A brake device for an elevator system with a travel body movable in an elevator shaft along a guide and/or brake rail brakes and retains the travel body on the rail as required. The brake device includes a control plate receiving a brake body and for positioning the brake body relative to the rail. The brake body has first and second brake elements pivoted about a common axis. The first brake element is for braking and retaining purposes when the travel body is moving along the rail in an upward direction, and the second brake element is for braking and retaining purposes when the travel body is moving along the rail in a downward direction.