Should You Spend Thousands on One?
18 min read
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Gyms might be open and fitness studio classes might be full again, but working out at home is here to stay. For many, it’s simply a more efficient way to fit movement in before or after work. One of the best ways to mimic an in-person HIIT or strength training experience at home? A fitness mirror. These smart fitness systems project an almost-human-sized instructor straight into your living room, play music, track your metrics and some even give you AI-powered feedback on your form.
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The SPY team is constantly testing new fitness products to see if they live up to their big promises. So we decided to put the top fitness mirrors to the test to see which one came out on top. We spent time with each one taking classes and noting pros and cons, and we’ve gathered our findings so you can make an informed decision about which one suits your fitness goals.
One thing to know upfront: No matter which fitness mirror you choose, it’s a huge investment. This is why we’ve put hours into testing these devices, so when you fork over the thousands of dollars (yes, really), it will be worth your while. Here are the best fitness mirrors of 2022, tested by SPY editors.
The Best Fitness Mirrors at a Glance
Keep scrolling for our in-depth reviews of and thoughts on the best fitness mirrors of 2022. We’ve also put together a quick-reference guide to our ranking below. When creating this list, we looked at a combination of objective and subjective factors including screen size, audio quality, class library size, health metrics, price and ease of use.
Here’s an abridged list of our top picks for the best fitness mirrors of 2022. Keep reading for more details, pros and cons and information on each pick.
1. Best Overall: Tempo Studio — $2,495.00 at Tempo
2. Runner Up: MIRROR — $1,345.00 at MIRROR
3. Best for Strength Training: Tonal — $3,490.00 at Tonal
4. Great Value: ProForm Vue — $999.00 at ProForm
5. Best Splurge: NordicTrack Vault — $1,199.00 at NordicTrack
6. Quality Pick: Echelon Reflect — $1,499.99 at Echelon
7. Best Mirror Alternative: Tempo Move — $495.00 at Tempo
What Are Fitness Mirrors?
Fitness mirrors are a lot like regular mirrors, except they project instructor-led workouts so you get a nearly life-size view of class from your living room. You can also see yourself in the reflection, and ensure your form is safe, tempo is on and rhythm matches what the instructor is asking for. Some of them will give you real-time feedback on your form, range of motion and rep count as well.
1. Tempo Studio
Best for: Those who love lifting with a barbell, have some extra space and want to invest in equipment and a high-quality fitness system
Why We Chose It: It’s one of the highest-quality at-home smart fitness machines available; the included equipment is top-notch; and it’s perfect for home gyms.
Tempo and Mirror were both strong contenders for the top spot, but we ultimately went with Tempo because of the optional included equipment and superior weightlifting tools. The Tempo Studio comes in three packages: Starter, Plus and Pro, with more equipment the higher you go in price. We tested the Plus package, which has nine pieces of included equipment such as weights, dumbells, a workout mat and more, compared to the Starter package, which comes with four pieces. The Pro level is a comprehensive home gym package in one purchase, with 14 pieces of equipment such as a barbell, full set of weights, dumbbells, a workout mat, recovery roller, heart rate monitor and more. You also get an adjustable squat rack, extra weight plates and
a weight bench.
Tempo’s technology uses 3D sensors and AI technology that builds a model of your body so the AI can automatically generate feedback for you while you move. Their machine builds a personalized program for you and gives you rep and weight amounts that will challenge without overwhelming. They also offer cardio, HIIT and mobility classes to complement your routine and help you make well-rounded progress in addition to weight lifting. This fitness mirror doesn’t lie flat against the wall as it includes space for storing weights, so make sure you’ve got the space before clicking “Buy.”
One important thing to note: the Tempo Studio is not an actual mirror. You can’t see your reflection in it, and it doesn’t serve as a mirror when it’s off. It’s a large screen that gives you real-time feedback on your form, metrics and progress. This makes it better than a fitness mirror, in our opinion, since you’ll know right away if there’s something you need to improve.
