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The NordicTrack RW600 and Concept 2 rowers vary in many features. Find out what these differences are and which rowing machine is the best for you.
Some of the main differences between the NordicTrack RW600 and the Concept 2 RowErg are that the NordicTrack RW600 has a bigger screen and will be slightly more silent due to the magnetic air hybrid resistance.
On the other hand, the Concept 2 RowErg has a weight limit that is a lot higher, does not require electricity, is easier to move around, and has a slightly bigger inseam range.
If you are under 250 pounds (113 kg) and really like the idea of immersive rowing workouts you can choose the NordicTrack RW600. Enjoying your workouts more can also improve consistency.
Do keep in mind that you want the paid IFIT subscription to get the most out of this machine. Additionally, you may even consider the NordicTrack RW900 with its bigger screen if you like the idea of IFIT workouts.
On the other hand, if you just want amazing rowing workouts for many years to come, the Concept 2 RowErg will likely be the right choice as long as you don’t mind the somewhat smaller monitor.
Important differences NordicTrack RW600 vs Concept 2 Rower
Besides being from different brands, the NordicTrack RW600 and the Concept 2 RowErg vary in a lot of other areas too. This can be important for a variety of individuals and situations.
Some differences are more important than others. In the first table below, you can find the ones that will matter the most for most people.
| Feature | NordicTrack RW600 | Concept 2 RowErg |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Limit | 250 Pounds (113 kg) | 500 Pounds (227 kg) |
| Type Of Resistance | Magnetic + Air | Air |
| Screen | 10” HD Touchscreen | Small PM5 Monitor |
| Resistance Options | 26 Digital Resistance Levels | 10 (Damper Settings) |
| Requires Electric Power | Yes To Use All Functions | No |
| Inseam Range | Customer Mention Of Up To 36″ | Up To 38″ |
| Price* | $$$ | $$$ |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
*Price difference at the time of writing
Other features NordicTrack RW600 vs Concept 2 Rower
Before choosing one or the other, you may also want to take a look at the smaller differences and common features of the NordicTrack RW600 and the Concept 2 RowErg.
| Feature | NordicTrack RW600 | Concept 2 RowErg |
|---|---|---|
| Drive Type | Belt | Nickel-Plated Steel Chain |
| Seat Height | Not Mentioned | 14″ |
| Weight | 117 Pounds (53.1 kg) Box Weight | 57 Pounds (26 kg) |
| Dimensions | 87” L x 22” W x 47” H | 96” L x 24” W x x” H |
| Recommended Usage Space | Not Mentioned | 108″ x 48″ |
| Foldable | Yes | Yes |
| Folded Storage Space | Not Mentioned | 25″ L x 33″ W x 54″ H |
| Transport Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate Monitor | Display On Screen With Your Own Bluetooth Measuring Device | Display On Screen With Your Own Bluetooth Measuring Device |
| Bluetooth Function | Yes | Yes |
| Tablet Holder | No | Optional Paid Addition |
| Workout Programs | 30-Day iFIT Family Membership Included | 5 Standard Workouts, 5 Custom Workouts |
| Warranties* | 10 Years Frame Warranty, 2 Years Parts Warranty, 1 Year Labor Warranty | 5 Years Frame Parts, 2 Years Other Parts |
| Speakers | Two 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers | No |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
*Warranties can vary from seller to seller
Differences NordicTrack RW600 and Concept 2 Rower explained
People who are familiar with rowing machine features and know what they want can likely choose between the NordicTrack RW600 and Concept 2 RowErg by taking a look at the feature and price differences.
On the other hand, you may also want to learn exactly what certain features mean, why they matter, to what extent they should influence your decision, and for what types of people each rowing machine feature stands out.
Weight limit
One of the first things to check before investing in a rowing machine is its weight limit.
This not only indicates how much weight it can take before breaking down but also gives you an idea about general sturdiness. The NordicTrack RW600 and Concept 2 RowErg are very different in this area.
More precisely, the NordicTrack RW600 has a weight limit of 250 pounds (113 kg). The Concept 2 RowErg is double that at 500 pounds (227 kg).
Something else to note is that the Concept 2 rowers are famous for their sturdy builds and lasting many years without issues. The weight limit of the NordicTrack RW600 is rather low.
People who plan to use their rowing machines very intensely and often may want to play it safe and get the Concept 2 RowErg.
Winner: Concept 2 RowErg
Type of resistance
Rowing machines come in different shapes and sizes. One area where rowing machines can vary is the way they make the rowing movement harder.
