If you're looking for a great workout that doesn't require leaving home, a rowing machine is a terrific option. Rowers help to burn fat, tone muscle, and improve endurance. That said, not all rowers are created the same. Very few brands have become synonymous with a whole category of equipment, but the NordicTrack rower is a prime example. The best NordicTrack rower offers a full-body workout that is low impact, which means it's easy on the joints, and challenges you just outside your comfort zone.
The NordicTrack rowers are known for being quiet, effective, and, best of all, space saving There are multiple NordicTrack rowers to choose from, and while they may all be great pieces of fitness equipment, they won’t all meet your needs. Let's review the features of this year’s best NordicTrack rowers so you can find the one that will be optimal for you, your home, and your budget.
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The Best NordicTrack Rowers - Our Top Picks
We've narrowed it down to three NordicTrack rowing machines based on several important variables: the materials used, the amount of space taken up, and the extra digital features, among so many others.
NordicTrack RW900 Rower
SPECS
- Dimensions: 82"L x 22"W x 54"H
- Weight: 163 lbs. in box product weight
- Material: Steel railing
- Pedal type: Oversized, pivoting pedals with adjustable nylon foot straps
- Seat type: Oversized steel seat rail with ergonomic, molded seat
- Resistance levels: 26 digital resistance levels
- Weight capacity: 250 lbs. (115 kg.) user capacity
The RW900 is one of our favorite rowers of all time. It doesn't have the biggest price point, but it boasts some of the best features that any NordicTrack rower has to offer.
Let's start with your living space and make sure your roommates and neighbors stay happy. We've all heard those rowers that sound like a jet engine taking off. That noise won’t go over well if you live in an apartment complex or if you have a partner who works from home, which seems to be the norm since 2020. Thankfully, the RW900 is designed to be incredibly quiet, making it ideal for shared spaces.
Unlike the air rowers you'll see in most commercial gyms, the RW900 uses Silent Magnetic Resistance technology featuring a sliding rail system combined with an inertia-enhanced flywheel. All fancy talk, right? How exactly does this system work, and how does it make your workouts so quiet?
Rowers that utilize this magnetic-based resistance allow you to increase or decrease the difficulty in relation to the distance between the flywheel and the magnets within. Magnetic-based resistance is becoming the go-to for most fitness brands because the rowers are quiet, and they provide a far smoother ride than traditional rowers.
In short, you'll enjoy a smooth, stable, and quiet workout.
What’s more, if you ever need to move the RW900, it has front-mounted transport wheels, simplifying the transport and storage process. It is a bit heavier than the other two models on this list, but you should still have no issues with picking up the machine and wheeling it around—unless you are fresh out of rehab or you have a doctor's order not to lift too much.
Finally, there are the bells and whistles. You can have the best performing rower out there, but if you can't see or hear what's on the screen in front of you, something is going to feel off. Thankfully, that isn't the case with the RW900.
At 22 inches, you get a very generous screen with all high-definition content. Even better, the RW900 comes with a great sound system. You'll be able to see your workouts in HD, and you'll have no issues hearing the commands, even with music on.
Another feature that we love is the ability to pivot and rotate the screen. Doesn't seem like a big deal until the iFit workouts tell you to get up, pick up a resistance band, and perform some curls. If the bands are in the center of the room and you can't turn the screen, you won't be able to follow along as easily. It's a small feature, but we guarantee you'll use it all the time.
No worries if you don't want to subscribe to iFit. The RW900 comes with 50 preloaded workouts in the touchscreen monitor.
What We Like
- Quiet design
- Attention to detail
- Touchscreen and sound system
What We Don't Like
- May require a learning curve if you're not used to touchscreen technology
- The rower is on the heavier side compared to the other NordicTrack rowing machines
NordicTrack RW600 Rower
SPECS
- Dimensions: 87.02"L x 22.0"W x 47.24"H
- Weight: 117 lbs. in box product weight
- Material: Steel rail
- Pedal type: Oversized, pivoting pedals with adjustable nylon foot straps
- Seat type: Oversized steel seat rail with ergonomic, molded seat
- Resistance levels: 26 digital resistance levels
- Weight capacity: 250 lbs. (115 kg.) user capacity
You can think of the RW600 as the little brother of the RW900. It has many of the same features as its older brother, but it's smaller and easier to stuff into closets.
