Total Guide to Outfitting Your
Home Gym with Gym Wall Mirrors
Working out at home may have gotten a boost in 2020, but many people never restarted their gym memberships and still exercise in their own home gyms. No one misses the monthly fees and the cold car rides to the gym in the winter. However, you might miss the professional ambiance of a commercial facility. In most exercise areas, walls are covered with mirrors so that you can easily check your form, correct mistakes, and visually track your progress. It’s not hard to bring this same look and functionality to your at-home workout space.
2. Where are gym mirrors used in a home?
3. I’m just starting my home gym, what else do I need?
4. How many pieces of mirror are needed?
5. What types of mirror can be used for a gym wall mirror?
6. What if there are outlets or light switches on the wall I want to cover with mirrors?
7. How are gym wall mirrors installed?
8. Are there tips for choosing the best wall for the gym mirror?
1. What is a gym wall mirror?
The term “gym wall mirror” refers to one or more large mirrors installed on a wall in a space used for fitness related activities. If “entire wall installation” is chosen, the mirrors go from wall to wall and ceiling to floor, with gaps of only about 1/8” between the mirror glass and the surrounding surfaces. However, it can be more cost-efficient to go with “wall with border installation” in which a more substantial gap of the customer’s choice is present. Gym wall mirrors are used in gyms proper as well as other facilities such as:
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ballet studios
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Irish dance classrooms
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yoga studios
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daycare center playrooms
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home gyms
2. Where are gym mirrors used in a home?
Speaking of home gyms, their diversity means that gym wall mirrors are installed in many different residential spaces. Home gym locations include:
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attic over house or garage
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garage
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basement
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living room corner
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bedroom corner
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spare room
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glass enclosed space within larger areas
Homeowners include wall mirrors in spaces where they use exercise machines, do pilates, lift weights, carry out yoga routines, follow along with exercise videos, practice dance routines, and more.
3. I’m just starting my home gym, what else do I need?
If you are just now creating a home fitness space, this is still a great time to have gym wall mirrors installed. Starting from the ground up, you probably want to cover the floor with interlocking rubber squares or stock the room with exercise mats. When it comes to walls, what do you need besides mirrors? A piece of white back painted glass makes the perfect dry erase board where you can keep track of reps, write out workout plans, and so forth. In terms of additional equipment, options include:
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free weights
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exercise machines
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aerobics ball
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resistance bands
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bench press
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chin up bar
Many modern home gyms also include recovery-focused items. These could include:
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cold plunge pool
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sauna
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massage gun
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foam rollers
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massage chair
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smoothie bar
A home gym should also be equipped with convenient storage options like bins to hold mats and free weights, a glass wall shelf for gym towels, racks for weights, and a fridge for water bottles and snacks.
4. How many pieces of mirror are needed?
Gym walls can be covered with mirror in a few different ways. ABC Glass & Mirror, for example, can provide mirrors as large as 7’ x 10’. However, the number of mirrors used to cover a wall depends on various factors, including:
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Whether you want to cover the whole wall with reflective glass.
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The dimensions of the doorway and, correspondingly, the size of mirror that will fit through it.
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If there are windows or other obstructions on the wall that must worked around.
Usually, as few pieces of mirror glass as possible are used for this application. However, there is also the option of arranging many small mirrors on the wall in a “tiled” or “mosaic” inspired fashion. Let’s get answers to some FAQs:
Q: Should I cover my gym walls with a few large mirrors or many small mirrors?
A: In spaces devoted to exercise, large mirrors are typically used. “Tiled” or “mosaic” mirrored walls made from many small beveled edge mirrors are very decorative and are usually installed in main living spaces. However, if your workout space is integrated into another room, you might want a more decorative mirrored wall so that it blends into your décor.
Q: What thickness are gym mirrors?
A: 1/4” thick reflective glass is typically used for gym mirrors. However, ABC also supplies 1/8” and 3/16” mirror for special situations. For example, if you are covering sliding doors with mirrors and weight is an issue, 3/16” glass is likely the best choice.
Q: Does the entire wall need to be covered with mirrors?
A: While many homeowners prefer to entirely cover one gym wall with mirrors, there are other options. In a situation where your fitness area is part of another room, you might have just one mirror installed with a decorative beveled edge. You can also use two or three polished edge mirrors to cover part of a huge basement wall.
5. What types of mirror can be used for a gym wall mirror?
Most gym wall mirrors are standard mirror glass. However, there are several other options if you want a unique look.
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Antique mirror – New glass that is “aged” with an acid wash has the appearance of old reflective glass. Use this if you want your workout area to blend into a period home or if you are giving it an “old school” theme.
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Gray tinted mirror – ABC Glass & Mirror also offers mirror glass that is tinted gray.
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Bronze tinted mirror – For a different look, you can order a mirror with a hint of bronze coloring.
