Partially fueled by the coronavirus pandemic, many more of us are working out at home. The Mirror Workout system is designed to let you easily exercise from home, while making it a social experience at the same time that until recently could only be achieved by heading off to a gym or a public class.
The Mirror Workout is a space-saving device that will fit into the smallest of apartments, and unlike bulky gym equipment, when it is not in use it can be left in place with no inconvenience.
This Mirror Workout Review offers an in-depth guide to the Mirror Workout system, the pros and cons, a rundown of its features and functions, the available training routines, and the instructors that deliver the classes.
- Related Article: Mirror vs Tonal vs Tempo Smart Home Gym Comparison
What is Mirror?
The Mirror system allows you to access trainer-led exercise regimes from within your own home. In some ways, this is similar to systems like the controversial Peloton system.
However, as the mirror system is not restricted by the need to use an exercise bike or treadmill system, it is far more versatile than its competitors.
With the Mirror you can select from a huge range of exercise routines including:
- Pilates
- Yoga
- Strength Training
- High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
Another benefit of the Mirror is its lack of space requirements, unlike treadmills and workout bikes which are not ideal for smaller homes. The only space requirement you need for a Mirror is a patch of wall space with adequate room to perform your routines.
The Mirror measures 52 x 22 x 1.4 inches and incorporates a 40-inch, 1080p LCD screen. At the bottom of the Mirror, two 10-watt speakers provide crisp and clear sound to follow along with the instructors.
There is also a 5 megapixel camera that can be used for personal training classes, as well as to take those all-important workout selfies!
The mirror can be wall-mounted and with its carbon-steel frame that has a bronzed finish, it will look fit right in with most home décor schemes.
If wall-mounting isn’t an option, then it can be used with a stand. Although the stand weighs 70lbs, so moving it around can be a workout in itself.
The Mirror system also comes with a Bluetooth heart monitor that helps to personalize workout routines by ensuring that you work out in the appropriate heart rate zone.
But one really nifty feature is that when the Mirror is turned off, then it looks just like any other full-length mirror.
How Does Mirror Work?
Once installed, you can stream thousands of on-demand or live training exercises that you can watch on the Mirror while using your reflection to monitor your progress.
Access to the classes is by subscription, which costs $39 per month, you can also purchase personal training sessions that cost $40 per session for a 30-minute workout.
One complaint that several users have noted is that it can be difficult to schedule these workouts at suitable times.
Personal sessions are where the built-in camera comes into its own. The camera allows the trainer to monitor your progress as you work out. If you have privacy concerns, then the camera does come with a lens cap for when it’s not in use.
While this may sound expensive,it isn’t much more than a premium gym membership. The Mirror even allows up to 6 people to set up individual profiles to use and track. Users can then take classes using the mirror, or they can stream classes direct to any smart device.
Once you start a class, you can see who else is participating in the class. Their usernames, icons, and locations are displayed at the bottom of the screen. It’s pretty cool to see who else you’re in class with and if anyone else shares the same workout regime as you.
It also allows the instructors to offer personal encouragement to users by giving them a shout-out during live classes. And don’t worry if you miss a live class, all the classes are added to the Mirror database, so you can catch up with a missed class at any time.
Mirror Workout Membership and Instructors
Membership may seem expensive, but when you consider the quality of the instructors that Mirror uses to take their classes, it actually seems like a bargain.
The instructors are world-class names that local gyms are unable to offer. With Mirror, you have on-demand workout access led by the top personal fitness instructors.
Among the instructors that offer classes are:
Alex Silver Fagan – Alex is a Nike Master trainer and coaches yoga, Kettlebell, and strength routines.
Katie Bergstrom – Katie is a former Ballet Dancer with the New York City ballet and she specializes in restorative yoga classes.
Chris Ryan – Chris is a former Division 1 athlete and appears regularly as a model in top fitness magazines.
Rachel Nicks Lyons – Rachel is an actress and holds certifications in instructing in fields including barre, pilates, kettlebells, TRX, pre/postnatal yoga, and cycling.
Tracy Anderson – Mirror has recently announced that it has teamed up with the creator of the Tracy Anderson method to create an exclusive workout series.
This is just naming a few of the many top-class instructors that ensure that each week new classes are added to the thousands that are available on-demand.
Mirror Workout Classes and Personal Training Options
There are classes available to suit every need and level of fitness. The Mirror system caters to everyone from the greenest of beginners to the most advanced experts.
They also vary in time and length too, so everyone can find a workout routine that fits their schedule. With the Mirror system, you can select anything from a quick 5-minute routine to an intense hour-long workout and everything in-between.
Routines are also tailored to work with all types of equipment including:
- Weights
- Dumbells
- Kettlebells
- Resistance bands
They also offer workout plans that are tailored to meet your specific goals. Programs that can be accessed include:
- Train for a Marathon
- Absolute Beginners
- Weight Loss
- Move through Maternity.