We know what you're thinking: "Hey, that's an air rower! That's going to be loud!" Not so fast. The RW600 is designed using the same Silent Magnetic Resistance technology as its older brother. That means it will be far quieter than other brands of air rowers.
Air rowers get trashed a lot, especially when compared to sliding rail system technology, but the benefits of an air rower outweigh the issues. What they lack in quiet, they make up for with their resistance.
Air rowers automatically adjust to you. You do have to set the desired resistance, but based on how fast you’re rowing, the air rower will adjust. Think of a traditional treadmill, not a gravity treadmill. If you want to slow down on an old school treadmill, you have to frantically push a button to slow the machine or get sent across the room. That’s not the case with air rowers. The rower slows or quickens to your pace.
Despite its smaller frame, the RW600 still has the characteristic oversized pivoting pedals. Combined with the adjustable foot straps and quick-release technology, it keeps you feeling safe and secure during your workouts.
One of the handiest features of the RW600 rower is that you can stow it away in between workouts. Just fold it up vertically and wheel it away. It is much easier to handle than the RW900 as it’s about 50 pounds lighter.
Admittedly, you're not getting the same movie theater-sized screen as you'll find on the RW900, but given the RW600’s space-saving design, we were impressed with the high-definition 10-inch touchscreen that gives you access to all of the great pre-programmed workouts along with the iFit app.
iFit isn't your typical workout app. The workouts are completely interactive to the point where the trainer will automatically adjust your resistance level. For example, if you have your resistance set at 20 and there is a hill climb section coming up, the trainer will adjust the resistance lower so you won't burn out during that section of the workout.
Understand that this is completely voluntary. If you want to hit hills at a 20 or higher resistance level, we say go for it!
What We Like
- Ideal for shared spaces and little storage room
- Much quieter than other air rowers
- The free workouts that are programmed into the rower
What We Don't Like
- Although it features 26 levels of resistance, advanced athletes and rowers may not get a full challenge
- There will be a learning curve for beginners who have never used an air rower
NordicTrack RW700 Rower
SPECS
- Dimensions: 87"L x 22"W x 47"H
- Weight: 117 lbs. in box product weight
- Material: Steel railing
- Pedal type: Oversized, pivoting pedals with adjustable nylon foot straps
- Seat type: Oversized steel seat rail with ergonomic, molded seat
- Resistance levels: 26 digital resistance levels
- Weight capacity: 250 lbs. (115 kg.) user capacity
Now let's talk about the Goldilocks option for NordicTrack rowers. Not too big and not too small. Not too many features and not too few. Not too pricey and not too cheap. The RW700 is the middle ground of the NordicTrack rowing machines.
The RW700 has a bigger screen at 14 inches than the RW600, but it has the same high-def touchscreen and rotating feature as the RW900.
As far as performance, the RW700 has the resistance features of the other NordicTrack rowers: magnetic and air resistance. The RW700 won’t be as quiet as the RW900, but it won't be as loud as the RW600. Again, the RW600 isn't "loud," but it's going to make more noise than either of the other two machines.
The RW700 has the same space-saving features as the RW600, plus you won't have any issues with folding it up and storing it away as it's the same weight as the RW600.
What’s more, the oversized pedals offer the same pivot and quick-release features as the other models. You'll feel comfortable as you row without having to worry about your feet slipping off.
What We Like
- The RW700 has the best features of both of the other models including a bigger touchscreen and a space-saving design
- 2 forms of resistance working together
- Rotating HD touchscreen—allows you to do other exercises like lunges and still see the workout
What We Don't Like
- Depending on your fitness level, some may find it difficult to fold and wheel away
- No heart rate monitor—1 feature that we would have liked to see, especially with the middle option
Comparing the NordicTrack Rowers
The biggest differences between these three NordicTrack rowing machines come in the following categories: touchscreen tech, resistance, size, noise, and price point.
Touchscreen Tech
The three NordicTrack rowers all have different-sized touchscreens. The RW900 has a 22-inch screen, the RW700 has a 14-inch screen, and the RW600 has a 10-inch screen. The RW900 has the most advanced screen in terms of size and rotating features. You can tilt, pivot, and rotate the screen on the RW900. On the RW700, you can rotate the screen. On the RW600, there is no rotation feature for the screen.
