficial for those women who want to shape their problematic body parts of the abdomen, buttocks, hips, waist, and thighs.”

2. Improve your mental health:

Scooting is such an outdoor exercise that can make you feel much healthier, especially when it comes to emotional & mental prosperity. 

According to the report of an expert personal trainer, riding a scooter could be an excellent workout for those who want to reduce stress & anxiety to feel happier in their life.

Note: Scooting is not a solution for diagnosed mental health problems; it is something that can genuinely make you feel happy.

3. Balance:

Knowing and developing a significance of balance is necessary for the development of any child. In this regard, riding a scooter is great. It needs your child to stand on their scooter with one foot & to kick with another leg.

You will find some beginner level workout scooters that come with lean to steer and a steering lock system to develop strong balance when leaning by a turn.

4. Motor skill development:

The motor skill development is essential in a child’s life.  Riding a scooter needs to use legs and arms separately from each other, which ultimately develops motor skills.

One leg pushes off when the other balances and the hands are on the handlebar to keep balance on the scooter.

Everything happens when the head & eyes can identify where they are going and watching around for possible barriers.

When the child needs to stop, they can use one leg to press the rear fender brake pad and safely position the other foot on the surface.

5. Muscle Development:

All of the muscles of the human body nearly get involved while riding a scooter routinely (more than one hour). It is an ingenious way to increase the strength of your kid’s muscles.

Riding a scooter needs a change of tense & loose muscles, which leaves a positive command on the body. Muscles are stretched when the body is turning forward fast due to the pressure applied by stepping leg.

Besides, the back and belly muscles are being relaxed due to the strengthening of body position as well. Also, the motion of scooting can strengthen your joints, ligaments, and tendons.

Note: According to the report of medical science, riding a scooter strengthens the spine, skeletal, and abdominal muscles.

6. Coordination:

Along with muscle and motor skill development, riding a scooter improves coordination. It works excellent at any age but mainly when kids are young and exercising how to balance using their body weight.

According to parents’ magazines, the coordination of growing kids will develop by kicking, steering, braking, and balancing simultaneously.

7. Decision-making skills:

According to an expert’s opinion, riding a scooter needs quick thinking & decision making proficiency. A child needs to make the decision quickly when to turn, stop, or slow down, and how much to lean into the steer without falling, etc. 

Watching out for obstacles & determining how first to ignore them is a notable instance. The child should think fast how much strength to apply to the brake to stop or slow down in time or when to turn to avoid the obstacles.

Scooting for a child is an excellent choice to assist your kid knows to make decisions and take up their options fast.

8. Cardiovascular Endurance:

Scooter riding is one of the most efficient ways to improve cardiovascular fitness. Kids will want to ride quicker when they become master from a three-wheeled scooter, and to ride faster, they should kick harder.

The more they charge, the more blood their hearts should pump, and their lungs perform more to get enough oxygen. The actual advantage is that it is so fun, and they never even think about it a workout. 

Note: According to study, “scooting is usually an excellent form of low impact exercise, which is good for cardiovascular endurance”

9. Develop social skills:

The child loves to scoot together, and a child who scoots will look for another child who loves scooting. It is a significant way to grow confidence and develop social skills to see and learn from different riders.

If it is in the park, at school, or the skate park, there will be plenty of human interaction. “Kids become mature and intelligent by developing social skills” – according to child expert.

10. Weight Loss:

So, can you lose weight by riding a scooter?

Well, according to the expert’s opinion, “kick scooting works excellently to lose weight more quickly and efficiently. The most efficient way to lose weight applying it is by riding it early in the morning.

Another study reports that riding a scooter before taking breakfast is highly useful in losing weight fast.

For example, early exercising before breakfast for 30 minutes will assist you to lose significant weight within a month. It has been proven to be working more than any other form of exercising.

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