Doctors generally focus on how the elliptical trainers provide a full-body cross-training workout to the user. Contrary to popular perception, elliptical trainers don't divide the body into muscular regions and train them separately. Instead, the workout that is provided makes sure the muscles of the body work in tandem, smoothly, so that the entire body is exercised. This produces a natural and overall effective result.

When using the elliptical trainer, the following muscles are worked out in the following ways:

The skiing movement of the upper handles attached to the pedals of the machine work the muscles of the upper torso.

In order to maintain a steady rhythm in the movement of the handles, one has to exercise the deltoids (shoulder muscles), the pecs or pectorillis major (chest muscles), the biceps and triceps (back and front of the upper arms).

Legs, thighs, hips and other muscles of the lower body get suitable exercised by the elliptical trainer as well. The gluteus maximus( hip muscles), quadriceps and hamstrings (front and back muscles of the thighs) get worked out at the same time.