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Nordictrack RW500 vs Hydrow Review | Pros & Cons

February 1, 2021 By Elina Desandra Leave a Comment

Rowing is a full body exercise with tons of benefits to offer. Want to achieve a toned-up body? Rowing is what should be given a try to get the desired results. Our fast paced lives do not allow us to pay the required attention to our body and take care of it in the best possible way. However, with rowing machines that provide personalized trainers to train you just as you need (virtually) in the comfort of your home, the necessity of hitting a gym in the midst of your busy schedule is eliminated. Relax, get the right training and start rowing without having to go to the gym. In this article, we’ll talk about two rowing machines – Nordictrack RW 500 v/s Hydrow rowing machine that’ll tone your body in the best possible way. Should that interest you, keep reading to know more about them in detail.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

PARAMETER

NORDICTRACK

HYDROW ROWER

Dimensions of the product (in inches) (H x W x L)

42.8” x 22.0” x 86.5”

33” x 18” x 91”

Weight

115 pounds

145 pounds

Resistance type

Air and magnetic

Electromagnetic

Number of magnetic resistance levels

26

–

Number of air resistance levels

10

–

Tablet provided

Yes

No

Tablet holder

Yes

No

Screen

5 inches

22’’ touchscreen

Pre-programmed programs

30

–

Total workouts

Over 12000

Over 1000

Bluetooth

Yes

Yes

Foldable

Yes

Special kit required

Transport wheels

Yes

Yes

Maximum user weight capacity

250 pounds

375 pounds

Membership program

iFit

Hydrow membership

Subscription

1 year

Paid

Speakers

Yes

Yes

Labour warranty

1 year

18 months

Frame warranty

10 years

6 years

Parts warranty

3 years

2 years

FEATURES

  • WEIGHT: The NordicTrack RW 500 rower is comparatively lighter in weight (115 pounds) than Hydrow rowing machine (145 pounds).
  • RESISTANCE: The NordicTrack RW 500 rower uses a combination of air and magnetic resistance which enables the user to experience both – high end as well as low end resistance. It has 26 magnetic resistance levels and 10 air resistance levels that the user can choose from and adjust as per the requirement. On the other hand, the Hydrow rowing machine works on drag electromagnetic mechanism which is computer-controlled meaning that the resistance offered is electromagnetic. This ensures that the rowing is exceptionally smooth.
  • SILENT MAGNETIC RESISTANCE: Talking about NordicTrack RW 500 rower, it is designed in such a manner that the operation is not just smooth but quiet as well – thanks to the inertia enhanced flywheel with Silent Magnetic Resistance that helps you cycle quietly. Though Hydrow rowing machine doesn’t come with silent magnetic resistance, but the operation is still smooth and quiet. Isn’t that amazing?
  • MONITOR (DISPLAY): NordicTrack RW 500 rower has a 5’’ monitor that displays information about calories, speed, distance, heart rate, time, strokes per minute, total strokes, etc. One of the best features of Hydrow rowing machine that is surely worth a mention is that it comes with a 22” HD sweat-and-dust resistant touchscreen that can rotate up to 25 degrees both right and left. It displays information about time elapsed, total calories burned, wattage, distance, etc. The screen allows the users to enjoy a series of workouts that include live workouts, on-demand workouts, mat workouts (yoga, Pilates, strength training, etc.), scenic rowing workouts in real-world destinations and a lot more.
  • SPEAKERS: Both these rowing machines enjoy this feature of built-in speakers.
  • TABLET AND HOLDER: This is exactly where NordicTrack RW 500 rower has an edge over Hydrow rowing machine. This is because the former comes with a free 10” tablet and also a holder that you can use to tightly secure your smartphone / tablet and enjoy getting trained.
  • MEMBERSHIP: NordicTrack RW 500 rower comes with 1 year free iFit membership. With this membership, you are entitled to get trained from world-class personal trainers and also have an advantage to choose from over 12,000 workouts. Though most of them are rowing specific, but you also get access to yoga, kick-boxing, weight lifting and a lot more. After one year, you’ll have to pay a certain amount to avail the services. On the other hand, the Hydrow rowing machine requires a paid membership (somewhere about $38 a month) to choose from over 1000 pre-recorded workouts.
  • STORAGE: NordicTrack RW 500 rower boasts of this “Space-saver design” by virtue of which you can easily fold these rowers to make them stand upright when not in use, thus occupying lesser space. However, the Hydrow rowing machine requires a special storage kit to be purchased and attached in order to fold it. On that note, if this kit is not purchased, then it isn’t possible to fold the rowing machine when not in use. Also, both these rowing machines have wheels because of which it is easy to transport from one place to another.
  • USER CAPACITY: NordicTrack RW 500 rower supports a maximum user capacity of 250 pounds whereas Hydrow rowing machine supports a maximum of 375 pounds of user weight.
  • USER COMFORT: NordicTrack RW 500 rower boasts of exceptional user comfort with features like adjustable pivoting pedals to keep your feet in place, nylon straps that you can adjust as per your resistance and speed, an oversized steel seat rail that gives you the right support, soft touch handles that protect your hands from uncomfortable pinching and also provide the users with a good grip as well and an ergonomic seat that you can adjust according to the height desired. Hydrow rowing machine is also not behind when it comes to user comfort. It has an ergonomically designed low stress handle grip and also a 10-roller seat roller system that aids in smooth operation.

Table of Contents

  • NORDICTRACK RW 500 PROS & CONS
    • Pros & Cons
  • HYDROW ROWING MACHINE PROS & CONS
    • Pros & Cons
    • Watch the Video till End

NORDICTRACK RW 500 PROS & CONS

Best Rowing Machines With Screen 1

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Rower sits low to the ground so it is easy to get on and off
  • 2 speakers
  • Comes with a free tablet
  • Built-in pre-programmed workouts
  • Comfortable and easy to use
  • 1-year iFit membership
  • Integrated tablet holder
  • Foldable thereby saving space
Cons
  • Supports a user weight of only 250 pounds
  • Short labour warranty.
  • Monitor quality not that great

HYDROW ROWING MACHINE PROS & CONS

Hydrow Peloton Crew

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Maximum user capacity of 375 pounds
  • Great user comfort
  • Ease to use
  • Electromagnetic resistance
  • Rubberized feet to protect the floor
  • Great workouts to choose from
  • 22” display (touchscreen)
  • Speakers
Cons
  • Expensive
  • The membership is not free and the monthly payment required is also high
  • Requires more space to store
  • Internet connection required to access the workouts
  • Makes noise at higher resistance levels

CONCLUSION

If you’re looking for a rower that isn’t too expensive, comes with a free tablet, 1 year free membership with the help of which you can get trained from some exceptional trainers, is easy to fold and has a variety of resistance levels that are adjustable, then NordicTrack RW 500 should be your pick. But if you want a rowing machine that is able to withstand a much higher user weight, provides good rowing experience and are okay with compromising on features like the ability to fold, no free tablet and membership, budget, etc., then go for Hydrow rowing machine.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • How to clean the rowing machine?
    It is important to clean your rower every now and then. The best way to clean is to make use of a cloth and a mild detergent.
  • Why does the seat wobble?
    After prolonged use of the rower, the fit or position of the seat on the monorail may become loose due to wear and tear on the rollers which is why your seat might wobble.
  • Can rowing tone my legs?
    Well, a rower does more than just toning your legs. Rowing is a full body workout targeting your arms, shoulders, back, core as well as your lower body. 

Watch the Video till End

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Filed Under: Reviews, Rowing Machine Tagged With: Hydrow Rower Review, Nordictrack Rw500 Review

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