NordicTrack RW500 – Review

Like every other brand in the market, NordicTrack also revamps and upgrades its fitness equipment to keep up with the demands and technology changes. The RW500 rower had been introduced by the brand within the last five years, but it is no longer being manufactured. Nonetheless, it is still available with third-party retailers. The first thing you need to know about NordicTrack RW500 is that this rower does not come with the touchscreen displays that have now become so popular.

Key Features

While the NordicTrack RW500 rower may not have a touchscreen display, it does have a media shelf that you can use for keeping your smartphone or tablet for connecting to iFIT interactive programming. The dual resistance of the rower is also a unique feature, as it comes with both silent magnetic resistance (SMR) and air resistance. Thanks to this feature, you will be able to adjust your resistance levels as per your preference.

The kind of customization it offers is not very common now. Most importantly, you still have the option of fine-tuning your workout even when you are following workouts on iFIT because the auto-adjust feature can be used by the trainers for changing the level of magnetic resistance on the rower. The NordicTrack RW500 also comes with the brand’s patented space-saver design, so it is possible to fold it in half.

Footprint and Portability

When it comes to a folding design, you should bear in mind that this is a huge plus because it is very rare for rowing machines to offer this feature. The NordicTrack RW500 has a folding mechanism on its monorail that you can use for folding the machine in half. The machine will then be in a vertical storage position and the transport wheels make it easier to move it into a corner or a closet as per your preference.

Durability

In terms of durability, you should note that the RW500 comes with an inertia-enhanced flywheel and an oversized monorail. This means that during every part of the workout, the flywheel will feel weighted, balanced and super-smooth. The user weight capacity of the machine is 250 pounds, which is less than standard and this could be an issue for those who are on the heavier side.

Instead of a chain pull, the RW500 rower comes with a strap pull and this requires less maintenance, which is a big benefit. There is also a frame warranty available of 10 years, labor warranty of a year and parts warranty of two years.

Ergonomics

The good thing about the NordicTrack RW500 is that it will not strain you during workouts. The molded seat is very comfortable and the soft touch ergonomic handle does not slip. The nylon foot straps are adjustable to give a good fit, as is the console arm that you can move up and down easily.

Technology

Even though the NordicTrack RW500 does not have a touchscreen, it comes with Bluetooth connectivity and you can use your smartphone/tablet for iFIT functionality. There are also preset workout programs available and a heart rate monitor can also be connected.