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My new favorite method of procrastinating is doing a few bicep curls in my living room. Not only is it a quick way to do something mildly beneficial with my time, but I get to feel like Judy Jetson when I tell my Alexa “Set weights to 15 pounds,” and hear the satisfying click as my NordicTrack iSelect voice-activated dumbbells adjust to the right weight. Despite spending many months of 2020 and 2021 working out from home, I never caved and purchased weights except for two-pound wrist ones that TikTok convinced me to buy. They’re too bulky, I thought. Too ugly. I don’t need to work out at home when I so desperately need to go on a silly little walk. Well, call me a convert. I’m sold on the NordicTrack set, and not just because of its futuristic capabilities.

The weights are the first of their kind with the ability to hook up to your Amazon home device. Alexa will answer requests to set the weights up to 50 pounds each, in 5-pound increments (a metal guide in the dumbbell locks the plates in place). Once you put the dumbbells in their caddy after doing some tricep extensions, you can even tell Alexa, “Set weight for squats.” A few seconds later, you’re ready—a pretty seamless experience even compared to other adjustable weights. It’s as simple as setting down one pair and picking up another. For those who want all the bells and whistles, the dumbbells come with a one-month subscription to iFit, which gives you access to classes led by the company’s trainers. You can even set up an iPad stand on the dumbbells’ case to follow the class.

It’s cool and everything, to be able to work out with your Alexa, but the iSelect dumbbells are worth it even without that. (You can manually change the weight with a dial on the machine, which is just as easy, really.) Instead, I was compelled by their design and versatility. I live with my partner, and he utilizes the 30-to-50-pound range while I stick with the 10-to-30. And while I wouldn’t say these blend into my apartment (they are 100 pounds after all), they are sleek. They look like they belong in a fancy gym—one that stocks designer skin-care products in the locker room. I’ve used them for more than a week and have only once had a glitch. When I went to change the weights, one dumbbell got stuck asymmetrically. It was quickly resolved when I set it to the lowest setting, and I haven’t had an issue since. At $429, they aren’t cheap, but that’s comparable to similar products on the market, which don’t look quite as good or have as many capabilities.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to do some dead lifts while avoiding my inbox.

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