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Take iFIT out on the water–virtually that is! The NordicTrack RW900 Rower is a quiet, smart rowing machine with training content. Continue reading this review of the NordicTrack RW900 Rowing Machine, regardless of whether you prefer studio or outdoor rowing content.
Updated: September 6, 2023
The NordicTrack RW900 is the perfect addition to an iFIT subscriber’s cardio routine. Rather than sticking to only studio or outdoor content, iFIT provides an abundance of both types of content. The magnetic resistance keeps the RW900 quiet enough for shared living spaces. The RW900 has 26 levels of strong magnetic resistance. The 22-inch touchscreen transports you onto the water or into the studio. Take classes from some of the top trainers in locations around the world.
The NordicTrack RW900 has a steel frame. The large front and rear stabilizers keep the rower stable. It is a bulky rowing machine, but it feels very durable.
The NordicTrack RW900 uses a Nylon strap to provide the tension. The handle is a hard plastic with a rounded square shape that I discovered is called a “squircle.” Unfortunately, the edges are not rounded enough, and they caused me some pain when rowing. This issue is an easy fix for NordicTrack; users with larger hands might not have the same issues I experienced.
The rail is an oversized steel monorail. The width of the rail makes it feel laterally stable. Larger users may appreciate the additional side-to-side support.
The seat is very soft. It has one groove for relieving pressure from the tailbone during the finish. The seat could be slightly more molded, as it is a bit slippery and small. A little more texture to the seat cover would also solve the problem.
The foot stretchers use a velcro strap to secure your feet in place. While this was much easier to do than the traditional buckle straps of other rowers, I occasionally had trouble getting the straps tight enough. They are ideal, however, for strapping in and out often. So, if you lack flexibility like I do, the velcro will make it easier to unstrap your feet to use the touchscreen.
The foot stretchers are wider apart than other rowers due to the oversized monorail. Yet, I didn’t mind the wider width. It felt comfortable and may be better for beginner users struggling with the full range of motion required for proper rowing form.
The NordicTrack RW900 is a heavy rower weighing over 100 lbs. It is really long with a large touchscreen. Its size and dimensions make lifting it onto its transport wheels cumbersome, particularly for short users. The RW900 can be stored horizontally or vertically. Just be mindful of the screen when moving the RW900 around in tight spaces, and you are good to go! Rowers are much more compact and easy to move than treadmills or ellipticals.
The NordicTrack RW900 uses silent magnetic resistance. Its quiet design makes it a good rowing machine for an apartment or other shared living space. The twenty-six resistance levels are strong, even at the lower settings. The nylon strap does lose some tension after the leg drive, which NordicTrack could improve. The resistance does feel harder if you pull harder, creating a more realistic rowing experience. Overall, the resistance would be good for a strong rower needing a quiet machine.
The NordicTrack RW900’s strength lies in its support of the iFIT training program. The screen and its accompanying features converge to deliver the stunning content and spectacular workouts iFIT is known for.
The 22-inch touchscreen has great graphics. Its size makes it easy to navigate, though many users will have to unstrap their fee to reach it. However, the screen's distance is comfortable even during the catch phase of rowing. The screen pivots to accommodate off-rower training. iFIT provides yoga, strength, and mindfulness training all viewable from the RW900.
The RW900 has front-facing speakers. They are loud, so you can hear all of the iFIT trainer’s cues and the Feed.fm music. The RW900 also has closed captioning if you want or need them.
The NordicTrack RW900 is Bluetooth-compatible. Users can pair their Bluetooth headphones or earbuds for private listening. Bluetooth allows users to pair a compatible heart rate monitor for more training metrics.
Rowing on the RW900 may be an adjustment for rowers used to Hydrow rowers or the Concept2 RowERG. One of the biggest differences between the RW900 and these rowers is the constant variation of resistance. On the Concept2 and the Hydrow, changing the resistance cannot easily be done during a workout. Instead, users are encouraged to increase their strokes per minute or row more powerfully to increase the intensity. The iFIT classes automatically change your resistance (though this feature can be disabled) and encourage you to change SPM at the same time. This training method was a little off-putting for me at first. I adjusted and enjoyed the iFIT classes a lot.
The RW900’s resistance feels strong even at its lower settings. It was much harder for me to row at the moderate levels than on competitors' rowers. Yet, the highest settings may not provide enough resistance for strong users trying to train power. It works better for beginner or intermediate users building strength and doing interval workouts.
iFIT provides all of the onscreen content for the NordicTrack RW900. The rower comes with a 30-day free trial, after which users will need to subscribe monthly or annually to keep their access to iFIT’s content. With one subscription, users can access content for their rower and any other iFIT-compatible equipment. I have also used iFIT to give me guidance on non-iFIT cardio machines. The integration is not as good, but it makes training more fun.
iFIT provides indoor and outdoor content for rowing. I really enjoy the outdoor content, because it is more scenic. I also like to daydream about rowing in the water, so I am happy to do it vicariously through one of the many professional iFIT coaches. The studio classes are reminiscent of cycling classes. They have similar energy. They also incorporate off-rower moves in the class. There may be times when the instructor tells you to get off your rower for strength moves or stretching. Make sure you have plenty of space around your rower.
The RW900’s screen is great for using the non-cardio equipment content. You can take a strength or yoga class to supplement your rowing regimen. The screen pivots to give you a better view. If you plan to take advantage of this feature, be sure to clear a larger space around your rower. iFIT content can also be viewed with their app from a smartphone, tablet, or TV, allowing you to train wherever suits you.
iFIT uses a cool Google Maps integration to deliver even more training options on their machines. With the RW900, you can create a route nearly anywhere in the world. Then the 22-inch touchscreen will display the route with Google Street View. The faster your row, the faster the slideshow of images goes to take you through your route. The resistance will increase as the real-life terrain inclines. For instance, a steep hill creates equals very hard resistance, whereas a downhill leads to low resistance. iFIT has loads of immersive content, so you feel like you are training anywhere but home.
The NordicTrack RW900 is the perfect complement to an iFIT subscriber’s workout plan. Rowing is a full-body workout that provides strength, endurance, and power training. The RW900 has twenty-six magnetic resistance levels to assist you in your endeavor and keep things quiet while you train. The 22-inch touchscreen is great for training on or off the machine. Athletes who cross-train will enjoy all the different types of content iFIT provides to supplement their rowing.