Pros:
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Large responsive touchscreen
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Huge class library and easy filter search
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Quality instructors
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Tracks metrics accurately
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Only fitness mirror that teaches classes with a barbell
Cons:
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Takes up more space than thinner, equipment-less fitness mirrors
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Speaker audio is terrible, you must use headphones
Dimensions: 72″ H x 26″ W x 16″ D
Type: Freestanding
Subscription Price: $39/month
2. MIRROR
Best for: Those who don’t have a lot of available floor space and really need the “mirror” part of fitness mirror to ring true
Why We Chose It: Its sleek design is perfect if you want your fitness mirror to blend into your decor when not being used, and the classes are top-notch.
The MIRROR was the first fitness mirror to hop onto the scene in 2018, and it’s still one of the best options available. This is an actual mirror in which you can see and correct your form while working out, and when turned off looks like a sleek living room accessory. It’s very well-designed, slim and hardly takes up any space. You can tilt it against the wall using a metallic chrome stand or mount it, so it only takes up the amount of space in front of it you need to move.
The MIRROR also has advanced camera functionality that delivers adjustments throughout your workout based on your goals, and it offers a wide variety of classes including yoga flows, kettlebell circuits, boxing, barre, bootcamp and more. The system doesn’t come with equipment, so if you don’t have your own you’ll want to factor in the cost of new weights. The mirror also operates through an app on your phone, which is important to note if you’re looking for a touchscreen. However, we found the app works quickly and makes it easy to filter and search for classes.
Pros:
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Can see yourself and the instructor in the mirror clearly
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High-quality classes with talented instructors
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Very large class library
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Built-in music playlists and ability to stream your own
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Excellent metrics tracking and real-time form feedback
Cons:
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No equipment included
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Not a touchscreen
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Setup is complicated
Dimensions: 56.0″ H x 22.4″ W 1.4″ D
Type: Wall-mounted or leaning with stand — this option takes up very little floor space
Subscription Price: $39/month
Read More: SPY MIRROR Review
3. Tonal
Best for: Those who are interested in a machine that’ll help you get stronger through resistance-based strength training and don’t need cardio included
Why We Chose It: It’s an excellent option for building strength, and the resistance-based design saves you plenty of floor space and clutter.
If strength is the name of your game, then Tonal might be for you. This fitness mirror has a digital weight system built in that uses digital resistance and automatically adjusts to your strength level to help you build and reach your goals. With one system you can work upper body, lower body and everything in between while lifting up to 200 pounds in 1-pound increments.
After a strength assessment, the machine automatically increases your weight to help you progress, and since the resistance is produced via air compression there’s no momentum in your lift — giving you a better range of motion and more even-keeled strength training. The machine does offer classes that aren’t strength training, but it’s best for those who make weight lifting a priority. You should also be comfortable with resistance-based weights as opposed to traditional barbells and weight plates. Tonal is a bit more expensive than other fitness mirrors, bu
t since it incorporates a variety of strength moves and weights into its design, the price is actually quite competitive. Also, you need to pay about $500 extra if you need a weight bench and other accessories to get the most out of your new fitness mirror.
Pros:
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Compact design that’s great for smaller apartments
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Can strength train without investing in expensive and bulky equipment
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Perfect for beginners
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“Partner Mode” allows you to workout alongside another user
Cons:
Dimensions: 21.50″ W x 50.9″ H, plus space for weight bench if applicable
Type: Wall-mounted
Subscription Price: $49/month with a 12-month commitment
Read More: SPY Tonal Review
4. Pro-Form Vue
Best for: Someone looking to spend less than $1,000 and get the most bang for your buck
Why We Chose It: It packs excellent value into a more affordable price tag, comes with equipment and is one of the only machines where you can see your reflection and the class simultaneously.
While the Pro-Form Vue is still pricey, it has the cheapest price tags of the fitness mirrors we tested and is a great value for what it offers. The Vue is a fitness mirror with a built-in 22″ touchscreen that lets you stream classes on top of the crystal-clear view of your reflection while working out in the iFit library (yes, the same one NordicTrack uses). The mirror displays proper form via the classes and the mirror gives you a chance to mimic it. Your progress is recorded after every session and is used to influence future exercises. You can stream live and on-demand studio sessions from yoga to HIIT, and the mirror has included accessories including dumbbells, a barbell, weight plates, resistance bands and a yoga mat.
