One thing we tend to take for granite at most major gyms is their wall to wall mirrors. It’s only when looking into putting in a DIY GYM mirror setup that I truly appreciated that reflective view. While a lot of people may use the mirrors at the gym for the wrong reason, the truth is they do serve an important purpose. Being able to watch your form. I workout at both a Crossfit gym and a small 24 hour globo gym. And my lifts are almost always better at a globo gym. Better posture, lower squats, the mirror allows me to keep a focus on proper form. So when getting my own home gym ready, adding mirrors is a must.
Enter shopping for mirrors and all of the DIY options.
DIY GYM Mirror
Finding the Right Mirror
The first thing to do is measure the area you have for a mirror. Typically you will be looking for something that is typically 5-6 feet tall by 24-36 wide. You will be mounting the mirror a foot off of the ground so this will work even if you are 6’+ tall.
Next you are going to have to decide if you would like to use safety glass or not. The biggest difference here will be safety vs cost. Although I will show you a few cost effects and safe mirror options below. Including options like:
- Tile Mirrors
- Door Mirrors
- Closet Mirrors
- Studio Mirrors
- Safety Mirrors
Where to Get a Mirror
If you’re ok with a regular mirror, check Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace for something that will fit your space. You might even find something for free! Many people doing remodels post old bathroom and closet mirrors for pickup. Another option, Goodwill. You never know what you might find. Next you can check Home Depot and Amazon. Amazon offers free delivery and returns so that was my first choice when I couldn’t find something used.
The Most Affordable DIY Home Gym Mirror Options by Price
Tile Mirrors
12″ Tile Mirror Set of 12– $30-40
This set of 12, 12″ square tile mirrors will cover 12sq feet . Placing two wide will give you the option to arrange them how you would like. My two favorite layouts are two wide creating a 2′ by 6′ gym mirror and three wide for 3’x4′. Depending on how far you are away. Or get multiple sets to create something bigger. The other advantage to the multiple mirrors is that if you ever do hit one with a weight, you will only break the 12″x12″ section That can then be easily replaced. The down side, the seams can create a “fun house” mirror effect. I would look at the review photos to see if this is something you would want to go with.
Two Smaller Mirrors
Schliersee 14″x48″ Mirror 2Pack – $75
Another popular and cost effective option you see a lot of people use in their home gym is this two mirror setup. Cost effective, easy to hang, and available on the used market they are a very affordable option. If you’re looking to create that larger mirror look, the border will create a noticeable seam.
True DIY with Closet Doors
Mirror Sliding Closet Door – $80 – $100
Thinking outside of the box, one of the most cost effective ways to get a large mirror is to repurpose a mirrored closet door. You can buy a new one of these from your local hardware store. I found them at Home Depot for around $80 for the cheapest one. One thing you will have to take into account is mounting the mirror is that these wont come with a traditional wall hanger. You will need to DIY something to hang them flush.
The Professional Look
48″-32″ Activity Mirror – $140
One of the best looking choices for any home or small gym/studio. Typically one of these will be enough for a small home gym. But you can easily add multiples together to form a large wall of mirrors. They also include the mounting hardware which is always a plus. Again, these are not safety glass so if a weight goes wild you will be replacing the whole sheet.
Let’s Get Safe
Fab Glass 36″ x 60″ Activity Mirror – $460+
If you decide to go with a “safety mirror” you can find much better than Fab Glass. Their vinyl backed mirrors are perfect for gyms and studios but do come with the price tag. If I have kids in my home gym or was oly lifting in a smaller area I would really look into something this high quality.