Elliptical trainers are a gym favorite. Not only is this cardio machine joint friendly, but it is also super versatile. You can go forward and backward, work your arms and legs, or focus on your core. Here are some tips to help you squeeze the most out of your minutes on the machine. If your focus is cardio: Focus on your strides per minute . SPM is the number of times your legs go around, a stat the elliptical tracks for you. Try to keep your strides per minute between 140 and 160. If you’re doing intervals on the elliptical, make sure your “sprints” are above 160. If your focus is toning your thighs: Pay attention to your feet. Pressing more with your heels will work your hamstrings and booty more, while pressing more with your toes will tone your quads on the front of your thighs. Pedaling backward on the machine is great way to tone your backside – hamstrings and glutes. Interested in a few more tips? Then read more. If you’re short on time: Use

your arms and legs equally. To get more bang for your cardio buck, make sure to work your arms as well as your legs. This will help get your heart rate into an intense zone and tone your upper body too. Push the handles to work your pecs and pull the handles to work your lats. To work your core: Go hands free. Letting go of the handles on the elliptical will challenge your sense of balance and work your core . Make sure not to sway from side to side once you let go of the handles. Place your hands on your hips to monitor your posture. Tone your glutes: To really target your glutes, work the incline. Do incline intervals increasing the angle for two to three minutes, followed by a similar period with a lower incline. If you’re looking to freshen up your time on the elliptical, I have a PDF for you to print with four different workouts.

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Get the Most Out of Your Elliptical Workout