This post contains links that we may earn a small commission for at no cost to you read more
The Body Rider 2-in-1 cardio dual trainer is an elliptical bike combo machines. It works by using high momentum fan blades and has smooth rides to lower the impact of the exercise on your knees.
Elliptical machines are standalone exercise equipment that mimics your movements when climbing, running, or skiing. They are manufactured to be low impact machines.
Table of Contents
If You Are Short on Time – Here Are the Main Features:
If you are in a hurry and don’t have time to read the whole article, here are the main features of the Body Rider 2 in 1 Trainer:
- Dual functionality as an elliptical
- Multiple resistance levels
- Compact footprint and portability
- Affordable price point
Keep reading where I go into much more detail about this machine and other points you need to consider!
Note: If you are looking for replacement parts for the Body Rider cross trainer, check the manufacturer’s contact information at the end of the article.
Body Rider Dual Trainer Review
If you have been injured at some point in the past and has not fully recovered or is experiencing some chronic pain or are a beginner, you would want an exercise routine that you are able to follow with ease and that has a low impact on your joints.
A Body rider machine achieves just that. They are easily accessible alternatives to indoor bike, stair climbers, and treadmills. It is generally easy to use one without any prior technical knowledge. Besides, the machine gives you a full-body workout so that you would not need to add another machine.
It has gliding pedals, which you use to tone your legs, calves, and glutes. It also has ski pole-like handles, which you can use to work on your upper back, triceps, and biceps.
Features and Specifications
The 2-in-1 machine can be used as an elliptical trainer or stationary bike. It comes with front and rear stabilizers to enhance its stability. You can use it on any floor without slipping.
However, it is recommended that you use a mat for delicate floors such as wood and bamboo. The minimal design ensures that it takes up a small footprint in your room.
Resistance Type
The fitness uses wind resistance through the use of a flywheel that is located on the front just after the pedals. The resistance increases as you increase your workout speed.
However, there is also a knob to adjust the resistance for consistency. The fans also give off a cool breeze, which helps you cool down as you work out. You may use the manual knob to select various tension levels.
Generally, the machine has a smooth motion and increases the resistance gradually. Therefore, you will not experience the jerky movements that may have an impact on your joints.
If you ever feel some jerky movements, there is a likelihood that some nut has become loose. Therefore, switch off the machine and try fastening the screws.
The Console
It has a monochrome LCD that shows various metrics that include the average calories burned, time spent, speed, and distance covered. The screen is quite small.
However, given that you are just next to the display, you should not have any problems when reading the units displayed. Switching between various modes is easy with a single button on the front called mode.
This display is operated by a pair of AAA batteries that come with the package. However, you can still find a cheap pair in your local stores.
The fitness machine has a maximum weight capacity of 250 lb. It is 58 inches high and 28 inches in width. The length of the machine is 45 inches.
Therefore, the machine is quite compact and should fit in a standard room or basement. However, with the short length, it just has a stride of 13 inches. Most tall people find this stride too short for effective exercise. We recommend these best 20 inch stride elliptical machines
Noise Levels
In the normal use, the drive runs a fun in the flywheel, which creates the resistance that you experience when working out. Unfortunately, the fan makes some noise, which increases at higher tension levels.
The Body rider 2-in-1 cardio dual trainer makes some audible noise at higher tension levels. Although the noise is not a high pitch one, this is one of the major complaints of customers on its sites and online marketplace.
To counter the buzzing, consider getting some headphones for use when working out. You may also need to close the door connecting to the rest of the rooms so that you do not disturb other occupants. However, if looking for a very quiet one, this is not the machine for you.
Related: The smallest fitness tracker is the best way to track your progress when using this elliptical combo machine.
Ease of Use
This 2 in 1 elliptical and exercise bike can be used in the average and larger homes, given its height and adjustable seat to fit various ceilings. Similarly, it has over sized pedals that can fit numerous shoe sizes, making it ideal for whole family use.
In addition, the footplates are ridged and textured to prevent the shoes from slipping when you are doing your exercise. This is vital in preventing accidents when you are exercising vigorously.
The seat is ergonomic and set in an angle that lets you work out with ease. However, the top part of the seat sometimes feels too hard for some people. If that is the case for you, consider adding some padding so that you are more comfortable. This is vital to prevent soreness on your glutes if you work out regularly.
On the other hand, the fitness machine comes with foam padding and rubber textured handlebars. This gives a good grip while working out without getting overly sweaty.