Even so, all of the rowers have the same pre-programmed workouts, and all three have access to iFit, the monthly subscription NordicTrack workout library. Each rower comes with a free 30-day membership to iFit. If you do subscribe after your free trial, you'll either be thankful you bought the RW900—or wish you had—when performing the outdoor workouts. One of the most commonly cited favorite features of the RW900 is the large high-definition screen for doing the outdoor workouts on iFit. Many reviewers say that given the screen size and sound system, you'll forget you're working out in your living room.
Resistance
While all three rowers provide 26 levels of resistance, they do it in different ways. The RW900 is the most advanced, using the sliding rail system combined with an inertia-enhanced flywheel. The RW700 is a combination of magnetic resistance and air resistance. Finally, the RW600 has an exclusively air-based resistance. These resistance levels can all be auto-adjusted when you're working out with an iFit trainer.
Size
The numbers clue you into the machine's size: The larger the number, the bigger the rower, although the RW700 and RW600 are, surprisingly, the same weight. The larger RW900 is going to be the toughest to store, but it also has the most advanced features. When making your decision, it's important to consider how much space you have, and how much weight you've been cleared by your doctor to lift.
Noise Level
While we wouldn't say any of these NordicTrack rowers are obnoxiously loud, one is going to be quieter than the other two. The RW900 uses the rail system and magnetic resistance, making it the quietest option out of the three. While the other models do incorporate the Silent Magnetic Resistance technology, they are going to produce a more noticeable noise than the RW900. Specifically, the RW600, the air rower, will produce the most noise. We stress again that none of these rowers are loud like the old air rowers used decades ago. But in comparison to each other, the RW900 is the quietest and the RW600 is the loudest.
Price Point
The most cost-effective option is going to be the RW600, making it ideal for fitness enthusiasts on a budget who also want a quality product they can trust not to break down after a few years. Despite having the most features, the RW900 is often on sale and can usually be found at a comparable price to the RW700, especially around holiday sales.
FAQs About NordicTrack Rowers
Are NordicTrack rowers worth it?
Absolutely. We all have that brand we trust for most things, but especially in fitness. For example, maybe you associate Optimum Nutrition with your go-to protein supplement. In that same vein, many people trust NordicTrack with their rower and treadmill needs, both for commercial use and for personal use.
NordicTrack has been around since 1975, so it's an understatement to say they know the industry. They came about during the early days of the consumer-based fitness industry. The brand has seen it all, including come-and-go products that couldn't withstand the test of time. Others may have fallen by the wayside, but you know who is still around? NordicTrack.
Does NordicTrack make good rowers?
There are many different types of rowing machines on the market, but NordicTrack remains one of the most well-known and popular brands. Does that mean their rowers are the best? We certainly think they belong in the top three (if not at the top).
As you'll find with the latest NordicTrack rowers, they are very sturdy and well-built. NordicTrack put a lot of time and energy into the research and development of their rail system and magnetic resistance technology, so they're less likely to break down or have problems over time. They back this up with a 10-year frame warranty.
Also, as discussed above, NordicTrack rowers come with a variety of features that can help you meet your fitness goals, including pre-programmed workouts. These fast, fun, and viewer-friendly workouts come standard on NordicTrack rowers, showing a dedication to helping you achieve your goals, not just selling you the machine.
Finally, NordicTrack rowers are still among the most affordable rowers given the quality, features, and warranty you get. This is especially true when you compare them to other high-end rowing machines.
What is the NordicTrack rower Warranty?
All of the rowing machines mentioned above come with three types of warranties: one for the frame, one for the parts, and one for the labor. Here is the breakdown:
- 10-year frame warranty
- 2-year parts warranty
- 1-year labor warranty
If you want to upgrade your warranty, third-party companies work with NordicTrack to extend or improve coverage. Still, these machines are built to last, which is why NordicTrack offers a 10-year warranty on the frame.
Can I use a NordicTrack rower without iFit?
Yes, but you may not want to once you try iFit during your free trial. In any event, these NordicTrack rowers all come with pre-programmed workouts that are accessible via the touchscreen.
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