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If you happen to’re short on space, lifting weights at home can seem practically out of the query. And I do know this from experience. I remember living in a one-bedroom apartment and just knowing that a set of traditional dumbbells and its accompanying rack wouldn’t fit anywhere. Fortunately, in the future, I discovered adjustable weights, they usually’ve been a vital a part of my strength training routine ever since. So in the event you’re in an analogous situation, you may be on the lookout for an appropriate solution too. 

The NordicTrack Select-a-Weight Dumbbells are a space-saving and cost-effective option for adjustable weights. Nevertheless, like all fitness equipment, they aren’t going to ascertain the box for everybody. Subsequently, to provide help to determine if it’s a practical selection for you, the Breaking Muscle team has put them to the test. Plus, as a health and fitness author who loves sharing my honest home gym workout experiences, I’ll even be spilling the tea. So, let’s jump right into this NordicTrack adjustable dumbbell review!

Key Takeaways

• These can replace 15 individual dumbbells, so you may really maximize your house gym space. They vary in weight from 10 to 55 kilos (4.53 to 24.94 kilograms).
• The handle diameter is fixed, which will not be ideal in the event you prefer a more ergonomic handle.
• The sliding pins weight selection system is simple to make use of, but adjusting the load may take longer than it does on other adjustable dumbbells. 

NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbell Pros

• NordicTrack’s adjustable dumbbells are among the more cost-effective adjustable dumbbell decisions.
• They could be adjusted in 2.5-pound increments, which is good for many who prefer to make smaller jumps in weight.
• The NordicTrack Select-a-Weight dumbbells are compact and take up less room than a full set of high-quality dumbbells. They will fit into most small gym spaces with ease.

NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbell Cons

• The plastic parts may cause durability issues.
• During our testing, we noticed that the load plates can shake and rattle when in use.
• The NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbells can’t be dropped, so that they will not be suitable for CrossFitters or lifters who wish to train to failure.

NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbell Rating

The Breaking Muscle team has tried out A LOT of adjustable dumbbells, so we all know what an actual high-quality one looks like. We use our proprietary factor methodology system to rank the whole lot from price for value to the variability of weight increments.

The NordicTrack Select-a-Weight Adjustable Dumbbells on the Breaking Muscle testing facility

Here’s how the NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbells rating. 

Factor	Rating (out of 5)
Price and value	4.0
Construction quality	4.0
Ergonomics	4.0
Ease of use	4.5
Weight options	4.0
Adjustment mechanism	3.5
Warranty	3.0

NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbell Overview

The NordicTrack Select-a-Weight Dumbbells come as a pair and supply a combined 110 kilos (49.89 kilograms) of weight. With a handy-dandy weight selection system and 15 different weight assortments, you may do a wide range of home workouts from squats and lunges to bicep curls and overhead presses. Plus, if combined with an iFit membership (for around $39 per thirty days), beginners and intermediate trainees can access a whole bunch of weightlifting workouts. 

On this second iteration of the NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbells, you get a less bulky product that feels slightly more like a hard and fast weight. The unique version, which had blue weight selector tabs, featured more plastic and felt less sturdy. Some consumers even questioned its safety and reliability. But in NordicTrack’s recent and improved version of this set of adjustable dumbbells, it appears to be loads higher. 

Who Should Buy the NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbells

• Recent and intermediate trainees who’re on the lookout for dumbbells they will progress with. 
• Individuals who don’t have a spacious home gym and want a compact solution. 
• Home gym lovers who enjoy interactive training — these dumbbells are a superb selection for strength training workouts through iFIT (which requires a subscription of about $39 per thirty days)

Who Should Not Buy the NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbells

• Those preferring the texture and functionality of traditional dumbbells 
• Advanced weightlifters who need greater than 55 kilos 
• Trainees who’d prefer longer warranty coverage. NordicTrack only offers a 90-day warranty.

NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbell Review

Before you even take into consideration swiping your card to order this product, there are a number of things it’s best to know. While this set of adjustable dumbbells will check the box for some people, it might be completely underwhelming for others. To provide you some perspective, we’ll jump into the worth, construction quality, warranty, and more. 

Price and Value

As of this writing, the 55-pound (24.94 kilograms) NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbell costs $399, but is that reasonable? The short answer is yes, and here’s why we ranked these 4 out of 5. 

In comparison to similar options, their price actually seems to fall in the center. For example, once we compared options, the Bowflex SelectTech 552 was $429, The Core Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell Set was $359, and the Nuobell Classic Adjustable Dumbbell Set was $595.

They’re all compact and have comparable weight options and increments, however the NordicTrack Select-a-Weight set is the one one which goes as much as 55 kilos. On top of that, you’d get free shipping and a 30-day iFIT trial. Financing could also be an option, too, in the event you’re not able to pay all of it upfront. There are 12 and 39-month 0 percent APR payment options, meaning you might find yourself paying slightly over $10 or $33 per thirty days.  

