Paper log book?

[EjnarKolinkar]

So do you keep a paper log book with your training in it, and has it helped somehow?

[MissHolly]

Sure do. I write down all my sessions. When I've filled up my notebook, I date it with the span of time I used it for and sometimes with the program name(s) on the cover. Very glad I do as I had to look something up just the other day and uncovered a reason as to why my squat depth might be suffering right now.

It's also nice to have something to look back on when I'm feeling discouraged. Then I can give myself a pep talk, seeing how far I've come.

[Plateauplower]

Yes. It's much easier to thumb through than an electronic journal. I can look at progress and I use that to plan every session by jotting down the previous sessions reps at a given weight so I know what I need to "beat". I use a big yearly planner that has each week across two pages.

[crupiea]

yes paper log book. it helps alot. I know what weight I lifted last workout. Without it I dont see how people remember all those numbers.

[tim132]

I've always logged it on my phone on a notepad until recently, these past few months a gym friend put me onto using JEFIT app, it's a brilliant logging app and I wouldn't be without it now.

[bodyhard]

Man I have some from the 90's

Don't use them as much as I used to, because I know it by memory now, but yeah I used to use them exclusively.

[cthulhupun]

Here's mine:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8a...ew?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8a...ew?usp=sharing

[Bando]

I use one, it's nice to look back on last week and know what 1 more rep or 5 more lbs is exactly.

[trev71]

Gym Log+ app
As well as a printed out training routine that is up on my gym wall for the primary lifts.

[ElrondHubbard]

I'm doing paper and a spreadsheet in parallel. The paper one is easier to write comments on. Eventually, though, I want to be able to form it into a true database application -- yeah, I know commercial ones already exist.

[RT1957]

Log book, excel spread sheet and my journal here along with myfitnesspal to track food...I do use my stop watch app on my phone to track rest periods...the log book is the easiest way it's all laid out no fussing around with a device...electronic devices in general slow me down and get in the way more times than not....I use the excel spread sheet to plan out the month. I put each workout into my book each day. I make updates to the excel spread sheet after my WO and then I post to my journal here. Myfitnesspal I put all my food in for the day after dinner and I track my weight there.

[itsagoodday]

Paper, yes. Not so much an actual log book though. I plan out my program in Excel, then just print out a copy to take with me. I'm pretty happy sitting at the gym and scribbling notes to myself all over the papers, by the time I've completed a training block they look like hieroglyphics. Then I just take the stack home, staple them together, and file them away for future reference.

[emsand1]

I am not a fan of paper. I use the BodySpace app on my phone since I have it for music also. I love the app timers and the encouragement emails that I get at the end of the week. Being able to view/add/update my work out details from anywhere anytime is really nice.

I take screen grabs of my previous workout and jump from app to screen grabs to make sure that I progress nicely.

I created an Excel file with different tabs. Every week, I take Snippets (Windows screen capture) of my latest workouts and place them on tabs for Chest/Tris, Back/Bis, Shoulders, Legs, Cardio. This gives me a nice easy to view recap.

[EjnarKolinkar]

by the time I've completed a training block they look like hieroglyphics.

I still have my 1st Bill Starr spreadsheet printout, LMAO hieroglyphics describes it perfectly.

I use one, it's nice to look back on last week and know what 1 more rep or 5 more lbs is exactly.

I have to start using a log book again. It's too foolproof like you say here. I tried other methods, and they are just not the same for me.

[jdtemple]

I used GymBuddy on iOS for years, until support for it dried up. It truly was the best lifting log app out there. Nothing I have found since even compares.

Nowadays I track it in a google spreadsheet.

[MrNismo]

Always. 8 years worth here including the black binder with the P90x workout logs that started this all.

I keep the last month or 2 worth of logs with me in a binder that I take to the gym to look back at previous weight and reps.

I wish I had 8 years worth of progress to show for it LOL!

[blue9steel]

I like paper. It doesn't need batteries, isn't damaged if I drop weights on it, is easy to thumb through and doesn't care if I'm shaky and sweaty when entering my info.

[baker]

I use my notepad on the iphone, there aren't any apps that track training well for you. Between that and MFP I don't have to use paper.

[Squid24]

I like using paper/book logs for all the same reason as above

[pastorgbc]

I don't take my phone into the gym with me (unless I am using the timer).

I record everything in my spiral bound notebook.

