Nordictrack RW500 vs Hydrow Review | Pros & Cons

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.

NORDICTRACK RW 500 PROS & CONS

HYDROW ROWING MACHINE PROS & CONS

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