NordicTrack vs PowerBlock: Connected Cardio vs Adjustable Weights (2026)

NordicTrack Select-a-Weight's defining advantage over PowerBlock is feel: the traditional dumbbell shape with a handle flanked by weight plates moves and rotates the way every dumbbell exercise is designed to work. Exercises like dumbbell rows, curls, and lateral raises that feel natural with a standard dumbbell can feel awkward with PowerBlock's compact block format. The 2.5-pound increment system at the low end (5-27.5lb) provides fine granularity for accessory movements and beginners building initial strength. The included stand keeps them at standing height and off the floor — a real convenience advantage. Consumer Reports and Tom's Guide both recommend the Select-a-Weight line. Weight increments above 25 lb shift to 5-pound jumps, which limits precision for intermediate lifters pushing higher loads. The 55 lb upper limit is fixed — unlike PowerBlock, there are no expansion kits for heavier training. NordicTrack's parent company iFIT actively promotes its subscription ecosystem through the brand, which doesn't affect the dumbbells themselves but is worth knowing before buying into the ecosystem. NordicTrack Select-a-Weight is the right pick for home gym users who prioritize natural dumbbell feel and fine low-weight increments — beginners building foundational strength, or experienced lifters who find the block format of competing adjustable dumbbells uncomfortable for specific movement patterns. Anyone expecting to progress beyond 55 lb should consider PowerBlock's expandable system instead.

NordicTrack Commercial S22i is a different product category than the adjustable dumbbells on this page — it's a $1,689 studio cycle, not a strength tool — but it represents NordicTrack's flagship cardio offering for comparison. The S22i's defining features are genuinely unique: a 22-inch pivoting touchscreen (the largest in class), and incline/decline capability ranging from -10% to +20% grade. The decline function is something no Peloton model offers, and it transforms flat cycling into a genuine simulation of outdoor terrain. Tom's Guide and CNET both recommend it for immersive training. For buyers who want indoor cycling with real terrain simulation rather than resistance-only workouts, nothing in this price range matches the incline range. iFIT subscription at $39 per month unlocks the full instructor-led outdoor ride library — without it, the machine's core draw is diminished. At 203 lbs the S22i requires careful placement and is not easily moved. At $1,689 it exceeds both Peloton's entry model and the adjustable dumbbell options on this page by a wide margin. NordicTrack S22i is right for cardio-focused buyers who want outdoor terrain simulation through incline and decline — specifically the -10% decline that competing bikes lack. Buyers focused on strength training should redirect that $1,689 toward a full dumbbell rack and a commercial barbell setup.

PowerBlock Elite EXP's core advantage over NordicTrack is expandability: the base 5-50 lb pair can be upgraded with add-on kits to 70 lb and then 90 lb per hand, making it the only adjustable dumbbell on this page that scales with serious strength progression. Wirecutter and Consumer Reports both select PowerBlock for heavy-lifting scenarios precisely because of this growth path. The compact block format replaces 16 pairs of fixed dumbbells and takes up minimal floor space — a meaningful advantage in small home gyms. The magnetic selector pin changes weight faster than dial systems on competing models. At $399 for the base pair, PowerBlock matches NordicTrack's price but delivers only 50 lb before requiring expansion kits that add significant additional cost. The block form factor is the honest limitation: exercises that rely on a rotating grip — curls, certain rows, lateral raises — can feel less natural than with NordicTrack's traditional dumbbell shape. Some lifters adapt quickly; others never prefer it. PowerBlock Elite EXP is the right pick for intermediate to advanced lifters who are currently pressing or rowing 40-50 lb and expect to push heavier within the next year or two. The expansion path makes the $399 entry price a better long-term investment than NordicTrack for this group. Beginners or casual lifters who won't exceed 45 lb are better served by NordicTrack's more comfortable form factor at the same price.