| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Console | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Body Champ BRB6285 Check Discounted Price | L:56" W:22.5" H:46" | 250 lbs | Magnetic, 16 levels | 10 pre-set workouts, 5 user profiles, Recovery, Goal targets | 1 year limited |
The BRB6285 recumbent bike is actually one of the newer models from Body Champ for 2017. It comes with several improvements over the older BRB5872 model. But nonetheless, it’s still a fitness machine in the affordable category.
It’s an exercise bike with motor-assisted magnetic resistance system, featuring a fitness meter that offers quite a bit more than a basic unit, including 10 pre-set workouts.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 56L x 22.5W x 46H inches (143L x 57W x 117H cm)
- Assembled weight: 79 lbs (35.8 kg)
- Supported weight: 250 lbs (113.3 kg)
- Handlebars: Recumbent (with pulse sensors) and front
- Seat: Adjustable
- Pedals: With straps
- Resistance: Motor-assisted magnetic, 16 levels
- Exercise meter: 12 pre-set workouts, target settings, recovery and BMI functions
- Warranty: 1 year
Frame
The Body Champ BRB6285 features a steel frame, with a two-piece chassis, which delivers excellent overall sturdiness. The two pieces of the frame connect at the middle via six bolts, which render it quite sturdy. 
The only PVC parts in its construction are the covers of the drive mechanism, the covers at the base of the seat, and the base tube caps, parts that have no influence on the bike’s sturdiness. It offers excellent stability; its rear base tube features rotating caps with a polygonal shape which act as adjustable stabilizers. The front base has non-adjustable caps, but they do integrate a set of wheels, to facilitate the bike’s transport, if it’s the case.
The assembled bike is not extremely heavy. It weighs approx. 79 lbs (35.8 kg). Thus its relocation shouldn’t be a major problem for almost anyone. By leaning it on its front wheels and pushing it to the desired storage location, you won’t have to handle more than half of its weight.
The BRB6285 Body Champ is not extremely large for a recumbent bike. Its assembled footprint is 56″L x 22.5″W (143 x 57 cm), taking quite a bit less space, at least lengthwise, than the Nautilus R616 or the Schwinn MY16 230.
All the steel parts in this fitness machine’s construction feature a silver, corrosion resistant finish. The gliding element of the seat has a chrome coating, though.
One last aspect to mention here, as opposed to the BRB5872 model, this particular Body Champ exercise bike comes with a bottle holder. This accessory attaches to the console mast, facing the user.
Seat and handlebars
This recumbent bike is equipped with a seat that excels in ergonomics, featuring a 2″ (5 cm) padding and heavy-duty, synthetic upholstery. It’s also spacious, approx. 18″ (45 cm), offering all the comfort required for prolonged pedaling sessions. 
The seat’s position in relation to the pedals is adjustable. It features a rail-type adjustment system, which makes it extremely easy to find the most comfortable position for your workout. The adjustment rail is fairly long, accommodating users between 5’0″ – 6’3″ (152 – 190 cm). The seat assembly and the overall construction of the bike are rated for a maximum user weight capacity of 250 lbs (113 kg).
The backrest is non-adjustable, being attached directly to the seat’s frame, and will move along with the seat on its rail, though. It features the same padding as the seat, also providing the required firmness for an excellent back support.
The bike is equipped with two sets of handlebars. One set is attached to the seat assembly and will move along with the seat on its rail, as you adjust the seat. These handlebars also incorporate stainless steel pulse sensors, thus the control unit can track your heart rate, also providing several heart rate intervals.
The front handlebars are attached to the console mast, directly under the console. They feature a multi-grip design, but they’re not adjustable, being connected directly to the console mast via four bolts. Both low and front handlebars have rubber foam coating, to provide a secure and comfortable grip.
Resistance and drive
The Body Champ BRB6285 recumbent bike features a motor-assisted magnetic resistance system. This means its resistance can only be adjusted from the console. Resistance can be adjusted “manually” from the Up / Down keys on the console unit. However, if you choose 
to train by using one of the pre-set programs, the bike will adjust resistance automatically, depending on the current segment of the program in use. Evidently, the bike must be connected to a 120V power circuit in order for the resistance system to be operational. An A/C adapter with cable is supplied with it.
The resistance mechanism consists of a magnetic brake pad and a small servo motor. As you select a resistance level from the console, the command will be sent to the servo which adjusts the magnetic pad’s position in relation to the metallic flywheel, adding or reducing resistance. There are 16 distinctive levels of resistance that you can choose from. The first resistance settings promote light workouts, great for users who require recovery training or light cardio training. Conversely, the top, 15-16 resistance settings will definitely help you break a sweat.
