Best Home Gym Mirror – [Full Buyer’s Guide & Review]
If you’re serious about putting together a decent home gym, then a mirror is a must. This article will tell you everything you need to know about home gym mirrors. We’ll cover why you need them, what to look for when you’re buying one and how to hang them properly. We’ll also give you our suggestions for the best home gym mirrors, even for renters and/or small spaces.
Why you need a home gym mirror
Basically, a home gym mirror will allow you to check that you’re working out effectively and safely. What this means in practice will depend on what exercise you’re doing. Typically, however, it will include points such as:
- Making sure your back is straight
- Making sure your knees/elbows are slightly bent
- Making sure you’re actually using the muscles you’re supposed to be using
In some cases, mirrors will help you spot details you just couldn’t have seen on your own. For example, if you’re into exercises like dance, yoga, pilates or tai chi, a mirror can be vital to getting positions exactly right.
As a bonus, mirrors can often just make life easier. For example, if you’re doing streamed classes, you can look at your instructor’s posture and then look in a mirror to compare it with your own (or vice versa). Even if you’re not doing live classes, a lot of people learn visually so mirrors can be super-helpful.
A home gym mirror makes your home gym more appealing
By this point, we’d guess that just about everyone knows that interior designers use mirrors to make spaces feel larger, lighter and brighter. Aesthetics isn’t likely to be your main consideration in a home gym. That said, it’s nice, read motivating, to work out in a pleasant space. Home gym mirrors can do a lot to make your home gym a place you want to be.
What to look for in a home gym mirror
Here’s a quick rundown of the key points to check when you’re thinking about buying a home gym mirror.
Size
When it comes to buying the best home gym mirror, there are two sizes that matter. One is the minimum size you really need for whatever you want to do. The other is the maximum size your space can handle.
In an ideal world, you’d have the biggest possible mirror. In the real world, however, practicality and budget mean that you might have to go for something smaller.
Thickness
Thicker mirrors tend to be more durable. This means that they are less prone to cracking and breaking and generally last longer. On the other hand, it also means that they weigh more and cost more.
Proper gyms will tend to use mirrors of at least 5mm in thickness. If you have the space for a dedicated home gym then 4mm would be ideal. You would, however, need to be sure your walls could handle it. Realistically, 3mm is likely to be fine for most home workout spaces. If your budget isn’t even up to that, then just do what you can with what you have.
Material
Ideally, you’ll use a glass mirror. These give the best reflections. These days, however, plastic mirrors are pretty decent and are much thinner and lighter than glass. This means that renters could put them up with adhesive rather than having to drill holes.
It also means that they are more delicate and more prone to warping. To be fair, however, they are also more affordable than glass. What’s more, if you look after them properly, you can get a lot of use out of them.
Safety
It’s preferable to have a mirror with polished (i.e smoothed) edges. This will reduce the risk of you cutting yourself if you happen to put a hand on it.
You should always handle a home gym mirror with great care when moving and/or installing it. Home gym mirrors don’t have frames. This means that the edges of the glass are exposed and they can be sharp. It’s strongly advisable to wear gloves at all times. For completeness, in our experience, this holds as true for both budget home gym mirrors right through to premium ones.
If you are buying a plastic home gym mirror then you need safety backing. If your mirror doesn’t come with it, then you can buy it separately. If you have a glass home gym mirror, then it’s highly advisable.
Safety backing is like super-strong plastic wrap you put on the back of your mirror. It basically makes sure that if the mirror cracks/breaks, the pieces stay together instead of flying all over the place. Small pieces of plastic or glass can be really hard to find and can cause very nasty cuts to adults. They’re a serious menace to children and pets.
Delivery policy
This is more to do with the retailer than with the mirror itself. It is, however, definitely worth checking. If you’re looking on the pre-loved market and you’re expected to collect, check if the seller includes packaging. If not, budget for plenty of bubble wrap and cardboard.
Returns policy
What happens if you discover your initial pick of home gym mirror just doesn’t work in your space the way you thought it would?
Our pick of the best home gym mirrors
We’ve divided this section into two parts. The first part is what we’d suggest if you’re able to set up a (semi-)permanent home gym. The second part is what we’d suggest if your home gym has to serve other purposes e.g. as a bedroom and/or you’re renting.