So, in the event you’re comparing those and trying to find out which one would offer probably the most value, I’d recommend NordicTrack. For the standard, price, and functionality, these are among the best adjustable dumbbells. Nevertheless, in the event you desire a set of dumbbells with a greater weight range or higher quality, expect to pay more. 

Also, let’s not forget that traditional dumbbells cost about $1 to $4 per pound. A set of 5 to 50-pound (22.67 kilograms) rubber hex dumbbells could easily cost you $800, and these are practically half the worth. Briefly, these just may be value replacing a complete rack of dumbbells. 

RELATED: Best Budget Home Gym Equipment

Construction Quality

The primary iteration of the NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbells had plastic handles and, in keeping with some consumers, cheaply made weight selector tabs that will occasionally break. If those broke, the product became virtually useless, as you couldn’t select a special weight. 

While it’s unclear in the event that they improved this within the newer version, which now has orange adjustment pins, I can say that I haven’t seen nearly as many negative reviews about them breaking. I did come across one poor review on Amazon where the client stated that they dropped the adjustable 2.5/5 pound (1.13/2.26 kilograms) section on a horse mat. Afterward, they were not capable of adjust the five-pound setting and had trouble getting a substitute. 

It’s best to also bear in mind that the inside the load plates are fabricated from plastic as well. When it comes to durability, they need to work high-quality for some time but will likely wear down over time. This might cause the plates to stay and never lock into place accurately. My advice is simply to watch out. If you happen to’re aggressive when using them or set the load plates or tabs down too hard, they’ll probably break down much sooner. 

What I actually like concerning the recent NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbells is the metal handle with moderate knurling. This upgrade means you’ll have the opportunity to take care of a greater grip when completing different exercises. It’s very unusual to see metal handles on adjustable dumbbells at this price point, so this is really a standout feature.  

Overall, the development is pretty good for the worth, and that’s why we made it a 4 out of 5. It’s clear that NordicTrack has made some efforts to enhance this set of dumbbells so buyers can get more use out of them. Even though it’s a bummer when gym equipment like this breaks, we must do not forget that these aren’t traditional dumbbells. Many lifters have a habit of dropping their weights down after an intense set of reps, but you shouldn’t do this with adjustable dumbbells with plastic parts. 

Ergonomics

These aren’t probably the most comfortable pair of dumbbells on this planet, but they’re by far not the worst, either, so we gave these a 4 out of 5. 

To begin, the handles don’t have a thick center that tapers down at each end, which is taken into account “ergonomic.” Many individuals find ergonomic handles more user-friendly as they’re higher at distributing the load in your hands. This is very noticeable when using heavier weights. 

Nevertheless, while those may feel higher to carry, a fixed-diameter handle, just like the one here, offers more contact and a firmer grip. The moderate knurling assists with maintaining your grip as well and does so without hurting you. More aggressive knurling is sharper and makes it difficult to do high-rep training. 

Although NordicTrack hasn’t disclosed the precise diameter of those 10-pound handles, the Breaking Muscle team assumes they’re about 30 millimeters. This isn’t terrible, nevertheless it’s on the thicker side for a smaller dumbbell and possibly not wide enough for a heavier one. To provide you some perspective, Rogue’s Rubber Hex Dumbbells which can be 12.5 kilos (5.66 kilograms) or heavier sport a 35-millimeter diameter handle. For any lower than that, the handle is 25 millimeters thick.

“Fat gripz” on heavier dumbbells are more common because large dumbbells require you to utilize more muscles. Muscle growth is stimulated with thicker grips because they make the forearm, bicep, and hand muscles work harder. Over time, this will make you more practical at handling heavier weights. 

Unfortunately, the diameter of NordicTrack’s Adjustable Dumbbells doesn’t change if you make a weight adjustment, but that is common amongst adjustable dumbbells. Subsequently, we are able to’t completely zonk it. The brand likely picked 30 millimeters since it’s in the center and may work for those with small and huge hands. 

Doing dumbbell incline bench presses with the NordicTrack Select-a-Weight Dumbbells

Now, let’s consider the load plates from a comfort perspective. When the Breaking Muscle team tried these out, they noted that the round weight plates barely shook and made a click-clacking noise. While that won’t physically interfere together with your workout, it could possibly be problematic in the event you’re sensitive to such noises and sensations. Once more, that is the form of thing that just comes with the adjustable dumbbell territory. 

For probably the most part, these are shaped and perform loads like traditional dumbbells, but you shouldn’t use them for push-ups. The plate’s rounded design just doesn’t support that, so keep on with lifting as a substitute. 

