The best treadmill reviews you can trust
On the water or in the studio, iFIT brings both forms of content right to your home. Continue reading this review of the NordicTrack RW700 Rowing Machine to learn more about this versatile rower.
Updated: August 3, 2023
The NordicTrack RW700 Rowing Machine delivers immersive content from iFIT. The versatile platform could replace a gym membership, with thousands of classes for on and off the rower. Enjoy a 10-inch touchscreen display and push yourself to new levels with the 26 magnetic resistance levels. The RW700 has smart features for the savvy. For fans of NordicTrack and iFIT, the RW700 delivers another fantastic full-body cardio training option.
The NordicTrack RW700 has a steel frame. The front and rear stabilizers are large, and the rower is heavy, creating a stable rowing experience. The current model is a sleek and modern update to its predecessor.
The hard plastic handle has rounded edges. I tried the handle on the RW900, an almost identical machine. The handle made my hands hurt a lot, which is not something I have had happen on other rowers. This issue is an easy fix for NordicTrack, but it certainly affected my rowing experience. Athletes with larger hands may be more comfortable on the RW700 than me.
The rail is a wide monorail. The RW900’s rail was smooth, and I expected the same experience on the RW700. The seat could be more contoured but is softly cushioned, based on my experience on the RW900. The rail is wider than found on rowers like the Hydrow Wave Rower or the Concept2 RowERG.
The foot stretchers use nylon Velcro straps to secure your feet in place. The Velcro is much easier to do and undo than the traditional buckles. If you lack the flexibility to make onscreen adjustments with your feet strapped in, you will find this feature handy.
As previously mentioned, the monorail is wider than other rower monorails, positioning the feet further apart. Therefore, the rowing experience on the RW700 will differ from true on-the-water rowing. However, beginners may find the design more approachable as it is easier for inflexible users. The foot stretchers are also positioned lower than the seat, which has a similar effect of being less realistic but more helpful for beginners.
The RW700 can be stored horizontally or vertically. This rower does not fold, so it is not great for more compact storage. When stored upright, it may need to be secured with a strap to the wall or another method to reduce its danger of falling.
To transport the NordicTrack RW700, simply lift it onto its two front wheels. The screen can be a bit hazardous during transportation. Fortunately, it pivots, so you can move it out of the way. Just ensure you have enough clearance for the screen when placing it upright.
The RW700 has twenty-six magnetic resistance levels. They are also digital, allowing the iFIT classes to automatically adjust the resistance when the Auto Trainer setting is enabled. The resistance could be improved. There is some slack in the nylon strap at the finish. The lowest levels and highest levels do not feel that different to me (on the RW900). In which case, the easy levels feel too hard, and the hard levels will be too easy for many users. As this was my experience on the RW900, I am assuming it is the same on the RW700. I will update this review with my findings if I can test the resistance on the RW700 itself.
The RW700 is a smart, high-tech rower, thanks to its integration with the iFIT platform. Many of the RW’s features are designed around the iFIT experience, ensuring the exerciser has great audio options, a high-definition viewing experience, and seamless resistance changes.
The RW700’s features center around its 10-inch touchscreen display. With high-definition graphics and little to no lag, the display creates a good viewing experience for rowing content. The screen tilts and pivots, allowing the user to make adjustments for better on- and off-rower viewing. I consider ten inches the minimum screen size for comfortable viewing on a cardio machine. I would want a bigger screen for strength and conditioning off the machine. However, it is a great feature for a workout in a pinch. If you want a bigger screen or a different viewing option, a single iFIT membership allows you to access the content from your phone, tablet, or smart TV.
NordicTrack creates powerful speakers. There are two thirty watt speakers at the bottom of the console. The RW700 should be no different, providing clear audio quality. The speakers are front-facing speakers to prevent any muffling of the noise.
Bluetooth lets users listen privately to iFIT content and Feed.fm music. Take advantage of the magnetic resistance’s silence and row in a way that does not disturb others. A Bluetooth connection is easy to establish on iFIT equipment. It also allows exercisers to pair a heart rate monitor for more accurate workout metric tracking.
While I have not had the opportunity to row on the RW700, I have used the RW900. These two machines are nearly identical, save for the larger screen of the RW900. The automatic resistance changes set NordicTrack rowers apart from other rowing machines. Rowers like the Concept2 RowERG require you to set your preferred resistance before starting your workout. If you wish to change the setting, you will have to stop your workout and reset the damper. The iFIT platform automatically adjusts the resistance, which creates a more dynamic workout. The rower can increase the resistance or their strokes per minute for a more challenging workout.
The subtle differences between rowing on the RW700 and more traditional-style rowers add up. They will be more noticeable for experienced rowers, but the RW700 may create a more beginner-friendly experience. The wide stance and lower pedals are easier on less flexible users. The resistance is more comparable to other cardio machines.
iFIT creates on the water and studio content for the RW700. The water content is best for enjoying the global locations and more realistic rowing experience. The studio content is great for cross-training, often including strength moves or stretching performed next to the rower. It is quite similar to the experience of a cycling studio. The trainers are upbeat and motivating. There are so many classes to choose from; you will never take them all.
The resistance changes with the trainer’s instructions. iFIT will also learn your fitness level over time and make more personalized adjustments. If you find the resistance during a class too difficult or too easy, change the resistance manually from the screen. This feedback helps iFIT learn.
iFIT has built-in radio systems provided by Feed.fm. These stations are regularly updated to keep the music current. There are genres and decades radio stations to choose from, so most users should find something they like.
The iFIT platform includes a Google Maps integration. With this app, iFIT subscribers can create their routes almost anywhere in the world. The resistance adjusts to be harder when the route climbs uphill and easier when going downhill. The faster and more powerfully you row, the faster the Street View advances to the next slide of the route.
The RW700 is a great rower for beginners, inflexible users, and iFIT subscribers. The 10-inch touchscreen tilts and pivots for on and off the rowing machine training. iFIT can guide your entire training regimen, from rowing to strength training to mindfulness exercises. The RW700’s 26 magnetic resistance levels are silent, while the audio can be swapped from the powerful speakers to Bluetooth, allowing users to exercise incognito. The RW700 is a smart rower with a sturdy steel build.
