Mirrors in the Gym... what do YOU do?

RedSassyPants
RedSassyPants Posts: 412 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
A very popular/reputable group fitness provider is recommending gyms cover the mirrors in their group fitness rooms.
At least the ones on the sides.
One of my employers has started to follow that recommendation and it has met with mixed reactions.
So, I am curious....
During group fitness classes, do you use the mirrors?
If so, why and/or how?
If not, why not?
Does it depend on what class?

Really not looking for a debate, just curious what people do.
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Replies

  • GetSoda
    GetSoda Posts: 1,267 Member
    I didn't put mirrors up in my home gym. Prefer it that way.

    Glad my new boxing gym has no mirrors.

    They are a distraction IMO. They detract from proprioception.
  • SteveJWatson
    SteveJWatson Posts: 1,225 Member
    How are you supposed to check your form with no mirrors?

    Are people really that self-concious that the mirrors need to be taken down?
  • GetSoda
    GetSoda Posts: 1,267 Member
    How are you supposed to check your form with no mirrors?


    Take video from the CORRECT angle, and develop your proprioception.
  • kganc001
    kganc001 Posts: 317
    I use them in the free weights to check form, I use them in group X because if i'm on the other side of the room from the instructor in a busy class (i.e. Zumba) I can use the mirrors to see him/her more easily! And in yoga/pilates I use the mirrors to check form, as well. They're really useful.
  • ks4e
    ks4e Posts: 374 Member
    We have a weight room in our finished basement. We have mirrors in there to ensure proper form when lifting alone.
  • Mario_Az
    Mario_Az Posts: 1,331 Member
    how are you going to be mirin your aesthetics :)
  • Lochlyn_D
    Lochlyn_D Posts: 492 Member
    Why would they take the mirrors down?

    It's crucial for some people to check what they are doing and make sure that they are doing it right.

    Plus, it's it's an issue of people being able to see how fat they are..... we can see it with or without mirrors. This reminds me of the child who covers their eyes and thinks that if they can't see you, they're invisible.
  • Legs_McGee
    Legs_McGee Posts: 845 Member
    I look at myself in them - that's what I do.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    In a group fitness class, I can see mirrors being useful in helping people farther back see the instructor.

    Otherwise, except for ballet and yoga where form is more important and difficult to guage without looking, I prefer no mirrors.
  • contingencyplan
    contingencyplan Posts: 3,639 Member
    I had a childhood fear of mirrors that I didn't get over until my early teens. I still feel a little unnerved standing in front of a large mirror.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,024 Member
    A very popular/reputable group fitness provider is recommending gyms cover the mirrors in their group fitness rooms.
    At least the ones on the sides.
    One of my employers has started to follow that recommendation and it has met with mixed reactions.
    So, I am curious....
    During group fitness classes, do you use the mirrors?
    If so, why and/or how?
    If not, why not?
    Does it depend on what class?

    Really not looking for a debate, just curious what people do.
    As an instructor I use it to check form and the "attitude" in the class. If it seems low, I bump it up.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • Marll
    Marll Posts: 904 Member
    Mirrors are pretty much standard equipment in gyms with free weights, and it should be that way. I can see not having them in other areas of a gym, but I think that they are pretty essential.

    You can use them to check form, flex (or practice flexing, which is an exercise in itself really), check progress, etc.
  • littlelaura
    littlelaura Posts: 1,028 Member
    They do need to be used for proper form when lifting, also if you are doing cardio and working out hard enough you wont be noticing yourself or others in the mirrors. I like it, because when I am done I catch a glimpse of how sexy I am full of sweat and awesome courage for having got my workout in that day!
  • JuliaLee67
    JuliaLee67 Posts: 149
    Huh...covering the mirrors, are we going to sit shiva in the gym? That makes no sense, what are the reasons given for doing that?
  • jkwpdx
    jkwpdx Posts: 29 Member
    I like the mirrors and use them, they help me correct my form, which I tend to break all the time. It is amazing the stress and tention incorrect posture can cause, not to mention injury.
  • fannyfrost
    fannyfrost Posts: 756 Member
    If I am stretching or lifting I use the mirrors to check my form. During cardio I don't use them generally, except a glance now and again to check posture.
  • Whipppets
    Whipppets Posts: 267
    The instructors are always telling us to look at our form in the mirror thats what they are for
    .. They even tell us to look at the person in front of you
    to make sure they are squatting low enough.. Kind of a challenge to get lower.