Ease of Use

Lots of individuals are intimidated by adjustable dumbbells, but these are pretty easy to make use of. The storage tray has clear weight markings, so you may move the 4 adjustment pins to pick out the quantity of weight you wish. Then you’ve got to do the opposite dumbbell, so it’s not the quickest process and will take some getting used to.

I personally prefer the twist-lock technology found on the Core Fitness dumbbells that I own. With those, I just set my dumbbells within the cradle and twist the handle until I reach my desired weight. 

Weight Options

What makes the NordicTrack Select-a-Weight Dumbbells really attractive are the two.5 and five-pound increments. If you happen to’re anything like me, making a five-pound (2.26-kilogram) leap is difficult, especially in the case of doing bicep curls. I’d much fairly progress in 2.5-pound increments since it allows me to take care of a greater form and reduces my risk of injury. 

Nevertheless, do note that 2.5-pound increments should not available across the board, so in the event you’re hoping for 7.5 (3.40 kilogram) or 17.5 (7.93 kilogram) weight options, it’s impossible. In some cases, you’ll just must be okay with a five-pound increment, equivalent to if you go from 15 (6.80) to twenty kilos (9.07 kilograms). 

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Adjustment Mechanism

While you’re able to adjust the load of those dumbbells, all you’ve got to do is pull out the orange weight pin selector and slide it to your selected weight. The markers on the storage tray are arrange in 10-pound (4.53 kilogram) increments (e.g., 10, 20, 30 kilos/4.53, 9.07, 13.6 kilograms), etc.), so you understand where to put them. 

Nevertheless, here’s where it gets tricky. There’s a slider inside each dumbbell for the smaller 2.5 and five-pound increment options, nevertheless it’s not exactly clear which way you’re purported to slide those to pick out the one you wish. Over time, you’d probably figure it out; nevertheless, it’s annoying to be doing this in the midst of a workout. 

A Breaking Muscle team member adjusting the load on the NordicTrack Select-a-Weight Dumbbells

Also, adjustments can probably be done in five to 10 seconds with these, but that is annoying if you’re doing supersets. The dial method is more attractive by way of speed, which is why this adjustment mechanism gets a 3.5 out of 5 rating. 

Warranty

One area that NordicTrack could’ve done higher is the warranty. In comparison with other firms that provide two and five-year warranty coverage on parts and labor, they only offer 90 days. 

Such short coverage will make some consumers raise their eyebrows and query the product’s durability. This is very concerning since the plastic weight-changing pin is at risk of breakage. Subsequently, don’t be forceful when making weight changes because in the event you break it, it’s not covered under warranty, and finding a substitute could also be incredibly difficult. 

As well as, there may be a 30-day return policy, but here’s the kicker. You’ll be charged a $250 non-refundable return shipping fee and a ten% processing fee.

NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbell Specs

When on the lookout for a pair of adjustable dumbbells, it helps to have a look at certain aspects and pay attention to your individual preferences. For instance, you’ll wish to learn about a dumbbell’s dimensions and materials so you may assess if the dimensions and feel will give you the results you want. Also, knowing its weight range and whether or not it has mobile app capabilities is crucial, especially for beginners. Below, we’ll dive into what you may expect from the NordicTrack Select-a-Weight dumbbells.  

Dimensions

The latest version of those NordicTrack dumbbells is rather more compact. The older one was 26.59 inches long, 21.25 inches wide, and 10.53 inches high when the dumbbells were set contained in the plastic tray. This one is nineteen.40 inches long, 11.40 inches wide, and 9 inches tall. Length-wise, it’s a complete seven inches shorter. Subsequently, in the event you don’t have a dedicated home gym space, these are sufficiently small to cover under the bed or within the closet. 

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Materials

This iteration of the NordicTrack Adjustable dumbbells has steel handles and weight plates, which is a substantial improvement. It gives them a more premium feel. There’s some plastic in the highest middle of the plates where the load selector tabs are supposed to be placed. Nevertheless, in comparison with the hardened plastic-coated weights on the blue ones, this isn’t so bad. The fitted storage trays are still fabricated from plastic, so you have to watch out with those. If you happen to slam the weights down too hard, it might break.  

Weight Range

Each dumbbell is between 10 and 55 kilos (4.53 and 24.94 kilograms). There are 15 weight adjustments, that are as follows: 10, 12.5, 15, 20, 22.5, 25, 30, 32.5, 35, 40, 42.5, 45, 50, 52.5, and 55 kilos (4.53, 5.66, 6.80, 9.07, 10.20, 11.33, 13.60, 14.74, 15.87, 18.14, 19.27, 20.41, 22.67, 23.81, and 24.94 kilograms). 

