Can a fitness mirror replace your PT? The GHI investigates…

Is it a portal to the gym? Is it a personal trainer replacement? Well, it’s a bit of both.

In the simplest of terms, a fitness mirror is an immersive bit of home gym equipment that lets you access thousands of gym classes (via a subscription) from home, rather than having to get yourself to the gym. No more excuses!

But The Vault is more than just a mirror – slide the door to the side to reveal storage for all your exercise equipment. You can choose to purchase this alongside your mirror, so it comes stocked with dumbbells (weighing from 5lbs to 30lbs), 20lb and 30lb kettlebells, an exercise mat, three resistance bands and a microfibre towel. However, if you already have all the gear, you can just purchase the mirror and stock up with your own equipment instead.

It’s not just a mirror for you to admire your gains or correct your form. It’s a touchscreen tablet that’s loaded with iFit Software (you get a 12-month iFit trial included in the price).

This gives you access to thousands of different workouts and classes that can be filtered to your personal preference. From class type to trainer and music selection, it really does cater to your every need.

Our fitness expert used the mirror every day for a week, assessing it on ease of set-up and use, how straightforward it is to find additional support if needed, and how intuitive it is to navigate the interface. When it came to the software, we looked at how easy it is to personalise to your own goals and preferences, assessing its ability to filter by workouts, instructors, level, time or type of workout.

We then got moving. We wanted to see how user friendly the workouts are and if they cater for all levels of fitness and ranges of equipment available i.e. Are there workouts you can do without equipment, or with weights, kettlebells and/or bands.

We then analysed all the feedback to award our final score.

Scoring 80/100 in the lab, here’s a breakdown of how it performed…

Pros

Straightforward set-up

Depending on where you buy and live, there is the option to get a white glove delivery service where NordicTrack’s specialist team will deliver, set everything up, and even take away the boxes so you don’t need to move a finger. This does come at an extra cost, so if you decide to set it up yourself, we recommend enlisting an extra pair of hands, as the equipment is heavy (just as you would want it to be!). The brand recommends placing a fitness mat underneath it to protect your floor, so it’s worth investing in one before.

The mirror comes with a double-sided manual to help you and your coerced enlisted helper. Once you’ve chosen your spot, you simply plug it in and load up the back with the equipment. You’ll need to create an iFit account online to set up the subscription, and you’ll receive an email with your login details to enter so you can access all the workouts. The whole process takes a matter of minutes.

Easy to use

From set-up to selecting a workout, everything about this clever bit of equipment was simple from start to finish (though we can’t say the same about the workouts themselves…). Our tester found the interface very intuitive, with the ability to filter your workout depending on time, intensity and instructor.

Excellent variety of workouts

This fitness mirror is compatible with iFit software, giving you access to thousands of different fitness classes at your fingertips. Note that iFit membership is free for a year with your mirror but will cost £349 a year after that, so that’s a significant additional cost to bear in mind.

Classes offered include everything from yoga, barre and Pilates, to HIIT, strength and cardio, as well as martial arts blends and boxing – and each has different levels to suit a variety of fitness levels. There really is something for everyone. And you can save your favourite ones, which our tester found convenient when they wanted to stay loyal to their preferred trainer.

Each trainer has a different style, and there are 180 to choose from, including Olympians and celebrity personal trainers. Our expert was impressed with the standard of coaching. “The trainers are all so good; lots of personality to keep you motivated and each workout I looked at had a warm-up and cool down too, so they’re definitely doing their due diligence,” she said.

Immersive workout experience

Motivation will be at an all-time high with this fitness mirror. Rather than following the same old YouTube video from your laptop, the crisp, high-definition screen and top-quality speakers will make you feel like the personal trainer really is in the room with you. What’s more, the classes have an eclectic mix of music to get you through every rep, from modern hits to old-time classics.

A focus on form

Because you are quite literally staring back at yourself, you can monitor your stance and form to make sure that you’re not only targeting the right muscles in each rep, but you are completing them accurately and safely – because you can’t progress if you’re injured.

While this mirror doesn’t give you live feedback on form, as some other models do (see below), it still provides detailed instruction from the trainers on the perfect technique for each exercise.

Confidence-boosting home workouts

The gym can be an intimidating place sometimes, especially when you’re just starting out. So having the ability to participate in classes from the comfort of your own home, with personal trainers right in front of you, is a great way to build your confidence. You won’t miss standing at the back of the class and trying to copy everyone around you, we’re sure.

Our tester echoed this, saying: “Exercise takes time in the day that not everyone has – The Vault is a great solution. You can work out how you want and when you want!”

