How many of you keep a training log?

[LiftHardOrDontLiftAtAll]

I have never really bothered to. Never been great with record keeping. I've heard it helps you keep track of your progress. Just wondering how many here keep one and how effective to your training is it?

 

[WarriorPL]

i kept one for like a week, whats the point of keeping track of ur progress anyways?

 

[LiftHardOrDontLiftAtAll]

I really don't know what the point is. At the gym where I go I see damn near everyone there writing something down about their workout. I use to think it was all bullshit, now I'm just trying to find out if there is any valid reason to keeping one.

 

[big4life]

I always keep one.
It helps me keep track of what
progress I've made over a certain
length of time.
How effective one workout is over
another.
I can go back and check previous
logbooks and see what has worked
or has not worked in the past.

They are a great help, you need to
try and start one.

 

[Phemomena]

i've tried to keep a log, and i'm not very good at it.... but there are times when it becomes very useful.... example, if you are planning on competing... write down not only your training, but also your diet, and all the little details (posing info, suits ect)... that way when it comes time for getting ready for the next competition, you can review what you've done, have a grounds to start from, know what worked, what didn't and instead of making all the same mistakes again, you can concentrate on finetuning things and improving on your previous result...

other than that, if you are a person who is motivated by seeing things on paper, numbers ect, then go for it... i find i forget it way too much... i have a good memory for my training, not for keeping notes though

 

[Daeo]

i kept one for like a week, whats the point of keeping track of ur progress anyways?

Hmm...I can think of a few. How about knowing what weight you used and how many reps you did the previous weeks without guessing. Along with writing down what weights and reps I also write down my bodyweight. Knowing all this allows you to know what has worked for your body. And chances are if it worked once it will work again. Also if you periodize your training(which you should be) it's almost a necessity. It also allows you to see where you've come from. Which is very motivating at times...

 

[endpoint]

My strength has been stable a couple weeks ago........no gains what so ever.

I looked back a few months in my log and found a real good section where i gained a lot of strength.
I then applied the outline to the current work outs and my strength jumped up again.

I found patches where i was doing things wrong. and learnt from the mistakes.

There are weeks where i forget what i did the last time on a certain exercise (if is an exercise i dont do often).....i look it up in my log, and jeez there it is.

It also gives me something to do inbetween sets........those long 5 min rests

 

[The mann]

Endpoint...thats is exactly why i keep one,i have logs that go back years.it's a personal thing i guess.you can look back and see where your strength was better and why.i have a notebook that already has the dats and i write down my workout which only takes a min.then after a set i can log the reps,sets...my goals are to always increase weight.some people don't want to waste their time and it doesn't mean they won't get stronger.anyway it's very valuable to me...

talk is cheap

 

[Phemomena]

definately not a waste of time... but its only as good as the information you put into it... i guess its like anything you want to make a habit, you have to force yourself to do it until you don't have to think about it... i wish i could remember to keep one... ya'll are motivating me to give it another shot...

 

[The mann]

phemomena.......give it a try.there is no way i will remember what i did lat week,2 weeks ago,etc.i literally have evry workout back 4-5 years.i compete in bench meets so very valuable for me to track weights,reps sets.i am always shooting for 5 more lbs.i track diet,weightloss...how it affects my strength..it really works for me.........