Definitions by Time Enough at Last
elliptical illusion
The outward appearance of exercise by someone using a certain piece of gym equipment while, in reality, that person has failed to achieve more than a resting heart rate because of a preoccupation with talking on the telephone, sending text messages, or reading.
Mary's hour-long workout on that machine in the gym was just an elliptical illusion; she talked on the phone the whole time and didn't break a sweat.
elliptical illusion by Time Enough At Last December 1, 2010