Appears in642 Workouts*

Lateral Elliptical Walk

Unique elliptical workout! Strengthen legs & core with a side-to-side motion. Increase intensity by adjusting resistance & speed.

The Lateral Elliptical Walk mainly works the hip abductors (outer thighs) and quads, with help from the back and core. You'll need: elliptical machine.

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Required Equipment

Elliptical Machine
Elliptical Machine

Lateral Elliptical Walk Muscles Worked

Primary

Hip Abductor (gluteus medius); Quads (quadriceps femoris)

Secondary

Boxer Muscle (serratus anterior); Obliques

How to do the Lateral Elliptical Walk

  1. Begin by stepping onto the elliptical machine and selecting the desired resistance level on the console.

  2. Stand with an upright posture, holding onto the handrails for stability.

  3. Start pedaling to initiate movement and get a feel for the machine's motion.

  4. Once comfortable, begin by pedaling in a regular forward motion.

  5. After a couple of minutes of forward motion, slowly transition into a lateral walk by shifting your weight from one side to the other, allowing your hips to lead the movement.

  6. Alternate the side you lean toward with each stride, effectively creating a side-to-side motion while still pushing the pedals with your legs, which is different from the regular elliptical motion that primarily moves forward and backward.

  7. Continue the lateral walking motion for the desired duration. Make sure to maintain a steady pace and control over the machine.

  8. To increase difficulty, increase the resistance on the elliptical or the speed of the lateral walking movement.

  9. Finish your workout with a few minutes of pedaling in a forward motion again to cool down.

  10. Gradually slow down the pace until you come to a stop, then carefully step off the machine.

Remember to keep your core engaged, and breathe steadily throughout your workout. Adjust the resistance and duration according to your fitness level.

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Lateral Elliptical Walk FAQs

What muscles does the Lateral Elliptical Walk work?

The Lateral Elliptical Walk mainly works the hip abductors (outer thighs) and quads, with help from the back and core. The main muscles are the gluteus medius and quadriceps femoris.

What equipment do you need for the Lateral Elliptical Walk?

Elliptical machine.

What workout day should the Lateral Elliptical Walk go on?

It belongs on leg day in a push/pull/legs routine.

What are some Lateral Elliptical Walk variations and alternatives?

Similar exercises include the Bicycle Recline Walk, Bodyweight Lateral Walk, Machine Elliptical Skiing and Machine Elliptical Walk.

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