A major plus of the elliptical machine is you can work your body in a variety of ways. By pedaling forward you work your quads more and going backward targets the hamstrings and booty. Focus on pushing the handles to focus on your chest, and pulling will work your upper back. And, letting go of the handles while keeping your pace steady is a great way to challenge your core stability. I also like that the elliptical is joint friendly. It is the perfect machine for a recovery run, and it is a perfect place to start your fitness endeavor if you're new to aerobic workouts and cardio machines.

I consider this to be a beginning workout for the elliptical; it's mellow while working your entire body. If you're beyond a beginner level, this workout is a great complement to a strength training session — I use it as my warmup.