NordicTrack RW900 Rower Review: What Happened?!

[@devondempsey9151]

What smart rower do you think is best?

[@Candisias]

so As of 15 February 2023, they just came out with a NEW NEW RW900 rower. I'd love to find out your thoughts on it, if you can get your hands on one. I'm wondering if they made any changes based on some of the things you mentioned in this video.

[@ConnectTheWatts]

Looking at it, it seems exactly the same with some minor changes to the overall layout/design… likely in agreement to a settled lawsuit with Hydrow about a design patent. I wouldn’t expect much though, especially since iFiT is no longer making any new scenic content for the rower.

[@stephencollins7714]

Thank you so much. I have had my RW900 for almost two years now and have found it to be a solid performer even though the screen keeps dropping no matter how tightly I secure it and the seat has a bit too much lateral movement. I have been thinking about a possible replacement and really liked the look of the new model but it is clearly a case of form over function. I already have Peleton (Bike) and JRNY (Max Trainer) subscriptions in addition to iFit (rower and treadmill) so do not want to go with another subscription brand outside of these. I guess I will hang on to the existing one for now and maybe check out the Peloton when it eventually makes its way to the UK but I am already finding it hard to justify the cost.

[@user-ji9vp2qp2e]

Need feedback. Rower itself is like new. The console won’t load workouts even after factory reset. Spent a lot money for only having for less than a year. Thoughts?

[@blueguy24]

I bought this rower earlier this year back in April and have the same exact resistance issue you describe, there is not much difference in level 1 resistance and level 26 highest resistance level, how can this even pass their quality control, seems like a major design flaw. I complained to @ifit they sent a tech but tech basically said there is nothing wrong with the tower or resistance the new design works like this and that how mine is working and closed the case. I tried contacting Nordic track but they won’t do anything. I’m stuck with $1,500 rower that doesn’t change resistance much. Do you have any solutions to how to make the resistance work with new flywheel design?

[@tjclem69]

Thank you for this video guide about the RW900! Helped bring to my attention about the change in the resistance mechanism, that I was unaware of. Both RW900 & RW700 have changed this year. They are fazing out the fan style in the RW700 to the weighted flywheel, but still available in both for the time being(2021/2022 RW700 only, 2021 RW900 already not available from NordicTrack directly, third party maybe) . Was able to luckily catch my order quickly and down-grade to last years RW700 w/14in screen, which also seems to be missing some program perks and automatic resistance adjustment. Still a bit conflicted about switching. I am curious if you or anyone has some more insight on the tradeoff from the some main differences between the two. The 2022 RW700 has the larger screen, autoadjusting resistance, and weighted magnetic flywheel. I'm not so concerned with the smaller screen, just not so keen on the loss of the autoadjusting on the 2022 RW700. I really enjoy that option on my x22i treadmill, for the coach/program to adjust for me on the fly. They are so doing away with the folding option on the 2022 RW700. So ultimately, how big of a difference is it between the fan with magnetic resistance(RW700) and the weighted flywheel with magnetic resistance?

[@ConnectTheWatts]

The 2021 model does auto-adjust, since it also has magnetic resistance in addition to the fan. But with rowing, its not really a perk... similar to biking on a assault bike or running on a Woodway Treadmill, the resistance a rower should be created automatically by how hard you row. I too like the auto adjust on my NordicTrack Treadmill and Bike... but don't see any benefit or purpose of it on the rower

[@tjclem69]

@@ConnectTheWatts Thank you for your excellent feedback to a new soon to be rowing at home. Just trying to get setup with the best option at home for rehabilitation after neck surgery and for the years to come.

[@torreshl76]

Question is can I still get somewhat of a workout out of that ? I got that one 😅.

[@MassAppealAri]

Great video! I have the old design and really like it. Good to see these side-by-side, though. What’s your background music at 6:02? Loving the vibe 🎵

[@ryanhochstrasser824]

Nordictrack has a new rower for 2024 that is a little brother to the RW900. It's the RW600 and tries to solve many of these issues. Any plan to review this new one?

