At this point, I think we’ve all seen or at least heard about lululemon MIRROR, they revolutionized home fitness, after all. But what’s it really like working out with Mirror? Is it as cool and techy as it looks? Or is it a waste of money?

The FHM team has covered a lot of home fitness equipment, including smart gyms like Mirror, over the last couple of years. And as a personal trainer myself, I have some great insights into what’s going to be a worthy investment and what’s not. I’ve gotten pretty good at filtering out the fads from the real deal.

So, when I recently got the opportunity to try MIRROR in my home for myself, I knew I would need to give you guys a real, honest review of Mirror so that you can decide if this sleek, discreet fitness mirror is a good fit for you. So let’s take a hard look in (at) the mirror and see if what’s reflecting back to us is legit and worth it, shall we?

The Hot Takes

What Is The Mirror Smart Home Gym?

For those who have been living under a rock for the past couple of years and aren’t yet familiar with Mirror, let’s take a second to look at what it is and how it works.

Mirror is an interactive home fitness device that allows users to stream hundreds of live and on-demand workouts right from their living room. And the best part? It’s nearly invisible. With a small footprint and a sleek, elegant design, this smart gym adds a touch of class to any room.

Users have the option to choose from over 50+ workout genres, more than any other smart fitness machine on the market, with classes that range from 5-60 minutes. 

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from being a personal trainer and being inside the health and wellness space, it’s that people need options! Trying to coerce someone into a fitness regime that they don’t like will only cause them to give up and fail. 

Mirror takes a lot of the temptation to quit out of the equation by offering classes that are so expansive that literally, anyone can find something they like. Plus, you get to choose how long you workout for on a given day, so no excuses!

How Does It Work?

With Mirror, you’ll train in real-time with a certified personal trainer, watching both your trainer demonstrate the movements and your own reflection for form checks. There are both on-demand and live classes to choose from, both of which put you front and center in front of personal trainers who will help you get fit and do so while maintaining proper form.

Taking a live class, you’re able to compete with other class participants, lining up head to head to not only beat your personal best but to work to beat others, too. This nearly seamless user experience allows you to join your favorite workout class in your own home on your own time.

Using the Mirror App to control the full-length mirror, you can que up your workout for the day, choosing between live classes and on-demand classes, and get to workout training with Mirror’s built-in camera technology which will track your every move. Just make sure you have enough room to move around safely!

Installation

The Mirror can be installed right onto your wall without taking up too much precious real estate. Wall installation requires that you have drywall, masonry, plaster, or concrete. If you do not wish to have the Mirror installed directly on your wall, you can have it installed on the included stand instead.

Whether you have it installed on your wall or it’s on the stand, when it’s not in use, Mirror blends in perfectly with your home and appears to be nothing more than a beautiful mirror accent.

The Mirror Workouts Overview

Mirror workouts are one of the biggest selling points of Mirror, in my opinion. There are just so many workout class options to choose from that it’s hard to not find something you like.

When it comes to workout classes, Mirror really has them all. From strength training and cardio to stretching and pre and post-natal classes, there’s something for everyone at any stage of their fitness journey. It’s basically like having access to personal training sessions any time of the day and in any fitness modality you can think of. Super convenient!

Not only is the Mirror workout class selection extensive, but it includes both live and on-demand class options and it offers workout programs to choose from that will allow you to find your groove. For some, having the option to just pop in on a random class anytime they want is motivating. For others, committing to a specific workout program and taking all the classes all the way through to reach a specific goal is motivating. No matter what your motivation style is, Mirror likely has a solution for you.

Furthermore, there are classes geared towards beginners, intermediate-level exercisers, and advanced athletes, too. However, Mirror’s workouts might not be a top choice for someone who is used to going to the gym and lifting heavy weights. 

If major muscle growth is part of your fitness goals, you would need to buy a lot of additional equipment and the workouts might not suffice, just being honest. That said, If you’re a lifter you should still be cross-training and Mirror is a wonderful way to connect to workout programs that help diversify your training experience.

What Kinds of Workouts Can You Expect?

