MIRRORS IN GYMS

Many fitness centers have walls that are entirely mirrored. These mirrors offer a lot more than glitz to what might otherwise be a drab gym. They are not just decorations, they are tools.

The highly reflective surface of the mirrors reflect almost all of the light that strike them back into the room, reducing a gym's electric bill. Additionally, mirrored walls make any room look bigger, but in a gym they have the added advantage of making appear that there are twice as many treadmills, ellipticals, bikes and so forth. They also give the staff "eyes in the back of their heads" by increasing their field of view and enabling them to observe unsafe behavior or unsafe use of the fitness equipment that might not have been noticed were it not for the mirrors.

Besides the benefits to the health club, many members use the mirrors to monitor their own performance to help them with the follow through of their repetitions with dumbbells or free weights.

Personal trainers also use the mirrors as a training aid. They can have their clients observe their own movements while the trainers critique them or point to the muscle groups that are being targeted.

All in all, the mirrored walls are a relatively inexpensive enhancement to a gym, that adds to a health clubs décor, safety and functionality.