Arc Trainer Cardio

The Arc Trainer Cardio workout is a low-impact, high-intensity cross-training exercise that mimics the mechanics of hiking and skiing. It primarily targets the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes while placing significantly less stress on the knee joints than running.

How Iridium Programs This

Iridium monitors duration and RPE to calculate how much this session contributes to fatigue scores for your quadriceps and hamstrings. Because this movement can impact lower body recovery, the AI references your 7-day history to ensure your cardio volume does not interfere with the progressive overload scheduled for your primary leg lifts.

Form Cues

Do
  • Keep your chest lifted and gaze forward.
  • Drive down through your heels to engage the glutes.
  • Maintain a firm but relaxed grip on the moving handles.
  • Keep your knees aligned with your toes throughout the stride.
Don't
  • Don't lean your bodyweight onto the console.
  • Don't lift your heels excessively off the pedals.
  • Don't allow your knees to collapse inward.
  • Don't hyperextend your knees at the bottom of the movement.

Common Mistakes

  • Slouching or rounding the back
  • Pushing primarily with the toes
  • Gripping the handles too tightly
  • Using momentum instead of muscle control

Muscles Worked

This exercise engages the entire lower body, with a specific emphasis on the quadriceps and hamstrings due to the arc-shaped pedal path. The pushing motion heavily recruits the glutes, while the moving handles ensure the biceps, triceps, and upper back contribute to the movement.

Primary

QuadricepsHamstrings

Secondary

GlutesCalvesGeneral CoreBiceps Short HeadBiceps Long HeadTriceps Lateral HeadTriceps Medial Head

Get Personalized Coaching for Arc Trainer Cardio

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