NordicTrack RW Rower 900 Review
Editor’s Conclusion
Are your cardio workouts feeling a bit stale? Are you tired of staring in despair at the paint cans on your garage shelves? NordicTrack hears you, which is why they created the NordicTrack RW Rower.
This is one serious piece of equipment that is designed to light up all of the muscles in your body without putting undue strain on your joints. Rowing is such a great cardio workout because it is worth your upper and lower body at the same time, and doesn’t put pressure on your joints. It comes with an ergonomic seat and handles, and uses a duo of air and magnetic resistance for a comfortable ride.
What I love most about this futuristic NordicTrack rowing machine is that it comes with a 22-inch touch screen with integrated workouts that sends you into a first-person rowing adventure all over the world. These programs automatically adjust the resistance on the line so all you have to do is sit back and get rowing!
Below, I wanted to dive into all of the features that make this a must-have for any home gym
This is one serious piece of equipment that is designed to light up all of the muscles in your body without putting undue strain on your joints. Rowing is such a great cardio workout because it is worth your upper and lower body at the same time, and doesn’t put pressure on your joints. It comes with an ergonomic seat and handles, and uses a duo of air and magnetic resistance for a comfortable ride.
What I love most about this futuristic NordicTrack rowing machine is that it comes with a 22-inch touch screen with integrated workouts that sends you into a first-person rowing adventure all over the world. These programs automatically adjust the resistance on the line so all you have to do is sit back and get rowing!
Below, I wanted to dive into all of the features that make this a must-have for any home gym
NordicTrack RW Rower 900 Review Review Facts
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
22-inch touch screen
Dual air and magnetic resistance for a smooth ride
26 resistance levels
Ergonomic seat and handles
Adjustable pivot pedals
10-year warranty included
Cons
Very expensive
Large footprint
iFit app requires a monthly subscription
Key Features
RESISTANCE
The hallmark of any good rowing machine is the resistance offered. What makes this rowing machine unique is that it uses two methods of resistance for a super smooth and quiet ride. It hosts a small air resistance fan that works in tandem with a magnetic plate. These two layers of resistance craft a super-smooth ride that runs almost silently. The iFit app adjusts the resistance for you, and you can also adjust the resistance on the wheel using the lever on the front of the fan.
This machine provides users with up to 26 levels of resistance that craft quite a challenge. Based upon previous user reviews, these layers of resistance range from nice and easy for a cool down to insanely challenging to help build muscles and build strength.
COMFORT
One of the things that users love most about this design is that it is made from ergonomic features that craft an incredibly comfortable ride. The seat is made from a still foam that contours to your shape to prevent it from really digging into your skin. While it isn’t the softest and most cushioned seat out there on the market, it holds up very well over time.
The strong and stiff materials won’t break down into a pancake over years of continued use. The handles are also fairly simple and straightforward; they are covered in a thin layer of EVA foam that works to wick sweat away from your hands so you can keep a strong grip on the handles even as you start to fatigue.
ADJUSTABILITY
What’s great about this machine is that making small little adjustments is incredibly quick and easy. The seat glides along the track and locks in place, allowing you to find the perfect starting positions that work for your body type. What I really loved about this machine is that the pedal is also adjustable. Many machines have the same size pedals, which can be awkward if your feet are a little small or large.
This design allows you to adjust the length of the pedal to find the perfect size for your feet. It also includes velcro straps to lock the pedals in place on your feet for a secure fit.
PORTABILITY
Rowers can really take up a lot of room in your home gym, and the NordicTrack RW Rower works to free up as much floor space as best it can. One of the things that users really like about this design is that it can be folded in half to clear up some space as needed. The base folds up into the condole, and locks in place with a very secure switch. Even folded, it takes up quite a bit of room, but not nearly as much as if it wasn’t folded.
