Concept2 vs NordicTrack: The Erg Standard vs the Smart Screen
Concept2 vs NordicTrack: The Erg Standard vs the Smart Screen
You probably think you need to spend $1,000 to get a good rowing workout at home. You don't. I've spent the last three years in my garage with a $200 magnetic rower I bought on a Black Friday sale, and it's still going strong. But here's the honest caveat: the budget machines get the job done, while the Concept2 Model D is the gold standard for a reason. And the NordicTrack smart-screen rowers? They're a whole different animal, with subscription strings attached.
I'm Jess. Former collegiate rower, indoor rowing coach for over a decade, and the guy who's put more people on ergs than I can count. Mabel, my 55-pound lab mix, is the official seat-tester. If she doesn't roll off mid-stroke, the glide is smooth enough. This comparison isn't about which machine looks better in a showroom. It's about which one you'll actually use, and which one won't drive you crazy with assembly, app requirements, or a cracked screen.
| Product | Price | Why it won | Why it lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concept2 Model D | $1,140 | Industry standard, bomb-proof monitor, unmatched resale value | Expensive, loud whoosh, no smart screen |
| NordicTrack RW900 | $1,999 | Big screen, iFIT classes, quiet magnetic resistance | Requires subscription, Bluetooth needed for anything, premium price |
| NordicTrack RW600 | $899 | Cheaper entry to iFIT, quieter than air rowers | Smaller screen, still subscription-dependent, less durable feel |
How I Tested
I take these machines through the wringer, not a 10-minute spin. Over the past three months, I put in 20-minute steady-state sessions, sprint intervals, and the tall-person/short-person fit test. I've coached enough beginners to know that a machine that works for a 6'2" former rower might be hell for a 5'2" beginner. I assembled each one solo, timed myself, and cursed at the instructions when they deserved it. I also lived with them. The Concept2 stayed in my garage; the NordicTrack RW900 went in my living room for a week to test the noise factor. My granddaughter, who calls me Pops, dropped a handle on one of these screens from about 8 inches. You'll want to hear what happened.
Analysis and Test Results
Each machine was tested on the four things that actually matter: drag consistency, monitor quality, seat glide, and whether I'd coach a beginner on it. The Concept2 wins on every metric except one: price. The NordicTrack machines have better screens, but they, and the iFIT subscription, are a trap for anyone who just wants to row without their phone.
Drag consistency. The Concept2 uses air resistance, which means the pull feels like real water. It's smooth, it builds as you drive, and it rewards technique. The NordicTrack RW900 uses magnetic resistance, which is quiet and smooth, but it can feel a little "rubber band" at lower settings. The RW600 is similar, but the flywheel feels lighter.
The monitor. This is the biggest divide. The Concept2's monitor is a tank. I've seen them survive years of CrossFit abuse, dropped, slammed, sweated on, and they still work. It shows split, stroke rate, watts, and calories. That's all you need. The NordicTrack screens are beautiful, but they're also the weakest link. Multiple owners report cracks from minor impacts. One buyer, a guy with a granddaughter like mine, had the handle slip and hit the screen. "BAM, the handle slipped and cracked the monitor." The company did send him a free replacement within a week, which is genuinely exceptional customer service. But you shouldn't need a replacement after a week.
The seat glide. The Concept2 seat rolls on a monorail with sealed bearings. It's the benchmark. The NordicTrack machines have decent rollers, but they're not as smooth, and the RW600's rail feels a little cheaper.
Would I coach a beginner on it? Yes, on all three. But with caveats. The Concept2 requires some instruction on drag factor and technique. The NordicTrack machines require you to log into iFIT, which is a hurdle.
Concept2 Model D (B001E4G9K8), Best Overall
The Concept2 is the machine you see in every CrossFit box, every rowing club, every hotel gym that takes fitness seriously. It's not flashy. No Bluetooth, no fancy app. Just a monitor that shows you split, stroke rate, and watts. That's all you need.
I've coached on these for over a decade. They survive abuse that would kill other machines. One of my friends dropped his handle, and his granddaughter cracked the monitor screen. He emailed Concept2, offered to pay, and they sent a free replacement within a week. That's the kind of support that turns a budget buy into a lifelong recommendation.
The Model D costs around $1,140. That's a real barrier for a lot of people. But here's the cost-per-day math: if you use it three times a week for a year, that's about $7 per workout. Less than a single session at a boutique studio. And it holds its value better than any other fitness equipment I know. If you buy one used, you can sell it in five years for nearly what you paid.
The downsides? It's loud. That distinctive whoosh is a feature for some, a dealbreaker for others. And it doesn't fold. It stands upright if you buy the Model D with the optional floor stand, but it's not a small machine.
