7 Beginner Elliptical Hacks: Get the Most Out of Your Workout

The elliptical machine, otherwise known as the cross-trainer, is known for its ability to create a full-body workout. Many people have an elliptical at home because they can get a quick and effective total-body workout while never leaving their house. Also, you can customize an elliptical to fit your needs through resistance levels and pre-programed elliptical workouts. 

As a certified personal trainer who has completed hundreds of workouts on the elliptical, I know how to get the most out of this cardio machine. Here are my favorite elliptical hacks to help you meet whatever goal you might have:

1. Understand Heart Rate Zones

The heart, like any muscle in your body, functions at different speeds. The number of heart beats in a minute is known as your heart rate. For example, if your heart rate is 88 BPM, that means that your heart is beating at 88 beats per minute. 

There is a direct correlation between your heart rate and the effectiveness of your workout. In fact, you may have heard things like “Train in your fat-burning zone!” 

To keep it simple, the Cleveland Clinic¹ points out that there are three basic heart rate zones:

1. Low-intensity: Heart rate is at 50 to 60% of your max heart rate
2. Temperate: Heart rate is at 60 to 70% of your max heart rate
3. Aerobic: Heart rate is at 70 to 80% of your max heart rate

Each of these zones can be beneficial, depending on what your goals are.

In the first zone, your body burns more fat, but fewer calories. Therefore, if you don’t necessarily want to lose weight but prefer to burn fat, stay in that zone. In the third zone (and at higher heart rates), you’ll burn less fat as your body uses carbs for fuel instead of fat. However, you’ll burn more calories, which is ideal for people who have weight loss goals.

Most exercise machines have a heart rate monitor or pulse monitor to give you an idea of where you are in terms of heart rate. To find your max heart rate and identify which zones you’re in during your workout, take 220 and subtract your age, or follow the chart below:

2. Maintain Good Form

Good form prevents injury and also helps you make the most of your time. With proper form, you’re working out efficiently. Once your form breaks down, certain muscle groups may not get as much work as intended or as you think they are getting. 

Proper form when using an elliptical is the following: 

• Maintaining good, upright posture instead of leaning over the monitor. Tip: Try looking straight ahead to keep your form.
• Keep your core braced. 
• Use the moving handlebars when possible, actively pulling and pushing.
• Place your feet in the middle of the pedals, toes pointing straight ahead.

For instance, if you lean over the handles, you may start feeling back pain, and you will lose your active core, meaning you probably won’t get the full-body workout you are looking for. 

3. Go Forward and Backward

A great way to target different muscle groups on an elliptical is to move the pedals not only forward but backward as well. In doing this, you activate muscles like the glutes, hamstrings, and quads in a different way. 

Beyond that, this adds variety to your elliptical workout. If you do the same exercise over and over, your body stops adapting. Move the pedals forward and backward to keep your body guessing. 

4. Do HIIT Workouts

HIIT workouts, or high-intensity interval training workouts, can be an excellent way to burn more calories in a short amount of time. A small 2019 study of 13 adults² found that people who participated in high-intensity circuit training had enhanced motor function AND increased desire to work out when compared to those who were doing moderate aerobic exercise. 

In other words, doing an interval workout a few times a week may keep you motivated and will help increase your strength and fitness. Many elliptical have built-in HIIT workouts or are compatible with streaming apps you can follow along with.

5. Use Your Whole Foot

In order to engage your glutes and quads, it is important to really put the pedal to the metal. Just like when you are riding a stationary bike, the pedals are your friends. On this piece of exercise equipment, it is vital to use your whole foot and push down so none of your leg muscles are getting neglected. Beyond that, if you put too much weight on your toes or heels, you could over-stress your joints and suffer an injury.

6. Pump Up the Resistance

To get stronger, you have to work against resistance. Even budget ellipticals have different levels of resistance you can use to make your workout harder. You can feel more of a burn on the elliptical trainer when you push the resistance just a hair out of your comfort zone. Not only will this help elevate your heart rate, it should also be an effective way to build muscle endurance. 

Tip: Play with increased resistance and lower resistance on intervals. This is an easy way to turn a steady-state elliptical workout into a sweat-inducing HIIT workout.

7. Move Your Arms

The elliptical is not just built for your lower body! This machine is meant to create a full-body workout, hence the moving handlebars. Grip the handles firmly, but not overly tight. Push and pull the handles to activate the muscles in your upper back as well as your biceps, triceps, and shoulder muscles.

Elliptical Hacks: Final Thoughts

Whether your goal is burning calories, or shed more pounds, or you like using the elliptical for a warmup, or you just want to feel good, there are a few key ways to get more out of the machine:

• Use the heart rate monitor to assess which zone you’re in
• Maintain good form and move the pedals forward and backward
• Engage your upper body and your lower body

FAQs About Elliptical Hacks

References

1. Exercise Heart Rate Zones Explained, The Cleveland Clinic, May 2021
2. Wilke J, Kaiser S, Niederer D, et al. Effects of high‐intensity functional circuit training on motor function and sport motivation in healthy, inactive adults. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2019 Jan; 29(1):144-153. doi:10.1111/sms.13313 
3. How much physical activity do adults need? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated June 2, 2023.

Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1

Kate has nearly two decades of experience working in both the fitness and content industries. On the fitness side, she has worked in a number of settings: youth athletics, owned a CrossFit affiliate, personal training, weightlifting coach, CrossFit coach, and fitness floor consultant at a YMCA. Personally, Kate enjoys competing in weightlifting and stores her barbell in her bedroom.On the content side, Kate’s background is in newspaper journalism. She branched into public relations for the American Red Cross for about five years and then moving into content marketing.Today, her work at Garage Gym Reviews blends her excitement for fitness and love of writing. If she isn’t reviewing fitness equipment, you can find her working out or spending time with her two children.Certifications:NASM Certified Personal Trainer CrossFit Level 1 Trainer USA Weightlifting Level 1 Trainer

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