Is The Mirror Still Worth The Hype? An Investigation

The year was 2018: Clips of Beyoncé's historic #Beychella set were making the rounds on YouTube, millions tuned in to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding at Windsor Castle, and Rihanna hosted her first — and now iconic — fashion show for her. . lingerie brand Savage x Fenty. Another important event of the year: Mirror hit the fitness scene and in doing so reinvented a then obsolete home workout industry. The concept of the innovative fitness startup was simple: get people moving with high-tech, non-awesome fitness equipment. It looks like a full-length mirror because, well, it is. But it's also a giant screen that shows you how to do everything from cardio to restorative yoga.

Four years (and a whole pandemic) later, Mirror isn't the only player in the game. But after all this time, how does he stack up against a host of new competitors vying to deliver a superior fitness experience from the comfort of people's apartments? With that in mind, I set out to test the fancy kit for myself to see if it was still worth the investment. Go ahead and join me as I embark on the Looking Glass journey.

Installation

For the purposes of this review, the Mirror team provided me with a Mirror app trial membership (which is where all the training is located) and a loaner model to install in my apartment. After processing my order, the team confirmed a delivery window to install my Mirror. Having only seen Mirror online and on Instagram, I wasn't exactly sure what the installation process entailed. When I tell you that the boys were in and out in ten minutes, I'm not exaggerating. I was given two options for installing my Mirror: either wall mounted or installed on a stand that would allow me to move the Mirror (or wall mount it at a later date) if needed. From there, I plugged it in and followed the on-screen instructions to set it up. Had some minor glitches pairing my Mirror with my phone app, but thanks to Riley from the Mirror customer service team who got me up and running straight away.

The experience

From the start, the whole Mirror thing is about elevating the workout experience at home. The device itself is ultra-sleek and minimalist: It's called "the almost invisible interactive home gym" for a reason. It also takes up a relatively small amount of floor space, making it a great option for apartment living.

As I used to frequent IRL classes and had only dabbled in video training, I was surprised by how realistic the class looked and felt. Instead of looking like someone was sitting in a black hole as he guided me through plank pose, the mirror almost made me feel like someone was in front of me. that's it very high technology! In general, the classes were surprisingly intuitive and easy to follow: simply mirror the movements that the instructor shows you on the screen. All classes were available in three difficulty levels (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) and consisted of a series of movements (like a HIIT class) completed over the duration. There was also a weekly show of live classes that you can tune in to in real time on your Mirror, which more closely mimics a boutique studio experience.

When navigating classes, your phone is your remote. After scrolling through various options, you select the one you want to play and then it is projected onto the mirror. (You can also play Mirror content directly on your phone, which, while not the same as working out in front of the Mirror, is a great option if you're on the go and want to keep up with your exercise routine.) video is running, the mirror will display a variety of metrics: time left (for both your current circuit and the total duration of the class), an estimated calorie burn, the number of people doing the class, and lastly , a scoring mirror class that takes into account heart rate, strength, and recovery. For example, an intensive training class will have a different distribution of class score points compared to a meditation or restorative yoga class. The goal is to create a visualization of a balanced fitness regimen that takes all three factors into account.

Now, if you're not motivated (or motivated) by seeing things like a calorie counter on your screen, Mirror gives you the option to remove these metrics so you can focus solely on movement. As someone who usually strives to live his best life but has had a complicated relationship with food in the past, it was honestly great to see this. You can also add any workout limitations to your profile, and Mirror will automatically show you alternate variations of certain moves in workouts that might not work for you. As someone with scoliosis, I found this to be very helpful.

One thing to keep in mind is the community element that Mirror has to offer, something that cannot be overlooked as the pandemic continues to be a part of our lives. From seeing reaction emojis of sweaty faces to instructors yelling during class, the Mirror training experience is the closest I've ever come to setting foot in a studio. And since then Lululemon acquired the fitness startup in 2020you can even dress up in Mirror Swag style - I'm using the Lululemon x Mirror Align Tank above. You can also add Mirror-owning friends to keep track of your workouts and send messages of encouragement too.

The verdict

When Mirror appeared on the scene, it was in a big way. The product was highly coveted and felt like something that had never been done before. Now that there are more competitors in the high-tech home fitness space, I wonder if the Mirror is still worth the $1,495-and-up price tag. The way I see it, if you (like me) can see that Mirror replaces most of your other gym and/or fitness class expenses, then it may be worth the cost. Like other premium fitness brands, access to the app's features is available via a monthly subscription: Mirror's costs $39 per month for unlimited library access and live classes, with optional one-on-one coach sessions. available at $40 each and work through Mirror's built-in camera and microphone. In my months of testing the Mirror, I was surprised by its practicality, in more ways than one. The space-saving element (especially when compared to investing in bulkier gear like a home bike) wasn't something I anticipated as a standout feature. Another element that weighed heavily in my verdict is the, yes, totally unexpected value factor: While I would pay $20-$40 per class at boutique spin and aerial yoga studios in New York, a flat monthly fee of $40 for unlimited classes it's a bargain for a quality fitness experience at home. There's obviously a significant upfront investment in the Mirror itself, but still, it's something I've ended up using a lot and so can justify it if exercise is a big part of your lifestyle.

As someone who appreciates variety in workouts, length of classes, and instructors, I'd say that's the best thing about the Mirror. You definitely won't get bored easily, and even if you're short on time, I can almost always find a way to do a short workout. (Another tip: Do two 15-minute classes back-to-back for a full half-hour workout.)

In all honesty, I expected Mirror to feel like an elite club of broken-down beauties: it was and it wasn't. The instructors were on top of their game, but the atmosphere was very welcoming and friendly. While I just got a taste of what it's like to be a part of the Mirror team, I'm impressed and excited for the future.

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