NordicTrack RW900 Rower Review: Is NordicTrack’s Flagship Rower Really Their Best?

NordicTrack Has Come a Long Way

I’ve reviewed NordicTrack gear for over a decade, and I used to think these guys sometimes focused way too much on their app, iFIT, and the machine sort of came in second. But that was a long time ago. Things seem to have really changed for the better at NordicTrack. Their gear has become much more high-end and heavy-duty.

This Thing Is a Beast

Their flagship rowing machine, the RW900, is a beast of a machine. This thing weighs close to 140 lb. This is one serious premium rower.

Yeah, of course it’s still designed around their iFIT app, but they’ve really focused on the essentials with this one. The build quality is there, with the app coming in a close second, and that’s what you want from any company. Design and build quality first, tech second.

I’m really liking the NordicTrack RW900 Rower. It’s a well-built, solid rowing machine, right up there with the Hydrow, maybe even a little better. It’s certainly a rowing machine you should be taking seriously.

I reviewed the NordicTrack RW700 a while back, and I was more than impressed with that rower, and it looks like the RW900 is going to be even more impressive. It’s definitely one of those rowers I want to take a much closer look at.

So in today’s NordicTrack RW900 Review, we’re going to take a close look at everything it has to offer, including any drawbacks.

Also, at the end of the review, I thought it would be interesting to compare it to another fav of mine in this price range, the Hydrow Origin, another beast of a machine. It’s going to be interesting to see how these two compare.

First, a quick look at the RW900 specs, pros, and cons!

Specs

Why Do We Like The NordicTrack RW900 Rower?

As I mentioned in the intro, whats going to strike you most about the RW900 is that heavy-duty build. It weighs 140lb, and that’s exactly what you want.

The heavier the better when it comes to rowers or any cardio gear. Because all that weight is a telling sign of the high-quality parts used in the build.

Also that extra weight gives it that premium feel we all want from a home rower, its not going feel cheap and unstable like the budget rowers, this thing is solid the heavy duty frame keeps it planted to the floor, theres no mevemnt when rowing.

It’s almost too good for a home rower, and thats why people love it: you have a gym quality rower in your home.

Strong Smooth Resistance

But it’s not just the build quality and stability I love about this machine. I like that NordicTrack actually used a heavy flywheel, because a heavy flywheel really does help keep the rowing stroke nice and smooth.

And also a premium heavy flywheel like the RW900’s ensures that those upper levels of resistance are tough enough for intense sessions. So a big thumbs up for the flywheel.

And I have to mention just how quiet the RW900 is. The magnetic resistance system is whisper-quiet. So too is the belt drive system. Belt drives are so much quieter than the noisy chain drives.

And when you combine a belt drive with a magnetic resistance system and a heavy flywheel, you actually have the smoothest, quietest combination for any type of rower.

Click here to check price of the NordicTrack RW900 on Amazon

Wide, Solid Slide Rail

Let’s talk a little about the slide rail, as it’s an important part of any rower, and I particularly like the RW900’s rail. The main reason I like it is that it’s nice and wide. A wide rail gives you that extra feeling of stability under the seat, which is exactly what you want when you’re rowing hard.

Also, the rail is slightly inclined, which is always a good thing. An inclined rail adds a little extra to your workouts, making those large leg muscles work that bit harder during the drive.

And because the rail declines back toward the flywheel housing, the recovery feels a little easier on the hips, which is another nice touch.

Huge 24″ HD Touchscreen and iFIT

Okay, the monitor. I think this is probably the most impressive monitor I’ve reviewed on any rowing machine.

This 24″ HD screen seems huge. At first, I thought it was overkill for a home rower, but then you realize how easy it makes everything to view and follow while rowing. You become much more immersed in the iFIT rowing workouts with a screen this size. It truly is impressive.

The screen also pivots, which is useful because iFIT isn’t just about rowing. You can turn it away from the machine and use it for strength workouts and other classes too.

iFIT Is Still Hard to Beat

And there are thousands of workouts to choose from, with features like SmartAdjust and AI Coach. I’ve always said the iFIT fitness app is hard to beat.

SmartAdjust is one of my favorite features. It can automatically adjust the resistance during your workout, and it learns from the changes you make, adapting future workouts to better suit your fitness level. It’s clever stuff, but more importantly, it’s actually useful.

And you’re not stuck with just iFIT workouts either. You can stream entertainment through supported apps while you row, so there’s always something to keep you coming back for more.

Still, you have to pay for the privilege. Nothing this good is free, and at around $30 a month, iFIT isn’t cheap. It’s something you need to consider when choosing the RW900 because you’re buying this rower largely for that huge screen and the iFIT experience.

At around $300 a year, you need to be someone who’s going to make the most of the app. If you’re not, there’s not much point paying all that extra cash for the RW900 in the first place.

Storage – It’s a Problem

There’s no built-in storage system with the RW900, no folding system, and not even a way to store it vertically, which is going to be a major drawback for anyone who’s tight on space.

