Why They Put Mirrors in Gyms
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My Daily Rant 10/25/2010
So I just recently moved my office to a different room of my home. My office also happens to be where I keep my treadmill and where I work out. In my old office, my treadmill faced a wall. This was mostly for my own safety, because if the wall had been behind me....well, let's just say that is way too much potential for danger. Anyhoo, my treadmill's new home faces a window and is upstairs, which I thought would be nice because now I can look out and see....well, mostly trees, but this time of year trees are nice, right? (Besides, if I could see on the street and spy on the neighbors...more potential for disaster. I can't even walk and chew gum, let alone work out and spy!) So tonight, I'm gettin my workout on, and realize that when it's dark, and I have the blinds raised, I can see the reflection of myself working out.
Holy crap.
I know this is the season for horror movies, but....seriously?
So that got me thinking. Why in the heck do they put mirrors in gyms? And why in the world do people rush to get in front of them (I don't know if that's true or not, but I read on the Internet that it was, and everything on the Internet is true, right?) Because, seriously, if everyone looks like as much of a motard working out as I do, I'm pretty sure the whole world would either be fat, or would definitely ban mirrors in gyms. Then I got to thinking about a friend telling me that someone she knows met his mistress at a gym, and I thought, "Holy crap! Why the hell would you hook up with someone after seeing them work out?" When my kids walk in the room while I'm working out, I duck for cover like I'm having a flashback from 'Nam!
I did realize, however, that seeing my reflection made me pay a lot more attention to my posture, made me suck in the ol abs a little more, and I have to say, that 30 minutes went by really fast tonight, and according to my treadmill, I burned 68 more calories than normal. So maybe vanity is exercise? I don't know. All I do know is that I now realize three things.
- Why I work out in the comfort and privacy of my own home (so I can look like a motard all I want)
- Why gym fees are so high. They have to compensate the staff well for seeing that kind of horror show all day.
- The only thing worse than realizing how ridiculous you look while working out is the people who actually think they look hot while working out.
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Absolutely. I say, if you're suckin it in, you're workin out. Heck, I'm eating oreos right now, but I'm sucking in my gut so it's all good!
Good one, SFB. What's a motard? Do you need a license to ride it? LOL
Bucky,
One other rather inauspicious point about your night time workout spy window you might want to consider; reverse neighborhood spy missions. For we all have seen that movie.
In your particular situation I am reminded of the movie ‘Blue Thunder” with Roy Scheider flying a silent Government helicopter miles outside the normal patrol zone just to watch a specific nymph’s workout.
Just a thought.
Hi Resspenser: It's a cross between a moron and a retard. Not very PC I know, but I have never claimed to be so!
ready: Yes my husband pointed out the same thing to me this morning. However, it does look out on the back yard and the way allthe other houses are situated, I don't think anyone can see my house from that angle. If I'm wrong, then I owe my whole neighborhood an apology :)
Bucky,
You'll know when the thank you cards start to arrive
or when the eviction notice shows up!
Great laughs, mostly because I can relate. BTW, did you coin the word "motard"? If so, is it now in the public domain so I can use it?
Hello Ken, I'm not sure that I coined it, it has been in my family for years! Use it all you want! Perhaps I have become the next great neologist in introducing this word to HubPages...you know, kind of like Obama did with the term "wee-weed up".
Oh God that was hilarious! I like your coined word motard - but you know the only thing worse than working out in a gym? Working out in a pool. Okay -it's not like I can hide anything! I tried to talk Bob into letting me wear sweat pants to swim in but he wouldn't hear of it.
I honestly have to say that I've never seen so much flab and blubber in my life as since I've joined the swim aerobics crowd....and probably most of it's my own. I dress IN THE SHOWER - I don't think I want to expose the rest of the city to cottage cheese thighs (though I have to say things are looking up and I'm getting pretty toned).
Maybe one of these days though when I'm 'svelt' again, I'll be strutting in front of the mirrors - yeah right! My luck would be that I'd trip over the weight bench and clank myself on the head with a bar and pass out on the spot - IN MY BATHING SUIT - and make the 6:00 news!
Loved it! Two thumbs up and if you hear of a full body bathing suit anywhere, let me know!
Love this! Now I'd love to know why there aren't any clocks in casinos-or windows!
Of course I know why, but thanks for clearing up this one!
You duck for cover from your kids? :-))
Good morning Audrey, I have to admit that I have not yet worked out in a pool. But I'm likin the sound of this full body bathing suit!
