Ellipticals mimic the motion and muscle use not dissimilar to that used in cross-country skiing and can provide a hugely effective full-body workout in a safe and low impact way. You get a cardio workout while at the say time engaging all the main muscle groups for overall toning and strengthening effect. While your legs are striding away, you're activating your glutes and hamstrings, calves and quads. Pull in your arms by grabbing the upright handles and you begin to engage your whole upper body, in particular working the pecs and shoulders, back and arms. Your core is required to keep your body stabilized, so you are now getting the benefit of a total body workout. Whether your primary goal is to lose weight, tone up, get fit, or just have fun, all those objectives can be achieved using an elliptical machine.\r