Body Champ BR2117 Elliptical Trainer | Customizable Workouts

Take your fitness and wellness to the next level with this Patented Body Champ BR2117 Elliptical Trainer. With distinctive features and capabilities, you can always experience fully customizable workouts at your home’s convenience and comfort.

This Body Champ BR2117 Elliptical trainer offers reliable tools to maximize every workout session. Loaded with options and comfort, you can engage your core and upper body (arms, chest, triceps/biceps) with the center U-shaped handlebar for a fixed grip or the full-length elliptical handlebars for dynamic alternating movement.

Enjoy versatility with the bidirectional foot pedals that give you both forward and backward motion capability. In addition, the BR2117 comes equipped with eight levels of magnetic resistance to increase and decrease workout intensity. The Body Champ BR2117 Elliptical also features a fitness monitor that tracks time, distance, odometer, speed, calories, and pulse.

Learn more in my complete review below!

Product: Body Champ BR2117 Elliptical Trainer

Price: For a great deal on this elliptical, merely go here on Amazon.com

Warranty: Frame 1 year / Parts 90 days

My rating: is 7/10

Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Affiliate Program participant, I earn commissions on purchases made through links in this post. Full disclosure

Details and Specifications

• Assembled dimensions: 46.25L x 22W x 62.25H inches (117L x 56W x 158H cm)
• Assembled weight: 60 lbs (27 kg)
• Weight capacity: 250 lbs (113 kg)
• Stride: 16 inches (41 cm)
• Incline: No
• Resistance: Manual magnetic, eight levels
• Fitness Monitor: Time, speed, distance, calories, pulse, goals, scan
• Extras: Device holder
• Frame 1 year / Parts 90 days

BR2117 Frame Construction

The Body Champ BR2117 Elliptical Trainer features a steel frame combining cylindrical and rectangular bars. The only notable non-steel parts are the pedal trays, the resistance system’s covers, and the durable thermoplastic material. In addition, all the steel bars in the cross trainer’s construction come with a rust-resistant gray paint finish.

Compared to other elliptical trainers, the BR2117 isn’t extremely large. With all the parts assembled, it is only 46.25″ (117 cm) long and 22″ (56 cm) wide. Thus, it should fit even into a small room or apartment. However, leaving at least two feet of clearance around it is still advisable to ease access, and safe usage is still advisable.

The machine isn’t weighty, weighing approximately 60 lbs (27 kg). Thus, it can be carried and assembled by only one person. Its front base stabilizer features small wheels that facilitate its relocation once completed.

This Body Champ elliptical trainer features two sets of handlebars, one fixed and one mobile. The fixed handlebar attaches directly to the front upright mast of the trainer, and they do not adjust. They have short grips and integrate metallic HR pulse sensors.

The moving arms of the machine feature extended grips with ball grips at the top. In addition, they do not integrate sensors or any controls. They are attached to the machine’s front upright bar and pedals. Therefore, they continue to move for as long as you pedal and cannot be locked to remain stationary.

Elliptical path, stride, and pedal height

The Body Champ BR2117 is a rear-drive elliptical trainer. Thus, it features an elliptical path that is slightly inclined forward. Thus, the pedaling motion resembles a descent on a smooth trail. It also means that a workout on this trainer will focus more on your glutes.

This Body Champ cross-trainer does not have an incline system. Therefore, its stride is non-adjustable, and the position of the elliptical path remains constant. In addition, it offers a stride of approximately 16″ (40 cm), a mid-range stride. Therefore, the machine should accommodate users comfortably up to 6’2″ – 6’3″ (188 – 190 cm).

The machine’s pedals feature two sturdy rectangular steel bars. They have a maximum user weight limit of 250 lbs (113 kg). As I’ve mentioned, the pedal trays are made of durable thermoplastic materials. Furthermore, they don’t have articulation elements but have a textured surface for an improved grip and inner side/front guards.

In their lowest position, the pedals are approximately 8″ (20 cm) above floor level. Conversely, they are about 16″ (40 cm) above floor level at their highest point. Therefore, using the machine in a room with a ceiling at least 20″ (51 cm) taller than the tallest user’s height is advisable.

BR2117 resistance and drive

The Body Champ BR2117 comes equipped with a standard manual magnetic brake system. Therefore, you don’t need an adapter, and you don’t need to connect it to an electrical outlet. Unfortunately, it also means that its fitness monitor cannot automatically adjust the resistance and does not have pre-set workout programs.

