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Ranked #2 of 5Reviewed by Mike Hun·May 19, 2026

NordicTrack RW600

Averaged from + undefined
The verdict

The RW600 is the smart-rower pick under $1,000. Built-in 10" touchscreen + iFIT class library means no iPad juggling — turn it on, pick a class, row. Auto-resistance during classes is the standout: the instructor calls 'level 18,' the machine adjusts itself. Best for users who like guided cardio over self-directed work, and who'll actually use the iFIT subscription. The hidden cost is that subscription — strip it away and the RW600 is competing with the Concept2 RowErg purely on resistance feel, which is a fight it doesn't win.

NordicTrack RW600

Strengths

  • +10" HD pivoting touchscreen built in — no iPad or phone required
  • +26 magnetic resistance levels adjusted from the console or via iFIT auto-resistance during classes
  • +Quiet magnetic resistance — apartment-friendly compared to the Concept2 RowErg's air whoosh
  • +iFIT trainer-led classes shot on real water (Charles River, Miami Beach) + 10,000+ on-demand workouts
  • +10-year frame warranty + 2-year parts + 1-year labor — the longest of any pick here

Watch-outs

  • −iFIT subscription is ~$39/month after the included 30-day trial — meaningful ongoing cost
  • −250 lb user capacity is half the Concept2 RowErg's 500 lb
  • −Touchscreen doesn't tilt or pivot like the higher-tier RW700 / RW900
  • −Magnetic resistance feels less like real water than the Concept2 RowErg's air feel

How it compares

Only pick with a built-in touchscreen — the Concept2 RowErg has a numbers display, the Aviron Strong Go requires your own iPad, the XTERRA ERG700 and Sunny SF-RW5515 have basic LCDs. Quieter than the Concept2 RowErg. Lower user capacity (250 lb) than the Concept2 RowErg's 500 lb and XTERRA ERG700's 350 lb.

Who this is for

At a glance: users who want trainer-led classes on a built-in screen and don't mind the iFIT subscription.

Why you’d buy the NordicTrack RW600

  • 10" HD pivoting touchscreen built in — no iPad or phone required.
  • 26 magnetic resistance levels adjusted from the console or via iFIT auto-resistance during classes.
  • Quiet magnetic resistance — apartment-friendly compared to the Concept2 RowErg's air whoosh.

Why you’d skip it

  • iFIT subscription is ~$39/month after the included 30-day trial — meaningful ongoing cost.
  • 250 lb user capacity is half the Concept2 RowErg's 500 lb.
  • Touchscreen doesn't tilt or pivot like the higher-tier RW700 / RW900.

Rating sources

barbend
4.5/5
“The NordicTrack RW600 keeps machine costs below $1,000 but still provides access to the fan-favorite iFIT training platform.”

Our 4.5 score is the average of these published ratings. More about methodology.

Frequently asked questions

Is the NordicTrack RW600 worth buying?
The RW600 is the smart-rower pick under $1,000. Built-in 10" touchscreen + iFIT class library means no iPad juggling — turn it on, pick a class, row. Auto-resistance during classes is the standout: the instructor calls 'level 18,' the machine adjusts itself. Best for users who like guided cardio over self-directed work, and who'll actually use the iFIT subscription. The hidden cost is that subscription — strip it away and the RW600 is competing with the Concept2 RowErg purely on resistance feel, which is a fight it doesn't win.
What is the NordicTrack RW600's biggest strength?
10" HD pivoting touchscreen built in — no iPad or phone required
What is the main drawback of the NordicTrack RW600?
iFIT subscription is ~$39/month after the included 30-day trial — meaningful ongoing cost
What sources back the 4.5/5 rating?
Our 4.5/5 rating is the average of scores from 1 independent rowing machines under $1000 review — barbend. Click any source on the product page to read the original review.

How it compares

See all 5 →
Concept2 RowErg (Model D)
#1 · Top Score

Concept2 RowErg (Model D)

The gold-standard pick. Air resistance vs the magnetic NordicTrack RW600, XTERRA ERG700 (combo), Aviron Strong Go (combo), and Sunny SF-RW5515 (magnetic). No content subscription unlike NordicTrack RW600 (iFIT) and Aviron Strong Go (Aviron app). Higher user weight capacity (500 lb) than any other pick here.

XTERRA Fitness ERG700
#3

XTERRA Fitness ERG700

Dual air + magnetic resistance shared only with the Aviron Strong Go. Best warranty in this lineup (lifetime frame). Higher user capacity (350 lb) than the NordicTrack RW600 and Sunny SF-RW5515. Basic LCD console — no built-in touchscreen like the NordicTrack RW600, no iPad-required gamification like the Aviron Strong Go.

Aviron Strong Go
#4

Aviron Strong Go

Dual air + magnetic resistance — same combo as the XTERRA ERG700. Requires user-supplied iPad vs the NordicTrack RW600's built-in screen. Content focus is gamification + streaming, distinct from the NordicTrack RW600's trainer-led iFIT classes. 20-year warranty — longer than every pick except the XTERRA ERG700.

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515
#5

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515

Cheapest pick by a wide margin. Magnetic resistance vs the air-only Concept2 RowErg and the dual systems on the XTERRA ERG700 and Aviron Strong Go. No content/subscription model unlike the NordicTrack RW600 (iFIT) and Aviron Strong Go (Aviron app). 8 fixed levels rather than the Concept2 RowErg's infinite air scaling or NordicTrack RW600's 26 magnetic levels.

NordicTrack RW600
4.5/5· $999
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