Concept 2 rowers fully use air resistance. This means your pulling movements make a big fan turn against air resistance.
If you pull harder, the movement becomes heavier to do. Additionally, there are 10 damper settings that change how hard it is to make the fan turn by increasing or decreasing the amount of air in the housing.
The NordicTrack RW600 works with a combination of air and magnetic resistance. Keep in mind that this rowing machine needs electricity to function well.
Which one you prefer depends on different things. For example, some people really like the feel and breeze of air-resistance-only rowers like the Concept 2 RowErg.
Another thing to keep in mind is that magnetic resistance is generally more silent than air resistance.
In short, the NordicTrack RW600 combines air and magnetic resistance. The Concept 2 RowErg only uses air resistance. Which one is better varies from person to person.
Winner: Personal preference and situation
Screen
Two other features that play a big role in choosing between the NordicTrack RW600 and Concept 2 RowErg are the screen size and functionality.
The Concept 2 PM5 monitor is rather small and basic but it does track fundamental things like pace, watts, and an estimation of calories burned (and heart rate if you connect a measuring device through Bluetooth).
Additionally, you get 5 standard built-in workouts and the option to add 5 custom workouts.
That being said, the NordicTrack RW600 does pay more attention to the screen. First of all, this rowing machine from NordicTrack has a 10” HD touchscreen.
More importantly, this screen is made to combine great with IFIT. This is a type of workout library from NordicTrack where you can follow rowing classes and immersive videos where you “row” virtually around the world with an instructor.
These immersive videos from IFIT can also change the resistance of the NordicTrack RW600 during the workout.
Most people will find that these workouts make their exercise sessions more enjoyable. In turn, this can prove consistency which is important.
One important thing to note is that IFIT is a paid subscription. The extra cost of this does add up over time but you do need it to make full use of the NordicTrack rower.
Additionally, if you like a big screen, you may even want to consider investing more into the NordicTrack RW900.
Winner: NordicTrack RW600 if you like immersive workouts and don’t mind the paid IFIT subscription
Winner: Concept 2 RowErg if you prefer a simple monitor
Price
So far, the Concept 2 RowErg is sturdier and more focused on bare rowing workouts. On the other hand, the NordicTrack RW600 focuses on immersive workouts with its bigger screen.
Choosing between good rowing machines can sometimes become easier because of the price difference.
Exactly how much this price difference is between the NordicTrack RW600 and Concept 2 RowErg depends on where you get your machines and changes over time.
That being said, at the time of writing these two rowing machines are similar when it comes to the investment required. Do keep in mind that the IFIT subscription from the NordicTrack RW600 adds up over time.
Besides that, if you do plan to get the NordicTrack RW900 with its bigger screen, this will require a good amount more money.
Winner: Similar
User reviews
When looking at the feature differences between the NordicTrack RW600 and Concept 2 RowErg, it becomes somewhat clear what each rowing machine focuses on.
Even if this is the case, it can be helpful to take a look at the customer reviews. These sometimes uncover unexpected downsides or quality control issues.
At the time of writing, the NordicTrack RW600 does not have enough reviews to say much about it. That being said, you can expect that this will be similar to the NordicTrack RW900 which does have a lot of reviews.
First of all, it is hard to find products that have customers that are more positive than the ones from the Concept 2 RowErg.
There are some exceptional mentions about wanting a bigger monitor and more silence. However, customers tend to be very very positive.
On the other hand, the NordicTrack RW900 (and like RW600) has some IFIT and screen issues every once in a while. These include the screen not working and having trouble connecting to IFIT.
On top of that, NordicTrack customer support is not that fast in its answers and actions.
That being said, when things work right, NordicTrack RW900 customers do tend to enjoy the immersive rowing workouts.
Is the NordicTrack RW600 or Concept 2 Rower right for you?
In short, the Concept 2 RowErg is a sturdier construction, does not require electricity, is easier to move around, and has a slightly bigger inseam range.
The NordicTrack RW600 will be slightly more silent and has a somewhat bigger screen for immersive IFIT workouts. Do keep the lower weight limit and subscription costs in mind.
Additionally, if you really like this bigger screen, you may even want to invest more into the NordicTrack RW900. The screen of this machine is more than twice as big.
People who really like the idea of IFIT workouts and need things like this to improve exercise consistency can consider going for the NordicTrack RW600 or RW900.
If you just want amazing rowing workouts for many years to come and don’t mind the smaller monitor, the Concept 2 RowErg can be the right choice.
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