Q. Do you have any information about which muscle groups benefit from the Elliptical?

Q. Do you have any information about which muscle groups benefit from the Elliptical?

Higher Cross Ramp settings emphasize the gluteals and mimic no-impact hiking. The gluts are the primary mover at this angle, with the quads additionally doing a lot of work. However, this angle also puts you forward on your toes in a plantar-flexed position and works the calves, as does any setting if you focus on toe push-off. Use these settings to really train for hiking and mountain climbing, even adding a weighted pack. There is no option to stimulate downhill, so you should do some lower angle work to teach the muscles to relax and then work again on demand.

Medium-high Cross Ramp settings recruit hamstrings and mimic cycling. Lowering the ramp angle to medium moves the burden to the hamstrings, but your quads still get worked fairly hard.

Medium-low Cross Ramp settings emphasize quadriceps and simulate no-impact running. The low ramp setting is by far the closest to running as long as you keep the resistance low. If the resistance gets too high it takes too much power to keep the cyclical movement. To maximize the quads, concentrate on the push-off of the calf as well as the swing through. If you really visualize running on this lower setting and swing the upper body while keeping the core tight you can get a great ab workout too. You won't work the lower legs as much unless you actually try to move your foot in a heel-to-toe running motion.

-- Emily Cooper, M.D.