Can a fitness mirror replace your PT? The GHI investigates...
The health and fitness market is constantly churning out ingenious new products to keep us active – from trackers that double as jewellery to pop-up ice baths and under-desk treadmills. The latest innovation? Interactive fitness mirrors that make you feel like you’re working out with a personal trainer in your living room.
They won’t shower you in compliments or tell you who’s the fittest of them all. Instead, workout mirrors are interactive screens that let you participate in live and on-demand workout classes from the comfort of your own home. Some will also track your form and give real-time feedback.
We wanted to see if this tech was worth the investment or just a glorified TV screen. So, we put the market-leading Magic AI Fitness Mirror, to the test in the Good Housekeeping Institute lab. Could this be the future of fitness?
What is a fitness mirror?
Is it a portal to the gym? Is it a personal trainer replacement? Well, it’s a bit of both.
In the simplest terms, a fitness mirror is an immersive bit of home gym equipment that lets you access thousands of gym classes from home, rather than having to get yourself to the gym. Ideal when the weather means you don’t want to step outside, you’re short on time, or you don’t love the gym environment.
Some fitness mirrors, like the Magic Mirror, also have integrated AI to help advise on your form and track your performance, making them more like a personal trainer.
MAGIC AI: Fitness Smart Mirror
How does the Magic Mirror work?
The Magic Mirror is a smart, AI-powered bit of kit for your home gym (not just a mirror for you to admire your gains in). It’s essentially an oversized touchscreen tablet that gives you access to hours of workout content, including both one-off sessions, such as core workouts and sports coaching, and dedicated four-week programmes to follow (led by world-class athletes and PTs).
The Magic Mirror also has a mini camera and ReflectAI technology installed, which means it can count your reps, as well as tracking and giving feedback on your form when it comes to individual movements. Get ready to be shouted at by a robot... well, not quite, but you'll get prompts on the screen.
There’s also the option to purchase additional accessories with the mirror, such as adjustable dumbbells, which go up to 32kg, and even a bench.
How we test fitness mirrors
Our fitness expert used the mirror every day for a week, assessing it on ease of set-up and use. They considered how straightforward it was to find additional support and how intuitive the interface was to navigate. When it came to the software, they assessed how easy it was to personalise to our goals and preferences and filter by workout type, instructor, experience level and duration.
Next, they got moving to find out how user-friendly the workouts are, and if they cater for all levels of fitness. They checked the range of workouts available, looking for equipment-free options.
We also assessed the AI functionality by throwing in a few instances of incorrect form to see if it really did pick up it up and advise on how to improve it. We then analysed all the feedback to award our final score.
The GHI's Magic Fitness Mirror review
So, is it really magic? Scoring 80/100 in the lab, here's a breakdown of how the interactive fitness mirror performed in our lab.
Pros
Straightforward set-up
At 150cm high, 50cm wide and 4cm thick, the mirror is sleek and compact, so you don’t need much room to store it (handy if you live in a flat or have minimal space for working out). The brand says you’ll need a minimum of four feet of space in front of the mirror for it to track your body accurately, and it can be suspended on the wall or mounted against it with the included detachable stand.
Once you’ve chosen your spot, simply connect it to Wi-Fi and set up your profile to gain access to all the workouts. The whole process takes a matter of minutes.
What’s more, unlike other interactive fitness mirrors on the market, currently, you don’t need to set up a monthly subscription to access the workouts, as they’re already included in the price. Note that it says on the website that the brand will be introducing a £25 per month membership fee in the near future, but you can secure free membership for life if you purchase the mirror before the next release.
Easy to use
From set-up to selecting a workout, everything about this clever bit of equipment was easy (though we can’t say the same about the workouts themselves...). Our tester found the interface very intuitive, with the ability to filter your workout depending on time, intensity and instructor.
Excellent variety of workouts
Classes offered include everything from core workouts to conditioning, each with a variety of levels to suit all fitness abilities. You can also choose dedicated four-week programmes with three to four workouts per week. They last from between 15 to 60 minutes, so there really is something for everyone. And you can save your favourite ones, which our tester found convenient when they wanted to stay loyal to their preferred trainer.
Each trainer has a different style, and there are many to choose from, including athletes such as former cricketer, Sir Alistair Cook, and Olympic sprinter Desiree Henry. Our expert was impressed with the standard of coaching. “There are some super motivating instructors on the roster, who are experts in their field,” she said.
At the time of testing, the majority of workouts were geared towards strength training, but the Magic Mirror is being constantly updated with new content and classes. Now, there are also HIIT, cardio and dance workouts to try.
