| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Console | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Body Champ BRB3558 Check Discounted Price | L:56" W:25" H:42" | 250 lbs | Magnetic, 8 levels | Time, Speed, Distance, Calories, Pulse, SCAN | 1 year limited |
The Body Champ BRB3558 magnetic recumbent bike can be placed in the same specs and price category as the Marcy NS-716R or the Sunny SF-RB4602. It does feature a more basic console, without any programs. Differently put, it’s an affordable recumbent cycling trainer, perfect for anyone who wants to undertake a light or medium intensity cardio workout in the comfort of their home.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 56L x 25W x 42H inches (142L x 63.5W x 106.6H cm)
- Assembled weight: 63 lbs (28.5 kg)
- Weight capacity: 250 lbs (113.3 kg)
- Seat: Adjustable
- Pedals: With straps
- Resistance: Magnetic, 8 levels
- Console: Time, distance, speed, calories, pulse, SCAN
- Warranty: 1 year limited
Frame construction
The Body Champ BRB3558 recumbent exercise bike features a frame made of steel tubing. It’s a two-piece frame; the rear part with the seat connects to the front part with the resistance mechanism via several bolts. 
The frame itself is sturdy enough to support users up to 250 lbs (113.3 kg). It features a step-through design, which can be quite a plus for users with disabilities. Due to this aspect, taking position on the seat is done with ease.
All the steel components in the bike’s construction feature a corrosion resistant powder coating, silver in color. The only exception is the adjustment rail of the seat which has a chrome finish.
This Body Champ recumbent bike doesn’t have a very large footprint. It takes only 56″L x 25″W (142 x 63.5 cm) of floor space; thus, it can be a good choice for a cardio machine if you don’t have too much storage or usage space available. However, due to this fact, it may not be suitable for users taller than 6’0″ (183 cm). We’ll get into detail regarding this matter as we’ll present the bike’s seat and its adjustment possibilities.
The bike is equipped with standard cylindrical base stabilizers, with adjustable polygonal caps at the rear, which offer the possibility to level the bike if the floor is irregular. The front base integrates a set of small wheels which facilitate the transport of the bike once it is assembled. However, this exercise bike is far from being heavy. It’s total assembled weight is only 63 lbs (28.5 kg).
Seat and handlebars
The bike’s seat is adjustable; it’s attached to a steel rail with several adjustment holes, which offer the possibility to lock it into a position closer or farther in relation to the pedals. The adjustment span isn’t too long, though. Therefore, the Body Champ BRB3558 recumbent bike 
may not be a good choice for users over 6’0″ (183 cm), as they may not benefit from a complete leg extension during pedaling, even if the seat is adjusted to the last position.
When it comes to ergonomics, the bike’s seat offers optimal comfort. It doesn’t integrate air cushion cells as the seat on the Fitness Reality X-Class 410, but both the seat and the backrest feature a fairly thick (~2″) of foam padding. The backrest does not recline, nor it adjusts in any way independently from the seat.
The bike features two sets of handlebars. Both are covered by a sheet of rubber foam in order to provide a comfortable grip. The handlebar set attached to the seat will move back and forth along with the seat assembly when you adjust the seat. But just as the backrest, they do not adjust independently from the seat itself.
The handlebars attached to the console mast cannot be adjusted in any way either. They’re equipped with pulse sensors, so by holding on to them, the console can monitor your heart rate.
Drive and resistance
Most recumbent exercise bikes are equipped with a belt drive system, and this Body Champ model does not make an exception. It features a very quiet, maintenance free, belt drive, using a stretch-resistant, heavy-duty belt. The bike’s flywheel is not extremely heavy, but it’s perimeter-
weighted, which means it delivers an excellent stability and a consistent momentum.
Evidently, since it’s a recumbent bike, the Body Champ BRB3558 is not made for standing up pedaling routines. It’s equipped with a sturdy crankset, though, featuring solid steel crank arms. The included pedals are made of durable PVC material; they feature a weighted, self-leveling design and integrate adjustable straps for maximum foot stability.
This recumbent exercise bike features a narrow Q-Factor, which means the foot positioning onto the pedals is comfortable, without any lateral stress on your knees. Also, in case you’re wondering, pedaling in reverse is possible on this bike.
The bike is equipped with a manual magnetic resistance system. Its resistance mechanism consists of a magnetic element connected by a steel wire to the knob on the bike’s console mast. By turning the knob, the resistance pad will change its position in relation to the metallic flywheel, increasing or decreasing drag.
The bike makes available 8 resistance levels. The 1-3 settings offer the possibility to undertake a light workout, while the top, 7-8 settings promote a more intense training regimen.
Exercise meter
As we’ve mentioned above, the Body Champ BRB3558 is a budget exercise bike. This being said, it comes with a basic exercise console. This unit can monitor time, speed, distance, 
calories and pulse. It also has a SCAN function, which rotates all these values displaying each one for 4 seconds. However, by using the main button, you can select any of these workout metrics and lock it on the screen to view at all times.
The console is battery powered and uses two AAA batteries (which are not included). It’s very easy to operate. It has one MODE button with four arrow buttons (left, right, up, down), which allow you to scroll through the values in order to select and lock the desired one on-screen. The console has a sleep mode; will automatically turn off after a few minutes of inactivity on the bike. It’s turned on when it detects pedal movement or when you press one button. In order to reset all the values on it, you must press and hold the MODE button for 3 seconds.
Assembly and Maintenance
The resistance system, the cranks, flywheel, and belt come already assembled, connected to the front part of the frame, and shielded by the plastic covers. Therefore, the assembly requires attaching the rear part of the frame to the front one, adding the base tubes, the seat, the pedals, the console mast and the console. This shouldn’t take more than an hour. The supplied manual covers all the assembly steps in detail.
Since it’s a belt drive bike, its transmission doesn’t require any lubrication. The resistance system is basically wear-free as there isn’t any friction between the resistance elements. Therefore, the bike’s maintenance requires a periodic check for loose parts and bolts, and keeping it dust free.
The Pros
- Sturdy frame for a light recumbent bike, able to support users up to 250 lbs;
- Adjustable frame seat, can accommodate comfortably users up to 6’0″;
- Step-thru frame design;
- Small footprint for a recumbent bike;
- Lightweight, easy to relocate;
- Transport wheels and rear stabilizers;
- Padded seat and backrest;
- Quiet magnetic brake system;
- 8 distinctive levels of resistance;
- Weighted pedals with adjustable straps;
- EKG sensors integrated into the front handlebars;
- Fitness meter included – can track time, speed, distance, pulse and calories;
- Easy to assemble and operate;
- Little to no maintenance required.
The Cons
- No tablet holder;
- No bottle holder;
- Seat handlebars don’t have pulse sensors (only the front ones);
- No backlight on the console display.
Summary
The Body Champ BRB3558 is a basic recumbent exercise bike for home use. It features a solid steel frame with a weight capacity of 250 lbs, a padded seat and backrest, manual magnetic resistance, and a basic fitness meter. It’s an exercise bike for beginners and intermediate users, great for light to medium cardio workouts, stamina training, recovery training and weight loss. You can actually burn up to 4-500 calories per hour on it, depending on the resistance levels used. And finally, it’s one of the most inexpensive recumbent bikes available at the moment.