Hydrow
Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro)
$2195
Released 2020
Best Rowing Machines · head-to-head
Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) vs NordicTrack RW900
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. NordicTrack RW900 is cheaper at $1999. Every spec and price links to its source.
NordicTrack
NordicTrack RW900
$1999Cheaper
Which is better: the Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) or NordicTrack RW900?
They split the 2 specs we compare evenly. The NordicTrack RW900 is the cheaper at $1999.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) | NordicTrack RW900 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $2195 | $1999 |
| Brand | Hydrow | NordicTrack |
| Released | 2020 | — |
| Resistance type | magnetic | magnetic |
| Max user weight (lb) | 375 | 250 |
| Footprint (in) | 86 x 25 | 82 x 22 |
| Foldable | No | No |
| Monitor or touchscreen | 22-inch HD rotating touchscreen | 24-inch HD pivoting touchscreen |
| Subscription required | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (lb) | 145 | 158 |
| Release year | 2020 | — |
Sources — Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro): hydrow.com (verified 2026-06-15). NordicTrack RW900: nordictrack.com (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) and NordicTrack RW900?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (4 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- Max user weight (lb): Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) 375 vs NordicTrack RW900 250
- Footprint (in): Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) 86 x 25 vs NordicTrack RW900 82 x 22
- Monitor or touchscreen: Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) 22-inch HD rotating touchscreen vs NordicTrack RW900 24-inch HD pivoting touchscreen
- Weight (lb): Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) 145 vs NordicTrack RW900 158
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro)
Four whitelisted outlets hands-on tested this exact flagship (the original Hydrow, now sold as Hydrow Pro/Origin): Garage Gym Reviews, BarBend, TechRadar and Reviewed. All four praise the near-silent electromagnetic resistance and the immersive scenic on-water classes with pro coaching; all four flag the steep ~$2,195 price plus a required monthly subscription. None published lab-measured numbers. (4 sourced reviews, 4 lab-tested.)
Praised: Near-silent electromagnetic/magnetic resistance, quiet enough to work out without disturbing others; Immersive scenic on-water classes with strong instructor/pro coaching; Smooth, natural stroke that feels close to rowing on real water.
Flagged: Expensive (~$2,195) relative to typical $1,000-$1,600 rowers; Full features require an ongoing monthly subscription; drops to basic 'Just Row' mode without it; Large footprint and heavy (~145 lbs), not easy to move.
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, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: iFIT programming with instructor-led and scenic on-water classes; Solid, durable build with a smooth, stable rowing stroke; Large 22-inch tilting/pivoting HD touchscreen enables off-rower workouts.
Flagged: Low 250-lb user weight capacity; Full functionality effectively requires a paid iFIT subscription; Large footprint that does not fold or store vertically (current version).