NordicTrack RW600 Rower Review

by Gary Patterson | Last Updated: May 15, 2021

About NordicTrack Rowers

Perhaps it’s time to ditch those expensive gym memberships and opt for NordicTrack instead. Offering an extensive line of exercise equipment, this sporting goods retailer sells a variety of rowers, treadmills, ellipticals, and stationary bikes. Best known for their iFit program, NordicTrack encourages its customers to go that extra mile. 

Founded by Edward Pauls in 1975, NordicTrack was first formulated as an indoor solution to outdoor skiing. Training for his cross-country race, Pauls was frustrated with the inadequate training grounds he needed so desperately to practice on. Confronted with icy terrains, wind-biting chills, and a veritable lack of snow, he decided to develop another alternative.

Using his background in mechanical engineering, Pauls became the sole inventor of NordicTrack’s first-ever product: the Original Skier. Throughout the years, the company started to develop more indoor exercise equipment. Today, with its headquarters located in Logan, Utah, NordicTrack continues to push the boundaries of what it means to work out at home. 

With a following of over 305k on Instagram, the brand is frequently mentioned in the likes of NBC News, USA Today, and Business Insider. They are also affiliated with many big-name personalities, including Hannah Eden, Kelsey Sheahan, and Jonnie Gale. 

NordicTrack RW600 Rower Review 

Today, we will be focusing on the NordicTrack RW600 rower. Considered the brand’s most affordable model, this prototype is built with their 10” smart HD touchscreen. Designed to play a series of iFit programs, trainers are able to simulate real-time rowing by following their virtual coach through each lesson.

So far, this machine has generated lots of critical acclaim online, as they’ve been featured in PCMag, Indy100, and Women’s Health Magazine. 

Far away from your local lake? Perhaps it’s a sign to start looking for an at-home solution. This NordicTrack RW600 review will take an in-depth look at the product features, quality, and value to help you decide if this product is worth the buy. 

Pros

• Built with a smart HD touchscreen that plays a variety of workout programs 
• The nordictrack rw600 rower comes with a free iFit family membership for one year 
• Considered the company’s most affordable rower compared to its other prototypes
• Offers financing with 0% APR for 36 months
• Provides an indoor solution when outdoor exercise is not possible
• More cost-effective than gym memberships
• positive customer reviews

Cons

• Customers will have to pay for their iFit membership once a year has passed 
• Considered more expensive than other branded models 

Technical Specifications

Before this NordicTrack RW600 review gets into the nitty-gritty, we’ll provide a shortlist of the rower’s technical specifics: 

• Dimensions: 87.02″ L x 22.0″ W x 47.24″ 
• Stored Dimensions: uses SpaceSaver design 
• Weight: 117 lbs in product weight. User capacity is 250 lbs 
• Material: steel frame, nylon foot straps, molded seat 
• Handle: SoftTouch ergonomic handle 
• Monitor/Display: 10” smart HD touchscreen
• Workouts: rowing 
• How many videos: hundreds of iFit programs 
• Resistance: silent magnetic, digital, and manual air with Inertia enhanced flywheel 
• Connections: WI-FI connectivity and standard outlet 
• Heart rate: N/A
• Functions: cardiovascular fitness, stroking 
• Seat: ergonomic molded seat 
• Warranty: 10-year frame, 2-year parts, 1-year labor 

Resistance Type

The NordicTrack RW600 does its best to simulate real-time rowing. Built with a silent magnetic feature with an inertia flywheel, this type of resistance is commonly known to be quiet, smooth, and seamless. Set with 26 different tension settings, users can affix this machine to run digitally. Throughout each iFit program, trainers can hand over their controls to their virtual coach, enabling them to increase or decrease the intensity of the exercise session. 

Want to go old-school? No problem. The NordicTrack RW600 can also adjust to its manual air resistance setting. Without the help of your iFIT coach, users can control their own level of intensity. Compared to other branded models, this type of rower is designed to be noise-free. As a result, customers are able to attain that semi-therapeutic paddling session without that annoying whirr of air resistance machines. 

For those in need of a break, or those who want to push for that extra mile, trainers can modify their settings by moving the resistance handle or by pressing the buttons shown on the smart touch screen. 

Price

Compared to other rowing machines on the market, we learned that the NordicTrack RW600 is still relatively expensive. It costs over $999, which doesn’t include the $396 monthly iFit membership once the free trial is over. 

While it is considered a more affordable alternative when sized up to the brand’s other rowing machines, we did find other prototypes that fell under $300 or $400. For a better comparison, pricier models such as the Hydrow Connected Rower and the RW900 retail for around $2,300.

