elliptical and building leg muscle

My BMI is boderline low/average, and I know from cheerleading and some ballet, my legs are much more muscular than fat. For cheerleading we are required to do cardio work in the gym. I prefer the elliptical to a treadmil. However, since this started I noticed my jeans are TIGHTER around the thighs and butt. I really don't want this to happen, and can't afford it either (in regards to buying new clothes). Is this due to my using the eliptical? With exams, I've only used it about 4 times in the past month, but I had been using it a few times a week along with cheerleading and ballet during the school year, so I don't know if it's the eliptical that's causing this, or perhaps my legs will become leaner once I start working out regularly again. It's been warm at my school in the past month so I hadn't been wearing pants but at home it's colder and they weren't as comfortable today. Thanks!

I can't say for sure but in my opinion the eliptical does build muscle. I too have mostly muscle in my legs and butt. I use it everyday, because I want more defined thigh muscles. I also use resistance.

I guess how much muscle you build depends on how much resistance you are using. Either way the movements are all in the legs (mostly thighs). So you will find that your thighs and glutes are tighter and possibly even bigger especially if they are already muscular. It works for building muscle for me. If you don't want muscle but you like the workout maybe use less resistance or stick with the treadmill. If you're running on the treadmill though, you will also build more leg muscle (that works for me as well).

I'm speaking only from my experience and everyone is different.

I hope this helps.