I’m about to say what some would consider a radical statement, so hold onto your hats. Fitness should be for everyone. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Whether you’re a hardcore CrossFit enthusiast, or are just venturing into working out for the first time, you belong in the fitness space.
Part of making fitness accessible for everyone is making budget-friendly equipment available for purchase for people who might normally not be able to afford the higher-end items. Enter the Body Rider Fan Elliptical Trainer.
In this Body Rider Fan Elliptical Trainer review, I’ll give you the ins and outs of this under-$200 cardio machine. While I think it could be a great option for some, it isn’t the perfect fit for absolutely everyone. Keep reading to see if this could be your new favorite exercise machine or if you’re better off with something different.
A Team of Fitness Experts You Can Trust
The team of expert product testers and reviewers at Garage Gym Reviews knows good fitness equipment when we see it. With multiple certified personal trainers, nutrition coaches, CrossFit L1’s, and USA Weightlifting coaches on our team, we have the knowledge and experience to make well-thought-out product recommendations.
BodyRider Fan Elliptical Trainer
Body Rider Fan Elliptical Trainer
Product Highlights
- Compact footprint and transport wheels
- No-frills, but efficient workout tracker to monitor calories burned, speed, time, and distance
- Moving handlebars engage upper and lower body
- Instructional workout video included with your purchase
- Well-suited for beginners
- Adjust resistance level by adjusting the friction knob
- Chain-driven fan resistance
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Compact
- Easily assembled
- Portable
- Alternating handlebars for full-body workout
- Affordable
Cons
- Pedals angle forward, which can cause discomfort
- Resistance not strong enough for seasoned athletes
- Shorter stride
Bottom Line
The Body Rider Fan Elliptical Trainer is a no-frills, compact, and lightweight cardio machine that provides efficient workouts. The compact size comes with a shorter stride length so it’s not well-suited for taller individuals.
A Quick Look at the Body Rider Fan Elliptical Trainer
Body Rider is a fitness brand under the Body Flex Sports umbrella, which offers inexpensive cardio equipment, including ellipticals, dual trainers, and upright bikes. However, this is my first time ever trying anything from the brand, so I was excited to give this low-impact, elliptical machine a go.
My Tips:
- A workout DVD is included with your purchase if you need help getting started.
- This machine can be easily moved from room to room using the transport wheels.
- There are no preset workout programs on this machine, so be aware of that before purchase.
Pros:
- Compact footprint
- Lightweight and easy to move
- Under $200
- Doesn’t need to be plugged into the wall to work
- Cushioned handlebars
Cons:
- 12” stride length
- No water bottle holder
- 1-year warranty
- Foot pedals are small
Is the Body Rider Fan Elliptical Trainer Worth It?
The Body Rider Fan Elliptical Trainer definitely will appeal to some people, but it isn’t a machine I would recommend for everyone. Check out who I think will appreciate this elliptical and who should take a look at something else.
Great for:
- Budget-conscious individuals
- Shorter people
- Casual exercisers
Not recommended for:
- Tall people
- Large feet
- Tech-y individuals who want a lot of extras on a cardio machine
Body Rider Fan Elliptical Trainer Specs
| Material | Steel |
| Dimensions | 38.58 x 9.06 x 24.8 in |
| Model Name | BR1830 |
| Product Weight | 58 lbs |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| User weight capacity | 250 lbs |
| Powered By | Chain-driven fan wheel |
| Brand | BodyRider |
| Color | Black/Green/Silver |
| Display | LCD Monitor |
| Resistance | Turn of a knob (+ and -) |
Using the Body Rider Fan Elliptical Trainer
Prior to actually trying any cardio machine, I like to take a good look at the specs and price tag. This helps me appropriately set my expectations and judge the piece of equipment through the right lens. I obviously wouldn’t judge a top-of-the-line commercial elliptical in the same way I would a super budget-friendly option (although I do like to keep the industry standards in mind).
I won’t lie: Checking this elliptical out online ahead of time had me slightly nervous. At the time I tested this machine, it was just $110 on Amazon (it has since risen to $132 as of this publication). I honestly did not have super high expectations. After all, how great can a machine that cheap be?
