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Concept2 RowErg vs NordicTrack RW900
Quick verdict
Winner on Gym Score: NordicTrack RW900 (77)
Two different products. The Concept2 RowErg is a tool for measuring rowing work in standardized units — the PM5 monitor is what every rowing program in the world references. The NordicTrack RW900 is a class-delivery system that happens to be a rower — 22" touchscreen, iFIT trainer-led workouts, auto-resistance. Choose Concept2 if you care about the workout. Choose RW900 if you care about the experience.
Choose the Concept2 RowErg if you'll train for performance, do interval programs based on watts or 500m splits, or want a rower that lasts 20+ years and holds resale value.
Read the full review →Choose the NordicTrack RW900 if you want trainer-led workouts on a big screen, are already paying for iFIT, or you need something the whole family will use because it feels more like Peloton than a Concept2.
Read the full review →
- · Anyone training for indoor rowing benchmarks or CrossFit-style metcon work
- · Buyers who want a single piece of cardio equipment they will own for 20 years
- · Households tracking watts and split times with global standardized data
Spec-by-spec
| Spec | Concept2 RowErg | NordicTrack RW900 |
|---|---|---|
| Resistance Type | Air | — |
| Monitor | PM5 | — |
| Max User Weight | 500 lb | 250 lb |
| Damper | 1-10 setting | — |
| Resistance | — | Magnetic + air |
| Display | — | 22" HD touchscreen |
| Connectivity | — | WiFi, Bluetooth |
| Foldable | — | Yes |
Concept2 RowErg
- +PM5 monitor is the gold standard
- +Air resistance feels natural
- +20+ year service life
- +Globally standardized watts metric
- −Loud (air rowers always are)
- −Not on Amazon (direct from Concept2)
- −No built-in classes
NordicTrack RW900
- +22" Rotating Touchscreen
- +Magnetic + Air Resistance
- +Trainer-Controlled Drag
- −Ifit Subscription Pushed
- −No Pm5
The real tradeoff
Subscription dependency is the RW900's hidden cost. The 22" touchscreen and trainer-controlled drag are essentially worthless without iFIT ($39/mo). At 5 years that's $2,300 in subscription — more than the price of two Concept2 rowers. The Concept2 has zero subscription, lasts 2-3x longer in service life, and holds 60-70% of its value on the used market vs the RW900's typical 30-40%. The RW900 also folds; the Concept2 separates into two pieces but doesn't fold.
Skip both if you want classes without iFIT lock-in. The Hydrow Rower at /product/hydrow-rower offers a similar guided experience with different (better-funded) content production.
Buyer questions
Does the RW900 work without iFIT?
Limited functionality. You can manually set resistance and row freely, but the touchscreen is mostly an iFIT interface. Without subscription, you're paying premium for a screen you won't use.
Can I use third-party apps on either rower?
Concept2's PM5 connects to ErgData, Strava, and most rowing apps via Bluetooth — open ecosystem. RW900 is iFIT-only by design; no third-party app integration.
Which holds value better on resale?
Concept2 dramatically. A 5-year-old RowErg sells for 60-70% of retail. A 5-year-old RW900 sells for 30-40% if the touchscreen still works — and screens are the most common failure point on smart rowers.