# Concept2 RowErg vs NordicTrack RW900: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Concept2 RowErg (Concept2) and NordicTrack RW900 (NordicTrack) among rowing machines. Concept2 RowErg is the cheaper of the two at $990.

## Side by side

| Spec | Concept2 RowErg | NordicTrack RW900 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $990 | $1999 |
| Brand | Concept2 | NordicTrack |
| Released | 2003 | — |
| Resistance type | air | magnetic |
| Max user weight (lb) | 500 | 250 |
| Footprint (in) | 96 x 24 | 82 x 22 |
| Foldable | No | No |
| Monitor or touchscreen | PM5 Performance Monitor (LCD) | 24-inch HD pivoting touchscreen |
| Subscription required | No | Yes |
| Weight (lb) | 57 | 158 |

## Key differences

- Resistance type: Concept2 RowErg air vs NordicTrack RW900 magnetic
- Max user weight (lb): Concept2 RowErg 500 vs NordicTrack RW900 250
- Footprint (in): Concept2 RowErg 96 x 24 vs NordicTrack RW900 82 x 22
- Monitor or touchscreen: Concept2 RowErg PM5 Performance Monitor (LCD) vs NordicTrack RW900 24-inch HD pivoting touchscreen
- Subscription required: Concept2 RowErg No vs NordicTrack RW900 Yes
- Weight (lb): Concept2 RowErg 57 vs NordicTrack RW900 158

## What reviewers say

**Concept2 RowErg** — Both whitelisted hands-on testers — Wirecutter and Garage Gym Reviews — rank the Concept2 RowErg the best rower they've tested. Shared praise: a sturdy, commercial-grade build that doesn't feel cheap, clear and reliably accurate PM5 metrics, and strong durability with easy parts replacement. Shared gripe: the roughly $1,000 price and a simple monitor with basic built-in programming. Wirecutter alone credits the secure, non-slip foot holsters and flags loud operation plus having to stop mid-workout to change resistance; Garage Gym Reviews alone notes the seat hardens over long-term use. Noise is the one clear disagreement. (2 sourced reviews.)

**NordicTrack RW900** — Three whitelisted hands-on reviews - Garage Gym Reviews (2023), Reviewed/USA Today (2021), and BarBend (2024) - rate the NordicTrack RW900 a strong-value smart rower. All three praise iFIT's instructor-led and scenic on-water classes, a solid/durable build with a smooth, stable stroke, and the large 22-inch tilting/pivoting HD touchscreen that enables off-rower workouts. GGR and BarBend additionally call the magnetic resistance quiet and the padded, contoured seat comfortable. GGR and Reviewed flag the low 250-lb weight limit; GGR and BarBend note that full functionality effectively requires a paid iFIT subscription and that the current unit is large and does not fold or store vertically. BarBend alone measured the 53-inch monorail, 15-inch seat height, and 13-inch pedals, and alone faulted resistance uniformity across the 26 levels. (3 sourced reviews.)

## Sources

- Concept2 RowErg: https://www.concept2.com/ergs/rowerg (concept2.com, verified 2026-06-15)
- NordicTrack RW900: https://www.nordictrack.com/product/rw900-rower (nordictrack.com, verified 2026-06-15)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/rowing-machines/concept2-rowerg-vs-nordictrack-rw900/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Concept2 RowErg ($990) vs NordicTrack RW900 ($1999) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/rowing-machines/concept2-rowerg-vs-nordictrack-rw900/
License: CC BY 4.0.