How to keep track of workouts?

**chaoticbear** · 11-29-2010, 12:23 PM

How do y'all keep track of what you put up in the gym? I've tried an iPhone app (tedious), the bodybuilding.com workout tracker (super tedious) and a notebook (kind of a hassle to carry around, but most practical.)

Just looking for opinions - I only have a rough idea of what kinds of numbers/sets/reps I can do each week, and would like to get more serious about making sure it goes up every week.

**nvranka** · 11-29-2010, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by chaoticbear

How do y'all keep track of what you put up in the gym? I've tried an iPhone app (tedious), the bodybuilding.com workout tracker (super tedious) and a notebook (kind of a hassle to carry around, but most practical.)

Just looking for opinions - I only have a rough idea of what kinds of numbers/sets/reps I can do each week, and would like to get more serious about making sure it goes up every week.

I just print out spreadsheets or bring a notebook. Never bring my phone to the gym so never tried the apps.

**2BLAZERS** · 11-29-2010, 12:54 PM

Excel worksheet, one page per week, got workout history back to 1996

I print one off, fill it in during the week and keep it in a small 1'' binder I take with me to the gym. I also write my weight down each day on it.

Perodically I clear out the binder and keep older history in some big binders back at the house. Its great to be able to look up Squat, deadlift, weight etc... back over time. And see progress, and/or regression and what works, what doesn't.

**jimmy605** · 11-29-2010, 01:01 PM

i have an awesome training session sheet i uploaded in the WORKOUT PROGRAMS forum about 3 days ago... just what you would need.. check it out...

**Farley1324** · 11-29-2010, 01:03 PM

**jimmy605** · 11-29-2010, 01:10 PM

check out the link to my workout sheet http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=129459003

**chaoticbear** · 11-29-2010, 01:44 PM

Hmm, now that I'm at a gym where I have a permanent locker, I'll have to try the binder idea. I'm thinking that if I'll just plan my workouts further in advance, Excel is the way to go - when I very very first started going to the gym, it was for a class, and I was required to maintain a log in a binder for a grade, but after that I just found it cumbersome. Suppose it's going to be the easiest way to go. My gym is small and quiet enough to where I don't think it'd really be in the way though - no one ever uses the freeweights.

Farley, looks like that thing's had some lovin'!

**Farley1324** · 11-29-2010, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by chaoticbear

Farley, looks like that thing's had some lovin'!

It's a warrior alright.

I used it for several month in 2008 and I've been using it since January. 2-3 workouts a week. (3 when I'm not a lazy fuck and skip).

I'll never lift without keeping a journal.

**thony78** · 11-29-2010, 02:07 PM

I write a journal everyday of what I do and what supplements I take...

**Erdos** · 11-29-2010, 02:26 PM

If I need to write something down, I'd just bring a pen and write on my hand or arms as long as it's not much to write down. One time though I did come back with the entire left forearm written on though haha. If I need to make an extensive log, I'd make some shorthand terms and get it to be able to be written down in as few letters as possible so i can just fit it on my hand.

**Farley1324** · 11-29-2010, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by Erdos

If I need to write something down, I'd just bring a pen and write on my hand or arms as long as it's not much to write down. One time though I did come back with the entire left forearm written on though haha. If I need to make an extensive log, I'd make some shorthand terms and get it to be able to be written down in as few letters as possible so i can just fit it on my hand.

notsureifsrs

**Path2Strength** · 11-29-2010, 02:33 PM

I use iFitness for iPhone.

Although I just started All Pro's beginners plan, so it's pretty much laid out, I just need to record any sets that go below my required reps.

**Erdos** · 11-29-2010, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by Farley1324

notsureifsrs

I'm completely serious. However, I've never had to write a LOT down when I go to the gym. I usually just write down about 6-7 numbers on my left hand in a column and I know the exercises that correspond to those numbers from memory because it's always in the same sequence. Yeah, I'm the type of person that writes stuff on their hands in case they need to remember something.

**Farley1324** · 11-29-2010, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by Erdos

I'm completely serious. However, I've never had to write a LOT down when I go to the gym. I usually just write down about 6-7 numbers on my left hand in a column and I know the exercises that correspond to those numbers from memory because it's always in the same sequence. Yeah, I'm the type of person that writes stuff on their hands in case they need to remember something.

Why write it down at all?

What do you do with it later?

**Wildtim** · 11-29-2010, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by Erdos

If I need to write something down, I'd just bring a pen and write on my hand or arms as long as it's not much to write down. One time though I did come back with the entire left forearm written on though haha. If I need to make an extensive log, I'd make some shorthand terms and get it to be able to be written down in as few letters as possible so i can just fit it on my hand.

I actually facepalmed when I read this.

GroW UP.

**ktj4l** · 11-29-2010, 04:05 PM

Notebook and then I add it to my journal on here after. I used the iFitness iPhone app before as well. It's not bad, but for 5x5 the notebook is easier because the weights are pre-determined based on percentages for each workout. I write everything down at home and then check it off at the gym after each set.