You're Definitely Going To Use A Workout Mirror More Than A Gym Membership

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It's safe to say mirrors have been part of workouts everywhere for a long time. It wasn't until recently that the reflective surfaces also came loaded with the actual routines. After The Mirror pioneered this space-saving sweat tech and delivered it to your home, many more followed.

Now that there are multiple companies in the workout mirror category and an even wider variety of classes available on them, you're probably wondering if your living room (or bedroom or hallway nook) needs one. (Psst: That's a definite yes.)

"One of the biggest benefits of having this smart equipment in your home is that it makes physical activity more accessible by removing a lot of the barriers that people who don't get enough exercise reference," says Rachelle Reed, PhD, kinesiologist and ACSM certified exercise physiologist. "Having this equipment in your house reduces the time it would take you to drive or walk to a gym, the time in the locker room, and waiting for machines."

Meet the expert: Rachelle Reed, PhD, is a kinesiologist, ACSM certified exercise physiologist, and chief science officer at Sweat Houzz, a recovery focused wellness franchise in Atlanta.

Another big benefit is a science-backed home sweat sesh. "The technology is able to deliver a workout designed by experts with knowledge of exercise science," says Reed. "It's delivered right to you from the comfort of your home. Plus with the mirror you get the visual feedback of watching how your body is moving in space compared to the coach on the screen."

All the bells and whistles make a difference, too. The data collected, like heart rate, resistance level and form tracking, can show your progress as you're using the device. "If we monitor progress in some way, we're more likely to stick with it over time, and these machines are taking advantage of that concept," says Reed. "The mirror also allows you to watch yourself improve how you're moving and your range of motion over time. When we can measure progress like that without a scale, it so much more powerful."

Take a sneak peek at the top fitness mirrors:

The real question becomes: Which workout mirror is best for you and your goals? Some, like Tonal and Tempo, are made for strength training with built-in resistance components. Others, like Lululemon Studio Mirror and Echelon Reflect boast an ever-growing library of workouts so you'll never get bored. For a more personalized and elevated experience, workout mirrors like Forme incorporate personal training packages for one-on-one coaching through the screen.

Here are the best workout mirrors according to trainers and WH editors that are all well worth the wall space in your home.

The Mirror

If you love trying the latest fitness trend, this Mirror was made for you. Dogpound, Rumble, Y7, and many more exclusive exercise experiences are now available right in your home. There are even family-focused sweats to enjoy with workout buddies of all ages.

The mirror is adaptable, with an optional floor stand or wall mount set-up. It's sturdy yet light enough to move around your space when you feel the urge to redecorate, too.

Editor review: "The partner classes with boutique fitness studios upgraded an already top-performing workout mirror. Every instructor motivates me to perform my best and guides clear, easy-to-follow routines for all abilities."—Nied

Tonal

If building muscle and increasing strength are among your goals, it's hard to beat Tonal. This workout mirror is actually a large screen with built-in smart resistance. Unlike standard weights, the system maintains resistance throughout the full range of motion of each move and adjusts automatically with your strength level.

You'll always feel challenged and motivated by the skilled trainers and growing variety of classes. As a result, this smart home gym gets the trainer stamp of approval.

The heavy-duty equipment requires professional installation, but that's included with purchase. Just be sure to check that your walls meet the specifications.

Expert review: "Your muscle is constantly under tension when you're using the device to control the movement of the weight of the resistance in both directions. And, the device is giving you feedback on that, which is a really unique approach."—Reed

Studio

There is hefty engineering hiding behind the sleek mirror facade of Forme. It can also transform into a barre studio or weight room with accessory packages.

Forme is a heavy mirror, so it requires professional installation (included with purchase) and walls that can support it.

Editor review: "As a standalone system, Forme is chic and user-friendly. What really makes Forme shine are the accessories and the personal coaching upgrade options. These features add tremendous value and having them right at home is awesome."–Nied

Studio

Tempo Studio combines a large screen and weight cabinet in one convenient device. On screen you can see your reps completed, pace, and what's left to do in the routine. It can also track what's loaded on your dumbbells thanks to AI sensors, which automatically recognize them.

It's not just about the physical technology of Tempo, but also the human power behind what you're purchasing. The lead scientist of Tempo also gets Reed's expert approval.

Editor review: "The adjustable dumbbells that come with the Tempo are noteworthy. The colorful plates are as aesthetically pleasing as they are functional, whether they are loaded onto the bars or stowed in the cabinet."—Nied

Vault Complete Reflective Trainer

The Vault is a carbon steel cabinet and aluminum mirror frame stocked with weight equipment to challenge all levels. A variety of IFit classes stream right through the built-in mirrored screen that covers all the gear.

The entire set-up is freestanding, so you can skip over the hassle of installation altogether. Plus, you can pivot and slide the mirror to get the perfect angle for seeing yourself and the instructor.

Rave review: "Have been using iFit for more than 2 years. Great variety, great trainers! If you want to train and improve your fitness, iFit will keep you motivated."—Laura

Reflect Touch

The Reflect stats are seriously impressive: 40+ daily live classes, 15,000+ options in the class library, 23 million song options, and a growing community of workout buddies for motivation.

It installs easily on the wall to occupy minimal space in your home and elevate your exercise options instantly. Navigate the touchscreen to select and join one of the wide variety of routines. (Or, if touchscreen isn't important to you, check out the Echelon Reflect.)

Rave review: "Love love love my Reflect mirror. The variety of exercises - by type and duration - allows me to tailor my exercise routine accordingly. I was recently hospitalized and upon discharge I was told to hold off on doing cardio, HIIT etc for a few weeks. I was still able to exercise by switching to Pilates, Yoga and Barre."—Dianne

Vue Smart Reflective Trainer

This fitness mirror is ideal if you don't want to (or can't) install equipment on your wall permanently thanks to the sturdy stand. It supports the 22-inch HD embedded touchscreen to easily access live and on-demand sessions through iFIT.

The Vue also has handy storage for the included weight accessories located behind the swivel mirror screen. "It really is worth the hype," according to happy customers.

Rave review: "This is a nice fitness mirror with tons of videos to train by. It doesn't take up a lot of space and was pretty easy to put together. Even though the instructions suggest having 2 people to put it together I was able to do it by myself. The weights are basic and yes if you are not an amateur you will need some additional weights."—Angie

Touch

The full-size mirrors shows motivating instructors and your key metrics right on screen. Plus, artificial intelligence serves as a coach and form corrector to be sure every move and pose you strike is spot on. The real-time, personalized feedback is a game-changer.

There are 800+ classes for strength, cardio, yoga, meditation, martial arts, and more right at your fingertips whenever you're ready to sweat. Or, consider upgrading to the Macvon Strength for built-in resistance.

Rave review: "I love how the classes have different levels of difficulty. I needed to ease myself into the workout world and being able to start at the beginner level has really let me get myself acclimated to the workouts. And trainers do a great job instructing beginners."—Kim

How We Chose The Best Workout Mirrors

For the past three years, Women’s Health editors, including our fitness editor Jennifer Nied tested the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated workout mirrors. Our team consulted Rachelle Reed, PhD, and then evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best 8 devices for a wide range of needs and fitness goals.

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