With more and more people preferring the work at home lifestyle, home gym equipment have soared in demand, including adjustable dumbbells. The NordicTrack iSelect dumbbells are the newest entry in the brand’s lineup of home gym equipment. These dumbbells are trying to revolutionize working out at home by integrating smart features such as Alexa voice command. How do these compare to manual adjustable dumbbells such as the Bowflex SelectTech? Here is our in-depth look at the two.
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NordicTrack iSelect vs Bowflex SelectTech Comparison Chart
| Model | NordicTrack iSelect | Bowflex SelectTech |
 |  | |
| Price | Check price at Amazon | Check price at Amazon |
| Weight Range | 5lbs – 50lbs | 5lbs – 52lbs |
| Weight Settings | 10 weight settings 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50lbs | 15 weight settings 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and 52.5lbs |
| Weight Selection | Alexa voice control Single dial | 4x dials |
| Grip | Knurled metal | Textured rubber |
| Training Guide | 30-day iFIT membership | 1-Year JRNY Membership |
| Warranty | 1 year | 2 years |
| Additional Requirements | Power outlet 2.4GHz WiFi for voice control | N/A |
Design
The NordicTrack iSelect are bulkier, but they have a more modern look than the Bowflex SelectTech.
When you look at these dumbbells, it’s easy to tell which is which due to their distinct designs. The NordicTrack iSelect set has a minimalist and streamlined look with a black color scheme with metallic accents. Meanwhile, the Bowflex SelectTech dumbbells look more like traditional dumbbells due to their rounded plates.
When it comes to storage, the NordicTrack iSelect dumbbells will require more space since their storage tray holds both dumbbells. On the other hand, the Bowflex SelectTech dumbbells can be stored separately since each dumbbell has its own tray. Both dumbbells have an optional rack/stand that you can purchase.
In terms of build quality, both are excellent. The two dumbbell sets have a metal frame for durability and they are covered in plastic so that they won’t create too much noise when in use. One thing to note though, is that the grip of the Bowflex SelectTech dumbbells is textured rubber whereas the NordicTrack iSelect have knurled metal handles. Needless to say, the Bowflex SelectTech dumbbells are more comfortable to hold. The grip of the iSelect dumbbells can be a bit rough on the skin.
The NordicTrack iSelect dumbbells have a warranty 1 year, while the Bowflex SelectTech are backed by a 2-year warranty period.
Features and Ease of Use
The NordicTrack iSelect has voice controls for adjusting weight.
What separates the NordicTrack iSelect dumbbells set from the competition is its Alexa compatibility. You can adjust the weight by instructing Alexa to do so. In addition, you can also create presets for various exercises including some of the common ones such as bicep curls, shoulder presses, squats, lateral raises and more. You can just issue a command and the dumbbells will automatically set the weight to a preset that you created.
Of course, you can also adjust the weight manually by using the mechanical knob on the dumbbells’ storage tray. Having only one knob makes things easy. However, the tray needs to be plugged into a power outlet when in use, so you might need some extension cords if you don’t have a power outlet near you. Also, a minor inconvenience is that you can’t adjust the dumbbells if there is a power outage.
As mentioned in our Bowflex SelectTech 552 vs 1090 comparison, the SelectTech dumbbells are easy to use. They have four dials in total—one on each side of the dumbbells that you can turn to get your desired weight. They are pretty straightforward but they do require more dial turns than the iSelect dumbbells, and while this is minor, it can be a nuisance.
Weight Settings
You can adjust the NordicTrack iSelect in 5lb increments whereas the Bowflex SelectTech offers a combination of 2.5lb and 5lb increments.
The NordicTrack iSelect set has a weight range of 5lbs to 50lbs and each dumbbell can be adjusted in 5lb increments. For experienced lifters, a 5lb increase is no big deal. However it can be a huge leap for a lot of people, especially for beginners and those just starting out on their fitness journey.
Meanwhile, the Bowflex SelectTech set has a weight range of 5lbs to 52.5lbs. Each dumbbell can be adjusted in 2.5lb increments from 5lbs to 25lbs, and in 5lb increments up to 52.5lbs. For beginners and weaker individuals, a 2.5lb increase in weight is much more manageable than 5lbs. It can result in a smoother progress, especially for those exercises that target smaller muscle groups such as lateral raises and curls.
Aside from weighing more, having more weight settings definitely give the Bowflex SelectTech dumbbells an advantage in this area.
Verdict
Both are excellent products and choosing one will depend on your specific needs.
The NordicTrack iSelect dumbbell set is great if you want a more modern looking pair of adjustable dumbbells with smart functions. However, these dumbbells may not be the best for people that are on the weaker side since they can only be adjusted in 5lb increments. For stronger individuals and experienced lifters though, this set is highly recommended.
The Bowflex SelectTech 552 dumbbells, while not as good looking as the iSelects, are better suited for a wider range of users. They are much more forgiving by giving you the option to adjust their weight in 2.5lb increments up to 25lbs. Beginners and weaker individuals will appreciate these dumbbells more and find them easier to use in exercises that they struggle in.
FAQs
Yes, they are well-built and they are easy to use. However, they are quite expensive due to their smart functions, but if you have the money, they are worth buying.
Yes, Bowflex SelectTech dumbbells are worth buying if you are looking for an inexpensive pair that work without issues.
You really shouldn’t since these have mechanical parts that can be damaged when dropped from a significant height.
Yes, you can, up to a point.