I have a huge butt and thighs....will doing the the eleptical backwards help the back of the legs? Or is it better to go foward....thanks.

Pedaling forward works your quadriceps (the big muscles in the front of your thighs) and your gluteus muscles (three powerful muscles in your buttocks). Pedaling backward works your hamstring muscles at the back of your thighs.

Work out on an elliptical machine in intervals of forward and backward to work the most muscles. Working backward tends to elevtate my heart rate by about 4-5bpm, so I like to do it also for that bit of "cardio burst".

If you haven't used one yet, go easy! This is the only machine where it felt easier to push myself, and also the only machine where I paid for it later in the form of Charley horses in my calf and thigh!

I have read and noticed what Patsfan said above. Going backwards targets the back leg muscles. It's definitely safe and recommended from all I know.

I do a mix of intervals in any elliptical session. Works me harder and I'm actually seeing some thigh muscles....

I was thinking to do 20 mins forward and 20 mins back...is that good? Or is it better to do switch off more in the workout....Thanks. I have so much fat on the back of my thighs. I am so excited about trying this new workout to get rid of it!!!

I can personally only do a minute (and I'm dying by the end of that minute) backwards. So I mostly do forwards and when I'm exhausted from the forwards I do a minute of backwards.

I usually get about 5 minutes forward 1 minute back and so on...

Okay, again, be sure to not overdo it when you start out using this machine....

I usually do about 5 minutes forward, then 2.5 minutes backward, then 5 forward, and so on. I think you'll maintain your stamina a little better that way because you aren't working one muscle group hard for such a long period of time.

Also, to be clear, using this machine is targeting the muscles of the backs of your legs, not the fat! If you are maintaining a good heart rate (do you know your target haeart rate range?) and using the equipment properly you will burn fat all over, not in one area alone.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy it!

This is good advice. I usually do 5 forward/2 backward, and I have found that the primary benefit is that i can keep my heart rate up while giving specific muscles a break. its the cardio that's the key

remember there is no such thing as spot reduction. you will get that butt smaller but dont be discouraged if it doesn't disappear!! hehe

Thank you...I am going to try it tonight. I am going to do 5 minutes forward and 2.5 back, and keep switching.

I want to get a smaller butt and back of the thighs...though I do not want it to go away all together!!! I like my butt!!!

So I did the elliptical last night and loved it!!! I feel like I got a great workout....

I did 5 mins forward 5 mins backwards, I would switch like thta for 40 mins....it was great. I can Really tell that I worked the back of my legs, and the burn felt great!!! I am definately going to do that twice a week now!!! Great!!!

Awesome! It's GREAT you have found a cardio workout you love!

as a few have already said, you CAN'T spot burn fat. Your butt will shrink just as fast as any other exercise that burns the same amount of calories.

I have to chime in here and say that I LOVE the eliptical. I too usually do about 5 min forward and 5 backward, rotating.