Comments on: Mirrors: Do You Need Them For Weight Lifting?

By: MarkFu

MarkFu — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 06:48:51 +0000

I would like to go in my gym one night and put in some of the carnival mirrors used to distort the person standing in front of them. I would specifically place them where the dumbell racks are because there the people get up close to it. Other than that, the only use mirrors seem to have is they make the gym look bigger than it really is.

By: Jorick

Jorick — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 13:22:13 +0000

Actually, I see a lot of people bench pressing and tilting their head forward EVERY rep to see their form in the mirror. Waiting for injury I think.

Personally, I have squatted without a mirror for 1 year. When I moved to another gym, there was a mirror in front of the squatrack. I feel my form has improved since and I squat lower since.

In the other gym there were no people who would correct me if my form was wrong (or even capable of differing good from bad) so I think it’s important to have someone who can check your form.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:17:25 +0000

Anthony is right on… a video is the best anyway to check form. It can be surprising too!

I like having mirrors though because seeing the results of what you are doing is a confidence booster and that just helps be bust out a couple extra reps. This may sound funny but sometimes when you need to give yourself a stern talking too to complete your workout… looking at yourself in the mirror makes that internal dialog a little louder.

By: Nabeel

Nabeel — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 08:51:27 +0000

i definitely agree and will try this out at my next session of power snatches. I often find myself looking straight ahead at a mirror when i should be either looking down or up or whatever during different phases of my lifts. I know it willl feel weird but starting next time , i shall face the gym while working out. Also thought i comment on ambient noise levels and how they hurt performance. The manager at my gym ALWAYS plays rock/metal, and mostly its quite loud, esp since the speakers are right above the squat rack and the lifting platform. However, i started wearing ear plugs while lifting and am much more efficient at my workouts. I cannot see how people can have their ipod earbuds on, blasting music so that one can hear them from 6 feet away!!! 1) you cant totally focus on your exercise and 2) you certainly cant pay attention to the music! Regarding strength training, esp olympic style movements, where timing and coordination are paramount, minimum distractions (music, mirrors, mammaries:P) means maximum performance.

By: Edziu

Edziu — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 07:56:37 +0000

The lighting in a gym plays a part too – if the lighting comes from directly above, it emphasises a lot of muscularity and makes you look sinister – sort of like a metallica album cover. Ambient lighting or daylight gives a more neutral picture.

By: Mighty Kat

Mighty Kat — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 01:22:02 +0000

GREAT post. I’ve been meaning to post in my blog about this very thing, but you nailed it. I went through the exact situations you did, and now I really prefer no mirror. Once you know what you’re doing, you don’t need them, they don’t really help, they’re terribly distracting, and it puts the emphasis on cosmetics. Now I open the garage door and focus on the sky and trees instead, and I’m a healthier person, a little less myopic, too, I hope.

By: Anthony

Anthony — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 22:08:10 +0000

I would have to say I agree with a lot of your points, but I can also see the benefits of using mirrors. If you set up mirrors on two walls, it is possible to monitor more than one pane during different points in your lift. i would probably also recommend making a video of a workout. It would be helpful to review a video once in a while to see if there is waste of movement, proper form, and as an archival tool for size.

By: Sean

Sean — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 21:59:01 +0000

Right on Mehdi! I just ordered myself a home gym and am very excited about it! I’ve been training in a commercial gym for 2 years now and can’t wait to finally be able to work out in the convenience of my own home. There won’t be any mirrors either

By: Nathan Whitehead

Nathan Whitehead — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:54:34 +0000

I’ve seen places that mount mirrors at a slight angle, so you look taller and more imposing. Other places put vertical shims at the center to make the mirror curve, which compresses the horizontal dimension and makes you look skinnier.

By: Mike in Philly

Mike in Philly — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:49:39 +0000

Sure you need mirrors. That way you can catch a glimpse of the hottie working on the thigh machine, without looking like a complete perv!