It also has a set of wheels along the base that easily allow you to roll it from location to location with just one hand. The touch screen provides a wide variety of workouts that isn’t just limited to rowing, and it swivels along the base so you can move it into a position that works best for you. After rowing, you can move the machine to a different location, swivel the touch screen, and engage in a yoga cooldown to give those tired muscles a break!
TOUCH SCREEN
I am super excited to talk about the large 22-inch LCD touch screen on this model that looks like something out of the Jetsons This touch screen has a full-color display and a wide variety of unique workouts that take you all over the globe. For example, one of the beginner workouts takes you on a rowing adventure on a scenic lake. The screen opens up to introduce you to your trainer and then switches to a first-person perspective on the lake as you start your workout. There are a ton of different workouts to choose from, so your daily cardio routine will never become boring or stale!
The touch screen also allows you to manually adjust the intensity of your workouts. While the trainer increases your difficulty automatically as you make your way through the workout if you find that it is too much of a challenge you can bump the difficulty down. As with any workout machine, it also measures your heart rate, calories burned, speed, distance, and time.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
What really makes this rower stand out from the rest is the compatibility with NordicTrack’s iFit app. This rower comes with a free 1-year membership to this program, but after 1 year you will need to pay a monthly fee. The cost of this app is a little expensive, however, it will run you about the same as a monthly gym membership.
If you are reluctant to give iFit a try, it is important to note that the workout programs aren’t just limited to rowing workouts. It has a wide variety of expertly crafted workouts such as yoga, boxing, and bodyweight workouts as well. With the swivel screen and foldable designs, this machine is so much more than a simple rower.
It is important to note that this machine is designed to be used only with iFit, which means that it lacks Bluetooth compatibility. I think that iFit is great, but it may be a deal-breaker for some that like to use their own fitness apps that they can sync with their machine.
PRICE
Price tag time! If you feel that all of the advanced features of this design are a little too good to be true, it means that you haven’t checked the price tag yet. This machine clocks in at a pretty steep price point, and that’s before you include the additional monthly cost of iFit. However, if you are in need of a quality cardio machine that will keep you excited about lacing up your trainers and fitting in a great compound cardio workout, this machine is well worth every penny!
The hallmark of any good rowing machine is the resistance offered. What makes this rowing machine unique is that it uses two methods of resistance for a super smooth and quiet ride. It hosts a small air resistance fan that works in tandem with a magnetic plate. These two layers of resistance craft a super-smooth ride that runs almost silently. The iFit app adjusts the resistance for you, and you can also adjust the resistance on the wheel using the lever on the front of the fan.
This machine provides users with up to 26 levels of resistance that craft quite a challenge. Based upon previous user reviews, these layers of resistance range from nice and easy for a cool down to insanely challenging to help build muscles and build strength.
COMFORT
One of the things that users love most about this design is that it is made from ergonomic features that craft an incredibly comfortable ride. The seat is made from a still foam that contours to your shape to prevent it from really digging into your skin. While it isn’t the softest and most cushioned seat out there on the market, it holds up very well over time.
The strong and stiff materials won’t break down into a pancake over years of continued use. The handles are also fairly simple and straightforward; they are covered in a thin layer of EVA foam that works to wick sweat away from your hands so you can keep a strong grip on the handles even as you start to fatigue.
ADJUSTABILITY
What’s great about this machine is that making small little adjustments is incredibly quick and easy. The seat glides along the track and locks in place, allowing you to find the perfect starting positions that work for your body type. What I really loved about this machine is that the pedal is also adjustable. Many machines have the same size pedals, which can be awkward if your feet are a little small or large.
This design allows you to adjust the length of the pedal to find the perfect size for your feet. It also includes velcro straps to lock the pedals in place on your feet for a secure fit.
PORTABILITY
Rowers can really take up a lot of room in your home gym, and the NordicTrack RW Rower works to free up as much floor space as best it can. One of the things that users really like about this design is that it can be folded in half to clear up some space as needed. The base folds up into the condole, and locks in place with a very secure switch. Even folded, it takes up quite a bit of room, but not nearly as much as if it wasn’t folded.
