Appears in642 Workouts*

Elliptical

Low-impact cardio! Mimics running without the impact. Great for all fitness levels.

The Elliptical mainly works the glutes & hips and quads, with help from the hamstrings and calves / shins. You'll need: elliptical machine.

Elliptical demo video 2
Ms. Grey
JustGains_XX
@JustGains_XX

Required Equipment

Elliptical Machine
Elliptical Machine

Elliptical Muscles Worked

Primary

Glutes (gluteus maximus); Quads (quadriceps femoris)

Secondary

Hamstrings; Lower Calf (soleus)

How to do the Elliptical

  1. Step onto the elliptical machine, placing your feet on the pedals and lightly holding onto the moving handles or stationary support bar in front of you, depending on your machine's design.

  2. Start pedaling to begin the movement. The machine's console should power up as you start moving.

  3. Set the desired level of resistance and incline on the machine, if applicable.

  4. Stand straight with a slight lean forward, and maintain good posture throughout your workout; avoid slouching.

  5. Begin with a slow pace to warm up. Increase intensity and speed gradually as your body adapts.

  6. Push through the balls of your feet and pull through with your hamstrings as the pedals move in an oval (elliptical) pattern.

  7. If your elliptical has moving arm handles, coordinate the pushing and pulling motion with the opposite leg movements to engage the upper body.

  8. Maintain a consistent flow of movement, avoiding jerky or bouncing movements.

  9. To focus more on certain muscle groups, you can vary the resistance, incline, or reverse your pedaling direction.

  10. Continue for the desired duration of your workout, typically between 20 minutes to an hour for a cardio workout.

  11. Finish with a cool-down phase, reducing your speed and resistance to allow your heart rate to come down.

  12. Once your workout is complete, step carefully off the machine.

Always ensure to hydrate adequately and, if new to the exercise, start at a lower intensity to avoid overexertion.

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Elliptical FAQs

What muscles does the Elliptical work?

The Elliptical mainly works the glutes & hips and quads, with help from the hamstrings and calves / shins. The main muscles are the gluteus maximus and quadriceps femoris.

What equipment do you need for the Elliptical?

Elliptical machine.

What are some Elliptical variations and alternatives?

Similar exercises include the Cardio Assault-Bike, Bicycle Recline Walk, Lateral Elliptical Walk and Machine Elliptical Skiing.

Training calculators

Work out the numbers behind your training before your next session.