Mirror, mirror on the wall

A research team reported in Health Psychology that mirrors actually affect people's perception of themselves after a workout. Participants in the study exercised in front of either a mirrored or nonmirrored wall. Both pre- and post-exercise feeling states and sense of self-efficacy were measured. Researchers concluded that regardless of body-image concerns, the participants felt better about themselves after a workout if they didn't watch themselves in the mirror. This raises concerns about beginning exercisers and the likelihood of this group sticking to an exercise program. Gym mirrors come in handy for checking proper form and execution of movement, but overall it may be a good idea to focus somewhere else during your workout.