Do elliptical machines build muscle on my legs?

[peace-love-couture]

So my friend & I have a question. She's a member of LA Fitness & she's gonna give me a guest pass for 2 weeks so we can go together :P

She's pear shaped and bottom heavy. She's not fat, far from it, but any weight she puts on or muscle she builds goes to her hips, thighs and ass. She definitely doesn't want a bigger ass. She's told me multiple times she wants to try the elliptical machine but doesn't want a big ass.

I want to try it using intervals and my goal is actually to lose the muscle in my legs, so they can be thin.

Q1: Will the elliptical machines make her ass bigger? She doesn't want a big ass

Q2: Will they bulk up my legs or if I stay on the machine for an extended period of time will they because muscle breakdown? I want thin legs, not muscular ones

Updates

+1 y

WILL*****


Bad English lmao

[rachiee]

Depends on the machine, the setting, how hard you do it, and the resistance. Anytime you're using a machine involving resistance then you're building up muscle. I wouldn't say it will make her ass bigger because that depends on the machine. I've seen elliptical machines that focus on the gluts (butt area) no matter what the workout is set to. I've also seen elliptical machines that don't. I'd suggest you run on the treadmill though. You're going to get muscle added no matter what but running is the best option in my opinion to avoid bulky legs. Elliptical machines are great but I've yet to see one that doesn't add extreme muscles in that area. You can keep the resistance down but be aware that you won't see results quickly.

[xxyz123]

I have been doing the elliptical pretty often for a year. Some have a cross ramp option where the resistance isn't as high but you are just going more uphill and that may be better for burning the fat in those thighs? I do several cardio machines but I do a lot of elliptical and I also do those free range weights like the hip abductor and adductor and though my thighs are more muscular than they were before they are also quite a bit smaller and tighter. I think anything will end up building some muscle.

My ass is about the same as before, but mine was always big and round so I don't really know.

I wouldn't worry about your legs getting bigger.

[alleykat92]

The only piece of cardio equipment at the gym I've used that adds any kind of muscle bulk at all is the stair climber/stair master. I suppose the treadmill and elliptical could too if you go at it with super high resistance/speed/intensity/incline but I don't do that. I do moderate intensity cardio on those machines and the only one that has resulted in any kind of muscle mass increases at all is the stair climber which resulted in noticeably bigger thighs, hamstrings, calves, and glutes.

[themastaplan]

youre going to build muscle either way...by building muscle yorue removing fat as well...

its easier for muscle to show up than to lose weight...you have to keep working out, the muscle will build first and then you'll lose like crazy...

remember this, EVERYONE can work out, not everyone can diet..

you diet and what you eat is EXTREMELY important, if not more, than working out..

work out, eat a proper diet...

"lifes tough, get fit"

:) good luck

[kheserthorpe]

Generally I'd say not much, and generally most women don't add muscle ...

BUT

Given you want to burn muscle, I'd probably use treadmill over elliptical. I think its slightly more likely to trigger muscle - it tends to be higher resistance then running.

[peace-love-couture]

I hate running on treadmills. Treadmills are for losers who don't wanna take their asses outside and run around the block. I'm not gonna go to a gym to run when I can do that for free at home

[kheserthorpe]

Hah. The 'block' is not too nice for running around here - downtown core, smog, below freezing a lot of the time.

I don't like treadmills much but given your aversion to leg muscle development, I think its probably your best bet.

That or do nothing and don't eat much.

[WeaponZero]

Anything that requires resistance will be a muscle building exercise. However with the elliptical you have the option of having your arms exert the force while your legs are just "along for the ride" so to say. When I'm on the elliptical I go back and forth between using my feet to push it along and using my arms so that I'm constantly resting and buring at the same time and can go forever without stopping.

[WeaponZero]

To be honest though if you're looking for something that is a cardio specific exercise I recommend doing things like kickboxing that don't revolve around doing the same repetitive movement over and over for like an hour at a time. You're getting enough variety in your movements to keep things lively and you're not focusing on specific body parts.

[wordsOFwisdom]

Your both absolutely fine with the elliptical trainer...You can literally burn your fat and yes MUSCLE by using the machine for a lengthy period. Intervals will usually focus on fat, a higher and constant speed will tend to burn muscle, thus reducing both symmetry and muscle size.

Good Luck!

[Xx_DRE_xX]

Elipticals build muscle on the legs just make sure the resistance is low but I think it does help tone your hips & butt.

[raptor]

You'll be fine

[Caustic_Fox]

F*** the elliptical. Squat and deadlift

[peace-love-couture]

You're obviously a retard who didn't read my question(s) or our goals. Until you learn to read, leave. Shoo fly shoo

[Caustic_Fox]

Your right I didn't read you wanted thing legs. That's no reasont to be a ****

[peace-love-couture]

It's weird how everyone else on here managed to answer, but you're the one prick who couldn't

[Caustic_Fox]

I know. God forbid your question title be what your asking

[peace-love-couture]

God forbid you actually answer and not act like a retard. But hey, God ain't real so I don't expect miracles

[Caustic_Fox]

I did anwser, I just didn't bother reading the rest of your question

[peace-love-couture]

Exactly. So you can kindly get the f*** off because if you'd read your answer would have made sense and not been some bullsh*t preference for yourself