[@ConnectTheWatts]

Hmm… maybe. It looks like the same fly-wheel design, so outside of the smaller screen, not sure it will feel any different.

[@Quicksilver1934]

WOW thanks for the review cause I almost picked this modal up. I’m a beginner and was looking for a rower to put in my man cave. Because height a rower seemed the best and it needs to be able to be stowed away when I have guest. Any suggestions of any model that is currently available (I’m not married to Nordictrack)?

[@GoLongAmerica]

I just bought the 2021 model and I'm glad I did. The 2022 model looks like a completely different machine.

[@dorishg2335]

How to fix the foot pad issue? that is pretty annoying

[@timothyalston30]

On the website it’s showing as a close out. Does that mean they will end this model and come up with a new model?

[@anasalazar9504]

I own a rw500 with a digital display and ive noticed that when paired to a ifit devise the distance is different… the app show more distance than the display in the rower… i figure there was something odd with the app… i dont trust their numbers… thank god mine has other things than just the app

[@USNEM]

I have a contact at Peloton....... Wait for Peloton to start selling the rower, will be worth the wait.

[@brettlagrange125]

does anyone know if their is a fix for the footpad making your heels slip out of shoe

[@keithspon]

Has anybody who owns the older RW 900 experienced a problem with the end of the rail being too close to the catch/start position? In testing this machine, the seat seems to be hitting the rail end when my shins are perpendicular, which I don't think is good. Maybe it's my form:-) Thanks for any comments.

[@ConnectTheWatts]

I would check your form, as that shouldn’t be happening. Probably need to lean a bit more forward during the return to keep your butt from sliding beneath you.

[@MrKeithcl]

This rower is not well thought out. I just bought their X24 treadmill and their X24 bike but this review scarred me off their rower for certain.

[@micheleburgess9186]

Sold on older one

[@caseyhartman7094]

It looks kinda similar to Hydrow's design. Have you tried a Hydrow to know if the 2022 RW900 has a similar feel to it?

[@ConnectTheWatts]

Yes I’ve been testing Hydrow out for the past month… should have a review ready in a few more weeks. It does have a similar look, but it is very different.

[@popcan23]

👏 gonna wait for the peloton rower lol

[@aarongarcia1101]

This company and its rower is a real scam, they have zero customer service, horrible delivery and lousy assembly, the seat has fallen off 4 times now, and the strap came loose from the spool. The company seems non existent after sale, I recommend staying away from this company and its equipment, if not, you'll be out of money and very disappointed!

[@someotherdude]

I have this product, and it's my first piece of exercise equipement, so admittedly I don't have anything to measure against, but I see lots of detail indicating awful design and very strange construction. The dramatic shape is achieved with plastic covers, and these are injection molded. When you look at the number of machine likely produced, this plastic must be taking far too much profit out, so dumb. It's almost impossible to disassemble the machine enough to move it, and it is very heavy. Young people are the likely market, and they are in apartments, so stairs are involved, or frequent moves. This thing will take hours to move since it can't easily be broken in half. Not being able to stand up well is strike 2, that seems like a no-brainer. Strike 3 is the iFit programs, they are sh!t. As a result I use the'manual' setting.... the screen is touch sensitive but it's so laggy/sluggish that I always wind up thinking it's not working. I'm not in shape, but I concur about the adjustable effort, I'm typically on 18 out of 20. It surely doesn't offer enough effort for big guys who are in shape. The power jack is at the front of the machine and the little 12 volt plug sticks out and is begging to break. Kids, feet, vacuum cleaners, stuff like that can break that little plug. If you have to tinker with this machine in any way, the plastic covers are going to take you 1/2 day to take off to access the mechanicals. The foot rests are not at a good angle for me, they are too vertical. They are bolted on super strong, but I think it would have been better to make them adjustable in angle. In summary: shockingly poor design at $1800. I wouldn't do it again. I have read other damning reviews too, mentioning the quality of the resistance, and I found the complaints convincing.