The New RW700 is NordicTrack’s mid-range rower and if history’s taught us anything, it’s that the moderate price range is where we often find the best deals.
The RW700 basically takes all the best features found on the more expensive RW900 and combines ’em with a smaller HD touchscreen.
The result is a high performing rower that takes it a lot easier on the budget.
And let’s be real – 10″ is still plenty large for a rowing console.
All things considered, I think the New RW700 is a solid rower for the price, but there’s quite a bit of competition out there in this price range.
So, is this rower really worth the investment? Well, that’s what I’m here to help you figure out.
In this review, I’ll go over everything you need to know about this rowing machine, plus I’ll compare it to some of the other top rowers in its price range so you can see how it stacks up.
After reading, you’ll know whether or not it makes sense to invest in the RW700.
NordicTrack’s New RW700 offers a nice combination of performance specs and streaming features for the price, making it a smart choice for folks looking for a reasonably-priced streaming rower.
NordicTrack’s New RW700 Rower
NordicTrack’s a pretty well-respected brand with a few decades worth of happy customers.
The biggest complaint we seem to hear these days is regarding their customer service and how difficult it can be to get ahold of ’em, but that’s a pretty common issue with large fitness brands.
NordicTrack has a pretty large lineup of cardio and strength training products to chose from and these days, everything they create is iFit compatible.
This makes NordicTrack a great brand to explore if you’re into streaming workouts, but maybe not so much for the people who aren’t.
Anyway, as I mentioned above, they have 3 rowers to choose from in their current lineup.
The New RW900 is their highest-end model, the New RW600 is their entry-level model, and the New RW700 we’re here to go over now falls right smack in the middle.
NordicTrack normally sells the RW700 for around $1500, but prices will vary depending on ongoing promotions.
Pros
- 10″ HD touchscreen console
- Quiet, magnetic resistance system
- 26 resistance levels
- iFit ready
- Automatic Trainer Control (iFit)
- Compatible with bluetooth headphones
- Large, pivoting pedals
- Sleek design
- Easy assembly
- Good warranty
Cons
- Doesn’t fold
- Weight capacity only 250 lb
Resistance
Rowing machines can be divided into 4 different styles based on the type of resistance they use and this can be a helpful way of thinking about ’em when trying to decide on one- hydraulic, magnetic, air, and water.
Well, technically 5 different styles I guess, if you count the magnetic/air combo systems…
Anyway, each type of resistance has its own advantages and disadvantages, but since the RW700 is a good ol’ fashioned magnetic rower, I’m going to skip all the other stuff for now.
But feel free to check out my complete rowing machine guide if you’re interested in more info regarding the other types of rowers.
As a magnetic rower, the RW700 utilizes a spinning flywheel and a series of magnets to create the resistance you work against.
This is very similar to how most indoor cycles work and it has several benefits.
Most notably, the fact that you get consistent resistance regardless of how hard you pull and the fact that its nearly silent during operation.
The downside being that magnetic rowers don’t offer as realistic a rowing experience as air or water rowers.
The RW700 comes with 26 resistance levels, giving you a wide range of control over the intensity of your workouts.
The RW700 uses the same resistance system found on the RW900, which also comes with 26 resistance levels, however the RW600 comes with a magnetic/air combo system.
With its combo system, the RW600 kinda gives you the benefits of both types of resistance, but without all the perks of either.
You get the consistent, minimum resistance of the magnetic system, but when you start pulling harder you get a little extra resistance from the air system.
But with the fan, the RW600 won’t be as quiet as a purely magnetic rower.
So, there’s a pretty significant difference between the RW600 and the RW700 in terms of their resistance systems, but the RW700 and RW900 uses the same system.
Overall, the RW700 scores highly with a quiet, smooth magnetic system and I like that you get so many resistance levels at your disposal.
Frame
At first glance, the New RW700 comes with a sleek frame design – getting rid of the fan and damper system certainly ups this rower’s style game.
But looks aside, there are a few more important things to consider when checking out its frame.
For one, unlike the RW600, the RW700 doesn’t fold, so if you want to save some floor space, you’ll have to store it vertically.
It takes a little more effort, but this shouldn’t be a dealbreaker for most users.
I’d also like to point out that the RW700 has an in box weight of 146 lb.
I’m not exactly sure what that makes the true assembled weight, but I’m guessing it’s still well over 100 lb, which is quite heavy-duty for a home rower.
For the sake of comparison, Concept2’s famous RowErg only weighs about 60 lb.
Personally, I like the idea of having a heavier rower because the extra weight should make it harder to move, meaning it shouldn’t wiggle around on ya during workouts.
And with such a heavy assembled weight, you shouldn’t have to worry about that on the RW700.
On the other hand, the RW700 only comes with a 250 lb weight limit, which is surprisingly low.
Most high-quality rowers come with at least a 300 lb limit, with some going up as high as 500 lb.
I’d expect a higher weight capacity on the RW700, especially considering it isn’t a folding rower (all of NordicTrack’s rowers come with the same 250 lb weight limit, fyi).
With this lower capacity, larger folks should look elsewhere for their rowing needs, but as long as you fit under that limit you should be fine.
Lastly, the RW700 is a full length rower, taking up just over 7′ of floor space, so again, make sure you have the room for it before purchasing.
Features
The NordicTrack RW700 Rower comes with the following features:
10″ HD touchscreen console- the console on this rower is large by normal standards (although small by NordicTrack’s) and can pivot to make watching workouts when off the rower easier. This console also comes with upgraded speakers (compared to the RW600) for better sound quality.
iFit- that touchscreen console is there so you can connect to iFit, NordicTrack’s streaming platform. Through iFit, you can access unlimited instructor-led workouts for both on and off the rower. You also get access to scenic rows, metric tracking, and more. You get 30 days of iFit for free with purchase and then it’ll cost ya $39/month.
