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NordicTrack offers a range of rowers with different features. Rowing machines, or indoor rowers, mimic the motion of rowing on the water and provide full-body workouts.
A quick look at NordicTrack rowers
This article discusses the NordicTrack brand and reviews their rowing machines. It also explores some potential health benefits and risks, pros and cons, and alternatives of rowers.
NordicTrack has been operating since 1975 and offers various home gym equipment. The company manufactures rowing machines, treadmills, indoor bikes, and elliptical machines, among other products.
NordicTrack offers a subscription app, iFit, which provides a range of workout programs. With the app, individuals can engage in bodyweight, yoga, cross-training, and live sessions. The company offers a free 30-day trial for those who download iFit.
Reputation
NordicTrack’s product pages have many positive reviews, which focus on the quality of the company’s products and iFit’s workout programs. Individuals said their trainers gave clear instructions and feedback to help them reach their fitness goals.
At the time of publication, NordicTrack also has a 1.9 rating on Trustpilot.
However, negative reviews reported customers receiving damaged products and that the company’s representatives were unable to replace them. They also said that users had difficulties in securing refunds from NordicTrack.
People can find three different rowing machines on NordicTrack’s website.
Each machine comes with a 1-year iFit family membership. Through the app, the company’s trainers can remotely adjust an individual’s digital resistance, allowing people to focus solely on their workout. The rowers also come with manual air resistance for added intensity.
NordicTrack’s rowers have a foldable design and a user capacity of 250 pounds.
In addition, they come with
- a 10-year frame warranty
- a 2-year parts warranty
- a 1-year labor warranty
NordicTrack also offers a 30-day return policy, so if people are not satisfied with these products, they can return them for a replacement or refund within 30 days.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Best for a budget: RW600
- List price: $999
- Resistance levels: 25 levels
- Touchscreen size: 10-inch (in)
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 87.02 x 22 x 47.24 in
RW600 comes with a 10-in smart high definition touchscreen, an auxiliary audio port, and two 2-in digitally amplified speakers.
Other features include:
- oversized pivoting pedals and adjustable foot straps
- inertia enhanced flywheel
- SoftTouch handle
- ergonomic, molded seat
- oversized steel seat rail
- up to five iFit profiles
The machine can also track the individual’s exercise progress and statistics.
People can also connect their Bluetooth headphones to NordicTrack’s rower to listen to music and follow their trainer’s instructions.
Best for portability: RW700
- List price: $1,499
- Resistance levels: 26 levels
- Touchscreen size: 14-in
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 87 x 22 x 47 in
Some of the features of NordicTrack RW700 include:
- a 14-in rotating smart high definition touchscreen
- real-time stats tracking
- 26 resistance levels
- oversized pivoting pedals and adjustable foot straps
- SoftTouch ergonomic handle
The equipment also comes with an auxiliary music port and two 2-in digitally amplified speakers. It also includes front-mounted transport wheels for easier portability.
NordicTrack customers can create up to five iFit profiles for family members to use the device and take part in workout programs.
Best for stat tracking: RW900
- List price: $1,999
- Resistance levels: 26 levels
- Touchscreen size: 22-in
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 86.5 x 22 x 50.4 in
NordicTrack RW900 features a 22-in rotating and tilting smart touchscreen. It also comes with a tracking feature that lets individuals know the effectiveness of their workouts.
Other features include:
- 26 resistance levels
- up to four iFit profiles
- oversized pivoting pedals and adjustable foot straps
- front-mounted transport wheels
- SoftTouch ergonomic handle
This rower also has Bluetooth headphone connectivity, allowing people to connect their headphones to the NordicTrack rower during workouts.
The following table compares the three NordicTrack rowers.
Before purchasing a NordicTrack rower, people may wish to consider the pros and cons.
Pros
Pros of buying from NordicTrack include:
- 30-day return policy: If people have any issues with their rowing machine, they can return it for a replacement or refund.
- Finance plans: NordicTrack offers financing plans for people who wish to pay in monthly installments.