Lorlie: Kind of interesting how much a role phsychology plays in marketing, isn't it?
De Greek: Why yes, yes I do. Let me explain why. Most of the time, when I am working out, I have headphones in, and I REALLY get into it. I am in the Zone. So typically, when they walk in the room, they usually scare the ever loving crap out of me. Also, I realize I look like a motard and I'm a little worried about scarring them for life!
I had to laugh out loud on this one, it's been 1992 since I've been to the gym with their trick mirrors that stretch your height and slim you down. It would be fun to switch to the other trick mirrors and make all look shorter a fatter, then sit back and watch. They use the same type of mirrors in many clothing store dressing rooms. Is it true? I read it on the internet so it has to be true, eh? voted up 50
50, trick mirrors in a gym would be HILARIOUS! I love it! And yes, if you read it on the internet, it's true. I said so.
Sunflower,
mirrors in gyms exist so the ultra-fit in the front row can view the unfit cellulite hoards behind them. You know, the front row of skinny little b*hes who can walk past a patisserie without even noticing it? To stand at the front before the mirrors, is to join a clique. A clique where there is 'twice' as much of you because in reality there is only half as much of you ( at the back there is four times as much ).
I am sorry Sunflower, but I will not pay a $zillion to be stuck behind the abs and asses of aerobic addicts. Addicts who patronise cardiac candidates like me with their perfect fixed smiles; smiling like a synchronized swimming team. So what do these ultra-fit people actually do? I suggest they only ever workout because they risk losing their place in front of their own perfect reflection. Maybe we need mirror free gyms? Ones where you are never reminded that you will never have the looks of little miss lycra boobies.
Sunflower, you are *so* self motivated to have your own exclusive membership house gym. If you want mirrors, put them on your ceilings. That way you can watch yourself laying on your back, whilst having a cardiac arrest... as well.
Francine
X
( Halloween thought for the day : Their are no mirrors in vampire gyms )
Hello Francine! Fabulous points and all reasons why I don't go to a gym. Well that and because there was once an incident involving me and a possible concussion. I think being healthy and fit is great, but once it becomes an obsession or a way to fuel one's own narcisism, well, then you've just crossed over to motard status.
cute hub, I like it!
I have a rule, no mirrors, nothing shiny that could reflect anything and no visitors!
Thank you schoolgirlforreal!
breakfastpop, I think that is a fantabulous rule!
Too funny, thanks Bucky! Why do we feel that we really don't get a workout unless we group sweat and grunt? It's like us girls when we go out in couples and one girl gets up to go to the restroom the others go too. Loved your hub. Thanks for the chuckle.
Heck....they have those circus mirrors at my gym...you know, the kind that make you look squatty and fat. I think they do that so you will pay your dues in advance. I know they are trick mirrors because when I get back home I don't look that way anymore! WB
Thanks for stopping by judi! I've never really been a bathroom groupie, I've just never understood it. It's probably the same reason I hate gyms. I just really don't like people. So much easier to sit here in my chair and make fun.
This was a great hub! As someone who spent the first half of my life not understanding why it bothered my co-workers that, as a size 4, I could buy a bathing suit on my lunch hour, and without trying it on, and the second half of my life hating people that could buy a bathing suit on their lunch hour and without trying it on, I totally get the mirror thing.
Love the motard reference. I'm totally going to use it. I'll send you your royalties in Pizza coupons if you like....
Thanks so much sueroy! Pizza royalties are my favorite! Use away!
I had to simply stop exercising anywhere near mirrors as there was such a serious disconnect between what my eyes were telling me, and the guy that lives in my head. I now watch fitness videos because that super fit guy up front is the me I want to be/think I am.
Fun Hub, thanks,
Chris
Hello ChrisLincoln, glad you enjoyed the hab, thanks for the follow!
In my local gym there is one treadmill closer to the mirror than all the other treadmills by about fifteen feet and whenever I use it it looks like all the other people are chasing me. Who knows, maybe they are?
quicklysilver: That's kind of funny! Does it get you moving faster?
thanks for entertaining me...I often wondered the same thing but always work out in my home. Trust me when I say there should be no mirrors, windows or visibility around me when I begin my routine with stretching :)
mtsi1098: working out from home is fabulous in my opinion. However, I give kudos who to anyone who works out, as long as they're doing it to better themselves rather than impress someone else!
tony0724 19 months ago
I use a mirror when I shave ! Pretty funny though. I am suckin in my abs as I am typing this. It's kinda a workout. Right ? :)