Are mirrors bad ?

[solarclimax]

I remember reading somewhere that it is a bad idea to train in front of a mirror, for example if you squat in front of a mirror it can give a faulse sense of technique or something like that. I think i read it in starting strength, or maybe it was somewhere else, i lent my copy to a freind and can't contact him any time soon, so was hoping if anyone on here could tell me why it's a bad idea to watch our selves in a mirror when performing various techniques ?

 

[thebadguy54]

I read that too. It was something about the mirror messing up your depth perception. Apparently when you squat you should be staring at the floor in front of you (about 3ft. in front). The floor will supposedly give you an indication sooner than a mirror if you loose balance or whatever.

I've always squatted with or without a mirror and didn't really notice a difference. Although, Rippetoe says stare at the floor and he is smarter than I am.

 

[Sculelos]

I read that too. It was something about the mirror messing up your depth perception. Apparently when you squat you should be staring at the floor in front of you (about 3ft. in front). The floor will supposedly give you an indication sooner than a mirror if you loose balance or whatever.

I've always squatted with or without a mirror and didn't really notice a difference. Although, Rippetoe says stare at the floor and he is smarter than I am.

Yea at a point 6-10 feet away from you, but whatever I look in the mirror and my form is spot on, err at least what I can tell from looking in the mirror...

...yes I know I am vain, and maby stupid, but my gym has mirrors everywhere!

 

[silver_shadow]

mirrors are evil

 

[solarclimax]

mirrors are evil

Cool, are they also bad for technique ?

I used to shave my own head in a mirror and sometimes if i wanted to shave the back of my head to my left and did this in the mirror i sometimes could not get my hand to go where i wanted it to, because the mirror was giving a faulse perception of up down left right.

Anyone else know of any reasons why mirrors can be bad for ones form/technique ?

 

[Protobuilder]

Ghosts always come out if you have a mirror around. So yes, they're bad.

 

[solarclimax]

Anyone have any serious answers to why mirrors can be bad for ones form/technique ?

 

[chicagobuffedbod]

I have to say I think they're necessary. If I don't have a mirror in front of me I am not inclined to squat as deeply. So I for one utilize them.

 

[solarclimax]

I have thought about it and it has become fairly obvious that mirrors give faulse impressions of depth perception. And to truely get a good understanding of our technique we need a good teacher/trainer whatever to correct our technique for us.
Video'in ourselfs from different angles would be a better alternative to using a mirror i think.

I started this thread because i thought that asking whether or not mirrors are bad for correcting our form/technique would be viewed as a serious question, considering the fact that people with bad form are risking injuries that could change their life in a bad way. Judging by a couple of the responses, some people who posted in this thread seem to think what i asked is silly maybe ?

mirrors are evil

Ghosts always come out if you have a mirror around. So yes, they're bad.

 

[chicagobuffedbod]

I don't think it's silly. But I wonder, what is considered wrong depth and perception. After all, if you look at yourself in the mirror at eye level, what could more more accurate? Someone that is several inches taller or shorter than you? Their perception is obviously skewed.
Honestly, what is considered accurate perception when it comes to this?