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The Mirror by Lululemon is a smart home workout system that streams live and on-demand workouts at home. The Mirror may be a useful option for people with limited home space.

In this article, we discuss the Mirror home workout system in detail, including the potential health benefits and risks.

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.

Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.

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Mirror

The Mirror is a home gym that offers access to a wide range of on-demand workouts and live exercise classes.

The device has an interactive screen that can stream exercise classes and display a person’s movement.

The display is 40 inches (in) tall and offers 1080p resolution. There is also a front-facing 5-megapixel camera, so people use it to post images to the companion app.

When the Mirror is not in use, it functions as a full-length mirror. When in use, it works as a display that shows certified exercise instructors leading a variety of workouts and activities to suit a variety of fitness levels.

The Mirror offers over 50 different genres of workouts that are 5–60 minutes long. There are workouts suitable for beginners and experts and regularly-scheduled live classes. Certified trainers lead the workouts and offer live feedback and motivation.

Users can access the library of classes at any time. There is also the option to have one-to-one training sessions.

People can also connect the Mirror to their personal devices, including Bluetooth heart rate monitors, speakers, Apple watches, and more.

Up to six individuals can store personalized profiles on one Mirror, making it a suitable home gym for families or shared households.

When the device is off, the Mirror acts as a standard mirror. When an individual turns it on, it becomes an interactive smart gym.

It features a range of training classes and exercises for many different kinds of workouts. It also allows for one-on-one training with certified trainers for an extra charge.

An advantage of the Mirror is that it lets someone set personal fitness goals and track progress.

All its other technical features fit inside the Mirror, including an integrated camera, surround sound, and an LED display that allows for wide viewing angles.

This device also supports weight training — there is an optional set of smart weights that are compatible with the Mirror.

However, all of the above features are only accessible with an active subscription. Without this, none of the fitness features remain available for use, and the Mirror becomes a normal mirror.

In order to get started, individuals must:

  1. set up the Mirror according to the instructions
  2. connect the device to the digital app on their phone
  3. launch the Mirror’s exercises from the app

For those who want more interactivity for their training, this product can also:

  • connect with Bluetooth heart rate monitors
  • connect with an Apple watch
  • stream to a smart TV
  • connect with WiFi or cellular data

Ease of use and setup

People can mount the Mirror onto a wall or stand it against a wall using the carbon steel stand that comes with the device.

This space-saving home gym option is suitable for people with limited space. The dimensions of the Mirror are 52 x 22 x 1.4 in, and it weighs 70 pounds.

The Mirror Fitness programs also require a WiFi connection, and a person needs the companion app on their smartphone to control the display.

The company offers a white glove delivery service that includes installation.

Training options and classes

Training programs include yoga basics, marathon training, and more.

Each week, the Mirror app recommends a range of workouts according to the profile information a person provides.

The workout library is accessible at any time. There are new live classes every week, accessible through the companion app on smartphones, smart TVs, and tablets.

The cost of Mirror fitness starts from $1,495, or people can split the payment over 1, 2, or 3 years and pay $42 or more per month. Individuals will also need to factor in the $39 monthly membership fee to access the interactive classes. Delivery and installation may also cost a further $250.

A 30-day free trial is available if a person wants to try Mirror fitness before committing to a purchase.

The Mirror comes with a 1-year warranty and a starter pack that includes a cleaning kit, resistance bands, and a Bluetooth heart rate monitor.

The Mirror may suit people looking to work out at home and access live exercise classes. It also enables users to set personal goals or exercise virtually with friends.

It has a variety of exercises that can suit many people, from young children to older adults. This may make it suitable for families.

However, it may not suit individuals who mostly work out at the gym or outside.

Some advantages and disadvantages of the Mirror include:

Pros

  • Classes and trainers: Thousands of on-demand classes are available, alongside daily live classes. Customers can also have one-on-one training sessions at an extra cost.
  • Convenience: The Mirror is an all-in-one device that features a wide range of exercise types that a person can perform at home.
  • Community: Users can access virtual workout sessions with family and friends.

