A good gym is about to provide everything you need for your workout session. That’s why mirrors are essential for any gym or training space, as they enable you to check your posture, form, and technique while working out.
A recent survey found that 73 percent of people felt more comfortable when they could see themselves while exercising. Another recent study showed that people who exercised in front of a mirror burned an average of 300 more calories per session than those who didn’t have a mirror present.
Whether You are planning to open up a new gym or want to build a home gym, So if you have questions about gym mirrors, stay with us throughout the article, and keep the points in mind, as discussed below.
What are gym mirrors?
Gym mirrors are large, wall-mounted, or free-standing pieces of glass that allow you to see your entire body while exercising. The idea is to provide you with both a visual and a mental cue to help you improve your form and technique while exercising.
This allows you to push yourself harder and go further with a better understanding of your body’s position during the activity. In addition, gym mirrors come in various shapes, sizes, and mounting options, making it easy to find the perfect fit for your gym or workout space.
how to use Gym Mirrors Effectively
You first need to check that the mirror is positioned at a height that allows you to see your whole body when you are working out. When staring in the mirror, you should make an effort to avoid focusing on certain body areas. Instead, you should focus on looking at your entire body, particularly the position of your joints. This will give you a better idea of the overall position of your body than focusing on one particular body part.
- Keep your spine straight:
When looking in a mirror, you must check your posture to see if you are standing or sitting correctly. You must make a good habit of keeping your spine as straight as possible.
relationship of form and performance with gym mirrors
How Gym Mirrors Help with Form?
You can easily spot things like muscle imbalance, improper posture, or even poor breathing techniques when working out in front of a mirror. That’s why mirrors are an excellent option for beginners. They can learn how to perform exercises correctly and efficiently, preventing them from developing wrong forms or techniques later. By checking your form and technique while lifting, you can avoid injury and see an improvement in your overall strength.
- The Importance of Good Posture:
The importance of good posture is often overlooked. After all, we all have lousy posture sometimes. It’s not like you can set a timer and remember to sit up straight for the entire workout, but you have to make it your habit, even when you’re out of the gym.
Even subconsciously, keeping your posture in check can have some essential benefits. For example, it will prevent you from overstretching muscles, which can lead to injury. It can also improve your breathing, which, in turn, will make you more efficient.
How Can Gym Mirrors Improve Your Performance?
A study found that people who used mirrors while performing squats could lift 40 percent more weight than those who didn’t have a mirror present. This is because when you use a mirror to lift, you push yourself harder to use more capabilities.
However, there are many other ways in which gym mirrors can improve your performance. For example, they can help you to correct your posture while exercising, which is particularly useful if you have chronic back pain.
Other benefits of Using Gym Mirrors
Fitness enthusiasts know the value of gym mirrors. Apart from helping you improve your form, gym mirrors also come with several other benefits:
How Mirroring Can Prevent Injuries:
Besides improving your performance, gym mirrors can also help prevent injuries. One way they help you in this matter is by allowing you to see how your body reacts to the movement you are performing.
For example, if you lift a heavy weight with poor technique, you are more likely to injure yourself. A mirror can help you to identify any potential issues with your technique before you lift the weight. When it comes to preventing injuries, mirrors can also help you to spot misalignment in your form.
This is especially useful if you are experiencing pain in your body while exercising. For example, if you lift a weight with a bad posture, you are more likely to experience pain in your joints or muscles. A mirror can help you correct your form.
Helps You Push Yourself Harder:
Having a complete view of your body in a mirror allows you to push yourself harder and go further than you would without a mirror. This is because you can see the areas being challenged and how your form progresses over time.
Gym Mirrors Can Cause Anxiety in some people:
While many people feel more at ease when they can see themselves while exercising, others find it distracting and even anxiety-inducing. This may cause them to lose focus on their workout and lead to poor form.
Precautions regarding gym mirrors:
- While gym mirrors can be helpful, there are some precautions that you need to be aware of. For example, don’t look at yourself in the mirror too long. Instead, use the mirror as a guide to improve your technique, and then put it away.
- Besides, don’t focus on improving your appearance in the mirror. Instead, as we discussed earlier, focus on improving your technique and posture.
- Don’t judge yourself in the mirror. Instead, use the mirror as a guide to help you correct your technique and posture.
3 Exercises That Benefit From Using Gym Mirrors
- Squats:
Squats are a weight-lifting exercise that benefits significantly from using gym mirrors. For example, if you bend your knees too much when doing a squat, you won’t be able to lift a heavy weight. However, a mirror will allow you to see the position of your knees and fix the problem.
- Lunges:
Lunges are another popular bodyweight exercise that can be tricky to do correctly without a mirror. That’s because your legs can get in your view if you work out in a poorly designed space.
- Push-ups:
Push-ups are another common strength-training exercise that benefits significantly from using mirrors, especially for beginners. Unlike squats and lunges, mirrors can help you to see what’s going on with your upper body, which is particularly useful if your wrists hurt after a few reps.
Things to Consider When Buying Gym Mirrors
Types of gym mirrors:
There are two main types of mirrors. Each has its benefits and drawbacks:
- Tempered Glass:
This is the most common type of mirror for gyms and fitness studios. Tempered glass is solid and scratch-resistant. Tempered glass is also relatively inexpensive and easy to install. And while it’s not the most attractive material, you can easily cover it with a decorative cover to make it blend in with the rest of your gym.
- Acrylic:
Acrylic, commonly known as plexiglass, is a shatter-resistant, flexible plastic; it is sturdy and not likely to break, unlike glass. This type of mirror is much more attractive than tempered glass. Acrylic is also more expensive and more challenging to install. Acrylic is the solution to give your gym a more modern and stylish look.
Space and Visibility:
Where are you placing your mirrors? Do you have enough space? Remember to leave enough room between the mirror and other objects, such as machines, so the people exercising can see their entire bodies.
On the other hand, you also want to ensure that the mirrors are visible to everyone who uses your gym. You can install mirrors at eye level (about 5-6 feet high).
Where to Put Your Gym Mirror(s):
Before you think about what type of mirror best suits your gym, you must determine where to install it; after all, the mirror is useless if it’s not in the right spot. Depending on the type of exercises you’ll be doing at your gym, you’ll likely need to put up several mirrors.
You should install a mirror near any machine or area used for standing or seated exercise. You should also install a mirror on the wall for use during stretching.
In the End
They are an excellent tool for having an in-home or commercial gym; they are not necessary to get in shape or stay active. Many other outdoor exercises help you get in shape if you don’t have access to a gym or workout equipment.
