| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Console | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Body Champ BRT3858 Check Discounted Price | L:55" W:25" H:62" | 250 lbs | Motorized magnetic, 24 levels | 17 programs, Goals, Recovery | Frame: 1 year Parts: 90 days |
The Body Champ BRT3858 is one of the trio trainers released by Body Flex Sports in 2015, but it’s still available at the moment. Similar to the Body Champ BRT1875, it can be used as a recumbent bike, as an upright bike, or as an elliptical trainer. However, this particular model has a motorized resistance system and comes with a console featuring multiple workout programs.
Key Features and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 55L x 25W x 62H inches (140L x 63W x 157H cm)
- Assembled weight: 79.8 lbs (36 kg)
- Supported weight: 250 lbs (113.3 kg)
- Seat: 4-way adjustable
- Stride: 16 inches (40.6 cm)
- Resistance: Motorized magnetic, 24 levels
- Console: 17 programs, goal settings, recovery
- Extras: Media holder
- Warranty: Frame 1 year, parts 90 days
Frame construction
The Body Champ BRT3858 features a steel frame combining rectangular and cylindrical tubes in its construction.
The unit’s drive and resistance system is guarded by a set of large covers made from ABS material. All the steel parts are coated with a corrosion-resistant paint finish. The main color used for the frame is gray while the color of the seat frame is black. These are the only colors available for this machine, at least for the moment.
This trio trainer is not super large but does have a footprint of approx. 55″L x 25″W (140 x 63 cm), so it may not fit too well in any room. Plus, it is recommended to allow at least a few feet of clearance all around it for ease of access and safe usage. Also, its highest point is given by the moving arms which reach approx. 62″ (157 cm) above the floor.
The unit is fairly heavy. It weighs approx. 79.8 lbs (36 kg) and comes packed in one box. Therefore, the packaged trainer may require two persons for transport. However, once it is assembled, it can easily be moved by only one person. The caps of its front stabilizer rotate and can act as transport wheels. Also, the rear stabilizer features a set of polygonal caps which also rotate and can act as adjustable levelers.
Seat and handlebars
The Body Champ BRT3858 trio trainer is equipped with a four-way
(up, down, front, back) adjustable seat. Its upright post offers several adjustment positions and its horizontal slider adds several extra inches of front-to-back adjustment. This being said, when used as a recumbent bike, this trio trainer should be able to accommodate users between 5’2″ and 6’2″ (157 – 187 cm). It is also rated for a maximum user weight limit of 250 lbs (113.3 kg).
The unit’s seat is designed for optimal comfort. Both the seat pad and the backrest pad integrate a thick layer of padding. Their covers are made of durable vinyl material which is also easy to maintain. It’s important to mention, though, that the backrest does not adjust independently from the rest of the seat. It does not have a reclining feature or upright adjustment positions like the bottom seat post.
The machine is equipped with three sets of handlebars. One is attached to the seat frame, one is attached to the front mast of the machine under the console, while the third set of handlebars is mobile and attaches to the pedal bars. The seat handlebars have a pretty simple design. They attach to the backbone of the backrest. They have short grips without any sensors or controls.
The front fixed handlebars attach via two screws to the machine’s upright mast. Thus, they are also non-adjustable. They are equipped with metallic pulse sensors and by holding on to them, the console can read your heart rate. The moving arms attach to the median section of the front upright mast and the front sections of the pedals bars. This being said, they cannot remain stationary while you pedal. They have longer grips with ball grips at the top. All handlebars have PVC foam sleeves for improved contact.
Drive system and pedals
The Body Champ BRT3858 trio trainer features a set of large pedals. It has large pedal trays similar to other 
elliptical trainers, but also has oblique foot pedals at the front for using the machine as a recumbent bike. Both the pedal trays and the front oblique pedals are made from a durable thermoplastic material.
The unit’s pedals trays are non-adjustable. They attach to the pedal tubes via three screws each. They have a textured surface for improved foot stability, as well as inner, front, and rear guards. They also don’t have any articulations or extra cushioning like the pedals of the more expensive machines.
The Body Champ BRT3858 trio trainer offers a stride of 16 inches (~41 cm). Its elliptical path is slightly inclined forward. Therefore, if using the machine as an elliptical trainer, the ride resembles a descent on a soft path offering an excellent workout for your glutes and thighs.
It’s important to mention, though, that the BRT3858 trainer does not have an incline system and the length of its stride is non-adjustable. Also, its pedal step-up height is approx. 6″ (18 cm), while the highest pedal point is approx. 15″ (38 cm). Thus, it is recommended to use the machine in a room with a ceiling that is at least 20″ (51 cm) higher than your own height.