With that being said, rowers priced below the $500 mark usually did not come with a smart touch screen and NordicTrack’s iFit program. This key feature could be a dealbreaker for those who need a bit of motivation and entertainment while working out. However, if you’ve subscribed to a training podcast or follow a YouTube workout video on a daily basis, perhaps it’s better to opt for a video-free model.

Fortunately, NordicTrack understands that up-front payments aren’t convenient for everyone- which is why they offer a TD Bank financing option to make things easier for customers. We’ll provide the specifics down below:

• 12 equal payments on qualifying purchases: 

• iFit subscription included 
• $84 per month with 0% APR for 12 months 
• Total: $999
• 36 equal payments on qualifying purchases:

• $792 for 36 monthly iFit subscription with first year included 
• $50 per month with 0% APR for 36 months 
• Total: $1,791 

According to the NordicTrack website, customers must pay with credit or debit card. Instead of visiting their store location, users can sign into their account to view the remaining balance. In terms of purchasing the RW600, buyers can order directly through their web page or select one of their partnered retailers. We’ll make sure to list a few later on in this review. 

Shipping & Assembly

NordicTrack uses Panther Logistics as their main courier. So far, we haven’t come across any indication of whether they offer free shipping for the RW600. Moreover, there are no listed details on any delivery costs. In terms of duration, it usually takes 5 to 10 business days for orders to arrive. Customers are able to track the status of their purchase by heading over to their website. 

Once the parcel is within your vicinity, the courier will attempt to contact you to arrange a drop-off time. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, NordicTrack has made the decision to put their home installation services on hold.

The RW600 will come in a cardboard box insulated with styrofoam and plastic wrap. According to NordicTrack, assembly is quite straightforward- as it only takes 60 to 90 minutes to complete. 

The brand recommends calling in for a favor, since this model is relatively heavy. While it does come with an instructional manual, the company does offer BILT mobile app, which provides a set of step-by-step instructions with 3D interactive components for better visibility.

Users will need one Phillips screwdriver and one adjustable wrench to assemble the RW600. NordicTrack strongly advises customers not to use power tools, as it might damage the machine in the process. 

Setup

Once the RW600 is assembled, it’s time to set up the monitor. After plugging in the machine, users are to connect their rower to their WI-FI network. Following the prompts on the screen, customers must input the date and time. 

The next step is to create your own iFIT account. This is where you’ll need to type in your height, weight, and other related information. It’s worth noting that this model comes as a family membership, meaning that 4 profiles can be made without cost.

As a finishing touch, users are instructed to update the settings of their RW600. This ensures that the machine is running properly. And congratulations! You’ve successfully assembled your Rower with workout time to spare. 

Design and Features

Moving forward, this NordicTrack RW600 review will go over the overall design of this Rowing Machine. This includes looking into its build quality, level of comfort, and weight capacity. 

Build Quality

Weighing over 117lbs, you can feel safe knowing that each stroke doesn’t lead you to another part of the house. Built to stay put, this sturdy model is made out of a durable steel frame, which is made to withstand impact and workout intensity. 

When time is up, customers can easily move their RW600 to the other side of the room, as it comes with front-mounted transport wheels. Designed with SpaceSave technology, this model can be folded vertically for easy storage.

Comfort

Equipped with an ergonomic molded seat, rowers can paddle in comfort no matter the intensity. Added features include an oversized steel seat rail and a SoftTouch ergonomic handle- which keeps your hands bruise-free when it’s time for the final push. 

To prevent users from ‘falling off the boat,’ the RW600 comes with large, pivoting pedals and adjustable nylon foot straps to keep your feet secure as you row. Altogether, these 5 features work in tandem to ensure a comfortable experience after prolonged use. 

Capacity

This NordicTrack RW600 review found out that this model can accommodate 250 lbs in weight. From what we’ve seen so far, this is quite average compared to other rowers. In terms of height, the brand doesn’t provide any measurements on their product description. However, we do know that this rower is 87 inches long. By subtracting the size of the display screen, this allows 6 feet of space. 

For better comparison, the average American 20-year-old male weighs around 198 pounds. For women, this ranges about 170 pounds. When taking this into account, the RW600 serves as an available solution for those seeking to lose weight. However, for those just above the 250 lb and 6-foot mark, perhaps it’s best to start seeking another alternative for better comfort.  

So far, this NordicTrack RW600 review hasn’t come across many customer reviews that detail height, weight, and overall comfort. 

Display/LCD

There’s no argument to be made; the real star of the show is the 10” smart HD touchscreen. For those looking for more motivation in their exercise routines, this rower is equipped to play a variety of iFit training programs. With each intense workout session, users can view their calorie count and time spent exercising. It also comes with Bluetooth connectivity and two 2” digitally amplified speakers, which saves you the mess of tangled headphone wires. 

