10 Best Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer Alternatives for Cardio

The Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer is done standing with a machine. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Run, the Run (Equipment) and the Star Jump.

Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works

Original Exercise: Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer

Walk Elliptical Cross TrainerPlay demonstration
Primary muscle
Cardio
Equipment
Machine
Difficulty
Beginner
Type
Isolation

Secondary muscles: Quadriceps, Hamstrings, Glutes, Calves

How to perform Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer
  1. Adjust the resistance level and incline of the elliptical machine to your desired settings.
  2. Step onto the pedals of the machine and grip the handles lightly.
  3. Begin by pushing down with your feet and pulling the handles towards your body.
  4. Continue this motion, alternating between pushing and pulling, to simulate a walking or running motion.
  5. Maintain a steady pace and keep your core engaged throughout the exercise.
  6. Continue for the desired duration of your cardio workout.
  7. Gradually decrease the intensity and speed of the machine before stepping off.
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Ranked Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

  1. Best match
    RunPlay demonstration

    1. Run

    59% match
    • Cardio
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound

    Use this when you have nothing to train with, because it works the heart and lungs with bodyweight alone.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start by standing upright with your feet hip-width apart.
    2. Engage your core and keep your upper body relaxed.
    3. Begin jogging in place, lifting your knees up towards your chest and landing softly on the balls of your feet.
    4. Maintain a steady pace and continue jogging for the desired duration or distance.
    5. Remember to breathe deeply and maintain good posture throughout the exercise.

    Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: your heart and lungs, the same as the Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cardio machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer
  2. Run (Equipment)Play demonstration

    2. Run (Equipment)

    59% match
    • Cardio
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start by standing upright with your feet hip-width apart.
    2. Engage your core and keep your upper body relaxed.
    3. Begin jogging in place, lifting your knees up towards your chest and landing softly on the balls of your feet.
    4. Maintain a steady pace and continue jogging for the desired duration or distance.
    5. Remember to breathe deeply and maintain good posture throughout the exercise.

    Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: your heart and lungs, the same as the Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cardio machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer
  3. Star JumpPlay demonstration

    3. Star Jump

    57% match
    • Cardio
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms by your sides.
    2. Bend your knees slightly and jump up explosively.
    3. As you jump, spread your legs and extend your arms out to the sides, forming a star shape with your body.
    4. Land softly on the balls of your feet with your knees slightly bent.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: your heart and lungs, the same as the Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cardio machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer
  4. BurpeePlay demonstration

    4. Burpee

    55% match
    • Cardio
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start in a standing position with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    2. Lower your body into a squat position by bending your knees and placing your hands on the floor in front of you.
    3. Kick your feet back into a push-up position.
    4. Perform a push-up, keeping your body in a straight line.
    5. Jump your feet back into the squat position.
    6. Jump up explosively, reaching your arms overhead.
    7. Land softly and immediately lower back into a squat position to begin the next repetition.

    Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: your heart and lungs, the same as the Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cardio machine
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer
  5. Half Knee BendsPlay demonstration

    5. Half Knee Bends

    54% match
    • Cardio
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    2. Bend your knees and lower your body down as if you were sitting back into a chair.
    3. Keep your chest up and your weight in your heels.
    4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your heels to return to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: your heart and lungs, the same as the Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cardio machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer
  6. Skater HopsPlay demonstration

    6. Skater Hops

    52% match
    • Cardio
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    2. Bend your knees slightly and jump to the right, landing on your right foot.
    3. As you land, swing your left leg behind your right leg and tap the ground with your left toes.
    4. Immediately jump to the left, landing on your left foot.
    5. As you land, swing your right leg behind your left leg and tap the ground with your right toes.
    6. Continue alternating sides, jumping and tapping the ground with each leg.
    7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: your heart and lungs, the same as the Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cardio machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer
  7. Back And Forth StepPlay demonstration

    7. Back And Forth Step

    51% match
    • Cardio
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    2. Step forward with your right foot, bending your knee and lowering your body into a lunge position.
    3. Push off with your right foot and step back to the starting position.
    4. Repeat the movement with your left foot, alternating legs with each step.
    5. Continue stepping back and forth, maintaining a steady pace.
    6. Repeat for the desired duration or number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: your heart and lungs, the same as the Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cardio machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer
  8. Push To RunPlay demonstration

    8. Push To Run

    50% match
    • Cardio
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start in a push-up position with your hands shoulder-width apart and your body in a straight line.
    2. Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping your body straight.
    3. Push through your hands to extend your arms and return to the starting position.
    4. Quickly bring one knee towards your chest, then quickly switch and bring the other knee towards your chest.
    5. Continue alternating knees as fast as you can while maintaining good form.
    6. Continue for the desired duration or number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: your heart and lungs, the same as the Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cardio machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer
  9. Ski StepPlay demonstration

    9. Ski Step

    49% match
    • Cardio
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    2. Bend your knees slightly and keep your back straight.
    3. Jump to the right, landing on your right foot while swinging your left leg behind your right leg.
    4. Immediately jump to the left, landing on your left foot while swinging your right leg behind your left leg.
    5. Continue alternating jumps from side to side, mimicking a skiing motion.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: your heart and lungs, the same as the Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cardio machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer
  10. Trail Running/walking

    10. Trail Running/walking

    48% match
    • Quadriceps
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Running or hiking on trails will get the blood pumping and heart beating almost immediately. Make sure you have good shoes. While you use the muscles in your calves and buttocks to pull yourself up a hill, the knees, joints and ankles absorb the bulk of the pounding coming back down. Take smaller steps as you walk downhill, keep your knees bent to reduce the impact and slow down to avoid falling.
    2. A 150 lb person can burn over 200 calories for 30 minutes walking uphill, compared to 175 on a flat surface. If running the trail, a 150 lb person can burn well over 500 calories in 30 minutes.

    Sets and reps: Carry for 20 to 30 metres and repeat for 3 or 4 rounds.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: quadriceps, not your heart and lungs
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cardio machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer

Why You Might Need a Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer Alternative

You may need substitutes due to machine availability, knee or hip pain, travel, or a desire for varied stimulus. Alternatives preserve cardiovascular overload while changing force vectors and joint loading; for example, cycling shifts demand to concentric knee extension and reduces vertical impact, while rowing increases posterior chain activation through hip hinge mechanics. Use cues like maintaining a neutral spine and driving through the heels on climbs to protect joints and preserve cardiac output when you can’t access an elliptical.

How to Choose the Right Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer Substitute

Pick an alternative based on joint stress, equipment access, and training goal. If you need low-impact work, choose stationary cycling and keep a smooth pedal stroke with a slight knee bend to avoid locking. For full-body aerobic demand, choose rowing and emphasize a strong hip drive, push through the legs, hinge at the hips, then finish with the arms, to recruit glutes and lats while preserving cardiovascular intensity. Also match cadence and resistance to hit the same heart-rate zone you used on the elliptical.

Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer FAQ

What muscles does Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer work?

The elliptical primarily challenges your cardiovascular system while engaging the quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calf muscles. Maintain upright posture and drive through the heels on each stroke to increase glute and hamstring activation and reduce dominant quad loading.

What is the best bodyweight alternative to Walk Elliptical Cross Trainer?

High-knee marching or fast-paced walking are the best bodyweight alternatives for similar cardio benefit. Keep an upright torso and pump your arms, land softly through the midfoot, and shorten stride to maintain cadence and preserve joint-friendly loading.

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Similarity scores compare exercise metadata such as movement pattern, muscles, equipment and body position. They are not a safety rating or a check that you own the equipment. Learn about our methodology