It doesn’t have the advanced, form-adjusting technology of brands like the Tempo and MIRROR; however, it provides a great price for all the equipment you get. It also has access to the library you get on a NordicTrack treadmill and spin bike, with a much cheaper price tag. Since testing it in 2021, I’ve found other machines I’ve been more impressed with, but if you’ve got a limited budget or don’t want to spend more than $1,000, it packs a lot into 1/4 of the price of the Tonal.
Pros:
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Easy to set up
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Stand swivels so it can be moved and rotated
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All equipment hangs on the back for efficient storage
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Touch screen
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Large class library that’s easy to search and filter through
Cons:
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Class projection is much smaller than mirror
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Classes appear holographic and awkward to view
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Can’t play your own music
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Doesn’t provide feedback or metrics tracking
Dimensions: 24.25″ W x 72.65″ H x 14″ D
Type: Freestanding
Subscription Price: Includes a one-year family membership that’s $39/month after that
Read More: SPY ProForm Vue Review
5. NordicTrack Vault
Best for: Someone who wants an efficient way to store a lot of equipment, loves the iFit library and doesn’t mind paying a higher price.
Why We Chose It: It includes a ton of equipment and is perfect for folks looking to set up their entire home gym with just a few purchases.
Buy: NordicTrack Vault: Standalone $1,499.00
Buy: NordicTrack Vault: Complete $1,999.00
Sure, this fitness mirror from NordicTrack (a brand better known for its treadmills and exercise bikes) looks amazing, but is it more th
an a pretty package? The answer is a resounding yes, as this smart fitness mirror is more than meets the eye. It’s actually a full home gym “vault” with a fitness mirror on the door, which swings open to reveal dumbbells and other fitness gear inside. The 60″ oversized mirror is a touchscreen, so you can adjust settings while following along with the pros in their iFit program, which is chock-full of classes in everything from lifting to yoga, pilates, HIIT and even mindfulness.
The reflective training on the screen allows you to follow the instructor’s form and keep all of your equipment organized inside. Speaking of equipment — the complete vault purchase comes with premium dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, blocks, a mat and a towel. The full gym setup costs $1,999 and you can also buy the standalone screen and vault to fill with your own equipment for $1,499.
Pros:
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Comes with lots of compatible equipment
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Stores equipment efficiently
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Touchscreen makes it easy to operate
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Gives access to the entire iFit library
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Can see your reflection and follow along with the instructor
Cons:
Dimensions: 72.7″ H x 24.3″ W x 14″ D (includes vertical storage inside for all equipment)
Type: Freestanding
Subscription Price: Includes a one-year family membership that’s $39/month after that
6. Echelon Reflect
Best for: Someone looking for a compact machine to complement your existing home gym collection
Why We Chose It: It has one of the most compact designs we’ve seen, and since it’s wall-mounted it doesn’t take up any floor space.
Buy: Echelon Reflect Smart Fitness Mirror $749.99
Buy: Echelon Reflect Touch Smart Fitness Mirror $1,499.99
Echelon is best known for budget-friendly Peloton alternatives, and the workout equipment company has also come out with its own versions of a fitness mirror. They’ve got two main models — the Echelon Reflect, which is 40″ and not a touchscreen, is far less expensive than most mirrors on this list at approximately $750. The other model, the Echelon Reflect Touch, is slightly larger at 50″ and is an interactive touchscreen.
Both come with Echelon’s extensive library of live and on-demand classes. Both are also smaller than many fitness mirrors, which is a great option for someone who doesn’t want a larger size. It also doesn’t come with any equipment, so if you’ve already got a collection of equipment this option might be a great choice for you.
Another thing to note is Echelon does not provide professional installation with your purchase, but they make it a selling point that a specially-made bracket secures the Reflect to the wall, and no reviewers thus far have complained about the installation being difficult.
Pros:
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Comes in two models at varying price points
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Touchscreen model makes navigation easy
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Smaller, compact design takes up less floor space
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Bluetooth compatibility
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Comes with bracket designed to mount to any wall
Cons:
Dimensions: 50″ H x 20″ W x 2″ D
Type: Wall-mounted
Subscription Price: $34.99/month
7. Tempo Move
Best for: Someone who would rather not buy a large fitness device and instead use their flat-screen TV and compatible iPhone.
Why We Chose It: It uses equipment most people already have in their home, and in the right living room setup it can be quite convenient.