Cons

  • Purchase price: The Mirror starts from around $1499, but it does not include attachments, smart weights, or an extended warranty.
  • Subscription cost: People can only use the Mirror with an active subscription. If they stop the subscription, they cannot access its fitness classes.
  • Warranty: The Mirror comes with a 1-year warranty. Devices with similar price points usually have longer warranty periods.
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On its Better Business Bureau profile page, Lululemon has 10 customer reviews and 32 complaints. Most of these claimed there were issues with the company’s delivery and customer service. Users also said they tried reaching out to the brand numerous times, and it was difficult to receive prompt replies.

Lululemon has a 3.5 rating on Trustpilot. There are very few reviews, and the complaints also revolve around customer support and long delivery times.

The National Institute on Aging states that four types of exercise can improve a person’s health:

  • endurance
  • strength
  • balance
  • flexibility

The types of workouts that the Mirror offer cover all of these areas. They include:

Research suggests that home-based exercise training systems with video training technology can help improve cardiometabolic health. A 2020 study also notes that interactive home fitness apps and equipment can provide health benefits, social interaction, motivation, and accountability.

It also seems that working out alongside other people can be helpful. A 2017 study showed that partaking in group fitness classes could improve physical, mental, and emotional health.

An older 2012 study also suggests that exercising with a virtual partner may help improve aerobic performance. This finding is consistent with other research indicating that people improve their performance when competing with others.

As with any exercise, there are some safety aspects to consider before starting a workout using this equipment.

According to an older 2009 article, a person should make sure they work out safely by:

  • warming up before starting to exercise
  • avoiding exercise if they are ill or injured
  • keeping the workout area free of trip and fall hazards
  • following the instructions on how to complete workouts correctly
  • refraining from taking on too much too soon
  • avoiding holding their breath while exercising
  • taking notice of pain, dizziness, or nausea and stopping the workout if any of these symptoms occur

Additionally, people should safely store any equipment, such as weights or resistance bands, during their workouts. Without safe storage, these items could become a safety hazard for children, pets, or other people in the household.

The authors of a 2017 literature review suggest that having an accessible home fitness setup may encourage a person to overexercise, which can lead to injury or cause problems relating to their weight or mental health.

Additionally, it could result in individuals experiencing exercise addiction, which may lead to withdrawal symptoms when they do not exercise. Other research suggests this compulsion may cause people to exercise despite injury and continue exercising even if it is damaging to their social life or career.

Here is how the Mirror compares to other competitors.

The MirrorNordicTrack VaultPelotonTonalEchelon Reflect Touch
Type of devicesmart workout mirrorsmart workout mirrorbikes, treadmills, smart weightssmart workout mirror with adaptive resistance trainingsmart workout mirror
On-demand classesover 10,000availableavailableavailableavailable
Live classesdailyavailableavailableavailabledaily
One-on-one training sessionsavailableavailablenonono
Workout virtually with friendsyesnoyesyesnot mentioned
Progress trackingyesyesyesyesyes
Warranty1 year1 yeardepends on the product3 years1 year
Payment planavailableavailableavailableavailableavailable
Purchase price$1,495–2,045$1,499–2,695depends on the product $2,995–3,490$1,499.99
Subscription fee$39 per month$39 per month$12.99 per month$49 per month$29.16–34.99 per month

Here are some of the most common questions people have about the Mirror.

Is the Mirror worth the price?

The Mirror may be worth it for those looking to get an all-around workout at home, with the support of classes, trainers, and friends.

However, the subscription cost on top of the smart weights and other attachments can make it expensive for people who want fast, traditional workouts, such as simple weight training.

Can you use Mirror without the subscriptions?

No. Without the subscription, the Mirror becomes a simple mirror.

Which is better, the Mirror or Echelon?

The Mirror supports more family members, smart and trackable weight training, and exercising with friends over the internet.

Individuals who already have an Echelon smart exercise device, such as their bike or treadmill, may prefer purchasing an Echelon fitness mirror. Both devices use the same membership, which offers thousands of on-demand classes, with and without equipment. Over time, this becomes cheaper.

The Mirror is a convenient option for people who wish to exercise at home. It is relatively expensive but provides a variety of workout programs to suit people of all fitness levels. It is also suitable for individuals with limited space at home and for family-friendly workouts.

Other similar gym equipment with interactive features is also available. Alternatively, people can take part in online workout programs or perform full-body exercises, which require little to no equipment.