Best NordicTrack Rowers (2024): 2 Great Rowers at Moderate Price Points

NordicTrack is well-known for its superb treadmill lineup that includes some of the coolest high-tech and high-powered machines (see our article about the best NordicTrack treadmills). What a lot of people don’t know is that NordicTrack also offers a fantastic—albeit small—rowing machine lineup that integrates with iFIT as well. 

NordicTrack currently produces two rowing machines, the RW900 and the RW700, and in this guide, I’m going to help you decide which is the best NordicTrack rower for your home gym. 

There’s Nothing Oar-dinary About Our Rowing Expertise

From water rowers to magnetic rowers to air resistance options, our team has tested all of the best rowing machines (and plenty of the not-best ones, also…). This is to say, we know our facts when it comes to rowing machines. We can help you determine which product meets the most important criteria for you, whether that’s Bluetooth connectivity, an ergonomic seat, or heart rate monitoring capabilities. 

NordicTrack Rowing Machine Lineup 

• NordicTrack RW900 Rowing Machine
• NordicTrack RW700 Rowing Machine

Which NordicTrack Rower Should You Buy?

NordicTrack offers two rowing machines, both of which require an iFIT membership for full functionality. Yes, having to pay for a membership is a little annoying but iFIT is honestly one of the best rowing apps we’ve tried, so we think it’s worth the monthly subscription cost.

Both rowers, the RW900 and RW700, work via digital resistance (also called magnetic resistance) and have 26 resistance levels. 

Both pieces of fitness equipment gather the same metrics and display them on touchscreens during on-demand iFIT workouts; both have SmartAdjust technology that allows iFIT trainers to remotely control your resistance; both have comfortable, padded seats and oversized, adjustable foot pedals.

Either way, you’re going to get a solid piece of exercise equipment that allows you to perform low-impact, full-body workouts. The specs are very similar and both models are high-quality indoor rowing machines. Up next is a deeper look at both.  

NordicTrack RW900 Rowing Machine

Good for: People who want a top-of-the-line magnetic resistance rowing machine with all of the perks

NordicTrack RW900

NordicTrack RW900

GGR Score: 4.55

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Product Highlights

• Rotating smart HD touchscreen
• Immersive workouts
• Solidly built
• Smooth ride

Made in USA

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Massive 22” HD touchscreen display
• Pivoting and tilting screen for use off the rower
• Solid build quality
• Comfortable padded seat
• 26 digital resistance levels
• Auto-adjust resistance
• Large foot pedals and adjustable straps
• Quiet ride
• iFIT workouts
• Soft, grippy handles
• Bluetooth-enabled

Cons

• Monthly subscription required for full functionality
• Large footprint
• Doesn’t fold
• Requires an outlet
• Can’t store in a garage (voids warranty)
• Low 250-lb weight capacity
• Heavy at around 160 lbs, but has transport wheels

Bottom Line

If you're looking for a high-end rowing machine with interactive rowing workouts, this is a great pick.

The NordicTrack RW900 rower is the top-tier rowing machine in the lineup. I tested the RW900 in our Springfield, Missouri, testing center and I had so much fun using it. The overall build feels strong, sturdy, and supportive, and the ride is quiet thanks to NordicTrack’s Silent Magnetic Resistance. (I won’t say it’s silent, but it’s pretty darn close.) 

Thanks to the massive 22-inch display, you can become entirely immersed in whatever iFIT workout you’re streaming, whether it’s a studio row or a scenic row. I recommend the scenic rows, FWIW. 

Equipped with Bluetooth connectivity and AutoAdjust technology that allows iFIT trainers to control your resistance level from wherever they are, this rowing machine is about as techy as tech can get. 

The RW900 is one of the most comfortable rowing machines I’ve ever used, thanks to the large, padded seat and soft-touch handles. The seat height is about 24 inches off of the ground, making it easy to get in and out of. I love this feature because it makes rowing more accessible to people with limited mobility. 

My main complaint about the RW900 (and the RW700) is the low user weight capacity of 250 pounds. This is below the industry standard of 300 pounds, and very low compared to the 500-pound weight capacity of the Concept 2 RowErg (formerly the Model D Rower) and the 507-pound capacity of the Aviron Strong Series Rower. 

Read our full NordicTrack RW900 rower review.

NordicTrack RW700 Rowing Machine

Good for: Individuals who want a solidly powerful rowing machine with a few less perks for a significantly lower price

NordicTrack RW700

NordicTrack RW700 Rower

GGR Score: 4.2

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Product Highlights

• 26 levels of silent magnetic resistance 
• iFIT programming 
• Oversized pedals with adjustable nylon foot straps 
• Soft grip handles 
• Bluetooth capability
• Front-mounted transport wheels

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Less expensive than the RW900
• Pivoting pedals
• Adjustable foot straps
• 26 levels of silent magnetic resistance
• iFIT programming
• Oversized pedals with adjustable nylon foot straps
• Soft-grip handles
• Bluetooth capability
• Front-mounted transport wheels
• AutoAdjust technology
• Pivoting touchscreen display

Cons

• 10-inch touchscreen is relatively small
• Weight capacity of 250 lbs is below industry standard
• Monthly fee required to use all features
• Requires an outlet for use
• Doesn’t fold

Bottom Line

The NordicTrack RW700 rower has a lot of great features but overwhelming negative reviews of product failure.