The Tempo Move aims to eliminate the need to buy a bulky fitness mirror by using equipment most people already own to achieve the same body-responsive instruction. All you need is a flat-screen TV and an iPhone to make the dongle work.
Newer iPhones, XR or later, are built with advanced camera capabilities that can do what their fitness mirrors do when it comes to movement tracking, rep counting, 3D body scanning and more. It’s easy to set up by plugging your phone into the Tempo Core dongle and hooking it up to your TV. The set also comes with two 7.5-pound dumbbells, four weight collars, 35 pounds of smart weights and a chic weight storage cabinet that can easily double as a side table. This isn’t technically a fitness mirror, but it’s a great alternative if you don’t want to invest in a full fitness mirror or don’t have the space.
Pros:
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Not as expensive as a fitness mirror
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Tracking software is responsive and works effec
tively -
Gives you access to Tempo’s full fitness library
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Comes with equipment and stylish storage cabinet
Cons:
Dimensions: 22″ H x 13.5″ W x 13.5″ D
Type: Floor unit
Subscription Price: $39/month
Read More: SPY Tempo Move Review
How We Chose the Best Fitness Mirrors
Testing fitness mirrors was more logistically complicated than testing massage guns, ankle weights or smart scales — all of which are smaller and more portable. Since fitness mirrors take up more space than these small products, we tested them one at a time rather than all at once. The advantage? It gave us the time and bandwidth to sink into the experience of using each one, and since the same editor tested all of them we were able to compare them closely.
That being said, the rest of the testing process followed a very similar process to other product categories we’ve tested top to bottom. We used a set of both objective and subjective criteria to judge them and calculate a score to help choose our top picks. We also took into account which criteria are most important to the user experience.
For SPY’s fitness mirrors reviews, we tested based on the following criteria, and compared the mirrors to each other to choose the best option for our readers:
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Screen Size: Is the screen large enough to view the classes clearly? How much of the screen does the class take up?
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Class Library: How large is the selection of classes? Are there a variety of classes available?
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Audio Options: We tested the audio options and quality of each of the fitness mirrors by cranking up the volume of the speakers as well as connecting our preferred Bluetooth headphones. If the mirror came with the ability to stream our own music, we tested that feature, as well as playlists included with the mirror.
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Installation/Setup: How easy was the mirror to install? Does delivery and installation cost extra?
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Design of Machine: How much room does the machine take up? Is it well-designed?
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Ease of Use: We evaluated how easy it was to use each machine and noted if it’s a touchscreen or requires an app. We also tested the touchscreen/app functionality by using the app from a distance if the mirror is controlled via smartphone app, or using the touchscreen repeatedly to test its reactivity and response time.
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Quality of Classes/Instructors: We tried a variety of classes offered by each fitness mirror and judged if the classes were engaging and if the workouts felt effective.
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Metrics: We tested the metrics gathering of each mirror by switching up our position during class, moving faster and slower and purposefully making simple form mistakes to see if the corrective software actually works. (Spoiler alert: It does!)
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Price: We considered if there is a subscription fee, how much it costs and the overall price.
The SPY team tested five different fitness mirrors over the course of 3-4 weeks each over the course of the past year. A few of the biggest fitness mirror brands weren’t available at the time of testing but will be added to our review round-up once they are.
What to Consider Before Buying a Fitness Mirror in 2022
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Space: Before purchasing one of the best fitness mirrors available in 2022, you’ll want to consider where you’re going to hang it and how much allotted space you have in front of it for working out. As a general rule of thumb, you should have at least enough space to spread out a yoga mat, with ideally a few inches of buffer on all sides. If you can do jumping jacks, a plank, downward dog and squat with ease, you’ll likely have enough room to do most workouts.
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Equipment: Some of the fitness mirrors come with equipment, while others don’t. To get the most out of what the mirror has to offer you’ll want to figure out what equipment you need such as dumbbells, resistance bands, a barbell or other equipment. Also, remember to factor that into the overall cost.
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Price: Fitness mirrors are a significant investment. However, they are versatile and can offer a variety of workouts. Since it does have a high price tag, we recommend trying one out or at least doing thorough research before taking the plunge.
