My Thoughts on the NordicTrack iSelect Dumbbells
Hey, you know how hard it is to set up a home gym in a small apartment, right? Where would you even put a full set of dumbbells? Most people just give up on lifting at home or end up paying for a crowded gym membership. But I heard about these NordicTrack iSelect adjustable dumbbells. They’re supposed to be this fancy solution that squeezes a whole set of weights into a tiny space. I was really curious if they actually deliver on that promise, so I decided to check them out.
These aren’t your basic weights, not at all. They’re pretty high-tech. You get two smart dumbbells, and they can digitally change their weight from 5 pounds all the way up to 50 pounds, in 5-pound steps. They sit neatly on a small charging base. This means you don’t need like ten separate pairs of dumbbells taking up all your floor space. The coolest part is how they adjust. You can actually use Amazon Alexa voice commands or the NordicTrack iFIT app to change the weight hands-free while you’re working out. It’s really designed to fit into a smart home if you’re into that kind of thing, making everything super convenient.
Okay, let’s talk about the price. These usually cost somewhere between $400 and $500 for the pair. Yeah, that’s definitely on the higher side for adjustable dumbbells. But you’re paying for all that advanced tech and the motor inside.
Now, if you think about buying ten individual pairs of good quality fixed dumbbells, that could easily run you $700 to $1000 and take up so much more room. So, in that sense, these iSelects actually offer good value, especially if space is a huge issue for you. Just keep in mind that if you want to use all the smart features, you might need to pay for an iFIT subscription too, which is an extra monthly or yearly cost. My advice would be to look out for sales, especially around holidays, as you might find a discount or a bundle deal.
You might also be wondering how they compare to other adjustable weights. A lot of people know the Bowflex SelectTech 552s, which are kind of the standard for manual ones. The Bowflex weights are pretty solid, they go from 5 to 52.5 pounds, and you just twist a dial to change the weight. The NordicTrack ones go from 5 to 50 pounds, but they do it electronically with a motor. The Bowflex can do smaller jumps at lower weights, like 2.5 pounds sometimes, while the NordicTrack always jumps by 5 pounds. And the Bowflex usually costs a bit less, around $350-$400.
So, if you really love technology, want hands-free operation, and are into iFIT, the NordicTrack iSelect is definitely the way to go. But if you prefer something simpler, a little cheaper, and don’t mind changing the weights by hand, then the Bowflex SelectTech 552s are still a really reliable choice.
Overall, these NordicTrack iSelect dumbbells are a really smart and innovative idea for home workouts, especially if you’re stuck in a small apartment. They perfectly blend the ease of adjustable weights with some cool smart technology, making your workout much smoother. The motorized adjustment, the Alexa control, the iFIT connection – these aren’t just fancy extras. They actually make your routine easier, so you can focus on lifting and your form instead of fumbling with weights.
Sure, they’re pretty expensive, and if you lift really heavy or you’re on a tight budget, they might not be for you. But for the right person, these iSelects offer amazing value. If you’re into tech gadgets, you’re an iFIT fan, or you just desperately need to save space without cutting back on your strength training, then these dumbbells are a worthwhile investment. They look good, they’re super convenient, and they offer a really effective answer to the common struggles of working out in small spaces.
Oh, and about saving space? Yes, totally! That’s what they’re designed for. Instead of a whole rack of traditional dumbbells, you just have these two compact units and their base. It really clears up a lot of floor space in a small apartment.
Changing the weight is super easy and fast too. You just twist a knob and see the number on a digital screen, and boom, the weight changes. It’s much quicker and smoother than those other systems where you have to pull pins or spin a dial. This keeps your workout momentum going without stopping.
Are they good for everyone? Yeah, pretty much! They go from 5 pounds up to 50 pounds per dumbbell. So whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been lifting for a while, you can definitely use them. The quick adjustments are great for different kinds of workouts, whether you’re doing lots of reps or really trying to build strength. And if you use iFIT, the trainers can even automatically set the weight for you, which is cool!