Ray

[Garage Rat]

Yes.
One of the smartest things you can do IMO.
A training log will help you document what protocols working for you or not and what is not wether it's strength training or bodybuilding.
And there is no guessing on what you did say last leg training session with sets reps and weight.
I put all PR's in the back of mine to keep track.
I personally use a yearly planner book you can get at staples but you can use a spiral note book just as well.

[DVFlyer]

I have a 3-ring binder with all of my worksheets. I like paper so this works well for me. I workout in my garage so the notebook stays on the workbench. If I had to workout in a gym, I'd probably go with something a bit smaller. Keeping track of my workouts/ weights keeps me honest. Although having to send them to my trainer is probably the biggest factor in pushing and staying on track.

[olyw8lifter]

I like a paper log book. Personally, I use a college-ruled composition notebook, mostly to keep track of sets as I do them (I've been known to miscount on occasion), and know what weights I'm using from week to week to month to month. It also helps me know when to deload, either by week or by feel.

I've been keeping a paper notebook log for almost 20 years now. Sometimes I like going back to see where I was at and what I was doing, both program-wise and weight-wise.

[Old-Time-Lifter]

Man I have some from the 90's

Don't use them as much as I used to, because I know it by memory now, but yeah I used to use them exclusively.

I think I have them all the way back to 76 or 77.

[EjnarKolinkar]

I like a paper log book. Personally, I use a college-ruled composition notebook, mostly to keep track of sets as I do them (I've been known to miscount on occasion), and know what weights I'm using from week to week to month to month. It also helps me know when to deload, either by week or by feel.

I picked up a few more of those same books last week. Your post sums up my problems. Missing deload and just going on and on. Not having a solid rep target to beat in my mind starting every set. Loading a bar incorrectly by a few pounds.

For me anyway, adding a rep is mostly all about that mental commitment to add it. IDK I felt like I was missing some potential progress.

[Zjunky]

Yep.

I have a heavy duty spiral. I tried printing and using binders, but if someone steps on a cheap binder it's probably toast. For a while I used Gymjournal.com, but someone bought the site and (poof!), four years of records were gone. And the logging here on bb.com is really a pain to manuever.

So now it's paper. It's makes it easy to remember what I'm shooting for on each lift, and when to change up the routines.

[TnTNZ]

I know this is the Over 35 section, but paper? This isnt 20th century any more

Nope totally electronic. Have used my phone since i started. I already carry it for music. So using it for logging seemed natural.

I log all my sessions, key criteria for a logging app is, i need to be able to export data for backup purposes.

I think session logging, however you do it is a very good thing to do. Nothing like *knowing* what you've acheived, being able to see what works via your historical data.

[SuperZar]

Use OneNote on my phone. I'm one of these gym folk that appear to be texting every few sets, but I'm just noting my progress/adding comments. Any changes I make also appear on my PC, and I can modify make changes to the routing on the PC and they auto appear on my phone when I'm at the gym. Love it!

[wesleysh21]

Interesting timing for a bump of this thread. I was just thinking the other day that I wish I kept a log. I was trying to remember what my workout looked like 2 years ago...but I had no clue.

My biggest problem is the sweat. I sweat a lot. So I drop sweat all over a notebook and it's hard to use my phone because of the sweat that pours down onto my hands. Also, I can't hold a pen and write...or click straight on a phone...after many lifts. Some have my arms shaking. Others have my hands shaking. So I go by memory out of necessity. I grab the wrong weight on occasion. I can tell when it's wrong, but I tell myself it's all a part of "muscle confusion." LOL. So if it's too light, I crank out a bunch of reps. If it's too heavy, obviously my reps go down. Then I adjust on the next set.

Once I get settled after my move I am going to put all of my lifts on a dry erase board. Then I can just write down what I did when I get home. And glance at it before I go. I'm thinking of even taking a picture of the day and weights before heading to the gym. I have done that with my routine before when it switches up...wrote down the lifts and took a picture to remind myself. Clicking on the camera is a lot easier than trying to type in numbers or scroll on an app when I'm sweaty and shaking.

[dazlittle]

I used GymBuddy on iOS for years, until support for it dried up. It truly was the best lifting log app out there. Nothing I have found since even compares.

Nowadays I track it in a google spreadsheet.

This, still use GymBuddy today, never needed support on it so I still use it now.