Choosing the right piece of exercise equipment for your home gym or for personal use can be a tough decision.

If you’ve made the smart choice to purchase an indoor rower, then congratulations! I couldn’t agree more! Rowers are perhaps the most effective pieces of cardio equipment that offer a full-body workout with maximum calorie burning and other health benefits.

Our Hands on Testing:

We have trialed, tested and created videos of these 2 machines with all our expert rowers at our office.  We are continually testing the Hydrow and the NordicTrack RW900, so both these machines get plenty of daily use from multiple people. 

 Based on our rowing experience these were our findings, we hope you find them helpful:

In this article, I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about both the Hydrow and the Nordictrack rowers so you can make a more intelligent decision.

First Watch Max Secunda and Rachael Taylor Testing the Hydrow and NordicTrack Rowers Side By Side:

 

If You Are In a Hurry

If you are in a hurry don’t have time to read the whole article? Click on the links below to find out which rower is the best for your needs:

• Hydrow Rowers
• NordicTrack RW900

Rowing Machine Comparison: NordicTrack Rower vs Hydrow Rower

The Nordictrack and Hydrow rowing machines are two premium pieces of fitness equipment for indoor rowing that you can choose from. They are similar in some ways but very different in other ways.

• Related Post:  Aviron vs NordicTrack Rower

The Hydrow Rower

All indoor rowers offer a full-body workout, but they are not all made equal. You want to be sure that you’re choosing not only the best possible machine for you but also the best-made machine.

Hydrow SAVE $125!! => Use Coupon Code:  ROWINGCRAZY

Get the Best Deal at Hydrow Compare on Amazon

While the Hydrow company hasn’t been in business as long as NordicTrack, it is owned and operated by rowing enthusiasts. There are online and social media communities and support group for owners, where they call one another “Hydronauts”.

Side Note:  You might like to read other other comparison article – Topiom vs Hydrow vs NordicTrack vs Concept 2

Watch our full video below of the Hydrow by Rowing Expert & YouTube Influencer Max Secunda:

 

The warranty on this piece of fitness equipment is 6 years on the structural frame and upright storage kit, 1-year for the monitor and other electronic components, and 1-year on labor. The Hydrow does offer an extended warranty at the time of purchase that covers the unit for an additional two or three years.

Screen on my own Hydrow Machine

Features of the Hydrow

Check out the multiple features below:

• Has a 22″ HD touchscreen monitor with front-facing speakers
• Has built-in Wi-Fi
• The monitor has a built-in camera and microphone
• Offers full Bluetooth capabilities
• Can be folded upright for easier storage
• The electromagnetic resistance system is amazingly quiet
• Made from commercial-grade aluminum and steel
• Digital adjustable resistance
• Offers live outdoor-type reality workouts
• Hundreds of workout programs are available at no charge
• Supports users up to 375 pounds
• Looks sleek and stylish
• Adjustable Drag Settings (read more on Hydrow drag settings)
• The company donates to Water.Org every 60 days when users are continuously active

Wow! There is so much going for the Hydrow; it’s hard to take it all in!

• Read All About Hydrow’s Storage Kit for Rowers!

Hydrow Workout Options

The Hydrow rower can help you reach your fitness goals through its wide range of workout options.

There are hundreds of classes that provide you with a full body workout, that will really burn calories, but Hydrow and NordicTrack machines are not the same!

Max Secunda Choosing Hydrow WorkoutThe Hydrow on-demand workouts are delegated into three categories:

1. Trainer Led Workouts – These are led by the actual crew of the Hydrow. These aren’t simply exercise experts but rowing experts who created the workouts specifically for the machine that they developed. They know what rowers want and need! Workouts are live and on-demand, with new ones added every week. These live and on-demand rowing workouts are then stored in the library, so you can use your favorites anytime!
2. Journeys – These workouts do not use instructors and allow you to work at your own pace, but they are filled with breathtaking scenery that many people will find relaxing. These programs are perfect for beginners and for those who want to unwind.
3. Mat Workouts – While the overwhelming majority of exercise programs are related to rowing, for cross-training enthusiasts, the rower also offers exercise that you can do on a mat next to your machine. Some workouts include stretching, which makes them a perfect way to warm up before a more intense rowing program.

 

If you would like to read more about this rower be sure to check out some of my comparison articles like City Row or Hydrow where we break down both rowers in more detail or Hydrow vs Peloton

Drawbacks of the Hydrow Rowing Machine

Hydrow has so much to offer, but like most things, it does have a few drawbacks that you should know before you buy one, such as:

• Its price tag might be a bit expensive for some budgets
• You can’t play your own music through the speakers
• The library has less than 1,000 titles at the moment, but more are added every week
• Mat exercise library is limited
• While the Hydrow does fold, it requires a large 15-square foot of space to operate
• The monthly membership fee for live classes may be more than some people want to pay (but not a deal breaker if you don’t want the added membership)

If you would like to read more, you can read my full Hydow Rower Review and if you live in the UK be sure to read our Hydrow UK Review, they are now selling them in the United Kingdom too :0) 

The NordicTrack RW900

Get the Best Deal at NordicTrack  Compare on Amazon

The original NordicTrack has been around since 1975, and while the company didn’t always make rowing machines, you know the NordicTrack name when you see it. The NordicTrack rowers has been in production since March of 2020. It comes with a 10-year frame warranty, 2-year parts, 1-year labor warranty.  FYI: You might like to read my full Nordictrack rower review here.

