Home gyms are nothing new. From exercise bikes and treadmills to a set of dumbbells and body weight, people have been working out in the comfort of their homes for decades. But a newer trend in at-home gyms is the rise in popularity of smart fitness mirrors.

These devices take your at-home workouts to the next level by making it possible to get personalized workout routines that mimic the type and level of instruction received by professional trainers—and more. What else do so smart mirrors offer, and should you get one?

What Are Smart Fitness Mirrors?

Connected gym equipment is gaining popularity, as evidenced by the rapidly rising market. A report in Medical Devices and Surgical Technology Week predicted that the sector will be valued at $5.96 billion by 2025. That means that you can expect to see more smart gym equipment hit the market over the coming years.

The primary feature of smart fitness mirrors is that they can display a professional trainer on a screen to lead you through a workout. It's almost as if you're standing in a studio in front of a personal trainer—it's pretty cool.

Some fitness mirrors also act as regular mirrors (you know, the kind that shows you, well, you!) so you can self-correct your form during reps. But not to worry, if you're unsure if you're performing an exercise with proper form, some brands and models of fitness mirrors also include AI-powered form recommendations. It really is like having your own personal trainer.

Of course, there are several free live workout classes that you can stream from your living room, as well as apps for live and on-demand fitness classes, but a fitness mirror is the only way to display a life-sized trainer right in front of you, without taking up any room in your space. And most fitness mirrors only require a small amount of real estate on your wall, while others you can use with a stand.

All fitness mirrors require an outlet for power as well as a stable high-speed internet connection to use live and on-demand classes and to track workout history, record physiological data, and supply workout motivation.

Internet access also allows users to connect with the brand's digital ecosystem and even do things like post social media updates if you like to share your workouts with friends. Some fitness mirrors offer touchscreen capabilities, while others can be controlled through a companion app.

Some of the leading fitness mirrors, such as the Mirror by Lululemon, include an extensive catalog of fitness classes to choose from. Finding something that's right for you is easy by using the filters on the compatible app. You can even filter by the kind of equipment needed (from nothing but body weight to exercise bands and dumbbells), intensity level, length, and instructor.

Other fitness mirrors such as Tonal are designed to build muscle using resistance cables, while Tempo Studio is designed to be used with free weights. Both Tonal and Tempo include AI sensors that will help you with proper form, which is incredibly important to prevent injury when training with weights.

Depending on the brand and the model, fitness mirrors can come with a range of options as companies try to differentiate their product offerings. For example, the NordicTrack Vault is a full-length freestanding mirror with a compartment for storing all of your fitness equipment, including yoga mats and blocks, dumbbells, or kettlebells (not included).

Costs of Smart Mirrors

Fitness mirrors range in price from around $1,000 for base model devices to more than $3,000 for more advanced products. Most fitness mirrors also require a separate monthly or yearly subscription to access live and on-demand content. Monthly subscription costs can vary but are often between $30 and $50. For this reason, a smart fitness mirror with all the bells and whistles will probably only be worth it if you use it regularly.

Should You Buy a Smart Gym Mirror?

You might ask yourself if you should buy smart gym equipment. It's not just a gimmick. Increased motivation is one major consideration when deciding whether to invest in a smart gym mirror. And a study published in the Journal of Internet Medical Research concluded that using exercise applications such as those included in smart gym mirrors can reduce your chances of skipping a much-needed workout.

Motivation is especially difficult for those who work long or irregular hours and don't have the time or interest to hit the gym after work. After all, with a moderate commute and the time needed to park and change, you might be looking at an added hour of time required to exercise outside your home rather than inside.

Another factor to consider is cleanliness. By working out at home you won't find yourself waiting to use sweaty equipment and there's no risk of catching someone else's athlete's foot in the locker room. You can also grunt and groan to your heart's content if that's your style!

Lastly, many people receive help and added motivation from the analytics. Tracking your progress is a major reason for using a smart gym at home. While there's nothing wrong with using pen and paper to record sets and reps, smart gym equipment can remember these details for you and offer detailed physiological data analysis.

Do You See Yourself Using a Smart Mirror?

Maybe you're too busy to hit the gym several times per week. Or maybe you're looking to supplement your gym training with added workouts at home. If you've always wanted to take fitness classes in a studio but don't know what type is best for you, consider trying a smart fitness mirror.

These devices offer a wide range of benefits over other at-home gym equipment. And when you consider the monthly cost of a brick-and-mortar gym membership, you might save yourself some money in the long run by investing in an at-home smart fitness mirror—if you can stay motivated to use it!