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NordicTrack RW900 vs Hydrow Rower
Quick verdict
Winner on Gym Score: NordicTrack RW900 (77)
Subscription rowers go head-to-head. Both have 22" touchscreens and magnetic resistance, but Hydrow's content production is meaningfully more premium — filmed-on-water classes with athlete instructors. NordicTrack's iFIT library is broader but feels more produced-for-TV than rowing-specific. Hydrow wins on content quality; NordicTrack wins on price (typically $500-1,000 less) and ecosystem if you own other iFIT equipment.
Choose the NordicTrack RW900 if you already pay for iFIT through a NordicTrack treadmill or bike, want trainer-controlled drag that adjusts automatically, or want a foldable rower for storage.
Read the full review →Choose the Hydrow if rowing is your primary cardio focus and you want content built specifically for rowers (not generic iFIT classes), and you'll commit to the $44/mo subscription long-term.
Read the full review →
Spec-by-spec
| Spec | NordicTrack RW900 | Hydrow Rower |
|---|---|---|
| Resistance | Magnetic + air | — |
| Max User Weight | 250 lb | — |
| Display | 22" HD touchscreen | 22" HD touchscreen |
| Connectivity | WiFi, Bluetooth | — |
| Foldable | Yes | — |
| Resistance Type | — | Magnetic |
| Membership | — | $44/mo |
NordicTrack RW900
- +22" Rotating Touchscreen
- +Magnetic + Air Resistance
- +Trainer-Controlled Drag
- −Ifit Subscription Pushed
- −No Pm5
Hydrow Rower
- +Live Classes
- +Smooth Stroke
- +Display Quality
- −Subscription Required
- −Price Point
The real tradeoff
Both require subscription to use the screens meaningfully. Hydrow is $44/mo (and has been raised twice in 3 years); iFIT is $39/mo. Over 5 years that's $2,300-2,600 in addition to hardware. The RW900 folds (real storage advantage in apartments); Hydrow stands vertical but doesn't fold. Content focus is the differentiator: Hydrow lives and dies by rowing-specific classes; iFIT spans treadmills, bikes, rowers, and strength — broader, but less depth in any one modality.
Skip both if you don't want subscription dependency. The Concept2 RowErg at /product/concept2-rowerg has no screen, no subscription, and the rowing world's standard monitor — for half the cost or less.
Buyer questions
Will Hydrow classes work for someone who's never rowed?
Yes — Hydrow has beginner programs with form-focused instruction. The on-screen instructors call out stroke timing, which helps new rowers find rhythm faster than self-directed Concept2 training.
Is the RW900's foldability useful?
If you live in an apartment or share the room with other uses, yes — it folds vertically and the rail stows in about 2 sq ft of floor space. For dedicated home gyms, foldability matters less.
Which has better long-term software support?
Both are reasonable, but iFIT has the larger company backing (iFIT Health & Fitness owns NordicTrack, ProForm, and several other brands — content investment is steady). Hydrow is venture-funded and standalone — content quality is high but the company's long-term roadmap is less certain.