The RW700 rower, as compared to the RW900, is the lesser model. It costs about $500 less than the RW900, but truthfully, the biggest difference is the screen size. 

The RW700 rowing machine features most of the same components as the RW900—including must-haves like Bluetooth connectivity, 26 levels of resistance, trainer-led workouts via an iFIT subscription, and automatic resistance adjustment—but the screen is smaller. 

Yup, that’s the only real difference: a smaller screen. And sacrificing the massive 22-inch touchscreen will save you about $500. To me, that makes the much smaller 10-inch screen worth it. 

A giant touchscreen display is nice, sure, but for most folks it’s probably not a must-have. I’m willing to bet that the majority of people would like to save $500 and put it toward something else (some adjustable dumbbells to get your cross-training in, maybe?). 

For people with not-so-great eyesight, following the at-home rowing sessions on the 10-inch screen might be tough, but most people will find the functionality to be the same.

Read our full NordicTrack RW700 rower review.

NordicTrack Rower Comparison Chart

Discontinued NordicTrack Rowers

NordicTrack currently has the older version of the RW900 on closeout. It’s on sale for $1,299 at the time of writing. If you’re ready to buy, I recommend snagging this deal because the new RW900 is not all that different from the old version. 

What to Look For in NordicTrack Products

NordicTrack is known for manufacturing high-quality cardio machines that last. In general, keep an eye out for these features: 

• Display: How big is the display and is it a touchscreen? 
• Transportation: Can one person easily move the item? Does it have wheels? 
• Ergonomics: Is the item designed to accommodate bodies of all sizes and varying mobility levels? 
• Programming: Is it iFIT-compatible? Can you use it without iFIT if you wanted to? 
• Power: Does it require batteries or an outlet? 
• Connectivity: Does the product have Bluetooth connectivity? Do you need to connect it to your home WiFi? If so, does your WiFi support the connection? 
• Metrics: What fitness data does the product track? 
• Dimensions: Will the product fit in your intended space?

Brand Policies

Here’s a look at how NordicTrack handles warranties, returns, and financing.

Warranty

NordicTrack offers the following warranty on all of its cardio machines: 

• 10 years on the frame
• 2 years on parts
• 1 year for labor 

If you buy a NordicTrack product from a third-party retailer such as Amazon, double-check to ensure the warranty still applies. 

Returns

NordicTrack’s return policy is as follows: 

• You have 30 days from the delivery date to return the item in its original packaging for a full refund
• You’re on the hook for a nonrefundable $250 return shipping charge plus a 10% processing fee
• Fees for iFIT memberships and delivery/assembly services are not refundable

Financing

There are a number of ways to finance NordicTrack equipment. We have a full guide to NordicTrack financing, but in short, NordicTrack offers financing via TD Bank, and you may qualify for any of these options: 

• 0% APR for 12 months
• 0% APR for 36 months
• 0% APR for 39 months
• 0% APR for 43 months
• 0% APR for 44 months
• 0% APR for 48 months 

Best NordicTrack Rowers: Final Verdict

Both the NordicTrack RW900 and RW700 rowing machines are solidly manufactured with great build quality you can feel during use. They both function via an iFIT membership, which not only has wonderful rowing machine workouts but also offers strength training, yoga, HIIT, running, cycling, hiking, meditation, and even cooking classes. Ultimately, buyers will be well-served by either rowing machine. 

Best NordicTrack Rowers: FAQs

Here are the answers to some common questions about NordicTrack rowing machines.

Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC

Amanda is a content writer and journalist with extensive experience in the health, fitness, lifestyle, and nutrition niches. Before joining Garage Gym Reviews, she worked as an independent writer for various brands and outlets.Her work has appeared in national and global digital publications, including Health.com and Shape.com (Meredith Corporation), CNET (Red Ventures, formerly ViacomCBS), LIVESTRONG (Leaf Group), Verywell Fit and The Balance (DotDash), SlickDeals (Goldman Sachs/Hearst), Health Journal, and more.Now, Amanda brings her expertise in fitness to the GGR team by testing equipment and writing authentic, honest reviews on everything you might need to stock your home gym.

Further reading

The Best Cable Machines for Home Gyms Put to the Test (2024)

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NordicTrack is well-known for its superb treadmill lineup that includes some of the coolest high-tech and high-powered machines (see our article about the best NordicTrack treadmills). What a lot of people don’t know is that NordicTrack also offers a fantastic—albeit small—rowing machine lineup that integrates with iFIT as well. NordicTrack currently produces two rowing machines, the RW900 and the RW700, and in this guide, I’m going to help you decide which is the best NordicTrack rower for your home gym.   » Read more about: Best NordicTrack Rowers (2024): 2 Great Rowers at Moderate Price Points  » Read more

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