You might have trouble spelling it, but the elliptical machine, that funny looking thing in the corner of your gym you sort of walk on, is actually pretty useful. A more complete workout than the static bike, a more accessible option that the stepper, and kinder to your joints than treadmill sprints, the elliptical machine gets your heart pumping, your legs working, and those calories burning.
So, what are you waiting for? Get it into your regular rotation.
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What is an elliptical machine?
The elliptical machine, also known as the cross trainer, is a cardio machine that engages arms and legs in a similar way to running. But, due to the design of the machine, it’s less impactful on your joints than slogging away on the treadmill. “It’s designed to mimic running, but also movements like walking or climbing stairs,” says Penny Weston, expert PT at MADE Wellness Centre.
These machines may look awkward to master, but they’re pretty simple to pick up. Your feet stay connected to the pedals throughout the movement, your hands grasp the handles and… that’s about it. “These handlebars mean you can bring the upper body into the workout making it a full-body cardio option,” adds Weston.
Often, you can set your workout in advance, with options to scorch calories, climb hills with a rolling, automatically-varying difficulty level, or you can just move at a steady state. If you’re really lucky, your gym’s machines sync with Netflix, meaning you can lock in for hours and still be entertained, like the 2026 equivalent of Tony Soprano watching TV from his treadmill.
Why are they so popular right now?
Harry Cox, co-owner of Fitzrovia’s elite Club Q gym, reckons the elliptical rose to prominence about 25 years ago as a safer, more joint-friendly approach to cardio. “Anecdotally, I find people tend to report that using the elliptical feels slightly easier than alternatives like running but still allows them to get a sweat on,” he says, adding that they’re often prescribed by physiotherapists as a way for runners to maintain their fitness whilst managing injuries.
For Weston, accessibility is a key component; you don’t need to be a world class athlete, or even really know your way around the gym to use an elliptical. “We see a lot of people wanting workouts that feel challenging without leaving them completely exhausted or sore afterwards,” she says. “There’s also been a shift away from the idea that cardio has to feel punishing to be effective. People are looking for sustainable forms of movement they can actually stick to.”
What are the benefits?
You’ll get all the usual cardio benefits (namely, a reduced risk of dropping dead anytime soon). But there’s more to the elliptical than that. PTs love a buzzword. Recently, it’s been ‘zone 2’, as in, working out at a level that gets your heart pumping, without leaving you red-faced and gasping on the gym floor. In short, a zone 2 workout is one where you can keep up a conversation throughout it. Guess what piece of equipment is great for that?
“The elliptical machine might be the best bit of kit for zone 2 cardio,” says Cox. “Its low impact, low mental effort movement pattern lends itself perfectly to using the machine for 30-40 minutes whilst watching your favourite TV series.”
Any downsides?
Arguably, the elliptical might be just a little too beginner-friendly. “Because it’s guided movement, it doesn’t challenge coordination or stabilising muscles in quite the same way as running outdoors or certain forms of functional training,” says Weston.
Not to mention that, like other types of indoor cardio, puffing away on one machine for 30 minutes plus can be repetitive. Get bored, and you might find yourself going through the motions, rather than pushing yourself. “I often see people leaning heavily on the handles, or barely changing intensity, which limits the benefits,” warns Weston. “Like any piece of equipment, how effective it is really comes down to how intentionally you use it.”
Main rule of the elliptical club, then? You have to really want that burn.
How does it stack up against other cardio machines?
Cardio kings (and queens) will each have their favourite machine but to be honest, nothing beats getting outside, breathing fresh air, and getting a good healthy sweat on. That said, if weather or your schedule demand an indoor workout, how does the elliptical stack up against other cardio options?
