The boom in the health and fitness industry has led to a number of companies attempting to bring the gym into the home, the most well-known of these in the UK being Peloton. However over in the US there is another vying for consumers' attention: Mirror.
The company makes reflective LCD displays to stream workouts and, now, personal training sessions.
Via the two-way audio and video system, personal trainers can coach users in real time,while users can also keep an eye on their form on the reflective screen. The device is powered through an iPhone app and is designed to match clients with trainers based on the type of workout, fitness level and goals.
The company's plans are ambitious, looking to extend the Mirror to other types of content, such as therapy and meditation, and eventually as a way for users to shop and interact with others.
All very cool and futuristic. But is this creeping into the realms of a Black Mirror story?
The company has said that the Mirror's camera and microphone are only activated during the sessions but with the unit having both a camera and microphone stationed in private homes, is it only a matter of time before the Mirror's settings are compromised?
There is also the cost of the unit. The display itself costs $1,495. On top of that, monthly membership costs $39 per month, although you do get access to live and recorded classes. The one-on-one personal training sessions are an additional $40 for 30 minutes. Not cheap when compared to the budget gym memberships available but for those who value convenience, perhaps this is a viable investment.
Perhaps more fundamentally, the question comes down to whether, in a world of screens, we really need another 40 inch screen in our living rooms to get us moving. There aren't many who would be too forgiving of their neighbours' boxercise classes above or next door to them. And for those who do use Mirror, can it replace the atmosphere and social aspect of attending a gym or a class?
Working out, whether as a leisure activity or an athlete, has historically been an activity which requires stepping outside the home. However, for those with time constraints and the capability to invest in this kind of technology this may be more appealing than a pricey gym membership or more traditional in-home modes of exercise.
What's clear is that the growing trend of companies incorporating tech with fitness shows no sign of slowing. Consumers now have more options than ever as to where, and how, they work out. Mirror is one of the first of these companies to create a truly interactive experience to try and compete with the out-of-home fitness industry. It remains to be seen whether this will take off in the UK, and how the in-home fitness evolution will continue to develop.
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