OUR BIG PROS
Fitness mirrors make sense as a logical next step for the at-home workout space as they open doors for versatility that treadmills, cycling bikes, rowers and other smart equipment can’t. Unlike treadmills and bikes where you can only do one type of workout, with the top fitness mirrors you can do strength training, yoga, pilates or a HIIT session.
Being able to get feedback on your form, either from the mirror itself or your reflection staring back at you, is key to a safe, effective workout. These mirrors also take up less floor space than every treadmill, cycling bike and rower we’ve tried, so they’re a major plus for small apartments.
A FEW CONS TO CONSIDER
These innovative fitness machines have a lot of advantages, but they may not be for everyone. The reflection on the screen can feel a bit futuristic, they’re quite expensive and if you’re not into in-depth metrics tracking, you may prefer streaming a fitness app on your iPhone or iPad.
The SPY team has yet to try all of the mirrors on this list, but e’ve been impressed by the ones we have tried. They’re expensive, yes, but you do get an effective workout with many of them, and it’s entirely on your own schedule. For users who struggle to follow along with an iPhone or iPad workout, these are a worthwhile alternative.
Are Smart Mirrors Worth It?
Price is an important factor when deciding if a smart mirror is worth it. There’s no ignoring the fact that these are expensive items, with the lowest-priced one on this list still well over $1,000.
However, if you’re someone who loves hands-on instruction when working out but can’t or don’t want to hire a personal trainer, this may save you money in the long run. While the upfront investment is quite large, the one-time purchase will pay for itself compared to hiring a personal trainer weekly. Although it’s not exactly the same thing as a personal trainer, it’s pretty close, and with the addition of the in-home convenience it’s easier to jus
tify the price.
As is always the case when investing in something expensive, it’s important to analyze how it’s going to fit into your life. Are you going to use something like this? Where will it fit into your routine? Are you interested in the classes offered? If so, then a fitness mirror may be right for you. Worst case scenario, it’ll look a lot more attractive sitting unused in your living room than an elliptical machine.
Why Trust SPY When Shopping for Fitness Mirrors?
SPY.com product reviewers and editors have tested the newest spin bikes, massage guns, and smart gyms for SPY readers, and we have an intensive process for evaluating health and fitness equipment. When testing fitness mirrors for this piece, we closely followed the testing guidelines described above, and we work hard to ensure our readers know about all of the pros and cons associated with a particular product. We know that fitness mirrors are a major investment, and we will always be transparent about any problems we discover while testing.
Our team has tested five of the best fitness mirrors available. We’ve installed them, used them, viewed them from a distance when turned off and seen how they fit or don’t fit into home gym spaces. We’ve spent months researching and narrowing down the best picks based on budget, fitness level, equipment collection and other factors.
We will continually update our fitness mirror reviews as we learn new information. Check back to see if any new products earn a spot on our list of the top fitness mirrors.
About the Author: Taylor Galla
Taylor Galla is the Senior E-Commerce Editor at SPY.com, where she writes about health and fitness products, home goods and gifts. Since joining SPY, she has reviewed workout equipment such as Peleton, Hydrow and Theragun. In addition, she reviewed and tested all of the top fitness mirrors for this shopping guide.
Taylor is a certified yoga teacher and fitness enthusiast who works out six days a week. Her partner also works in professional sports and is an avid weightlifter. She’s well-versed in the fitness world, and knows what to look for in the most effective and worthwhile at-home fitness equipment. Taylor graduated in 2018 from Scripps College in Claremont, CA with a B.A in sociology and media studies.
Updates: Our last update to this piece was on April 29, 2022. We added more details from hands-on reviews of the Tempo Studio, ProForm Vue, Tonal and MIRROR. We kept the Tempo Studio in the same place, kept the MIRROR in second place, and moved the Tonal to third place, above the ProForm Vue, due to how it performed during testing. We also changed our rankings to move the ProForm Vue higher and NordicTrack and Echelon Reflect lower, as they’re two machines we haven’t tried yet. The Tempo Move stayed in the same place because it’s not technically a fitness mirror.
After this article was originally published on February 4, 2021, Tempo became an advertising partner of SPY.com. Sponsored content and ad campaigns do not affect our product rankings or reviews, which are selected by our editorial and product review team.
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