Automatic Trainer Control- this is another cool feature you get through iFit and it allows the rower’s resistance to adjust automatically to match what the instructors are telling ya to do. If you prefer to be in control though, you can always make your own manual adjustments.
Bluetooth- the console is compatible with bluetooth headphones for those times you need to keep the noise level down.
Pivoting pedals- the pedals are large and pivot a little during use, making for a more comfortable experience for your ankles.
Comfortable handle- the handle bends at a gentle angle and is cushioned for a more comfortable grip.
Contoured seat- the seat is also contoured a little for a more comfortable fit.
Assembly
If you decide to purchase this rower, you shouldn’t worry about putting it together – it’s a very straightforward process.
The fact that the rail is in a single piece means you don’t have to worry about connecting the rail together or even attaching the rail to the main frame.
All you’ll be responsible for is attaching the front/rear stabilizers, connecting the pedals, attaching the console, and sliding on the seat.
You’ll have to attach a few covers and that’s about it.
NordicTrack uses the BILT app, so if you’re comfortable with a smart phone or tablet, it certainly walks you through the assembly process nicely.
Overall, assembly on the RW700 should be a piece of cake.
Warranty
NordicTrack backs their RW700 Rower with the following home warranty:
- 10 year frame
- 2 year parts
- 1 year labor
Overall, I think this is a really good warranty.
Ten years on the frame is good considering many brands max out at 5 years; and 2 years on parts is solid compared to the 1-3 years most other brands provide.
And a year on labor is pretty standard across the board.
This is the same warranty NordicTrack uses for damn near all their products these days and I think it works better with some products than others.
And in this case, it works just fine.
NordicTrack’s New RW700 vs The Competition
| NordicTrack’s New RW700 | Hydrow Wave | Ergatta Lite | |
| Resistance | Magnetic 26 levels | Magnetic drag n/a | Water n/a |
| Weight limit | 250 lb | 375 lb | 320 lb |
| Warranty | 10 year frame 2 year parts 1 year labor | 5 year frame 1 year parts 1 year labor | 5 year frame 3 year parts 1 year touchscreen |
| Console | 10″ HD touchscreen | 16″ HD touchscreen | 17.3″ HD touchscreen |
| Price | ~$1500 | ~$1700 | ~$1700 |
Ok, that about does it for everything this rower does and doesn’t have to offer, so let’s switch gears and take a look at some of the other rowers ~$1500 will get ya.
The first that comes to mind is the Hydrow Wave Rower that usually costs somewhere around $1700.
The Wave is the little brother to the original Hydrow and it too has a lot to offer for the price.
This rower uses the same computer-controlled electronic drag system that mimics the feel of rowing a real boat, but without the noise that comes with a water or air rower.
And it also comes with a 375 lb weight limit and a large, 16″ HD touchscreen that makes it easy to view all the on the water workouts Hydrow’s streaming service has to offer.
That said, the Wave’s warranty is a bit short and of course Hydrow doesn’t offer the same automatic trainer control feature you get with iFit.
Still a great rower though.
There’s also the Ergatta Lite, which usually sells for around $1700 as well.
This is the smaller version of the popular Ergatta, which combines game-inspired streaming with a high-end water rower.
As a water rower, with the Ergatta Lite you get a more life-like rowing experience where the resistance depends entirely on how hard you’re rowing.
The Ergatta Lite isn’t as heavy-duty as the original Ergatta, but it still comes with an impressive 320 lb weight limit and the ability to fit users as tall as 6’4″.
The Lite comes with a 17.3″ HD touchscreen that gives you access to their streaming platform, which is quite different from iFit.
With the Ergatta, you get access to tons of game-inspired workouts, as well as races, live competitions, and scenic routes, but they don’t offer as many traditional, instructor-led options.
Again, a great rower for the price.
NordicTrack’s New RW700 vs The New RW900
| New RW700 | New RW900 | |
| Resistance | Magnetic 26 levels | Magnetic 26 levels |
| Weight limit | 250 lb | 250 lb |
| Warranty | 10 year frame 2 year parts 1 year labor | 10 year frame 2 year parts 1 year labor |
| Console | 10″ HD touchscreen | 22″ HD touchscreen |
| Price | ~$1500 | ~$2000 |
The last rower I want to mention here is NordicTrack’s New RW900, which usually sells for closer to $2k.
The RW900 comes with a significantly larger, 22″ HD touchscreen console, but otherwise, these two rowers are pretty identical.
Both rowers come with all the same iFit features and are pretty identical in terms of size.
Both rowers also come with the same 250 lb weight limit and the exact same warranty.
The huge screen on the RW900 is an obvious upgrade, but if you’re ok with a smaller screen and trying to save some serious cash, the RW700 makes a lot more sense.
Final Thoughts
Ok, I think that about covers it for the New RW700.
I think the RW700 is a nice rower with some great features.
If you’re looking for a smooth, quiet rower, you’ll appreciate the magnetic resistance system and I like that it offers so many levels to work with.
Mostly because this gives you a lot of freedom with fine tuning your workout intensity.
And even though the weight limit is surprisingly low, this rower is pretty heavy-duty (and I appreciate the sleek, one piece rail).
I think the above chart shows that there are some other impressive streaming rowers in this price range.
All of these rowers have their own perks, so I think it’ll really boil down to what kind of streaming experience you’re looking for.
And when it comes to streaming, iFit does have a lot to offer..
All things considered, I think the New RW700 could make a lot of sense for folks looking for a more budget-friendly streaming rower.