It also prevents blistering on your palms. Besides, the handrails are ergonomically designed to allow users to exercise without overexerting their hands or arching their backs to reach the bars.
Unfortunately, these handrails are not adjustable. However, you may move the seat horizontally and vertically to a point where you are comfortable using them.
The other comfort feature is the high momentum fan. When you start catching speed, the fan begins to blow some cool air into the room. This is welcome for enclosed spaces. It also keeps you cool in long workout sessions.
You can put hours each week without breaking a sweat. Working out is also easy as the machine does not have a high impact on your joints. Despite the low-pitched hum, the machine is rather smooth and ideal for training at the family home. If you have wondered if you can store elliptical in garage or outside be sure to read our article here.
Assembly and Parts
The machine is a little complicated, given that it combines an elliptical workout machine with a stationary bike. Therefore, the assembly will take some time to do it right.
Fortunately, the machine comes with a detailed user’s manual with step-by-step installation instructions that do not require any prior technical knowledge in assembly. There are a few extra knobs, bolts, and screws should you lose one or need to change some.
In addition, most of the parts can be replaced. You can have a new seat, console, and handles if, for any reason, the ones that you bought with have been damaged.
You need a helping hand when you are assembling the parts. There will be some lifting and holding as the other person fastens the nuts. This process takes most people over an hour.
However, the manual has diagrams of each part and how to do the assembly right. If you follow these, you should not have issues assembling the machine. You can always contact the customer service if you get into trouble at any point in your assembly process.
The shipped package comes with a ruler that has both the metric and imperial measurements and a Phillips crosshead screwdriver. You may need to get some hex keys and a pair of adjustable wrenches to get the work done.
Build and Finish
The Body rider cardio dual trainer comes in hues of grey and black. The sidebars and handles are grey while the seat and rubber grips are black. The seat stand is made of steel, while the rest of the parts are made of aluminum.
This makes the workout equipment rather light for the ease of movement. It also has wheels on the front so that you can move it from one room to another without having to lift it.
Overall, the machine is durable and should handle regular use without damage. However, given that it is made from aluminum, it is important that you avoid hitting as the material can dent with ease or get broken.
With proper use and safekeeping, it should serve you for several years without any kind of damage.
Safety
There are a few safety features built into the product to prevent damage and injury. If you have not pressed any key for four minutes, the machine will shut immediately. This prevents the machine from running idle for an extended period.
During regular use, some nuts may come loose. Therefore, it is important to refasten them after every month or so of regular use or when you feel that the machine is having some jerking movements.
Unfortunately, the machine lacks a dedicated emergency power/auto switch off button. Therefore, you have to wait for it to come to a complete stop before you can disembark from the pedals.
There is also the risk that the drive may suck items in the flywheel. Therefore, you should never remove the hood at any time. There should also be at least one foot of space around the equipment to prevent injury or damage to other items.
If, for any case, there are items that have been sucked into the flywheel. Stop the machine, plug out the power, and call a technician.
Warranty
The manufacturer offers a rather short warranty period. It is around three months for parts and one year for the whole set. However, considering that the machine costs about $200, you do not expect it to have an extended warranty.
You must register with the manufacturer on buying the fitness equipment to activate the warranty. During assembly, you must put every part as directed in the manual. Any alterations during assembly will void the warranty.
During warranty, the replacement of individual parts takes precedence over the replacement of the entire unit. The buy foots the cost of returning the item to the manufacturer’s warehouse.
If you have any issues with the product, you can reach them on the contact methods indicated in the user manual. They are available between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm Pacific Time from Monday to Friday.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- The dual functionality allows you to convert the machine into an immobile bike for your workouts
- The console has several metrics that are vital to your workout routine
- It is easy to use and has no impact on your joints
- People of any height can use it
- There is a tension knob to enhance the intensity of your workouts
- Its high momentum fan blades help cool down the air of your room by a breeze. Therefore, you are less likely to break a sweat.
- It has a quiet operation
- You will start seeing results in a short while. The recommended workout time is usually 20 minutes each day for up to four times a week.
- Most people find the trainer as an affordable way to start fitness training at home
Cons
- The seat feels hard and may make you uneasy after a few minutes of workout
- Its assembly instructions are somewhat complicated. It takes more than two hours for some people to assemble the parts
- Sometimes the knobs loosen up after a few rounds. You may need to keep tightening them up
- The 13-inch stride feels too short for people who are over six feet in height
- While the design is great, its parts are not as durable as its higher-priced competitors are
- It has an audible wheezing sound when running, which puts off some people
Tips to Maximize Benefits When Working With Body Rider Dual Trainer Elliptical
Why Cycling?
