Elliptical Machines provide resistance that help build your muscles. The motion of an elliptical is similar to climbing stairs, so it works your quads, calfs, and gluts.
Elliptical trainers shape the rear muscles by having a person walk and run. The motion of an elliptical trainer makes the entire leg and rear muscles work.
An elliptical machine works out lower body muscles, upper body muscles and core body muscles. Quadricepts and hamstrings are included in the lower body muscle catagory. Bicepts and tricepts are included in the upper body catagory and abs are part of the core muscle group.
An elliptical provides a total body workout without any painful impact to the joints. The muscles that the elliptical machine targets are the heart, core muscles such as the back and abdominals, calves, glutes, quads, and upper body.
The muscles that are used on and elliptical are the pectorals, triceps, and biceps when pushing or maneuvering the handles and your gluteus maximus, hamstrings, and quadriceps when moving your legs in the stair like motion that is associated with the elliptical movements.
The elliptical machine is kind of similar to a walking bicycle. You simply put your feet on the pads provided and use your thigh & calf muscles to push the machine into motion.
Mostly it comes down to which muscles get the attention. The elliptical trainers are specially designed to impact all muscles in the leg, not just the selected ones from jogging.
An elliptical is an exercise machine that helps you to get the benefits of walking, running or stair-climbing but is easier on your joints than those activities. It helps to build up your leg muscles.
Elliptical fitness is one uses the elliptical machine to exercise. The elliptical trainer provides a high energy, low impact work out which is very effective for training.
Ellipticals work the lower body muscles such as the abdomen and legs. Consider an elliptical similar to biking or climbing up stairs.
The schwinn 430 elliptical trainer trains mostly your leg muscles. It also offers a strong workout to your arm muscles by allowing you to use the handlebars in the front.
Googling "elliptical fitness" should help you find different exercises for an elliptical machine. Either that or pick up a video specifically made for this type of work out.
The elliptical machine will benefit your leg muscles greatly as it simulates walking and running without putting pressure on your joints. It also is feels easier than a lot of other methods with the same results.