Luckily, I was pleasantly surprised by the Body Rider Fan Elliptical Trainer.
The machine felt more stable in use than I was expecting. At 5 feet, 9 inches, and 150 pounds, I’m not exactly a wisp of a person, and the Body Rider Fan Elliptical Trainer did not shake as I tested it. However, it is worth noting the weight limit is 250 pounds, so your results may differ from mine if you are heavier. Two hundred and fifty pounds isn’t a horrible weight capacity for an elliptical under $200, but you generally want to see an at least 300-pound weight capacity industry standard wise.
Although there is a resistance knob on this elliptical, I couldn’t figure out exactly how many different levels there are in total. I do like that you can change the resistance at all, but the differences between the levels aren’t really apparent or much more difficult. There are no incline or decline options like you might find on more expensive ellipticals.
Footprint, Portability, Durability, Construction
Besides the cheap price tag, the shining features of the Body Rider Fan Elliptical Trainer are the footprint and portability. When I needed to move this elliptical to give myself more space, it was an absolute breeze (no pun intended). At just 58 pounds, this elliptical can probably be picked up by most athletic, able-bodied individuals. However, there are two transport wheels attached that make moving this machine around a room simple.
The machine also has a small footprint, which makes it an ideal choice for those who are tight on space. Like most ellipticals, this machine does not fold, but (cue Matthew McConaughey) “It’d be a lot cooler if you did.” Alas, we cannot have everything our little heart desires, especially when we’re talking about budget cardio machines.
Although there are steel materials used in the construction of the BodyRider Fan Elliptical, there is also definitely a lot of plastic present. The flywheel is housed in a plastic cover as well as the small, main body of the elliptical. Although I haven’t noticed any durability issues with the plastic cracking or breaking, time will be the biggest judge of the machine holding up.
It would be fair to expect a year or two out of this elliptical, but I wouldn’t be shocked if it didn’t last any longer. Luckily, with such a cheap price tag, it’s not like you’ll be out thousands of dollars.
The Ergonomics
If you’ve ever used commercial ellipticals at your local globo gym, you may be familiar with the industry standard stride length of 18-20 inches. However, the Body Rider Fan Elliptical Trainer doesn’t have anywhere near this length with just a mere 12 inches available to stride with. I didn’t find it as problematic as I expected, even though I do have a longer stride. It just feels more like a mini step machine versus an actual elliptical. Definitely still usable and works for a lower body workout, but it is a different experience.
On this elliptical, there is only one set of handlebars, but they are well-cushioned, which I appreciate. On more high-end models, you’ll find a set of two handlebars––one fixed (sometimes with pulse monitoring capabilities) and one that moves. The Fan Elliptical handlebars move, so you’ll get your upper body in on the action as well.
In terms of the pedals, the Body Rider Fan Elliptical Trainer leaves something to be desired. I had just enough room for my women’s size 9 foot, but someone like GGR Staff Writer Anthony O’Reilly and his size-15 foot would be screwed. The pedals are also not adjustable in length, so there really isn’t anything you can do about it. However, they are textured for a better foot grip, so I didn’t feel like my shoe was sliding off.
Technology Benefits and Conveniences
Let’s be real for a minute: How much technology can you really expect on a machine that’s under $200? Not much. On the Body Rider Fan Elliptical Trainer, you’ll find a very small LCD display that shows the basic metrics you’d expect like distance, calories burned, scan, time, and speed. There is one large mode button, which can be pushed to switch the metric being tracked during your workout. This is the closest this machine comes to having any type of preset programming, so we’ll take what we can get.
Body Rider includes a small DVD with workout videos to help beginners get started. I do like this idea, but I don’t own a DVD player and haven’t for years. Although some of you might have one and can easily watch the programming, I think the brand could have done a better job delivering this content. Perhaps in the future, they could utilize a QR code for the user to scan to get started, similar to the Mobi Exercise Bike.