Cycling is an excellent cardio exercise for just anyone. It increases your heart rate, which in turn increases the energy levels in your body b as the blood is pumped effectively across the body.
Besides, the exercise gets to improve your metabolism so that you are able to burn more calories in a short period. Cycling also has a low impact on your joints compared to running, jumping ropes, or jogging.
A combination of these benefits makes riders a choice workout machine for most home fitness enthusiasts compared to treadmills and weights. If you are getting started in a home fitness regime, you may want to read this review to find if it offers any benefits that can align with your fitness goals.
This machine is easy to use. However, some techniques may help you get the most out of your workouts. You do not have to put all the tips at once, but you can implement small significant improvements over time. In the end, you will reap greater rewards for the time you spend on the cardio machine.
Maintain an Upright Posture
When you step on your machine, you will automatically bend forward so that you are able to reach the hand pedals. This posture puts pressure on your lower back and may aggravate joint pain at the hips and the lumbar area.
The best thing to do is pausing for a moment, roll back your shoulders and straighten up while pushing your pelvis towards the machine. Besides, always face forward when you are working out for the sake of your neck.
Align your Feet
As discussed in the section above, the elliptical pedals are oversized to fit various feet sizes. Therefore, if you do not own large feet, you may find it hard to determine the best position to stand when exercising.
It is best when you align your feet to the pedals rather than standing on an angle. This helps avoid straining your hips. If you tend to point your feet outwards, check your posture after every few minutes of workout.
Always Keep Your Feet on the Pedals
Always workout with your feet firmly pressed against the pedals. If you keep lifting the feet as you work out, you will likely experience some foot problems with time.
You will also not take advantage of the impact saving advantage that comes with the workout equipment. Keeping your feet pressed also increases the workout and keeps you from slipping off the pedal.
Mix Up the Resistance
Take full advantage of various resistance settings so that you provide a new challenge to your body. A varied workout plan will have more benefits than a fixed regime. It also helps prevent boredom when working out, which is key to keeping up with the workout regime.
Work Your Hamstrings by Cycling Backwards
You can pedal backward without damaging your fitness equipment. When doing so, you will be working out your hamstrings that are often forgotten during exercise.
It may feel odd to cycle backward. Therefore, start slow and increase your speed with time. Over time, you should get the hang of it and benefit your hamstrings in the process.
Be Sure to Check the High-Intensity Intervals
High-intensity interval training is the best way to get the most from your cardio exercises. They enable you to burn high amounts of fat within short periods.
Besides, HIIT intervals help you stay focused on your goals, as you tend to push your body to higher limits. Take a few minutes to try a higher resistance training just above the level that you are. Keep going up as you improve your endurance.
You can Incorporate Other Exercises
You can augment your cardio with other exercises to strengthen specific parts of your body, as well as your core. It does not hurt to jump onto a static plank or dumbbells to work out particular parts of the body. This will help you achieve your fitness goals better than just working out on the machine.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The Body Rider 2-in-1 cardio dual trainer is a perfect workout machine for home or office use. Since it combines an elliptical trainer and stationary bike, you get a full workout at any time of the day and night.
It also has a low impact on the joints, making it good workout equipment for people who are recovering from injury or have joint problems such as in the case of gout and arthritis.
Whatever your fitness goals are, this is an excellent machine for beginners, experienced trainers, or just anyone looking for an easy-to-use home workout machine.
Despite the fact that the Body Rider brd2000 cardio dual trainer does not have many options for the fitness trainers, customer reviews across the board have praised the machine for getting the work done without too much hustle.
When combined with compact footprint, portability, and ease of changing the tension levels, it becomes a candidate for cardio exercises at home.
However, if you are one of the very tall, you may want to consider other options in the market as this might be inadequate for you. Out of five stars, the equipment gets a 3.2.
How to get replacement parts
If you need to replace some parts of this cross trainer you can contact Body Flex Sports:
Customer Service
Body Flex Sports, Inc.
Toll Free (888) 266 6789 Ext. 122
Mon-Fri 9am – 5pm PST
Or email: [email protected]
Written by Alisha Wishart – TheHealthPot.com
Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), Writer and Contributor
Alisha, is a Mother, Wife and Certified Personal Trainer (CPT). She understands how demanding everyday life can be and takes great pride in working with individuals and groups to help them achieve their desired fitness goals. Read more about Alisha here.