5 minute read
Home Trends
REFLECTING
ON FITNESS
by David Brown
Our lives are finally starting to get back on track and our schedules are busier than ever. It seems as though the days are jam-packed and to-do lists are never-ending. Convenience is the key to us succeeding. We now truly desire our tasks to come to us.
As we continue to adapt to a new normal, work life balance is more important than ever. We love to have our food cooked for us, dry cleaning delivered, gifts ordered and shipped without having to wrap them and most importantly, our physical workouts done at home. I know we all will agree, working out at a gym or studio is fantastic. However, it can occupy much of our time. Think about it, by the time we drive or walk to our gym, get checked in, shower and make our way home – we have consumed a large chunk of our free time. Working out at home isn’t just more convenient, it is more efficient!
With so many of us trying to stay in shape outside of a gym these days, it’s no wonder that there has been a surge of interest in at-home fitness equipment. And a new approach to exercise fitness technology called smart mirrors or fitness mirrors are the next frontier in bringing the gym into your home.
This type of exercise equipment was first pioneered by a company called MIRROR. Founded in 2016 by Brynn Putnam, a former ballet dancer with the New York City Ballet and founder and CEO of Refine Method, a fitness studio in New York, MIRROR established this new category of fitness equipment and technology.
The origin story for MIRROR notes that mirrored walls have long been part of the environment at many gyms and fitness studios as they allow exercisers to see and correct their form in real time. When Putnam added more mirrors to her Refine Method studios, her clients said that they significantly improved their experience. As a ballet dancer, Putnam also relied heavily on mirrors during her practice to correct form and aesthetics.
Putnam realized that she could leverage the slim profile of a full-length wall mirror to create a portal to an immersive workout experience that clients could access from their own homes. Her MIRROR invention combines the reflective qualities of a standard mirror with a large screen where you can watch an instructor guiding you through classes. When not in use, fitness mirrors look like regular mirrors, and they can be mounted to the wall or come with their own stand. However, when they’re
turned on, they stream workout classes with step-by-step instructions, and thanks to the reflective surface, you can view your form, power and pose in real-time. The best fitness mirrors also have AI functionality, which provides individual feedback based on your form, your fitness goals and your workout preferences.
These futuristic devices are essentially streamlined, high-quality fitness studios right in your home. And instead of choosing a specialized studio, you get dozens of ondemand exercise options ranging from strength training to yoga to cardio. Plus, expert guidance ensures serious results without the need for solo research. These fitness mirrors also boast workout-improving features such as heart rate display, music and connection to a community.
Fitness mirrors range in size, but most of them are between 50”-70” tall and just a few feet wide. Since they’re built to blend into your home, they’re not gigantic for the most part, but some of them contain storage units for equipment that increase their size a bit. Like any piece of fitness equipment, it’s important to consider the amount of space you have before investing.
Being prepared with the correct workout gear such as heart rate monitors and weights will allow you to maximize your workouts. If you have the space for weights, rollers, etc., you will have the ability to participate in more workouts.
Finding the best camera for your needs is also very important. You will want to consider a camera that is integrated into the mirror. One of the most preferred cameras allows group instructors and personal trainers to give feedback on your performance. However, some of the best fitness mirrors use advanced motion-capture technology to monitor your movement in a more private manner, which is the way most prefer.
Fitness mirrors are either controlled with a touchscreen interface or through a companion app on your smartphone. Obviously, a touchscreen is easier and faster to operate. Participation comes at a premium cost in addition to the purchase of the mirror. Each fitness mirror requires a subscription to access the brand’s classes and personal trainers. Ideally, these classes are as wide-ranging as possible and taught by qualified fitness professionals. This will allow you to practice your preferred work out and try out new forms of exercising.
There are a few big perks to owning one of these integrated and convenient workout systems. They take up way less space than a treadmill or even cycling bike, and can go anywhere in your home. They offer personalized instruction from a professional, so if working out intimidates you or you’ve been curious about weightlifting but are worried about hurting yourself, a fitness mirror might be perfect. They also look better when you’re not using them and blend in with the rest of your decor, a great plus in this at-home workout era where you might not have a separate room to stash your gym equipment.
This trend certainly isn’t going to disappear. Look for this area of the at-home fitness equipment market to continue expanding as other companies develop their own answers to the MIRROR in the coming months and years. And if you’re looking to acquire one of these devices, do your research to make sure you’re getting the one that most closely suits your needs and preferences.