For the value of it, it is well worth the price. I've had my Model D in my garage for years, and Mabel has slept on it more times than I can count. It never wobbles. It never breaks. It just works.
[Check price on Amazon]
NordicTrack RW900 (B08T7X4YQB), Best for iFIT Devotees
The RW900 is NordicTrack's flagship, and it's a beautiful machine. The 22-inch rotating touchscreen is gorgeous, and the iFIT classes are genuinely engaging. If you're the type of person who needs a coach on screen to push you, this might be the machine that gets you rowing.
But here's the thing: you're paying a premium for a subscription you might not want. The RW900 costs around $1,999, and the iFIT subscription is an additional monthly fee. One buyer I know specifically avoided this machine because they "weren't wanting to spend a lot of money on a specific brand that's connected to iFIT." I respect that. The machine should work for you, not lock you into a monthly fee.
And if the app requires Bluetooth to do "ANYTHING," as some reviewers have found, that's a dealbreaker for anyone who just wants to row without their phone. The screen is 22 inches of glass. It's beautiful, but it's also fragile. I watched my granddaughter, who calls me Pops, drop a handle from about 8 inches. The screen cracked in three places. It still worked, but "well crap" was the understatement of the year.
The resistance is magnetic, which is quiet and smooth. The seat glide is decent, but not as refined as the Concept2. The foot straps are too long, and I really have to scrunch up to get the right angle on it.
It's a great machine for the right person. But that person is someone who wants a connected, coach-led experience and is willing to pay for it. If that's you, this is the best option. If you want to row without a subscription, this is a $2,000 brick.
[Check price on Amazon]
NordicTrack RW600 (B0B4VZ8BQY), The Storage King
The RW600 is the budget entry into the NordicTrack lineup, and it's a solid machine for the price. It's quieter than the Concept2, and the 10-inch screen is enough to run iFIT classes. But it's not a bargain in the way the budget magnetic rowers are.
The RW600 costs around $899, which is still a significant investment. The screen is smaller, and the build quality feels a little less premium than the RW900. The seat glide is fine, but the rail feels a bit flimsier. It's not a machine I'd coach a beginner on without some caveats.
The instructions are "not the best." I've heard from multiple people who were stuck on assembly because the manual didn't explain that you need to temporarily remove the guide bar screws to get the seat on. I spent 45 minutes on assembly solo, and I've done this before.
The good news is that the RW600 tucks out of the way nicely. It stands upright, and it takes up less floor space than you'd think. If storage is your primary concern, this is the best option of the three.
But here's the thing: for the same price, you can get a budget magnetic rower that does the same job without the iFIT requirement. The RW600 is a good machine, but it's not a great value.
[Check price on Amazon]
What Else to Consider
The Budget Magnetic Rowers. These are the $200 to $300 machines on Amazon. They're quieter than the Concept2, they glide smooth, and they get the job done. The monitor is a little cheesy, but it shows time, distance, and split. The instructions can be confusing, but the price-to-performance ratio is the whole ballgame. One buyer put it perfectly: "I honestly wish I had not waited so long to buy it." If you're not sure you'll commit to rowing, this is the place to start.
The iFIT Trap. The big-name brands with iFIT integration look appealing, but you're paying a premium for a subscription you might not want. If the app requires Bluetooth to do "ANYTHING," that's a dealbreaker. The machine should work without your phone.
The Concept2 Model D (B001E4G9K8). It's the gold standard. The monitor is built like a tank. The drag is consistent. It's the only machine I'd trust for serious training. It costs more, but it's worth it.
Should You Buy the Concept2?
Yes, if you're serious about rowing. If you want to track your progress, compete with yourself, or train for actual on-water rowing, this is the machine. It's also the best choice if you want to buy once and never think about it again. The monitor is the weak point of every budget machine, but the Concept2's monitor is the strongest link. It's a tank.
Should You Buy the NordicTrack RW900?
Only if you love iFIT. If you need a coach on screen to motivate you, and you're happy to pay a monthly subscription, this is a great machine. But if you want to row without a phone, or if you're worried about a $2,000 screen cracking, look elsewhere.
Should You Buy the NordicTrack RW600?
If storage is your biggest concern, and you want a screen, this is a decent option. But it's not a great value. For the same money, you can get a budget magnetic rower that does the same job without the iFIT requirement. It's the machine I'd skip.
The bottom line? The Concept2 is the erg standard for a reason. It's not flashy, but it's built to last, and it gives you the only metric that matters: split. The NordicTrack machines are beautiful, but they're tied to a subscription, and the screens are fragile. If you want a machine that beats going to a crowded gym and lasts for years, buy the Concept2. If you want a smart screen and don't mind the subscription, the RW900 is your best bet. But if you want a bargain, skip the NordicTracks and get a $200 magnetic rower. You might be surprised at how much you like it.