Gyms worldwide are characterised by huge floor to ceiling mirrors, framing lycra clad step aerobics devotees.
Seems though, that these mirrors actually make it harder to gain the benefits of exercise – harder to lose weight.
The theory behind this is the fact that when we watch ourselves exercise, we see how hard we are working, and our rate of perceived exertion increases. Because we feel like we’re working harder, we drop our level of intensity, or reduce our duration of exercise.
While the mirror might be good to check your hair before you hit your workout, it plays no role in maximising your exercise outcomes.
Stay away from gyms with mirrors. The best ones don’t have them anyway.
Sourced from: ’59 Seconds’, Professor Richard Wiseman. Pan Publishing, 2010.