Mobile App Compatibility

If you happen to like gaining access to live and on-demand video workouts from iFIT personal trainers, you’re in luck. There are multiple strength exercises on there. This is useful for beginners who won’t know what to do and much more experienced individuals who want to switch it up. 

While you purchase this adjustable dumbbell set, you’ll get a 30-day iFIT family membership that features as much as five profiles. There’s even a leaderboard to log your workouts and track your progress. So long as you’ve got WiFi and a compatible TV screen, tablet, and/or phone, you have to be good to go. Once the trial ends, it’ll be around $39/month plus tax.  

NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbells vs. BowFlex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells

The BowFlex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells are highly regarded, and that is partially because BowFlex is a reputation people trust within the fitness space. Seriously, when I feel of my childhood, Nineties BowFlex commercials come to mind. 

There are areas where the BowFlex dumbbells outshine the NordicTrack dumbbells, equivalent to with their easy and quick dial system and two-year warranty. As well as, they’re quieter for the reason that metal plates are encased in a molding. 

I personally like that it starts at five kilos (2.26 kilograms) and has 2.5-pound (1.13 kilogram) increments as much as 25 kilos (11.33 kilograms). This will likely be vital for those recent to training, who might appreciate 7.5 and 17.5-pound (3.40 and seven.93-kilogram) weight options. NordicTrack has more adjustable increments between 20 and 50 kilos, though, so it really is determined by your preference and fitness goals. 

Here’s where BowFlex lacks as compared, though. Their max weight caps at 52.5 kilos (23.81 kilograms), the handles lack knurling and have a subpar rubber grip, and it’s made with plenty of plastic. In truth, several of their customers have complained concerning the plastic breaking. At around $429, they’re still considered a comparatively reasonably priced option, but you’ve got to ask yourself in the event you may get more value out of the NordicTrack Select-a-Weight dumbbells.  

Neither of those options comes with an expansion kit, which could also be a deal-breaker for anyone on the lookout for much heavier weights.

BowFlex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells

4.5

• Weight range: Five to 52.5 kilos
• Weight increments: 2.5 to 5 kilos
• Adjustment type: Sliding pins
• Dimensions: 16.9″ L x 8.3″ W x 9″ H 
• Materials: Steel, nylon, ABS, thermoplastic rubber
• Warranty: Two-year parts warranty

Check Price

NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbell Customer Reviews

NordicTrack doesn’t feature any reviews on their website, but Amazon has over 1500. On the time of this writing, almost 80% are 5-star rankings, and only 4 percent are 1-star. 

One customer stated, “Best adjustable dumbbells on this price range! Top features are that they’re dumbbell shaped with flat weight ends, and the handles are thoroughly done.” One other said, “Best investment I’ve made in my very own gym, and I’m comfortable I went with these…unsure if anything above this is admittedly value it unless you wish 80lbs dumbbells and have a big budget or simply wish to super nice dumbbells which can be $700 to $800.”

Among the many negative reviews, some stated that the product arrived broken. One customer said, “The weights arrived broken, with one in every of the disks having noticeable cracks that prevented the selector switch from moving past it, making it unattainable to regulate the load properly; a critical feature for this product.” One other customer mentioned, “Item arrived in a beat-up box with no styrofoam packing or insulation really of any kind. Weights inside were banged up and scratched though not damaged nearly as badly as other people appear to have gotten.” 

Final Verdict: Are NordicTrack Dumbbells Price It?

NordicTrack is especially known for its high-end treadmills and ellipticals, so once I discovered they sold dumbbells as well, I used to be barely shocked. I mean, could they really be a frontrunner within the adjustable dumbbell space, too? Because it seems, they’re making a reputation for themselves as being one the most beneficial options on the market for its price range.    

The NordicTrack dumbbells are winning in a number of areas. They’re cost-effective, space-saving, and feel loads like regular dumbbells. While they can’t utilize Alexa to reply to voice commands that change the weights just like the NordicTrack iSelect Adjustable Dumbbells, it offers other notable features. It’s actually not day-after-day that you simply’ll see 2.5 (1.1 kilogram) and 5-pound (2.26 kilogram) weight increments or a dumbbell set that goes as much as 55 kilos (24.94 kilograms). Plus, adding iFIT could take your workout game to a wholly different level. 

So, are they value it? For somebody who doesn’t mind the quirks that include adjustable dumbbells and is brief on space, yes. There are definitely options with greater durability and greater than 110 kilos (49.89 kilograms), but given the worth tag here, the NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbells are winning. 

FAQs

How do NordicTrack dumbbells work?

While you’re able to adjust the load, just slide the orange weight selector pins to the suitable spot, as marked by the storage tray. 

What are some great benefits of NordicTrack adjustable dumbbells?

NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbells are a budget-friendly, space-saving selection for brand new and intermediate trainees who may enjoy interactive training.