The 5 best smart fitness mirrors we tested, and one you should avoid
Going to the gym is so 2019.
Since the pandemic, working from home and working out from home has become the norm — and we don’t think the almighty home gym is going anywhere.
While building a home gym might be easy for folks with extra rooms and garages to spare, not everyone has space to house a treadmill and a million other fitness machines. That’s where smart fitness mirrors come in.
How do workout mirrors work?
Fitness mirrors work by displaying a professional trainer on a screen to lead you through a workout. Some options act as actual mirrors that allow you to see yourself and the trainer as you exercise, allowing you to self-correct your form. Other options aren’t actually mirrors at all, but give you AI-powered form recommendations, among other smart features.
Instead of streaming a Chloe Ting workout from your tiny phone every day, workout mirrors display a trainer right in front of you on a big screen with a small footprint. Most only require a few feet of wall real estate and can be mounted on the wall or used with a stand. You’ll obviously need a few feet of open space to do your workout comfortably, but you’ll be able to take a yoga class, work on your cardio, and lift weights without needing to own any huge, bulky machines.
All workout mirrors will require a close outlet and a stable, speedy internet connection to access live and on-demand workout classes. The list of the best fitness mirrors below also includes both touchscreen options and mirrors that have to be controlled through a smartphone app.
Are fitness mirrors worth it?
If you’re the kind of person who can’t just go to the gym and lift weights to the sound of music, a workout mirror can make getting in shape way more motivating. Most fitness mirrors emulate the vibe of a studio-style class with a pro trainer, guided exercises, and high-energy music. If you’re the type of person who pays (or would pay) hundreds per month to take a class in a fitness studio, a workout mirror will save you tons of money in the long run.
All of the fitness mirrors on this list require a separate monthly or yearly subscription to access live and on-demand content. These memberships usually only run around $ 30 to $ 50 per month, but it is an additional cost to consider. In short, workout mirrors will be worth it for people who will actually use them on a regular basis and can justify the ongoing monthly membership costs.
If the upfront prices of fitness mirrors are keeping you from taking the plunge, know that all of these picks offer financing options where you can pay monthly for your mirror for anywhere between 12 and 48 months — no credit card required. Most of the brands in this list are partnered with Affirm, but others use similar BNPL (buy now, pay later) financing services through TD Fit Loan and Citizens Pay.
Which fitness mirror is best?
Before it was discontinued, we recommended the Lululemon Studio Mirror (formerly known simply as Mirror) as the best fitness mirror for most people. Unfortunately, you can’t get one anymore — not a new one, at least. Those who already own a Mirror from back in the day can still access workouts on their device via a Peloton login, so they aren’t completely obsolete, but because they’re no longer on the market, we can’t recommend it as our top pick any longer. Sorry, Mirror fans.
Our new top pick is undoubtedly the FORME Studio. It’s not much different from the now-discontinued Lululemon Studio Mirror — it has the upbeat studio-style classes, the high production value, the top-notch trainers, and the great navigation system that you’d find in the Lululemon Studio Mirror, so you’re not really sacrificing anything by choosing it as your alternative. In fact, the FORME Studio is way better than the Lululemon Studio Mirror in size and aesthetic departments. It’s bigger, features a touchscreen, and has a more elegant look to it overall. On the downside, it costs about $ 1,000 more than the original Mirror, but if you have the spare cash on you, we think it’s worth the splurge.
If you’re interested in weight lifting or strength training, consider Tonal or Tempo. Tempo uses free weights, while Tonal features smart digital weight in the form of a cable machine. Both systems use AI sensors to correct your form, but Tonal goes the extra mile in the smart features category. Long story short, if you want to learn how to bench press, squat, and deadlift, go for Tempo. If you’re looking to get toned and tune into in-depth smart metrics, go for Tonal.
If none of these three options sound up your alley, there are plenty of other workout mirrors on the market, each with its own unique features. Read on to discover the best fitness mirrors, and see how the Mirror stacks up to the competition.
