Gist
Yes. The elliptical can support fat loss by adding low-impact energy expenditure and aerobic work, but reducing body fat still requires a sustained calorie deficit.
Yes. The elliptical can build endurance by allowing sustained low-impact aerobic work that can be progressed through time, resistance, incline and intervals.
Yes. The elliptical is an effective cardiovascular machine because it can produce oxygen consumption and heart-rate responses comparable to other common cardio modes at matched workloads.
Yes. The elliptical is good for general fitness because it combines low-impact cardiovascular exercise, lower-body muscular endurance and optional upper-body involvement in one machine.
Yes. The elliptical can support weight loss by providing low-impact aerobic exercise with adjustable resistance and full-body involvement, but results still depend on maintaining an overall calorie deficit.