An elliptical cross trainer is a cardiovascular machine that is perfect for all levels of fitness. Whether you want an intense workout or a light workout, an elliptical build muscle the way you want it to. If you just want to tone your muscles you can set the settings lower. However, to truly build muscle you want to set the tension levels rather high.



On the face of the elliptical, you will find a number of settings depending on the type of elliptical you have. The pricier machines allow you to adjust everything exactly the way you want. You can program different workouts, speeds and resistance levels and ramp angles to customize your workout.

As mentioned, higher resistance workouts will help you build muscle the best. Many new models are equipped with handles to work the upper and lower body at the same time. As you set higher resistance levels, you have to push harder to get your full stride in. In just a 30-minute workout, you can reach your cardiovascular workout for the day while building the muscles of your legs, buttocks, chest, shoulders and arms.

Not only can an elliptical build muscle, but it will also help you burn calories and fat. Because of the continuous movement throughout your body, you are constantly burning calories and turning them into muscle. This will make you feel healthier and fitter, thus giving you an increased amount of energy over the course of a day.

One thing that makes an elliptical so great is their compact size and convenience. If you wanted to put one in a room in your house, it takes up little space while providing you with a great cardiovascular workout. Along with their compact size, many come with wheels so you can move it anywhere in the house. Some of the newer models have a space saver option, which allows you to fold the machine up and save even more space.

With the ability to adjust your workout and set the levels to what you want, an elliptical builds muscle efficiently throughout your body. It takes just 30 minutes to put together a workout and build muscle in your legs, buttocks, chest, shoulders and arms. And with the compact size, an elliptical builds muscles from the comfort of your own home.