Cons

It’s expensive

There’s no getting around the fact this mirror comes with a hefty price tag – £1199 without equipment and £1699 for the mirror with kit, to be exact. So, it’s quite an investment, and though you get the first 12 months of iFit membership free, you will have to pay a monthly subscription of £34 after that to access the workouts.

But, if you’re planning to use it to replace regular gym workouts, it could pay off in the long run. “Although the cost is on the high side, I could see myself using it every day and if you compare it to the cost of a gym membership and consider the equipment that comes with the mirror, it is good value,” said our tester.

Not all the equipment is included

The Vault does come with some handy accessories included, such as two yoga blocks, an exercise mat, resistance bands and a microfibre towel. But note that if you choose the option that comes with gym equipment, there are only two choices of kettlebell weights and the dumbbell’s weight ranges from 5lbs to 30lbs, so if you are looking to lift heavier, you will need to stock the shelves yourself.

If this doesn’t suit, you’re probably better off buying the mirror on its own, without any of the equipment, for £1199.

It requires some space

At 70.5 inches tall and 22.5 inches wide, this is quite a chunky bit of kit, so you’ll need to think about whether you have space in your home to accommodate it (because sadly, we don’t all have home gyms in our basement).

You’ll also need to consider the space you need to work out in. However, at 14 inches deep, it can fit neatly against a wall in the corner of a spare room if needed.

No rewind or fast-forward options

Our tester would have appreciated the ability to fast forward or rewind classes as there were times when they’d already completed their warm-up or wanted a recap on form tips.

NordicTrack The Vault Fitness Mirror

The Vault is essentially a mini at-home gym with storage for equipment and access to thousands of personal trainer classes, helping to build confidence and improve form, all from the comfort of your home – no need to splash out on a pricey gym membership or rush to your local leisure centre after an intense day, or when the weather’s a bit dodgy.

Exercising at home can be extremely boring but there’s no such issue with the Vault. The workouts are seriously enjoyable and engaging, and the crisp visuals and audio are guaranteed to keep you motivated.

Its size and hefty price tag are the biggest downsides. But, if you can afford to carve out some space in your home (and bank account), and you think you will get a lot of use out of it, this is an exciting bit of kit the whole family can use.

If the Vault doesn’t suit your needs or budget, but you’re keen to invest in this innovative tech, our editors have picked out some other options on the market.

MAGIC fit fitness mirror

Now 29% Off

Prepare to be encouraged/shouted at by a robot as this fitness mirror takes technology to another level. Sophisticated AI tracking gives you live feedback via a trainer who will shout real-time corrections to help improve your form, as well as live rep-counting, to see you through that last push.

It won’t let you forget your progress either as you’re able to log what weights you’re using. It’s also sleek and can be hung on the wall, so it won’t take up a lot of space.

ProForm Vue Fitness Mirror

Like The Vault, this mirror from ProForm is programmed with a year’s subscription to the iFit software, giving you access to hundreds of classes from the comfort of your own home.

It also comes with a range of equipment, including a 4.5kg bar, four 1.1kg weight plates and two 2.3kg dumbbells. The equipment can be stored on the rear of the pivoting mirror, with each accessory given an allocated space to keep your gym/spare room looking pristine.

Echelon Reflect 50″ Smart Fitness Mirror

Echelon’s fitness mirror is premium from the outside in, with a sleek surface that wouldn’t look out of place in your home, paired with the brand’s premium membership, which gives you access to more than 2000 studio-quality fitness classes, such as yoga, Pilates, HIIT, and even kickboxing.

With a range of on-demand and live workout classes, there’s no chance of you missing a session.

Madeleine is our Lifestyle Writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and round-ups on the latest beauty Beauty and Health & Wellness products. From skincare to protein powders, Maddie is committed to providing honest and helpful reviews to help guide readers to the best product for them. Maddie has a BA in English Literature and Language, which stemmed from her lifelong interest in reading and writing. She started her post graduate life at Hearst UK within a marketing capacity, which quickly turned into a desire to fulfil a writing career.

When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera.

Kim Hawley is our health and fitness product tester. Her career in fitness has spanned over 30 years. Prior to joining the Good Housekeeping Institute, she worked as a personal trainer, writer and fitness instructor for some of London’s most prestigious health clubs, including The Harbour Club, David Lloyd and The Chelsea Club. Passionate about women’s health and fitness, especially in pre/post menopause, she is also a Level 4 PT and holds a professional nutritional qualification. Kim is responsible for rigorously testing everything from cross trainers to smart watches.