HOW TO... BUILD UPPER BODY STRENGTH FOR E-BIKING

Show a heavy bike who's boss with these tips from Vitus ambassador and strength coach Ben Plenge

- Ben Plenge

Slam it into boost mode and spin away up the hills, and an e-MTB can make life pretty easy on the legs. It's a different story for the upper body, though, with the added weight of the battery and motor, and the extra mileage you're likely to do, combining to put additional strain on your arms, back and chest. The good news is that with some simple training you can get yourself strong enough to maximise your time on the bike - whether that's an e-MTB or a heavier trail, enduro or DH bike.

PRO-FILE BEN PLENGE

JOB Vitus Bikes ambassador & The Strength Factory coach CREDENTIALS As a former Army captain who did tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, Bristol-based Ben knows a thing or two about physical and mental strength. Since setting up The Strength Factory in 2014, he's coached the likes of Joe Smith, Wyn Masters and Vero Sandler. He also tested bikes for MBUK and other MTB media, before being snapped up by Vitus. Follow him on Instagram at @strengthfactory_coach. www.thestrengthfactory.uk

BE SAFE!

Remember to always build up your training intensity gradually-if in doubt, get some technique coaching in the gym so you don't push too hard, too fast

PUSH AND PULL