Immersive workout experience
Motivation will be at an all-time high with this fitness mirror. Rather than following the same old YouTube video from your laptop, the crisp, high-definition screen will make you feel like the personal trainer really is in the room with you.
A focus on form
Because you are quite literally staring back at yourself, you can monitor your stance and form to make sure that you’re not only targeting the right muscles in each rep, but you're completing them accurately and safely – because you can’t progress if you’re injured.
But be prepared to be corrected if your position is a little off, as this clever piece of equipment has a small camera installed to track your movement, allowing it to provide live feedback on when and how you need to make adjustments. Clever, huh?
Confidence-boosting home workouts
The gym can be an intimidating place sometimes, especially when you’re just starting out. So having the ability to participate in classes from the comfort of your own home, with personal trainers right in front of you, is a great way to build your confidence. You won’t miss standing at the back of the class and trying to copy everyone around you, we’re sure.
Our tester echoed this, saying, “Exercise takes time in the day that not everyone has – the Magic Mirror is a great solution. You can work out how you want and when you want!”
Cons
It’s expensive
There’s no getting around the fact this mirror comes with a hefty price tag – £1,399 without equipment, and an additional £799 for the dumbbells and bench. So, it’s quite an investment. However, there is currently a deal on, so you can snap it up for (a still significant) £999.
That said, if you’re planning to use it instead of regular gym workouts or a personal trainer, it could pay off in the long run. “Although the cost is on the high side, I could see myself using it everyday and, if you compare it to the cost of a gym membership, it’s a good investment," said our tester.
There isn't any equipment included
Whether you’re focusing on core, upper or lower body, there are lots of strength-based workouts, so you may want to invest in at least a couple of weights to get the most out of it.
There is the option to purchase the Magic Mirror with added equipment such as adjustable dumbbells and a bench, but, otherwise, you’ll need to use existing kit or purchase your own separately.
Form tracking was hit and miss
On the whole, it was fast to correct form. However, our tester threw in a few incorrect movements to trial the accuracy of tracking and found that the mirror didn’t always pick up on them. “I found this a little frustrating, especially when I was trying to hit that 100% perfection rate,” she said.
On the plus side, it offers tips to ensure you're doing each move correctly, with on-screen reminders to keep your back straight, squat low and ensure your knees are in line with your toes.
Not for complete beginners
Despite being able to filter each workout according to time, intensity and fitness level, our tester found that even the beginner ones, "took no prisoners." So, you may need an existing level of fitness before investing. Or be prepared to make a solid commitment to improving on it!
However, our tester also said that sessions can be eased through decreasing weights (if you're using them). You also have the ability to pause, rewind, and even skip parts. Though we wouldn't encourage the last option!
Final verdict: Is the Magic Mirror worth it?
MAGIC AI: Fitness Smart Mirror
The Magic Mirror is essentially a mini at-home gym with access to thousands of personal trainer-led classes, helping to build confidence and improve form, all from the comfort of your home – no need to splash out on a pricey gym membership or rush to your local leisure centre after an intense day at work, or when the weather’s a bit dodgy.
Exercising at home can be extremely boring but there’s no such issue with this smart mirror. The workouts are seriously enjoyable and engaging, and the crisp visuals and audio are guaranteed to keep you motivated.
The hefty price tag is one of the major downsides. But, if you can afford to carve out some space in your home (and bank account), and you think you will get a lot of use out of it, this is an exciting bit of kit the whole family can use.
Editors' picks
If the Magic Mirror doesn’t suit your needs or budget, but you’re keen to invest in this innovative tech, our editors have picked out some other options on the market.
Vue Fitness Mirror
The ProForm is programmed with a year’s subscription to the iFit software, giving you access to hundreds of classes from the comfort of your own home.
It also comes with a range of equipment, including a 4.5kg bar, four 1.1kg weight plates and two 2.3kg dumbbells. The equipment can be stored on the rear of the pivoting mirror, with each accessory given an allocated space to keep your gym/spare room looking pristine.
£499.00 at fitness-superstore.co.uk
Reflect 50" Smart Fitness Mirror
Echelon’s fitness mirror is premium from the outside in, with a sleek surface that wouldn’t look out of place in your home, paired with the brand’s premium membership, which gives you access to more than 2000 studio-quality fitness classes, such as yoga, Pilates, HIIT, and even kickboxing.
With a range of on-demand and live workout classes, there’s no chance of you missing a session.
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