There are so many on-demand workout classes as well as live classes to choose from. Mirror classes include the following:

• Stretch
• Sculpt
• Weight training
• Ballet
• Meditation
• Hip hop
• Cardio
• Arms + abs
• Latin dance
• Tai Chi
• Kettlebell
• Competitive
• Yoga Flow
• Boxing
• Barre
• Bootcamp
• Kickboxing

Key Features and Highlights of Mirror Classes

• 50+ genres to choose from
• Classes range from 5-60 minutes
• Beginner to advanced classes
• Classes are available in the library 24/7
• 1,000s of on-demand classes to choose from
• Daily live class options with real-time feedback and shout outs from the Mirror team instructors
• 1:1 personal training sessions in your own home
• World-class instructors who are great at encouraging class participants
• The whole family can take the same class under different profiles and have their unique stats saved
• Workout with all kinds of equipment including body weight, dumbbells, kettlebells, and resistance bands
• Choose your own music within all the pre-selected classes
• Mirror Digital allows you to take Mirror classes on the go

Specially Curated Programs For Every Individual Goal

In addition to the Mirror workout classes, you can choose Mirror workout programs. These are a great place for you to start if you’re new to working out and/or you have a specific goal in mind. MIrror programming includes the following:

• Absolute Beginner
• Train for a Marathon
• Move Through Maternity
• Intro to Weight Loss
• And more!

Does it Have Workouts For Seniors?

At this time, there are no specifically designed Mirror workouts for seniors, however, there are plenty of classes that are ideal for seniors, beginners, and those with limitations. Beginner classes, bodyweight classes, yoga, stretching, and more are exactly what seniors should be going for. Plus, each workout is also scalable. For instance, a senior without any limitations could take a strength training class and utilize lighter weights, body weight, or decrease reps, and range of motion. There’s really something for everyone.

Can You Use Mirror Without a Membership?

No, a Mirror membership is required to utilize the smart gym and take advantage of the technology packed inside. With your subscription, you’ll get access to unlimited live and on-demand classes for up to 6 household members for just $39 per month, which is significantly less expensive than gym memberships or even attending your favorite fitness studio classes. 

Once your MIrror is delivered, you have a one-year commitment which will begin. After your one-year commitment ends, you have the option to continue with your subscription on a month-to-month basis or you can cancel your membership by contacting the Mirror team.

How Much Does It Cost? The short answer - too much!

Mirror costs $1,495 plus the membership fee of $39 per month with a one-year commitment and the cost of delivery and setup which is $250. Keep your eyes out for special sales and promos as they do come out a couple of times per year. 

Included with your purchase are a 30-day risk-free trial and one-year warranty protection with the option of extension.

Mirror can be purchased directly from the brand’s official website or from Lululemon’s website.

Average Customer Rating vs My Rating and Review

If you look online, the mirror has a 4.9/5 star rating. However, that's not always true from my experience reviewing products.

I have tried it and my rating of it is a 3/5. It's not the greatest home gym in the world. It's not bad if you are beginning, but you can get a fitness app for $10/month and do workouts on your phone - that way you aren't paying over $1k for a "smart mirror home gym." Remember, you still have to pay for the mirror membership!

To me, it's just not worth it.

Alternatives (Other Smart Home Gyms) Compared to Mirror

Is there anything better than the MIRROR smart gym? Well, that depends on what you're looking for. The table below highlights the main similarities and differences:

Is Mirror Worth The Money?

No, lululemon mirror is not worth the price tag in my personal opinion and from my personal experience using the mirror. It's heavy, hard to move around, and nothing more than a huge phone. At the end of the day you can do the similar workouts lululemon mirror offers from your phone. To me, you are saving time and money with purchasing a workout membership app or do workouts on YouTube for free.

Realistic Alternatives

Go to YouTube and watch free workouts from some really good trainers - it's free and most of them are really good!

If you want to join a workout membership, you're looking at only $10-$20 per month, as opposed to buying the lululemon mirror for over $1k + the membership cost (additional $39/mo). And for what? To have the workouts on a heavy mirror? You can stream it on your phone and do the exact same thing!