Tinted mirrors will give the space unique character and charm but won’t provide the same accuracy of reflection as standard mirror glass.
6. What if there are outlets or light switches on the wall I want to cover with mirrors?
If the wall space you have in mind has outlets or switches already present, one option is choosing a different wall in your home gym. However, there is another possibility. Custom glass shops like ABC can cut small voids in mirrors so that they fit around existing fixtures and obstructions. You could also choose to have a few large mirrors installed on the wall where they will avoid contact with the light switches, outlets, or other existing installations. In summary, when installations are already present on a wall, you can:
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Pick a different wall for your mirrors.
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Order mirrors with custom cutouts to accommodate the existing objects.
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Place mirrors on that wall so as to avoid the obstructions.
7. How are gym wall mirrors installed?
There are two facets to wall mirror installation. For one thing, something needs to hold the mirror in position on the wall. For another, the weight of the glass must be supported. Mirrors are generally adhered to the wall with a special glue called mirror mastic, which keeps them in place. Small clear plastic clips are also used in some installations. You have a few options for supporting the weight of the glass.
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Floor – Some gym wall mirrors extend down to and rest on the floor itself. This can be cost effective as you don’t need to purchase another support structure.
However, in some rooms, this puts the mirror at risk of being kicked, scuffed, or even hit with a weight.
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Floor Trim – If there is trim where the floor and walls meet, you could have the mirrors rest on this. As in the case of the floor, this can save money, but the mirrors may extend down so low as to be at risk of damage.
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J-Channel – This is a strip of metal with a profile like a capital “J”. It is fastened to the wall and provides a surface in which the mirror can rest. Because of its profile, a thin strip of metal will be visible along the bottom of the mirror.
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L-Bar – This is similar to J-channel, but it has a shape like a capital “L” and does not wrap around to the front of the mirror. L-bar gives the mirror a frameless look.
If you have questions about which installation option is best for your situation, we invite you to schedule a free in-home consultation with an ABC mirror specialist.
8. Are there tips for choosing the best wall for the gym mirror?
The choice of wall is largely based on personal preference. At the same time, there are helpful points to consider:
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Usually mirrors can be installed on a wall even if it has some dips and rises. However, if there are significant raised areas, the mirror will need to shimmed and will not appear flat against the wall if viewed from the side. If the wall has problematic protrusions like this, a glazier may recommend choosing a different wall for the mirrors.
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Gym wall mirrors improve the functionality of your space, but they also boost its aesthetics. If the room also has a window, you should have the mirrors installed on a wall perpendicular to the window to maximize natural lighting.
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Keep safety in mind. Choose a wall where the mirrors are least likely to be hit by a weight or other piece of equipment.
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Be mindful of what the mirrors will reflect. A mirror covered wall will replicate the visual impact of whatever is across from it. Make sure that this is a view you like!
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While cutouts can be added to allow a mirror to fit around some existing fixtures, this does raise the cost of the project. Consider looking for a wall with minimal obstacles to work around if cost is a concern.
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Consider the issue of keeping the mirrors clean. Think twice before installing them on walls that your kids tend to touch or walls near a crafting table.
9. How should gym mirrors be cleaned and cared for?
Properly maintaining your gym wall mirrors allows them to continue to boost the ambiance of your space rather than dragging it down. Start by cleaning the mirrors on a weekly basis and then decrease or increase the frequency as needed. Mirror cleaning tips include:
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Stay away from anything harsh or abrasive as it can scratch the glass.
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Use approved glass cleaners or make your own by combining vinegar to water in a 1 to 1 ratio.
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Avoid or minimize lint by wiping the glass with old newspaper or a microfiber cloth.
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Spray or pour the cleaning agent to a cloth or paper instead of spraying it onto the glass itself. This prevents cleaner from dripping down and possibly damaging your trim or floor. It also keeps cleaner from getting behind the mirror. (Ammonia based cleaners will damage the mirror’s backing if this happens.)
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Buff until dry and go through the process again if streaks remain.
10. How can I have custom gym mirrors installed in my home?
The first step is contacting a custom glass shop like ABC Glass & Mirror of Manassas Park. Working with us, here is a general outline of the process you can expect:
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Speak with a member of our knowledgeable office team to get answers to preliminary questions and set up a free in-home consultation and estimate.
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Meet with our glazier at your home to discuss gym mirror wall options, view product samples, and ask questions. The glazier will also measure and record observations relevant to the project.
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Receive an emailed price quote to review and consider in the comfort of your home.
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Make your choices and place your order.
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Leave installation to us as one our trained teams installs your gym mirrors on the scheduled day.
ABC Glass & Mirror has been serving home and business owners in the Northern Virginia region for more than 20 years. Our team would love to be part of your project to upgrade your home workout space. Give us a call at (703)257-7150 to get started!