Some of the workout categories that are included in the package are
- Pilates
- Arms and Abs strength
- Total Body strength
- Kickboxing
- Cardio and Strength
- Dance Cardio
- Barre
- Yoga
All these are available on-demand with your membership, but as I noted earlier, there is also the option available to organize a personal 30-minute session with a trainer.
Personal training sessions are an immersive experience during which you can interact directly with the trainer. You can also add participants to the class at no extra cost.
Mirror Workout App
The Mirror is controlled by a companion app that is available for Android and Apple iOS devices. Once you have switched the Mirror on, then you open the app on your phone and tablet to get started.
Along the bottom of the app, there are five tabs – Home, Classes, Live, Progress, and Settings.
The Home tab is where you will find a list of classes that are recommended for you based upon your experience, goals, and your existing workout history.
The Classes tab is where you get access to the entire on-demand workout video catalog. This is split into categories including – Dance, Boxing, Pilates, Yoga, and Post/Pre Natal. There are also two further options under this tab, that allow you to select classes from existing collections and programs.
The Live tab is where you will find a listing of all the up-and-coming live classes that are available.
The Progress tab is where you will find all your statistics, including your workout logs and the progress you are making towards any fitness goals you have set.
The Settings tab is where you can adjust settings, and connect to the mirror and other external devices, like a heart rate monitor.
Within the app, you can also apply various filters to help narrow down your search options when looking fo on-demand workout classes. These filters include genre, duration, equipment, instructor, and level of difficulty. You can save your favorite workout class for daily workouts.
Music can also be controlled within the app, Spotify is compatible with Mirror and you can select your own playlist to listen to during your workout, and control the volume.
Mirror Workout Issues
There is no doubt that this is a quality product that has a range of instructors and classes that is hard to match. However, it isn’t cheap, the Mirror will set you back $1,495 and there is a monthly subscription fee on top of that!
But with many people avoiding crowded gyms and many gyms still closed due to restrictions, some may choose to offset this cost by switching from a gym membership. The Mirror costs will still usually end up less than a gym membership.
The Mirror also requires access to the internet and a strong Wi-Fi signal to work, but this shouldn’t be a problem for most people in today’s age.
Other issues include the need to provide your own equipment for many of the workouts. Items like weights, yoga mats, and resistance bands are required for many of the workouts.
Finally, there is the lack of touchscreen functionality on the Mirror itself. Personally, I would love to have seen this as an included feature as it’d make controlling things much easier.
Mirror Workout Pros and Cons
Mirror Pros
- Over 10,000 workouts to choose from
- Interact with instructors
- High-quality instructors
- Tailored programs available
- Space-saving and sleek design
- Suitable for all fitness levels
- One subscription can be used by six members of a household
- Wide variety of workout programs
- Connects to a heart rate monitor
Mirror Cons
- It is pricey
- No touchscreen
- Additional equipment not included
- Requires monthly subscription fee
- No form feedback functions
- Requires a good internet connection
Mirror Workout Review Final Thoughts
If you are looking for an unobtrusive personal home gym that will fit into the smallest of apartments. It can be hard to find space for fitness equipment, but the Mirror resolves that issue with an elegant design.
The Mirror Workout can even feel like having a boutique fitness studio at home if classes and personal trainers are what you usually do at the gym. Having thousands of workouts and on-demand classes to choose from helps keep you motivated too.
In fact, according to Brynn Putnam, Mirror’s CEO, the whole concept of the Mirror is that it takes away many of the reasons people shy away from gym workouts. According to her, it is designed to give you all the benefits of going to a workout class, without any of the hassles of actually going to a class.
It is an expensive product, but quality doesn’t come cheap and there is no doubting that this is a quality product. It is also a product that is evolving and adding more features all the time, with more in the pipeline.
This is one of those instances where design and functionality have combined in a product that delivers exactly as it was intended to in the fiteness industry.
Mirror Workout Review FAQs
Is the Mirror Workout worth it?
If you are looking for an easy way to exercise at home and yet still keep a social aspect to your routines, then yes, this product is definitely worth it. However, bear in mind that there is quite an outlay involved, so if you are a beginner, or not sure if workouts are for, then it probably isn’t. If you aren’t sure then Mirror does offer a no-risk 30-day trial. If you are not happy after this then they will pick up your mirror for free and give you a full refund.
Can the Mirror Workout see you?
The Mirror includes a 5mp camera and microphone, these are exclusively used during personal training sessions and are not activated otherwise. There is also a privacy cover supplied which can cover the lens when not in use.
Can you lose weight with the Mirror?
Yes, you can lose weight with the mirror. Of course, as with any weight loss regime, there is always an element of self-control required. However, the Mirror is so convenient that the specific weight-loss exercise programs are easy to follow, the fact that they can be run at any time from the comfort of your home is a great boon. The rest, as they say, is up to you!
Is there a monthly fee with the Mirror?
Yes, there is a monthly fee. Once you have purchased your Mirror, then you pay $39 per month to access the workout routines. This fee does cover up to 6 members of the same household, each of which can have their own profile and personalized programs.
