NordicTrack - RW900 - Black

I was on a college rowing team (50 years ago) for 4 years and also rowed for a boat club during the summers so I know rowing. I have stopped running but still wanted a low impact, good workout. I purchased the NT RW900 and I have been very pleased with how close this machine mimics actual rowing, and I've only just begun. My legs handle the workout well because I ride a road bike. I have had to start more easily with this machine as I have to build up strength in my arms and chest which do not receive much exercise on a bike. But right from the start I have I have enjoyed good workouts. I really enjoy this machine. I'm still trying to get the IFITS connection to work but that does not detract from the quality of the RW900. It seems to be very well built. I set it up myself but another pair of hands would have been helpful. I am really looking forward to many good rowing sessions especially when winter sets in in Minnesota. I am very satisfied with this product.

So far so good. Im able to get a full body workout in about 40mins.

I waited on buying this until real reviews came out. They never really did but noticed I could get a no interest buy with my Best Buy card. So I bought it. I chose this over Hydrow based on the yearly cost of the Norditrack being much cheaper. I am writing this review in August 2019. Ugh! Negatives: 1. One-year subscription to iFit is missing. I have contacted Norditrack twice. They tell me they are going to e-mail the info, but it never comes. This is a $180/year I am missing out on. If this goes on for a few more weeks, I'll likely just pay for it out of pocket and hopefully if the free year comes, it will just be added on to what I purchased. 2. Meanwhile, while I wait, there is ONE free daily training by a trainer. Well, it hasn't changed in the week I have plugged in my monitor. 3. I received a bad monitor. Support sent me a new cord, even though I could tell it was the whole monitor. Well, the new cord took a week. And then it didn't work. They sent a new monitor, and a tech to my house. He confirmed the first monitor had an issue and the new one worked. (note: my issue was the two cords that go into the monitor. I find it odd they are 'pinned' connectors and not like USB. The tech had issues getting the cords into the monitor.) 4. There isn't a turn off button/switch. You have to unplug it. It's a computer so unplugging it could lead to issues down the line. 5. I can only go by the one free training but I noticed that the trainer says "We are going to increase the tension." But the tension was increased like 30 seconds before. So the automated tension changes with the trainings don't sync up that well. 6. There is a manually mode but I have had issues with the distance not working properly. I use it and the distance says "0 meters." I will need to contact support on that next week (they are only open during the week via online chat). 7. Off decision is where the pull cord has a "holder" but it's too close to where you hook in your feet. But it's really an unnecessary feature so don't let it bother you. They should have used this area to hold a cup or mobile phone. 8. The iFit wording and layout is clearly converted from a treadmill. There is an oval track for manual training. They can update this in the future, but it comes off as lazy design work. 9. The monitor only does iFit training. You can't watch TV or surf the net. 10. On the IFit web site, it shows you can create your own workouts. But it gives you two options: Run or Cycle. This rower is $1600, yet they can't even have the web site fully integrate with it? 11. There is a camera but it doesn't seem to do anything. 12. There are no live training options (like Hyrdrow offers) that I can see (even blacked out as I don't have full access). 13. The map routes you build are just Google Maps. And so it's not video but images. Wish they had some video options of real river/locations. Positives: 1. Easy to put together. One person can do it in about an hour. Take your time, and make sure everything is snug. 2. It's what I call "white noise" quiet. It's a pull strap and a fan wheel going around. So it's a smooth sound. But it's a manual fan so the faster you go, the louder it in. I feel if someone had it in one bedroom, the person in the bedroom next to it won't hear it and won't be bothered by it. 3. There is a manual tension but if you use the monitor during the training, you can change it on the screen. The on-screen option gives you more "steps" of tension. Sort of wish they put a second location to do the digital adjustments like on the machine like near your feet. 4. The screen is nice sized and bright. Responsive touch. 5. I purchased the iFit Bluetooth heartbeat strap. While the instructions aren't very clear, it's actually easier to connect than you think. Just put the strap on your chest, and the rower detects it automatically. 6. IFit saves your workouts on their web site and on the machine. This includes the heartbeat monitor results. This is great for showing what you did in a week, month, year. Even includes a place to put in your weight and other workouts (but it's limited in choices so you'd have to put elliptical or weight training in as cycling, I guess). 7. Build quality seems to be fine. I think parts could have been cleaner/better, but it's not bad.

My husband who is a body builder LOVES this machine because he gets a serious core, extreme cardio workout & extreme fitness hits mix. I have bad knees & yet I LOVE this machine! It’s easy, it’s hard, it’s fun - I rowed down the Zambeze River today passing crocs & hippos while getting a great workout at my level! This is exceptional!! Buy it!

The concept is great, the design is good, hardware is of strong quality. IFit trainers are good, some better than others but it’s a personal preference too. The issue is with the iFit console and software. Looks like they decided to go cheap and used low quality hardware, poor processor on it. Worse is the fact that the software is buggy. some workouts restart in the middle, where you loose a good 3-4 minutes waiting for machine to restart, and when it does restart, all your stats are gone. IFit Customer service is horrible! If they could fix the software issues then this thing is a keeper! If not then it’s a source of frustration.

If you are looking at investing in a rower look no further. The big box it came in was intimidating but putting it together was a breeze. The free year of iFit is awesome and is a good motivating tool. I thought about getting the model below this with the smaller monitor, I’m so glad I didn’t. Love everything about this rower.

First one broke within 8 days. Great customer service Bc Best Buy replaced it five days after our call. Second one works decently well. However some screws came stripped and now we have an occasional ticking sound on slower rates. But still seems to work fine. Barely a month of use. Not an A+, more like a A-/B++.

Keeps getting better - they keep adding new workouts, and updating features. We had to buy a Bluetooth transmitter but they just upgraded the firmware and now the blootooth can connect directly!