Check Out Olympic Rower Rachael Taylor Using the NordicTrack RW900 Rower:

 

Features of the RW900

This rower offers a great many features that users love, including the following:

• Supports user weights up to 250 pounds
• Has a 22-inch adjustable HD touchscreen
• Offers an HDMI port
• Has 25 digital and 10 manual drag settings
• Supports Bluetooth heart rate monitors
• Offers training voice prompts
• Plays music
• Voice prompts and music volume can be controlled separately
• Can be folded for storage
• Provides an immense library of music, studio, and map-based workout programs
• Offers Silent Electromagnetic Resistance and manual air resistance system
•  Works with iFit, which enables rowers to automatically adjust the resistance levels to match wind and water conditions for an outdoor experience workout
• Offers a free 1-year subscription to iFit which offers on water and studio rowing, strength training classes,  iFit workouts and much more!

On a Budget? Click Here to see Rowers Under $300!

NordicTrack Workout Options

Everyone likes variety, and no one wants to be bored, so it only makes sense that most rowing machines come with a variety of workout routines.

The NordicTrack has a very large library of workout routines. Live interactive classes are led by top exercise experts who can actually control the drag of the machine as you exercise.

• Click Here to Read:  Hydrow Rower Vs Tonal Gym

Some of the popular areas that the NordicTrack workouts feature include:

• Boot Camp
• Full-Body Interactive Workouts
• Yoga
• Around-the-World Workouts
• Cross-Training Workouts
• On-Demand Workouts
• Exploration

You’re sure to find at least a few workouts to love or instructors to follow with this extremely varied selection of exercises to choose from.  

• Trending Post:  Concept 2 vs NordicTrack

Drawbacks of the RW900

The NordicTrack rower is a terrific device, to be sure, but it lacks in a few areas, such as:

• The Bluetooth system does not support Bluetooth headphones
• The 250-pound weight limit is too low for some users
• Heart rate monitor is not included
• The touchscreen is very heavy
• The warranty on labor is quite short
• Membership to the iFit program is only one year; after the first year, users must pay to access the library of workouts

NordicTrack RW900 vs Hydrow: What’s the Better Rowing Experience?

I am comparing the NordicTrack RW900 since it is most similar to the Hydrow.  NordicTrack also offers other models, but when comparing rowers, I try not to compare apples and bananas to keep things fair.

iFit vs Hydrow Recorded and Live Workouts

 

NordicTrack has preprogrammed workouts that you can access, but to really take advantage of everything that it has to offer, you need to subscribe to the iFit workout app. Both iFit and Hydrow have a large library offering thousands of workouts, with new ones added every week, so the chances are slim that you would need to repeat a workout (unless you wanted to!).

NordicTrack and Hydrow use subscriptions for live rowing workouts (read more about the Hydrow workouts on demand).

The main difference that I see is that Hydrow focuses on rowing workouts (with Pilates and other off-the-rower workouts to keep you interested), while iFit caters to almost all fitness workouts (like treadmill, cycling, cross training, running, etc.) 

Tight On Space? See All Our Compact Rowers!

Warranties & Capacities

The Hydrow offers a better warranty than the NordicTrack and has an extended warranty program that NordicTrack (read more on NordicTrack vs proform rower ) doesn’t have.

When it comes to weight limits, the Hydrow rower is far more reasonable, allowing users up to 375 pounds, which is far better than the NordicTrack.

The two machines are excellent cardio and low-impact devices ( see our best rowing machines for seniors ) that work out the lower and upper body. Both offer a wide range of resistance levels.

Aesthetic Appeal

Now perhaps this is simply a matter of taste, but if you’re going to have a large piece of home fitness equipment, you want it to look nice, don’t you? If you look at NordicTrack and Hydrow, it’s clear that Hydrow looks sturdy, sleek, and almost like a piece of furniture. It will sit nicely in your living room and make for an interesting conversation piece. If you are interested in interactive rowers be sure to also check out these articles:  Aviron vs Hydrow or Ergatta vs NordicTrack

The Obvious Winner

Hydrow SAVE $125!! => Use Coupon Code:  ROWINGCRAZY

Get the Best Deal at Hydrow Compare on Amazon

If you want to stay motivated, if you want to buy a state-of-the-art quality rower that provides a real-life rowing feel, you have to go with the obvious choice and buy a Hydrow! And with our exclusive coupon list above – you can’t go wrong😊

We’ve compared it to the Ergatta, Concept 2 Model E vs Model D, and now the NordicTrack 900, and it still is the winner, hands down!  If you want to lean more click here for our article on Concept 2 rower vs Hydrow

While this rowing machine is made for your home gym or bedroom, the live outdoor reality workouts, led by professional rowers, will make you feel as though you’re part of a team rowing on open water.

The device does require space to use, but it folds up neatly and can easily be stored in a closet or under a bed.

I do understand that the Hydrow is an investment but don’t let the price worry you. The company offers a 30-day return warranty. This means that if you decide the Hydrow isn’t for you, you can return it no questions asked as long as you’re within the 30-day window. How awesome is that?

In a nutshell, the Hydrow offers access to world-class professional rowers and the most immersive experience possible using a quality machine that is made to last for decades.

If you want only the best, then you absolutely want this rower!

Other Articles You Might Find Interesting

• Hydrow or Water Rowers
• Hydrow or Echelon

Happy Rowing!