As one of the most popular forms of gym equipment, it is also one of the most misused and under-utilized.  The better you understand the machine and what it does for your body, the better your odds of burning the largest number of calories.

Much of the secret in being able to lose more fat while on the elliptical has to do with the ramp height, the speed of your stride and the resistance level you choose.  In a half hour workout, you can burn between 270 and 400 calories.  Moreover, because your feet stay on the machine and aren’t lifting away from it and stepping back down, this can be much easier on your joints.  This low-impact workout offers great calorie burning without the strain on your back and other joints as is the case when stomping along on a treadmill.

For the best possible workout that will let you lose more fat, you’ll want to make sure you’re using this gym equipment to its top possible potential. You need to make sure that you’re not just using your legs but are also actively using the handles.  Keep in mind that the more muscles you use throughout your workout, the more calories you’ll burn.  Get your arms involved instead of simply relying on your legs to get the job done.

Next, make sure you’re using proper form for the entire time you’re on this equipment.  If you’re not sure what your form should be or if you’ve achieved it, speak to a personal trainer or one of the experts that work at your gym.  This will let you understand exactly where your hips, shoulders and neck should be.  By achieving the right posture, you’ll not only make sure that you’re burning the largest amount of fat, but you’ll also decrease the risk of injury and strain on your body.

You might also consider short intervals of high intensity activity on the elliptical, with lower to moderate intensity periods in between.  Some machines come with a program already set for that type of activity.  On those that aren’t, keep your stopwatch app open and be ready with your own plan to pick things up and slow them down when the time is right.  High intensity intervals can help you to get the very most out of every minute that you’re using the elliptical.