Vivid and crisp in imagery, NordicTrack is able to blur the line between virtual training and reality to simulate real-time rowing. There’s also no need to press down on buttons, as users can easily change resistance or access other settings by a simple tap. Moreover, the display monitor is made to be adjustable, meaning customers can turn their screen at any angle. 

In terms of watching Netflix and YouTube, this NordicTrack RW600 review found no indication on the brand’s website if users can play anything other than the iFit program. However, we did find several Reddit posts and videos online that managed to ‘hack’ the smart touch screen to play other content. 

Membership

The NordicTrack RW600 comes with a free, 1-year iFit family membership. This includes 4 different user profiles. After the trial is over, customers are to pay $396 plus tax on an annual basis. If that sounds relatively expensive, users need to take into account of an average gym membership. With most subscription plans retailing for $30 to $70 per month, that $400 markup doesn’t seem so out of bounds anymore- does it?

Currently, NordicTrack is offering a 30-day free trial on their mobile app. If you’re iffy in purchasing the iFit program, this is a great way to see if this module is suitable for you. 

The iFit program comes with hundreds of live and pre-recorded training sessions. This includes running, walking, cycling, cross-training, rowing, strength tests, and yoga. Taught by world-class professionals, users can work out with the best- including some notable coaches like Stacie Clark and Susan Francia. Designed to be sweat-inducing, each virtual coach can control the intensity of your exercise session to help you reach those fitness goals.

The best part about the iFit program is that users can visit a foreign destination while working out. Instead of booking an expensive flight, trainers can row through the tranquil waters of the Thames River at the comfort of their own home. For those who live to compete, iFit comes with a community leaderboard to keep you motivated to push harder. 

Storage

Designed to have a small footprint, the NordicTrack RW600 only requires a small amount of space. Made with SpaceSaver technology, this rower can be vertically folded. Moreover, it comes with 4 front-mounted wheels on the bottom, which eliminates any need for heavy lifting. 

There’s no need to call for a friend, as this model can be easily stored without any assistance. We recommend stowing it away in a closet or against a corner to minimize room. 

Warranty

This NordicTrack RW600 review found out that they provide three types of warranties for this rower. This includes a 10-year frame contract, a 2-year parts guarantee, and a 1-year labor warranty. It is worth noting that this policy doesn’t cover commercial use, including spas, health clubs, and other public facilities. Moreover, some states don’t allow time limitations for certain assurances, so it’s best to check within your designated location for more details.

According to their website, customers are in charge of paying handling fees if they request replacement parts while under warranty. In terms of returns, buyers have 30 days to send back their rowers. This will involve paying a $250 shipping charge. 

Final Thoughts

If you find yourself within a workout slump, take it as a sign to try out another route. Built with a Smart HD touchscreen, users can find motivation to exercise again with the NordicTrack RW600. 

This rower comes with a variety of handy features, including Bluetooth connectivity, installed speakers, an ergonomic molded seat, and digital resistance. Intended to be seamless and smooth with every stroke, trainers are met with a semi-meditative experience rowing alongside their virtual coach.

While it is pricier compared to other models, users must consider the amount they’ll save on monthly gym memberships. We also need to take into account the convenience of working out at home, as most of us don’t have the time to drive to a nearby lake or local fitness center. 

Ergonomic in size and design, the RW600 can be easily placed in your garage or living space. Considered a great way to get those heart rates up and those extra pounds off, this NordicTrack rower is the next best thing to outdoor rowing.

FAQ

Where can I purchase the NordicTrack RW600 Rower?

Customers can purchase the NordicTrack RW600 by heading over to nordictrack.com. You can also find them on select retailers such as Dick’s Sporting Goods. 

Is there a NordicTrack RW600 Rower discount?

As of lately, this NordicTrack RW600 review found no promotions or sales for this rower on their website. However, we recommend following their social media platforms for further updates. 

Does the NordicTrack RW600 Rower fold?

Yes, this NordicTrack RW600 review found out that this rower folds. This is because it uses SpaceSaver technology. 

Can you lose belly fat on a rowing machine?

Users can lose weight when using a rowing machine. The NordicTrack RW600 does a great job in elevating your heart rate in order to burn off those extra calories. 

Is rowing better for you than running?

This NordicTrack RW600 found many online sources that state the health benefits of rowing. Compared to treadmills, the act of stroking provides a full-body workout- as trainers use their leg, core, and arm muscles. 

How to contact NordicTrack?

For inquiries unrelated to this NordicTrack RW600 review, you can contact the company through:

• Phone number: 1-800-862-3348 
• Email: [email protected] 
• Using their live chat function on their website