Like most other exercise bikes with magnetic resistance, this Body Champ model features a belt-drive system. The flywheel is set in motion by a heavy-duty belt, resistant to stretching. The flywheel is not extremely heavy, but most of its weight is placed around its perimeter. Therefore, it provides a consistent momentum and a smooth pedaling motion. Also, since the resistance elements do not touch, the usage of the bike is almost silent.
In case you’re wondering, reverse pedaling is possible, aspect that basically doubles the number of workouts that can be performed on this exercise bike. Also, when pedaling backwards, the control unit will continue to measure your workout metrics.
Finally, the crank assembly features solid steel arms, finished with durable, weighted pedals. The pedals integrate adjustable straps with 3 adjustment positions each. They also have standard threads, so you can easily find replacements for them. Also, the bike’s Q-Factor (the spacing between the pedals) is quite narrow. This means that the positioning of the feet on the pedals is natural, the pedaling motion offers excellent comfort, without any lateral stress on the knees.
Exercise meter
The control unit of this Body Champ recumbent exercise bike is not extremely advanced. In other words, it does not have online connectivity and doesn’t integrate a sound system or a cooling fan. However, it still quite superior to the most basic units, as it has a multi-panel
display, being able to simultaneously show workout metrics such as speed, RPM, distance, total distance (ODO), calories, watts, heart rate and average heart rate.
The unit is not telemetry enabled, though. It cannot read your heart rate through a wireless chest strap transmitter, only via the grip pulse sensors in the lower handlebars.
The console allows the input of personal data, such as weight, height, and age, which means its calculation of calories burned is much more accurate than for a basic unit. Also, speed can be calculated in MPH or km/h, while distance can be calculated in miles or km.
The console unit has 10 pre-set workout programs, but you can also choose to exercise using the “Manual” mode, increasing and decreasing resistance as you like, during your workout. It has goal setting functions for time, distance, calories burned or target heart rate. It also has a Recovery function which rates your performance based on your pulse at the end of your workout, determining your level of fitness. There also are 5 user profile available, which means you can save 5 different settings on the bike if you want to quickly swap between them. This function is also great to have if multiple persons use the bike.
The control unit is fairly easy to operate. The Start/Stop key starts and pauses your workout, also fulfilling the role of a reset key, in case you want to clear all the values to zero. The Up/Down keys are used to increase or decrease the value of the workout metrics, and to select a certain workout program. The Enter key confirms the desired value for a workout metric or workout program. Mode switches the display data from RPM to speed, distance to ODO, and Watt to calories. And finally, the Recovery key covers recovery function.
Last but not least, the console integrates a tablet holder (or media shelf), large enough to accommodate any tablet or phone. However, it does not have a USB port to dock/charge your device.
Assembly and Maintenance
The assembly of this exercise bike is far from being difficult. Its resistance mechanism comes pre-assembled from the factory. Therefore, you only have to attach the two main frame pieces together, then the seat with its handlebars, the front handlebars, the console and the pedals. This shouldn’t take more than an hour. The tools required for assembly, as well as a step-by-step assembly manual, are included.
Maintenance requires keeping the bike dust free, and that’s about it. The internal components don’t require maintenance at all.
The Pros
- Sturdy construction, with a user capacity of 250 lbs;
- Step-thru frame design;
- 2-inch padding on seat and backrest for optimal comfort;
- Adjustable seat;
- Automatic, magnetic resistance, with 16 available settings;
- 10 pre-set programs;
- 5 user profiles;
- Target settings for distance, calories, time and heart rate;
- Recovery function;
- Pulse reading capable, with sensors integrated into the low handlebars;
- Tablet holder included;
- Pedals with adjustable straps;
- Narrow Q Factor for a comfortable positioning of the feet;
- Smooth and quiet drive;
- Basically maintenance free.
The Cons
- The control unit display doesn’t have backlight, so it may be a bit difficult to read in a room with low lighting.
- A tablet placed on the media holder may cover the console display.
Bottom Line
The Body Champ BRB6285 is a recumbent exercise bike designed for home use. It’s equipped with an automatic magnetic resistance, with 16 available levels. Its console offers 10 pre-set workouts, 5 user profiles, goal settings and the recovery test. It’s an excellent bike for light to medium cardio workouts, muscle toning, building or regaining stamina, recovery training, and weight loss. You can actually burn up to 5-600 calories per hour on this bike, depending on the selected resistance setting. Finally, it’s not an expensive fitness machine. By putting in balance its included array of features, comfort factors and overall quality, with the price, we can safely say that it comes with a decent price/value ratio.