Mirrors are almost as visble as treadmills in a workout center. But for those trying to get into shape, the sight of mirrors is not as welcoming as an exercise machine is.

A study done at McMaster University in Ontario determined that women feel worse working out in front of mirrors.

Mirrors serve different purposes for different workouts. The Student Recreation Center has mirrors in the weight room and the activity rooms where aerobic classes are taught.

“I teach kick boxing and find that it is good to have the mirrors to make sure students maintain the proper form,” said Marchelle Ratliff, a fitness instructor at the Rec.

Ratliff finds that when she teaches a class without mirrors, students are not conscious of their form.

“There is a big difference between teaching with mirrors and without mirrors. With the mirrors, student’s posture is better, and they are paying attention to what they are doing more,” she said.

Donna Barnes, manager of Curves at 1838 W. Lincoln Highway, said there is no need for mirrors at Curves.

“We don’t have mirrors at our facility and never will. There is no need, we teach you how to use the machines so we don’t need them,” Barnes said.

The mirrors may be useful for instructors with large classes, but at Curves, the mirrors would cause women to lose focus, Barnes said.

“I used to think the effect of the mirrors differed by the size of the woman, but now I think it is all sizes and all ages. They don’t just see their weight in the mirrors, but also how they look while working out,” Barnes said.

“If women knew they were coming to stare at mirrors, they wouldn’t relax. They would prepare more before coming by doing their hair and make-up, or change their workout clothes,” she said.

The mirrors in the Rec make some students self-conscious.

“I’m constantly checking to see if I’m doing things right and telling myself I need to work out more,” said Maureen Manning, a junior biological sciences major. “If the mirrors weren’t there, I don’t think I’d be as critical of myself.”

It isn’t just women staring at themselves in the mirrors. Men are aware of them too.

“I find that men especially watch themselves in the mirrors to make sure they are being sharp with their moves,” Ratliff said.

Yoshi Aumick, a junior electrical technology engineering major, agrees.

“I personally don’t use the mirrors, but I notice that other guys work out right in front of them to see themselves flex,” he said.

“I would say that women are more conscious of the mirrors than men. For me, when I’m working out, it’s the environment that is important, like who is around me and the music being played, not what I look like,” Aumick said.