It also has a set of wheels along the base that easily allow you to roll it from location to location with just one hand. The touch screen provides a wide variety of workouts that isn’t just limited to rowing, and it swivels along the base so you can move it into a position that works best for you. After rowing, you can move the machine to a different location, swivel the touch screen, and engage in a yoga cooldown to give those tired muscles a break!
TOUCH SCREEN
I am super excited to talk about the large 22-inch LCD touch screen on this model that looks like something out of the Jetsons This touch screen has a full-color display and a wide variety of unique workouts that take you all over the globe. For example, one of the beginner workouts takes you on a rowing adventure on a scenic lake. The screen opens up to introduce you to your trainer and then switches to a first-person perspective on the lake as you start your workout. There are a ton of different workouts to choose from, so your daily cardio routine will never become boring or stale!
The touch screen also allows you to manually adjust the intensity of your workouts. While the trainer increases your difficulty automatically as you make your way through the workout if you find that it is too much of a challenge you can bump the difficulty down. As with any workout machine, it also measures your heart rate, calories burned, speed, distance, and time.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
What really makes this rower stand out from the rest is the compatibility with NordicTrack’s iFit app. This rower comes with a free 1-year membership to this program, but after 1 year you will need to pay a monthly fee. The cost of this app is a little expensive, however, it will run you about the same as a monthly gym membership.
If you are reluctant to give iFit a try, it is important to note that the workout programs aren’t just limited to rowing workouts. It has a wide variety of expertly crafted workouts such as yoga, boxing, and bodyweight workouts as well. With the swivel screen and foldable designs, this machine is so much more than a simple rower.
It is important to note that this machine is designed to be used only with iFit, which means that it lacks Bluetooth compatibility. I think that iFit is great, but it may be a deal-breaker for some that like to use their own fitness apps that they can sync with their machine.
PRICE
Price tag time! If you feel that all of the advanced features of this design are a little too good to be true, it means that you haven’t checked the price tag yet. This machine clocks in at a pretty steep price point, and that’s before you include the additional monthly cost of iFit. However, if you are in need of a quality cardio machine that will keep you excited about lacing up your trainers and fitting in a great compound cardio workout, this machine is well worth every penny!
Comparisons to Other Versions
This is a review of the RW900, which is the model that includes the 22-inch touch screen. There are two other versions in the RW series lineup that omit the touch screen and replace it with a more affordable price point. The RW 200 and the RW 500 are still composed of the exact same frame and performance features to help you fit in a great workout. What these machines are lacking, however, is the fancy-pants immersive touch screen feature that makes workouts fun. In its place is your standard progress screen that details your time, distance, heart rate, and calories burned.
When compared back to back against the RW 200 and the RW 500, the RW 900 is about 1,000 dollars more for the addition of the touch screen. While it may seem like a lot, I feel that this screen really helps users get excited about workouts, as well select from workouts that set out to hit your personal goals, whether its strength or weight loss. If you can swing the price, the RW 900 is well worth it!
When compared back to back against the RW 200 and the RW 500, the RW 900 is about 1,000 dollars more for the addition of the touch screen. While it may seem like a lot, I feel that this screen really helps users get excited about workouts, as well select from workouts that set out to hit your personal goals, whether its strength or weight loss. If you can swing the price, the RW 900 is well worth it!
Verdict
It’s hard to get motivated to lace up your sneakers for another grueling cardio workout, especially when working out from home. Getting yourself motivated is sometimes 90 percent of the battle, and the NordicTrack RW Rower 900 always keeps things exciting as well as challenging. You may find yourself looking forward to breaking free of your desk every night and heading out to a calm and peaceful lake right in your own home gym!
Sure, it comes in at a pretty steep price point, but I feel that this machine is a great investment for those that feel that cardio routines are a necessary evil.
Sure, it comes in at a pretty steep price point, but I feel that this machine is a great investment for those that feel that cardio routines are a necessary evil.
$1,599.00See Deal