Best home gym mirrors
Dripex Frameless Bathroom Mirror
Size 110 x 45cm
Thickness 3mm
Safety film - yes
Polished edges - yes
Pre-drilled holes - yes
Fittings provided - yes
This mirror is a decent size and high quality. The packaging is superb.
PROS
- Good length and width
- Safety film
- Pre-drilled holes and fittings
CONS
- Thickness is OK rather than great
- Corners are still sharp
- Needs to be fitted with care or will crack
Dripex Frameless Bathroom Mirror, 110 x 45cm Rectangle Wall Mounted Mirror with...
- Mirror Size: 110 x 45 cm, approximately 43.3 x 17.5"
- Explosion-Proof: 3 mm reinforced glass with explosion-proof film, safer for you and your family
- Amazing Packaging: Robust wooden-frame packaging can highly reduce the chance of receiving a broken mirror
- Mirror Size: 110 x 45 cm, approximately 43.3 x 17.5"
- Explosion-Proof: 3 mm reinforced glass with explosion-proof film, safer for you and your family
- Amazing Packaging: Robust wooden-frame packaging can highly reduce the chance of receiving a broken mirror
- Mirror can be fitted Vertically or Horizontally
- ❤️Perfect for the bathroom, living room, bedroom or dressing room
Reflex Sales & Marketing Ltd Frameless Bathroom Mirror
Size 120 x 60cm
Thickness 4mm
Safety film - yes
Polished edges - yes
Pre-drilled holes - yes
Fittings provided - yes
This is probably about as good as it gets for a regular home gym. It’s big, high quality and easy to fit. It also comes well-packaged.
PROS
- Size should cover just about any form of exercise
- Safety film
- Pre-drilled holes, really good fittings
CONS
- Does stand out slightly from wall but not enough to put lights behind (using provided fittings)
- Very heavy, handle with great care
Reflex Sales & Marketing Ltd. 120 x 60cm Rectangle Frameless Bathroom Mirror...
- Frameless Bathroom Mirror: Mirror Glass (not Acrylic/Plastic) with smooth edges
- Product Dimensions: 120 x 60cm, 1200 x 600mm, Approximately 47 x 24” inches. Depth 4mm (0.4cm)
- 4 x Pre Drilled Holes, Drilled Hole Diameter 7mm, Drilled Hole Position: 38mm from the mirror edge to the centre of the drilled hole.
- Frameless Bathroom Mirror: Mirror Glass (not Acrylic/Plastic) with smooth edges
- Product Dimensions: 120 x 60cm, 1200 x 600mm, Approximately 47 x 24” inches. Depth 4mm (0.4cm)
- 4 x Pre Drilled Holes, Drilled Hole Diameter 7mm, Drilled Hole Position: 38mm from the mirror edge to the centre of the drilled hole.
- Wall Hanging Fixings Included: 4 x Chrome Caps, 4 x Screws, 4 x Wall Plugs, 4 x Washers, 4 x Spacers. Wall Hanging instruction included: detailed wall hanging instructions are included to assist you in hanging your mirror.
- Any hanging orientation: this mirror can be hung either vertically (portrait) or horizontally (landscape)
Tamstar MIRROR PERSPEX SHEET
Size 122 x 61cm
Thickness 3mm
Safety film - yes
Polished edges - NA
Pre-drilled holes - No
Fittings provided - NA
This is the best plastic home gym mirror we have been able to find. Distortions are minimal, you could even use it for activities such as dance. If you want to mount it using the provided adhesive hooks, you need to drill the holes yourself using a drill bit for wood. Personally, we’d just spend a bit extra on buying some adhesive strips.
PROS
- Affordable
- Light
- Can be fixed with adhesive
CONS
- This is plastic, with everything that implies
Tamstar MIRROR PERSPEX SHEET PLASTIC 4x2ft HOME GYM DANCE STUDIO ALUMINIUM CHILD...
Bonus picks
Beauty4U Full Length Mirror
The overall size of this mirror is 140 by 40 cm and most of that is actual mirror. The bevel on the frame is very thin. We like this mirror because it’s designed to be used freestanding or hung on a wall. This means that you can put it on the floor when you’re renting but then hang it up when you can drill holes.
PROS
- Large reflective area
- Freestanding so no drilling required and can be moved
- Looks good as a general household mirror
CONS
- Takes up a lot of floor space
- Weight limits mobility
Beauty4U Full Length Mirror 140x40cm Free Standing, Hanging or Leaning, Large Floor...