The machine is equipped with a pretty sturdy crankset designed to withstand users up to 250 lbs (113.3 kg). It has a large pulley and a belt drive system. The belt drivetrain uses a poly-v belt highly resistant to abrasion and stretching. The main advantage of the belt drive is that it does not require periodic lubrication. It also delivers a smoother motion than a chain drive.
The unit’s internal flywheel has a balanced design in order to provide a smooth and consistent pedaling motion. Its exact weight is not specified, but as a general idea, similar machines usually have a flywheel between 20 – 30 lbs (9 – 13.6 kg), so the unit’s internal flywheel is probably within this range. It is also bi-directional (you can pedal both ways).
Resistance system
The Body Champ BRT3858 trio trainer is equipped with a motorized magnetic resistance system. This means that you
have to connect it to a power source in order to power up the console and adjust the resistance. This also means that the console can adjust the resistance automatically and has pre-set workout programs. A 100V / 9V adapter is included with the machine.
The unit’s resistance system consists of a small servo motor and a magnetic brake. The motor is connected to the console and to the brake. Therefore, when you change the resistance from the console, or when a program is in use, the motor changes the magnets’ pull which increases or decreases the workload.
The machine offers 24 levels of resistance. The first few levels are great for recovery training, providing minimum impact and drag. Conversely, the 20-24 levels simulate a steep hill climb, offering the possibility to engage in a more intense workout, for stamina building and weight loss.
Of course, the main advantage of the magnetic resistance system is that the brake does not touch the flywheel. Therefore, there is no internal friction, the pedaling motion is very smooth, and the machine generates very little noise during usage.
Console
The Body Champ BRT3858 is equipped with a multi-function console. It features an LCD display without
LED backlight. It tracks time, speed, distance, RPM, calories, watts, and pulse. Speed and distance are shown in imperial units (MPH and miles). The pulse reading function is grip contact only; the console cannot read your pulse if you wear a wireless HR chest strap, so you have to hold on to the integrated sensors.
The console unit does not have online connectivity and it is not compatible with any fitness apps. However, it has 17 workout programs to keep you motivated. The list includes 1 manual program, 6 pre-set programs, 1 body fat program, 4 heart rate control programs, 4 user-defined programs, and 1 watt control program
The manual program offers the possibility to exercise freely, adjusting the resistance as you go. The pre-set programs have different segment layouts such as valley, hills, plateau, etc. The body fat program is designed to calculate your body fat ratio based on your weight, height, gender, age. You can input all this data into the console. The first three heart rate programs have a pre-set HRC of 60%, 70%, and 80%, while the fourth is custom. Depending on the selected HRC, the machine will adjust the resistance in order to keep you within that HRC range. The user-defined programs allow you to create your own custom workouts with 10 intervals each. And finally, the watts program adjusts the work load based on your pedaling speed.
The console unit also offers the possibility to set goals for your workouts for time, distance, and calories. If a goal is selected, the console will count down from the selected value until it reaches zero. And finally, the console has a Recovery Function. It can count your pulse at the end of the workout assessing how long it takes for your heart to return to a normal BPM. Based on that assessment, it will give you a rating between 1.0 (excellent) and 6.0 (poor).
Assembly and Maintenance
The main body of the machine comes pre-assembled. However, the rest of the parts do require user assembly. You will basically have to attach the pedal bars, the pedal trays, the recumbent bike pedals, all the seat parts, the front mast of the machine, the handlebars, and the console. This may take more than two hours of your time. However, the process is pretty straightforward and the manual provides step-by-step assembly instructions. A set of basic tools is also included.
Once the machine is assembled, it doesn’t require too much maintenance. Its joints may need a bit of lubrication from time to time. Its internal parts should not require any maintenance for a very long period of time. Other than this, it is recommended to periodically inspect the machine for loose or broken parts.
The Pros
- Triple functionality – elliptical trainer, upright bike, and recumbent bike;
- Sturdy construction – can hold users up to 250 lbs (113 kg);
- Adjustable stabilizers on the rear base;
- Transport wheels on the front base;
- Large, durable pedals;
- Cushioned pads on the seat and backrest;
- Four-way adjustable seat;
- Pulse reading function;
- Motorized-magnetic resistance (24 levels);
- Quiet belt drive system;
- Multi-function console – it tracks time, speed, distance, RPM, watts, calories, and pulse;
- Goal-setting function;
- 17 workout programs;
- Recovery test function;
- Device holder included;
- Fairly easy to assemble;
- Tools for assembly are included;
- Little maintenance required.
The Cons
- No bottle holder;
- No backlight on the meter display.
Summary
The Body Champ BRT3858 is a trio trainer that combines an elliptical machine, a recumbent bike, and an upright bike. It features a 24-level motorized magnetic resistance system, a 4-way adjustable seat, and a console with 17 workout programs. It’s a fairly decent machine for light to medium-intensity cardio workouts, low-impact exercising, interval training, muscle toning, stamina development, and weight loss.