Row Your Way to Fitness with NordicTrack RW900 Rower: A Complete Review

This NordicTrack RW900 Rower Review will provide all the information you need before you buy. This completely redesigned model from 2022 has seen a lot of changes by NordicTrack. You can read (or watch) the video below for more information.

Review of NordicTrack RW900

Here’s a quick overview of the NordicTrack RW900

The NordicTrack RW900 rower is self-adjusting and connects to the included HD touchscreen 22" (Hd). This rower is designed to be displayed at home and features a brand new design.

The touchscreen can rotate 180 degrees, has 26 levels of digital resistance, and a magnetic flywheel that is ultra-quiet.

NordicTrack RW900 Rower specs

Use the NordicTrack RW900

Design

The new NordicTrack RW900 is stunning from a visual perspective. This rower is meant to be displayed at home thanks to its large steel seat rail and 22-inch HD touchscreen.

The 2022 model has an on/off switch at the front. To turn the rower off, it had to be unplugged previously.

The new RW900 Rower’s oversized steel seat rail

The new design is much better than the old model. However, the RW900 Rower cannot be folded in half. The rower can be stored upright, but it is unsafe.

To store your new rower upright you’ll need to make a bungie system or latch system. The rower can easily be knocked over and could cause injury if it is not secured properly.

Last year’s RW900 model could be folded in half

Seat

The RW900’s seat has not been modified. It is very comfortable and well-made. The position of the seat has been changed.

The footpads were at the same height that the seat. The seat is now higher than the footpads. Although some people may prefer one design to the other, I believe the new design is better suited for beginners. For those with limited hip mobility and hamstring mobility, the higher seat makes it easier for them to remain in a comfortable position.

2021 NordicTrack RW900

2022 NordicTrack RW900

Footpad

The distance between the footpads has also been greatly improved. The new, oversized steel seat rail makes it easier to keep your feet apart.

The earlier model had a wider range for rowers. The RW900 Rower seems to be too wide. It is more difficult to maintain a good knee position here.

2021 NordicTrack RW900

2022 NordicTrack RW900

In most ways, the footpad is still quite good. The best foot straps made of nylon are adjustable and keep your feet in place.

However, the rear half of the footpad seems to be having problems. It doesn’t lift enough when you move towards the catch position, either because of its flexibility or angle. This causes your foot to move up and your shoe to not follow. This issue has never been reported on any other rower, even the NordicTrack’s older model.

The new RW900 causes an issue where your feet/socks slide up and down relative to your shoe

Handle

Also, the handle of the NordicTrack RW900 rower has been updated. The handle is longer and sleeker than before. It is not as comfortable to use.

The handle of the RW900 had a rubber coating last year that helped grip and made it easier to use. Although the new handle is comparable to other top rowers, it is not bad. However, it is a significant improvement over the previous handle.

2022RW900 Rower handle

Resistance to magnetic flywheels

The biggest change is the NordicTrack RW900 rower switch from an air fan into a spin-wheel. This change has made the rower quieter but it also changes the way the rower feels.

You should not need to adjust resistance (also known as drag) too often with a rower. Because resistance increases with water, air, and magnetic rowers, it is natural for them to pull harder.

Flywheels are different. You can adjust the magnet resistance on the screen to get more resistance when you pull. This not only doesn’t feel great but also makes the rower feel weak. The highest resistance doesn’t feel stronger than the lowest resistance on the RW900 Rower.

2021 RW900 Air Fan

2022 RW900 Magnetic Flywheel

Speakers and touchscreen

The 22" HD touchscreen included looks amazing and can rotate 180 degrees in either directions. This is great for taking classes on the rower such as iFIT’s strength and yoga series.

These speakers were also improved. They were previously located at the back of your tablet. Now they are front-facing. They can be quite loud and sound good. It is possible to change the mix of instructor and music. This is always a bonus.

180 degree rotating 22″ HD touchscreen and new front-facing speakers

The touchscreen cannot be adjusted up or down as it was before. It is too high for most users, which is a problem.

To keep your eyes on the screen while you move forward, your head must be moved back from a neutral position. This is what strength and conditioning call “chicken necking” and it’s not good for your rowing output nor the health of the cervical spine.

Screen height on the new RW900 rower encourages bad neck positioning

iFIT Workouts

Without a review of the Nordictrack RW900 rower, it would not be complete without an overview of iFIT, its fitness program. iFIT offers a wide range of quality content to its members. It costs $15/month for an individual plan and $39/month if you have a family plan. This includes up to five accounts.

iFIT offers a decent number of instructor-led scenic and studio classes, but far less than the ones available for the treadmill and bike. There are no new classes or programs for rowers that are released on a regular basis. A rower cannot also take live classes at the moment.

iFIT Rowing series

Even worse is the fact that the meters calculation is wildly inaccurate. Let’s take, for example, a rower who was rowing at a pace of 2:00/500m. It would be reasonable to expect to complete 500m in under two minutes.

Evidently not. Both the current and previous models of the RW900 Rower will allow you to complete 500m in 1 minutes and 40 seconds, while maintaining a pace of 2:00/500m. Although this may seem like a minor difference for an inexperienced rower it is huge.

I don’t know how the meter calculation bug went unnoticed before this review. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed quickly.

Meters are currently calculated inaccurately on iFIT rowers

Take The Connect the Watts

The new NordicTrack RW900 rower is beautiful, but it’s not functionally great. Although it may not be as attractive, the model from last year is a better rower. I recommend that you find an older model RW900, RW700, or another for iFIT members who are looking to expand their home fitness facility.

You can still buy the older RW900 Rower here but it is likely to be out of stock soon. Last year’s Rower is also available.

Get 2022 Nordictrack RW900 now!