- This fantastic mirror is well packaged with sturdy box and enough filler in order to arrive in a great condition. Don't worry, if you receive a broken mirror, you will get a quick refund or reissue by contacting us
- This fantastic mirror is well packaged with sturdy box and enough filler in order to arrive in a great condition. Don't worry, if you receive a broken mirror, you will get a quick refund or reissue by contacting us
- This mirror adopts superior aluminum alloy frame designed in modern simple style with exquisite workmanship, lightweight and easy to move. 2 colors to choose, each can show the beauty and elegance in every detail
- We choose float glass to make the mirror, which can give you a much real and clear image. An explosion-proof film is pasted on the back, it will not hurt you even when the mirror is broken
- This mirror is easy to install. There is a fold-out bracket for free standing, and also 2 pendants on the back for wall mounting. You can also lean it against the wall. Each hook has a protective film on it to avoid damage
- This wonderful mirror is not only practical but also decorative. No matter you use it yourself or give your families and friends as a gift, it will be a perfect choice, which will bring beauty to your life
Dripex Over Door Mirror
The overall size of this mirror is 110x33 cm. The frame is about 5cm wide. This mirror is designed to be hung over a door but can also be hung on a wall (later). It’s certainly not ideal for use as a home gym mirror, but it’s a lot better than nothing.
PROS
- Decent reflective area
- Easy to hang over a door
- Works as a household mirror
CONS
- A bit on the narrow side
- Designed to fit standard doors, may be loose on slimmer ones (e.g. wardrobe doors)
Dripex Over Door Mirror Full Length, Wall Mounted Mirror Door Hung Mirror...
- No assembly required, just hang the mirror over your door or closet
- ❤️Door hooks fit snugly over 48 mm thick doors
- Expansion screws attached for vertical wall hanging
- Made of toughened glass, far stronger than normal glass
- No assembly required, just hang the mirror over your door or closet
- ❤️Door hooks fit snugly over 48 mm thick doors
- Expansion screws attached for vertical wall hanging
- Made of toughened glass, far stronger than normal glass
- Robust packaging highly reduces the risk of receiving a broken mirror
Vida Designs Nishano Cheval Mirror
The overall size of this mirror is 145x41 plus you need to allow 48cm for the support. The mirror itself is 110x33cm. The “missing” 32cm is the height off the floor. Honestly, this is only an OK option for a home gym mirror. It could, however, be a practical option if you’re working out in a bedroom.
PROS
- Decent reflective area
- Lets you have a mirror in your workout space when you’re out of other options
- Does look good as a general home mirror
CONS
- Takes up a lot of floor space for its reflective area
Vida Designs Nishano Cheval Mirror Free Standing Full Length Floor Standing Dressing...
- Product Colour: White
- Product Size: H 145 x W 41 x D 48 cm approx.
- Product Material: Rubberwood, MDF, Glass
- Product Brand: Vida Designs
- Product Cleaning Instructions: Wipe With A Dry Cloth
- Product Colour: White
- Product Size: H 145 x W 41 x D 48 cm approx.
- Product Material: Rubberwood, MDF, Glass
- Product Brand: Vida Designs
- Product Cleaning Instructions: Wipe With A Dry Cloth
Useful add-ons
Clear Safety & Security Window Film (Anti Shatter Glass Protection)
You shouldn’t need this if you buy a modern home gym mirror from a mainstream retailer. If you’re not we’d strongly advise it to be on the safe side (no pun intended). Even if you are, we still like to have it. After all, what’s a few quid versus seven years of bad luck?
Clear Safety & Security Window Film (Anti Shatter Glass Protection) (50cm x...
- Comes in a handy size roll with a scratch resistant coating and 10 years warranty.
- Conforms to BS6202 Class B (the same as safety glass)
- Completely clear protection for your loved ones and makes the glazing more secure against burglars.
- Comes in a handy size roll with a scratch resistant coating and 10 years warranty.
- Conforms to BS6202 Class B (the same as safety glass)
- Completely clear protection for your loved ones and makes the glazing more secure against burglars.
- Stops over 99% of harmful UV which reduces the effects of fading.
- Can be installed at home with a few hand tools.
Adhesive fixings
You can use regular glue to hang lighter home gym mirrors. Adhesive fixings can, however, be a lot more convenient and you don’t have to worry about them oozing out from behind the mirror.