- Performance monitoring: The equipment can track and monitor a person’s performance, which may help them reach their fitness goals.
- SpaceSaver design: An individual has the option of folding their rower after each workout if they have limited storage space.
Cons
Disadvantages of purchasing from NordicTrack include:
- reported shipping delays
- customers have had difficulty in securing refunds
- people overexercising and injuring themselves to reach their fitness goal — instead, start slowly and increase workout intensity gradually
The
The AHA also advises individuals to engage in moderate- to high-intensity muscle-strengthening activity twice a week.
The American Council on Exercise states that individuals should add rowing exercises to their workout routine. These target multiple muscle groups and offer a full-body, cardiovascular, and muscle-building workout. Rowing exercises are also non-weight-bearing, so they do not place much pressure on an individual’s joints.
Additionally, moderate rowing exercises can burn 210–440 calories, depending on the intensity.
Rowing may also be safe for people with low vision. A
A
However, rowing machines may not be the best home gym equipment for those with back pain.
With this in mind, a
Similar companies that produce rowing machines include:
- Hydrow: Produces rowing machines and other home gym equipment such as mats, yoga blocks, and resistance band sets. It offers more than 2,000 workouts for rowing, yoga, pilates, and strength training. Learn more about Hydrow here.
- Sunny Health & Fitness: Sells four types of rowing machines such as magnetic, water, fan, and hydraulic rowers. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and free shipping on orders over $99.
- Stamina: Stamina manufactures rowing machines and other home gym equipment such as compact striders, exercise bikes, and reformers. Their rowers range from around $180–2,000.
Learn about some of the best rowing machines here.
NordicTrack vs. competitors
The following table compares NordicTrack to the above competitors.
| Adjustable resistance | Compatible app | App features | Rower price range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordicTrack | yes | iFit | on-demand and live classes | $999—$1,999 |
| Hydrow | yes | Hydrow | full body and rower workouts | $1,695—$2,495 |
| Sunny Health & Fitness | yes | SunnyFit | over 500 workouts | $249.99—$1,389.98 |
| Stamina | yes | müüv | cardio, strength, and flexibility workouts | $249.99—$1,499.99 |
Other exercise equipment alternatives
Individuals may also consider other home gym equipment, such as:
- Exercise bikes: Provide a low-impact workout that may help strengthen the bones and joints. They may suit individuals with joint injuries.
- Ellipticals: They are stationary exercise machines that provide a low-impact aerobic workout without applying a lot of pressure to the joints. People use them to stair-climb, run, or walk.
- Treadmills: Indoor machines that allow people to walk or run in one place. Individuals may consider the amount of storage space they have before buying this large piece of home gym equipment.
Here we answer some common questions about these products.
Does NordicTrack rower work without iFit?
Yes, all NordicTrack fitness equipment, including its rowers, work without iFit.
People can choose to use their rowers in manual mode. iFit is only necessary if a person wishes to use the platform’s on-demand and live classes and training.
Is NordicTrack rower worth it?
NordicTrack rowers may be worth purchasing if a person wishes to use a rowing machine from the comfort of their home.
The company provides optional access to iFit, a platform that offers on-demand and live classes. People will have to pay for access, but it may provide a studio experience at home.
How do I change the resistance on NordicTrack rowers?
People should always read the user manual that comes with their rower to find out how to adjust resistance.
However, generally, there is a resistance knob on the rower body that people can adjust to change how high or low the resistance is.
Rowing machines can be a suitable option for people wishing to engage in a low-impact, total body workout that includes cardio and strength-training exercises.
NordicTrack’s rowing machines can help individuals train for outdoor rowing. Their foldable design may also suit those with limited storage space.
A person may wish to consider the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent injuries and seek medical advice if they are experiencing back pain.
People who do not exercise regularly and looking at buying their first rower may need to start slowly and gradually increase their workout intensity.
Please note: Medical News Today does not imply warranty of fitness for a particular purpose or endorse any of these applications. These apps have not been evaluated for medical accuracy by Medical News Today. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved them unless otherwise indicated.