Tech-Friendly Training: How Fitness Mirrors Can Be an Asset

Working from home and working out from home have become routine, with many resorting to purchasing in-home gym equipment. As the uses for fitness-based technology become more personal and accessible, many fear in-person connections will become obsolete, but that isn’t the case. Like working situations, working out has simply morphed into a hybrid model of its own. Learn how to embrace change and incorporate fitness mirrors into your training.  

The purchase of home gym equipment isn’t growing as fast as it did in 2020, but it is still rising. Fitness mirrors are a relatively new technology that uses AI to function as a personal trainer. They can lead you through workouts and correct your form while providing a private, boutique-style workout experience from the comfort of your home. I know what you’re thinking; if clients use fitness mirrors as trainers, why would they need me?  

Why Fitness Technology Won’t Replace In-Person Training 

1. According to CNBC, even with the purchase of home gym equipment on the rise, foot traffic to gyms is still steadily increasing.  

2. The cost of fitness mirrors makes them inaccessible for many. The most well-known brand, Mirror, costs $1495, plus a $250 installation fee, and requires an ongoing subscription for $39 per month. Some classes require extra equipment like weights, a yoga mat, or kettlebells. These a la carte options add even more money to the cost of ownership that can be unaffordable for the average gym-goer.  

3. Market research shows that consumers are not looking to phase out personal trainers or gyms; they are just looking for convenience in their routines. Going to the gym whenever you want to get a quick 30 minutes in isn’t always possible.  

4. Like most technology, especially developing tech, there are bound to be kinks like user error, malfunctions, and inaccuracies. One common complaint with Mirror was connectivity issues when pairing external devices.  

How You Can Use Fitness Mirrors  

1. A fitness mirror can be used to fill in gaps in your training without having to hire staff. If you are a cardio guru, the Tonal fitness mirror can cover strength training as it is designed primarily for weightlifting.  

2. Smart mirrors are perfect if you have limited space in your studio, and the costs can be covered as a business expense. Like Orangetheory Fitness, where the use of a BMI machine can cost you around $15 each time, the use of the mirror can be marketed as an add-on service to a premium membership or a pay-per-use extra. Your clients will quickly cover the initial cost of the machine. 

3. You can also use the fitness mirror during a personal training session. For example, the mirror can lead a client through a stretching routine before hitting the floor with you. One complaint is that a fitness mirror can feel like a repetitive experience over time, so it would be wise to use it “in addition to” not “in replace of.”  

4. If you opt to purchase a fitness mirror, we recommend using it yourself. The various workouts can give you ideas to implement in your workout studio, like prenatal fitness classes or kickboxing.  

Fitness-based technology is not a thing of the future; it is here now. The wisest thing to do would be to embrace it and use it to your advantage. For now, you can rest easy knowing that fitness mirrors will not replace gyms or trainers, nor do they offer the very human experience and interaction people need.