    When I use to work out in our basement I had installed mirrors to make sure I was doing the exercise right.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Huh...covering the mirrors, are we going to sit shiva in the gym? That makes no sense, what are the reasons given for doing that?
    I read a study a while ago that mirrors cause people to not execerise as much because of how they look in mirrors.

    I put up a full-length mirror facing my elliptical (because it's the only spot for it) and after one session without it covered, I decided I prefer to cover it. NOT pretty! lol
  • jwdieter
    jwdieter Posts: 2,582 Member
    I look at myself for motivation. Especially in a group fitness scenario. Glad I'm not at that gym.
  • Whipppets
    Whipppets Posts: 267
    1. Check my form
    2. Subtly watch male lifters whilst checking my form
    3. Subtly watch male lifters whillst resting and pretending to look at the floor
    4. If doing none of the above, avoid like the plague

    Yes it is easier to check others form via the mirrors and not just stare like a stalker. Why do women
    wear such low cut outfits if they do not want men to look or women to look.
  • JuliaLee67
    JuliaLee67 Posts: 149
    Huh...covering the mirrors, are we going to sit shiva in the gym? That makes no sense, what are the reasons given for doing that?
    I read a study a while ago that mirrors cause people to not execerise as much because of how they look in mirrors.

    I put up a full-length mirror facing my elliptical (because it's the only spot for it) and after one session without it covered, I decided I prefer to cover it. NOT pretty! lol

    Ahh. Thanks for the explanation.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Huh...covering the mirrors, are we going to sit shiva in the gym? That makes no sense, what are the reasons given for doing that?
    I read a study a while ago that mirrors cause people to not execerise as much because of how they look in mirrors.

    I put up a full-length mirror facing my elliptical (because it's the only spot for it) and after one session without it covered, I decided I prefer to cover it. NOT pretty! lol

    Ahh. Thanks for the explanation.
    Some people do prefer the mirror, though, so it's not a black-and-white thing. I think the gym needs to figure out what its members prefer and do that.
  • NoeHead
    NoeHead Posts: 516 Member
    I check my form since I'm still learning and I like it in zumba because that's how I follow the instructor. Trust me, i'm not worth looking at for any other reason at the gym...I'm sweaty and apparently look pissed. lol
  • KatLifter
    KatLifter Posts: 1,314 Member
    1. Check my form
    2. Subtly watch male lifters whilst checking my form
    3. Subtly watch male lifters whillst resting and pretending to look at the floor
    4. If doing none of the above, avoid like the plague

    Hahahaha, yes.
    what-i-feel-like-doing-plank-what-i-look-like-funny-picture_zpse02da136.jpg
  • RedSassyPants
    RedSassyPants Posts: 412 Member
    LOL...I am totally borrowing that picture.
  • Sawjer
    Sawjer Posts: 229 Member
    I use them to secretly look at the people checking themselves out in them hahaha, makes me laugh :D
  • CoderGal
    CoderGal Posts: 6,800 Member
    A very popular/reputable group fitness provider is recommending gyms cover the mirrors in their group fitness rooms.
    At least the ones on the sides.
    One of my employers has started to follow that recommendation and it has met with mixed reactions.
    So, I am curious....
    During group fitness classes, do you use the mirrors?
    If so, why and/or how?
    If not, why not?
    Does it depend on what class?

    Really not looking for a debate, just curious what people do.
    Depends on what class. I usually look at forum so yes, I watch the mirrors.

    I look how I look, unfortunately I can't change that. The mirror isn't going to change that either.
  • chandanista
    chandanista Posts: 986 Member
    I would be unable to follow the instructor in Zumba and kickboxing were it not for the mirrors. I can see her backside fine, but sometimes you need to see what she's doing with hands/feet in front in order to do the same.

    Also, I don't have full length mirrors at home; I have a bunch of measurements I follow, but sometimes it's nice to borrow the gym mirror for a few minutes to actually see the difference.
  • diodelcibo
    diodelcibo Posts: 2,564 Member
    I use them to check my form.
  • palmerar
    palmerar Posts: 489 Member
    I have been taking dance for 24 years, and I am a teacher now, I think as a habit from all of my training I am constantly looking at myself in the mirror, to make sure I'm exercising or dancing correctly and also to check student's technique and alignment when teaching. In college, as a dance major they had curtains that could open and close completely to cover or open the mirrors when appropriate. It can be useful to close the mirrors so that the teacher can see how the dancer feels they should align their body vs what is correct form/technique. Basically, is the muscle memory correct technically. I think it could be useful both ways, maybe get curtains and use the mirrors when desired.

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