Sadly, this is an issue with some of the high-end, commercial-grade machines. They’re designed for people or commercial gyms that have a dedicated space to house them permanently.

So yes, it’s a shame there’s no real storage option with the RW900. Still, it does come with built-in transport wheels, which at least makes moving this beast around much easier.

Drawbacks of the NordicTrack RW900

There’s not much I don’t like about the RW900. NordicTrack got all the important stuff right. It’s heavy, solid, smooth, and there’s more than enough resistance for some seriously tough workouts.

Still, no rower is perfect, and there are a few things worth knowing before spending your cash.

It’s Not Cheap

At around $2,800, the RW900 is certainly expensive, and much of what you’re paying extra for over the RW700 is that huge 24″ touchscreen.

I love the screen, it really does make iFIT that much more immersive, but if screen size isn’t important to you, the RW700 is probably the smarter buy.

You’ll Want iFIT

iFIT is one of the best things about the RW900. SmartAdjust, AI Coach and all those trainer-led workouts add a lot to the experience.

But at around $30 a month, it’s another cost to think about. If you’re going for the RW900, you really want to be someone who’s going to use iFIT regularly.

You’ll Need the Space

And lastly, there’s no folding or vertical storage with the RW900. At around 80″ long, this is a big rower and ideally you’ll want a permanent spot for it.

There are transport wheels, so moving it isn’t too difficult, but this isn’t a rower you’ll be tucking away in a cupboard after every workout.

Will I need a Rowing Mat?

You only really need a rowing mat to protect your polished floors from scratches, but as the RW900 already has capped feet, this shouldn’t be much of an issue. Another time a mat can prove useful is to prevent slippage. Again, this is only a problem on hard polished floors where the rower may move a little when rowing hard.

If you live in an apartment or shared housing, then a rowing mat could be an essential purchase, especially if you want to keep your neighbors happy. A mat will soak up to 80% of the vibrations from your workouts.

I found that Sunny Health & Fitness makes the best low cost equipment mats. I’ll leave a link in case you’re interested: Sunny Health equipment mat

Final Verdict

It was hard to find fault with the RW900. The heavy-duty build and silky smooth rowing stroke are really what sell this rowing machine for me.

And I like the look of the rower too. It’s sort of a mix of modern and old-school design. It’s a proper rowing machine. It’s not trying to be something it’s not. It’s a well-built, durable rower that’s been designed for a lot of hard use, and it’s a machine that should last years.

Yeah, it is pricey, selling for around $2.5k. That’s a lot of cash, and a large chunk of that money is going toward the huge 24″ touchscreen. It is an awesome screen and really does bring something extra to your workouts, especially with iFIT.

But if the huge screen isn’t that important to you, you can save around $1k and go for the RW700 with its 10″ screen. Underneath the screens, these are essentially the same excellent rowing machine. If you want that huge screen and can afford the extra cash, the RW900 certainly doesn’t disappoint.

How Does The NordicTrack RW900 Compare To The Hydrow?

Hydrow Origin Rower

It’s surprising how similar the Hydrow and the RW900 are. Both rowers are beasts, weighing around 140 lb or more. They’re both heavy-duty, premium rowers. You’re about as close to commercial grade as you’re going to get from a home rower with these two.

For build quality, there’s really nothing separating them. These are two of the best magnetic rowers on the market right now. Durable, well-built, solid machines that are made for a lot of hard use.

Still, I think the rowing stroke of the RW900 is a little smoother. It uses that heavy flywheel and magnetic resistance system, whereas the Hydrow uses a more dynamic electromagnetic system. The harder and faster you row, the more resistance you feel, giving it more of that rowing-on-water feel.

It’s clever, and the Hydrow is still extremely smooth, but the magnetic brake means the resistance remains more constant toward the end of the stroke. For pure smoothness and consistency, I’d give the RW900 the edge.

Then It’s Really a Battle of the Apps

The monitors are similar too, and both are huge for a rowing machine. The Hydrow boasts a 22″ screen and the RW900 a 24″. Both are HD, both move so you can use them for workouts away from the rower, and both help give you that immersive feeling that keeps you coming back for more.

And that’s really the main battle between these two rowers. Which app is better, Hydrow or iFIT?

Both are excellent, highly polished apps with thousands of workouts. I’d say Hydrow probably has the edge if you’re purely interested in rowing because that’s what the whole app is centered around.

But Hydrow costs around $50 a month compared with around $30 for iFIT, and iFIT gives you much more outside of rowing too.

So which would I choose? It’s difficult to say. I love the smooth rowing stroke and iFIT experience of the RW900, but there’s something special about Hydrow’s dynamic resistance and dedicated rowing app too.

I think this one really comes down to what you want most from your rowing machine.

Still comparing rowing machines? Read Next: Best Magnetic Rowing Machines

NordicTrack RW900 Rower FAQs