The machine’s resistance system is pretty much similar to the one of a magnetic resistance exercise bike. It integrates a magnetic brake connecting the tension knob on the machine’s front upright bar through a steel cable. As you turn the knob, the brake changes its position to the internal flywheel, which adds to or reduces the pedaling difficulty.

This elliptical trainer makes available eight distinct difficulty levels. The lowest difficulty setting generates a reasonably low resistance level, which is excellent for conditioning and recovery training.

The 8th level, on the other hand, provides significantly more resistance, perfect for anyone who wants to break a sweat and reach a higher heart rate in a shorter time.

The machine’s internal flywheel is perimeter-weighted. This type of flywheel design improves inertia and provides extra motion stability. Its exact weight is not specified, but since the fully assembled machine only weighs 60 lbs (~27 kg), its flywheel probably doesn’t weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg).

Finally, like most other fitness bikes or elliptical cross trainers with a magnetic resistance system, the Body Champ BR2117 has a belt drive system.

This type of drivetrain comes with a few advantages. First of all, you don’t need to lubricate it. Second of all, it generates less vibration than a chain drive. And third of all, you won’t experience problems like stiff chain link locks.

Fitness monitor

The fitness monitor included with the Body Champ BR2117 elliptical trainer does not have pre-set programs. It also does not offer online connectivity and is incompatible with fitness apps.

It features an LCD (without a backlight) that tracks time, distance, odometer, speed, calories, and pulse. The speed and distance are in Imperial units (MPH and miles). There is no metric unit function.

Unfortunately, the pulse rating function only works if you hold on to the HR sensors integrated into the machine’s fixed handlebars. Furthermore, the monitor is not telemetric and cannot read your pulse if you use an HR chest strap.

The fitness monitor is relatively easy to use. It has four buttons: Up, Down, Mode, and Reset. The Up/Down buttons allow you to select a workout level. The Mode button allows you to choose your choice’s workout metric or the Scan Mode, which automatically rotates all the workout metrics showing each one for 5 seconds. And finally, the Reset button clears all the values to zero.

The battery-operated fitness monitor requires two AAA batteries as its power source, which comes with the trainer. When you start pedaling or press one of the buttons, it begins calculating calories, speed, etc. In addition, it also automatically turns off after 4 minutes of inactivity on the machine.

One last notable feature of the fitness monitor is the device holder. It has a small shelf above the LCD and considerable back support to hold a tablet or a smartphone. However, the monitor does not have any ports to connect your device.

BR2117 Assembly and Maintenance

The main body of the trainer comes pre-assembled. However, the rest of the parts do require user assembly. You must attach the two base stabilizers, the front upright post, the pedals, the moving arms, the fixed handlebar, and the fitness monitor.

Therefore, it may take more than an hour, but the manual provides clear assembly instructions and schematics. Also, all the necessary tools for the task come with the trainer.

As I’ve mentioned, this elliptical trainer has a belt drive system and does not require transmission lubrication as a chain drive machine typically does. Therefore, you only have to keep the unit clean and periodically inspect it to ensure all the parts function correctly and remain tight.

Pros

• Sturdy construction – can support users up to 250 lbs;
• Fairly small footprint;
• Adjustable levelers on the rear stabilizers;
• Transport wheels on the front stabilizer;
• Fixed and mobile handlebars;
• Bi-directional and balanced flywheel providing a smooth and steady pedaling motion with a consistent momentum;
• Large, non-slip, durable pedals;
• Eight levels of magnetic resistance;
• Fitness monitor included – it can track time, distance, total distance, speed, pulse, and calories;
• Device holder included;
• Quiet operation;
• Easy to assemble;
• Little maintenance is required.

Cons

• The fitness monitor LCD does not have a backlight;
• The fitness monitor’s calorie reading function isn’t too accurate;
• There is no bottle holder.

Body Champ BR2117 Elliptical Trainer Summary

The Body Champ BR2117 is an elliptical trainer made for home use. It features a read-drive construction, an 8-level manual magnetic resistance system, and a fitness monitor that can track time, distance, total distance, speed, calories, and pulse. It’s a standard cross trainer for light to medium-intensity cardio workouts, muscle toning, stamina development, and weight loss.

I hope you found this article helpful and informative. Would you please speak up if you have anything you’d like to share on the topic or any opinions about my website? I look forward to your comments, questions, and the sharing of ideas.

Please remember to consult your physician to determine if you have any medical or physical conditions that could risk your health and safety or prevent you from using the equipment properly. In addition, your physician’s advice is essential if you are taking medication that affects your heart rate, blood pressure, or cholesterol level.