Command 17002-VP-6PK Small Hooks with Strips Value Pack - White, Pack of...
- STRONG AND VERSATILE: These hooks hold strongly on a variety of smooth indoor surfaces including painted walls, finished wood, glass, tile, and metal. Great for hanging scarfs, belts or pet leads
- NO TOOLS REQUIRED: Hang your accessories where you want without nails or a hammer
- STRONG AND VERSATILE: These hooks hold strongly on a variety of smooth indoor surfaces including painted walls, finished wood, glass, tile, and metal. Great for hanging scarfs, belts or pet leads
- NO TOOLS REQUIRED: Hang your accessories where you want without nails or a hammer
- DAMAGE-FREE DECORATING: Say goodbye to holes or sticky residue on your walls. Command Adhesive Strips by 3M are easy to use and help keep your walls looking beautiful without any marks
- REMOVES CLEANLY: These hooks leave no sticky adhesive behind. Thanks to the Command stretch-release removable adhesive technology, they hold strongly yet you can remove them without leaving traces or glue residue
- INCLUDES: The pack contains 6 white hooks and 12 adhesive strips, holding 450 gm. Not suitable for hanging picture frames
How to hang a gym mirror?
When it comes to hanging a home gym mirror, there are two key questions you need to answer.
- Exactly where does it need to go?
- Do you want it flush to the wall?
- Roughly how good are your DIY skills?
- What are the options for securing it?
Where does your home gym mirror need to go?
Commercial gyms have walls of mirrors. If you have the space and budget, this is a great look for the home too. If you don’t then you need to ensure that your home gym mirror covers your key working area(s). This will depend on your preferred form(s) of exercise.
For example, if you’re on a treadmill then you could probably make do with a tall, narrow mirror. This will be enough to let you check your upper body posture and your stride. If, however, you’re on a rowing machine, then you’ll probably want a broader mirror. Height will be less important practically, but it might look more pleasing to the eye to have a taller mirror.
Flush or stand-out?
Placing your home gym mirrors flush to the wall maximizes space and generally makes for the easiest install. On the other hand, having them stand out slightly does allow you to work in some cool effects. For example, you could add lighting to the edges of your mirrors.
How good are your DIY skills?
Hanging a home gym mirror can be a lot more of a challenge than hanging a standard wall mirror. You need to manoeuvre a large object and attach it to the wall using the right tools and fittings for the wall material. In some cases, this may mean finding studs. Technically, your mirror doesn’t need to be straight. It is, however, generally very much preferable.
If you’re reading this, know what it all means in practice, and thinking that none of it sounds like a big deal, then you’re probably fine to go ahead and hang your own home gym mirror. If you’re not, then calling in a tradesperson is probably the best option.
If you’re going for the full-on “wall of mirrors” look, then you might want to think seriously about getting a tradesperson even if you consider yourself a handy DIYer. The key to getting this right is to place each mirror with spot-on accuracy. Get this wrong and the whole effect is ruined.
What are the options for securing your mirror?
This is the real test of your DIY skills. The only consistent piece of advice is that you need to hang your home gym mirror on a totally flat surface. This is for safety as much as functionality. It will give the mirror the best grip. If you’re not up to a full resurfacing job then the easiest way to smooth a textured surface is to cover it with something flat. MDF is the usual choice.
Once you’ve sorted this, you need to figure out what options you have for physically attaching the mirror to the wall. If you have a lighter mirror, you can use regular adhesive or adhesive stips hooks (aka Command strips/hooks). This is the “no drilling” option and hence may be the only option for renters. Even if you own your own home, it can be convenient.
If you have a heavier mirror, however, then you’re going to need to get out a drill and choose the right drill bit and fittings. Some home gym mirrors may come with them. Even if they do, however, you should double-check whether or not they’re suitable for your wall. You might also want to consider proving some extra support, for example, a ledge underneath the mirror.
In short
A good home gym mirror is an investment you should plan to make even if you’re on a tight budget. It’ll improve the quality of your workout and make your exercise area look and feel better. It’s great if you have the space and budget for a really large home gym mirror. If you don’t, however (or you’re renting) there are still options for you.
Katie is our resident Editor and extremely is a well-respected voice in the world of fitness. Katie has a first-class Hons degree in Journalism and is proud to say that she has written leading entries featured in the biggest media outlets including Vogue, Women Health Magazine and CoachMag. Great outdoors and animal lover and always on the go
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