Smart Mirrors: The Future of Fitness

The Mirror is an interactive smart gym that learns more about its users the more they use it, improving overall fitness performance of the user.

With the pandemic shutting down fitness studios and forcing people to spend more time at home, tech-enabled fitness companies are struggling to keep up with orders as the demand for at-home fitness options surged to it's all-time highest level. Sporty and formerly inactive world citizens alike are now testing out various at-home fitness alternatives to find the one that works best for them, with the former trying to keep up with their pre-pandemic workout regimen and the latter looking for new ways to fill up their newfound leisure time. The growing awareness with regards to health and wellness, along with the looming fear of infection risk, is also driving the growth of the fitness industry. 

The World Economic Forum noted that the global downloads of fitness and health apps increased by 46%. And with demand, comes supply. Key players are launching their own or investing in fitness apps. In December 2020, Apple introduced Fitness+, a digital platform offering pre-recorded videos with 10 different workout types. Sportswear companies such as Adidas, Nike, and Under Armour are also investing in health apps and tracking systems. Even offline studios and gyms are working to boost their online presence to find ways to stay afloat given the regulatory closures. 

Indoor exercise bike brand Peloton saw its revenue grow 128% in Q4 2020 from a year earlier to $1.06 billion, the first time its quarterly sales have topped $1 billion. Of its total revenue, 85% came from sales of its equipment, while the rest was generated by subscriptions. Net income was $63.6 million, up from a $55.4 million loss a year ago. The company has more than 4.4 million users with 97% on month-to-month plans and a 0.7% churn rate. 

Now the latest buzz in the digital fitness market revolves around smart fitness mirrors. Started in 2016 by Brynn Putnam, The Mirror is the first mover in the market. Powered by advanced camera technology and machine learning, The Mirror is an interactive smart gym that learns more about its users the more they use it. It delivers real-time feedback based on your goals and preferences for maximum results in minimal time. The company saw its best year in 2020, most notably with its acquisition by sportswear company Lululemon’s $500 million in June.

HOW IT WORKS

As the name implies, The Mirror is an actual mirror – it was created as such to blend into its users’ houses and take up less space. With the flip of a switch at the bottom of the device or a click of a button in the connected mobile app, The Mirror then becomes a screen, ready to display on-demand and live workout videos designed by top trainers from across the United States.

Professional trainers appear on screen against a pure black background to lead users through a series of movements that run somewhere between 15 minutes to an hour. Users have the flexibility of choosing from curated playlists or integrating their own Spotify or Apple Music accounts. They can also adjust the volume of both the music and the instructor's voice according to their preference. By enabling its users to see their own reflection as they workout, The Mirror allows them to pay closer attention to their form and quickly improve on it, which in turn also reduces the risk of injury and improves overall fitness performance. In addition to that, The Mirror can help users reach their target goals with its advanced camera technology and proprietary algorithms. The device can track workouts, heart rate, calories and suggest in-workout adjustments based on the goals, preferences, and personal profile of each user.

Another cool feature, especially in the age of COVID-19, is that The Mirror enables users to feel like they are working out together with other users virtually as it displays the usernames of other people taking the class along with you. They can interact and respond to the instructor’s comments by sending emoji and sharing post-workout selfies, further personalizing the experience.

COMPETITION

Since its inception, there have been notable similar competitor of The Mirror, each coming out with their own unique flair. The Mirror’s closest competitor is probably the Echelon Reflect, which is practically The Mirror but offered in two different sizes. We also have Tonal, a sort of vertical Bowflex that mounts onto the wall and unfolds its metal appendages into whatever configuration the selected workout demands. Another famous brand is the Tempo, which offers a complete fitness ecosystem all wrapped up into one standing A-frame. And there are many others still, including the newly released NordicTrack Vault and the Proform Vue.

Other developed countries that have yet been tapped by these US brands have also been coming out with their own version of smart fitness mirrors. In China, we see Chengdu-based smart fitness company Fiture and Shanghai-based myShape coming up with the same product. In Hong Kong, local tech startup OliveX launched the KARA mirror, which is going into production development alongside their smart fitness mobile app. German-based fitness brand VAHA is also bringing the smart mirror party to European countries. These mirrors operate in similar fashion, posing as a regular full-sized mirror, but is jam-packed with hidden technology. They also work with a similar revenue model, offering basic starter packages, with accessories and the membership for digital fitness content costing extra. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

While they are great products, these smart fitness mirrors are not for everyone. The device itself costs around $1,000 to $3,000, access to the live and pre-recorded workout sessions go for around  $39 a month, and private one-on-one sessions with a remote personal trainer $40 a pop. Add on a set of fitness bands or a heart rate monitor that pairs to the device for an extra $50 apiece. These smart fitness mirrors literally scream luxury. And while a mirror is still half the price of a Peloton bike, it is nowhere necessary to buy one for good at-home workouts. 

Despite their success in developed countries like the United States and China in recent, we cannot help to wonder whether these smart fitness mirrors would find similar successes in Southeast Asian countries with their lower buying power or simply even in a post-pandemic world in which citizens are free to leave their houses again.