Show summary Hide summary
How many calories do we burn with the elliptical trainer or cross-trainer?
Everything you need to know about the elliptical trainer
Do you know how many calories you can burn when using the elliptical trainer or cross-trainer for 30 minutes or 1 hour? By entering your overall activity time and your weight in kilos, you can get an idea of how many calories you burn using the elliptical trainer or cross-trainer.
Elliptical trainer or cross-trainer: A few examples of energy expenditure depending on weight and activity time.
Use the table below to see how many calories you lose by doing the elliptical at different speeds depending on your weight profile!
Elliptical
Low intensity
Kilocalorie expenditure
| Weight | 15 minutes | 30 minutes | 1 hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 kg | 63 | 126 | 252 |
| 50 kg | 79 | 158 | 315 |
| 60 kg | 95 | 189 | 378 |
| 70 kg | 110 | 221 | 441 |
| 80 kg | 126 | 252 | 504 |
| 90 kg | 142 | 284 | 567 |
Elliptical trainer
Average intensity
Kilocalorie expenditure
| Weight | 15 minutes | 30 minutes | 1 hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 kg | 84 | 168 | 336 |
| 50 kg | 105 | 210 | 420 |
| 60 kg | 126 | 252 | 504 |
| 70 kg | 147 | 294 | 588 |
| 80 kg | 168 | 336 | 672 |
| 90 kg | 189 | 378 | 756 |
Elliptical trainer
High intensity
Kilocalorie expenditure
| Weight | 15 minutes | 30 minutes | 1 hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 kg | 105 | 210 | 420 |
| 50 kg | 131 | 263 | 525 |
| 60 kg | 158 | 315 | 630 |
| 70 kg | 184 | 368 | 735 |
| 80 kg | 210 | 420 | 840 |
| 90 kg | 236 | 473 | 945 |
See detailed calculations and metabolic equivalent for the elliptical trainer
Everything you need to know about the elliptical trainer
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE ELLIPTICAL TRAINER OR CROSS-TRAINER
The elliptical is a very popular piece of cardio training equipment, ideal for working many of the body’s muscles. It mimics the natural movement of running, but without the impact of the ground, making it an excellent option for those looking for a low-impact workout.
Some benefits of using the elliptical trainer:
- Low-impact workout: One of the biggest benefits of the elliptical is that it offers a low-impact workout. This means it’s gentler on the joints than other forms of exercise such as running, which is particularly beneficial for people with joint problems or injuries.
- Full-body workout: The elliptical is a cardio machine that works the whole body. It targets both the upper (arms, shoulders, chest and back) and lower (legs, hips and buttocks) muscles of the body, making it a highly effective workout.
- Weight loss: Thanks to its intensity, training on an elliptical can help burn a lot of calories, which is beneficial for weight loss. What’s more, as it’s a total-body workout, it can help tone muscles and improve body composition.
- Improved cardiovascular health: Like all cardio exercise, the elliptical can help improve cardiovascular health. It can help reduce the risk of heart disease by improving circulation, reducing cholesterol and lowering blood pressure.
- Improved balance and mobility: Using the elliptical can also help improve balance and mobility. It is particularly beneficial for the elderly or those recovering from injury.
All in all, the elliptical is an excellent choice for those looking for a low-impact, full-body cardio workout. It’s always important to start slowly and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workout to avoid injury.
How to calculate the number of calories burned with the elliptical trainer or cross-trainer
The result displayed is expressed in Kcal and is calculated from the MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task). The MET for each activity is the result of statistical data and cannot therefore be interpreted as an exact calculation, but rather as an estimate that takes into account the MET value and the ratio between the time spent doing an activity and the weight of the individual.
For example: the MET value for elliptical training (low intensity) is 8. This means that a person who trains on an elliptical at this pace will consume 8 times more energy than they would at rest when training in the gym or at home. This varies, of course, with the level of intensity, as we’ll see below. The more intensive the pace, the more energy you burn!
MET values for different levels of elliptical intensity
- Low intensity elliptical MET = 6
- Medium-intensity elliptical MET = 8
- High intensity elliptical MET = 10
Discover the detailed formula to calculate your daily energy expenditure while using the elliptical trainer or cross-trainer
Consumption in Kcal per minute = (METs*3.5*Weight in kilos)/200
For someone weighing 60 kilos on a medium-intensity elliptical trainer for 30 minutes:
Consumption in Kcal per minute = (8*3.5*60)/200 = 8.4 Kcal/min
So for 30 minutes = 8.4*30 = 252 kcal for 30 minutes