Comparison to Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical
Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical
Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical
Product Highlights
- Just 105 pounds and easy to move
- Supports up to 330 pounds
- Fixed and moving handles for upper body workout
- 24 built-in workouts
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Easy-to-follow built-in workouts
- Under $600
- Machine is smooth and doesn’t shake
- 16 levels of resistance
Cons
- Warranty is below the industry standard
- Unclear assembly instructions
- Short stride length of just 15.5 inches
Bottom Line
Pack a cardio workout in the comfort of your home with the SF-E3912 Pre-Programmed Elliptical Trainer by Sunny Health & Fitness. Stride 15.
Although both of these ellipticals are budget-friendly, the Body Rider Fan Elliptical Trainer is half the price of the Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical. There aren’t a ton of big differences between the two machines, namely just a higher weight capacity and longer stride length on the Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical. But don’t just take my word for it, check out the specs chart below for a full breakdown:
| Machine: | BodyRider Fan Elliptical Trainer | Sunny Health and Fitness Magnetic Elliptical |
| Price | Under $200 | Under $400 |
| Stride Length | 12 in | 15.5 in |
| Warranty | 1 year | 3 year structural frame / 180 days other parts and components |
| Weight Capacity | 250 pounds | 330 pounds |
| Weight | 58 pounds | 104.8 Pounds |
Want to learn more? Check out our full Sunny Health and Fitness Magnetic Elliptical review.
Customer Reviews
With other 860 ratings on Amazon, the Body Rider Fan Elliptical Trainer earns a 3.8 out of 5 stars. The majority of happy customers liked the “petite size,” space-saving capabilities, and the cheap price tag.
Pleased Body Rider Fan Elliptical Trainer owner Stephanie described this cardio machine as “perfect for zoning out in my home gym watching Netflix and getting my steps in, or working up a good sweat.”
On the other hand, some customers didn’t have glowing things to say about the durability and the tiny digital display on the elliptical.
“Be forewarned, you get what you pay for, and for this machine, I’m not sure you even get that,” disgruntled Amazon reviewer James Simon said.
Final Verdict of Our Body Rider Fan Elliptical Trainer Review
Do I think the Body Rider Fan Elliptical Trainer is the best elliptical trainer I’ve ever tried? No, not at all. Do I think it is a decent machine for an excellent price that will get the general population moving? Yes, I do!
If all you’re looking for is an inexpensive cardio machine that will last a few years, you’ll likely enjoy the Body Rider Fan Elliptical Trainer. Here are my key closing thoughts to sum it all up:
- Lightweight and easy to move around
- Very short stride length
- Under-$200 price tag
Body Rider Fan Elliptical Trainer Rating
Body Rider Fan Elliptical Trainer
In this Body Rider Fan Elliptical Trainer review, I’ll tell you why this budget-friendly machine might be a good addition to your home gym––or not.
Product Brand: Body Rider
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 132.93
Product In-Stock: InStock
3.73
Body Rider Fan Elliptical Trainer FAQs
Are ellipticals better than walking?
Ellipticals are not “better” than walking per se. It is all about what kind of exercise you actually enjoy doing and will be consistent with over time. Both are great workouts and can be used to accomplish your fitness goals.
RELATED: Best Elliptical Workout
What is the warranty on the Body Rider Fan Elliptical Trainer?
The warranty on the Body Rider Fan Elliptical Trainer is only one year. And, based on previous Amazon reviewers’ comments, it looks like the warranty used to be even shorter.
When purchasing cardio fitness equipment, what are some nice extras to look out for?
Depending on your price range for exercise equipment, you might find things like:
Dual-action handlebars
Electronic console
Bluetooth capabilities
Resistance levels
Heart rate monitor
Steel frame for durability
Will I get a total-body workout on an elliptical machine?
Yes, you can get a full-body workout using the best elliptical machines. I recommend making sure your new workout machine has adjustable resistance, because it’ll help you engage your lower body in a more challenging way, versus just getting your heart pounding.
However, I will always advocate for cardio workout lovers to incorporate strength training into their regime because it is good for your body to be weight bearing.
