Do you log your workouts

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Cathlete
Each day I write down in a small notebook what workout I did for that day. I do this so I can make sure I get a balance of upper and lower body workouts, cardio and circuit. However, I’m not writing down weights used or any additional comments. I was wondering what you guys do. Do you use workout sheets? Or the Calendar available on this website? I've been getting a little stronger and wonder if I should be tracking my workouts.
Susan C.M.:D
 
I keep a log for each of Cathe's weight workouts, noting the date, the exercises and all the weights I used. I just put together some charts in Excel, printed them and put them in a notebook. I'd never remember what weight I last used otherwise. It's especially helpful when I switch to a new rotation; I can quickly see what I was using the last time I did a particular workout.

I also go to a gym to lift weights, but I do not keep a log there. My routine at the gym is pretty simple (and is a bit more repetitive than what I do at home), so I don't bother with the log.

I also put on paper a monthly rotation that lays out all the workouts I plan to do (in a calendar format). I do, however, modify my plan along the way, as needed.

Take Care,
Shelbygirl
 
I use a spiral-bound notebook to keep track of my workouts. I write down the date, the workout and other info. If it's cardio, I note the height of the step, or if I used weighted gloves for kickboxing, etc. For weight workouts, before I do the workout, I write down the exercises, and the weights I plan to use (based on the last time I did the workout, and how I feel).

I also write in comments like "up X reps" (for a workout that lets you choose your own reps, like P90X)or "up X pounds" or "down X pounds :-( " (on those "off" days). OOB (out of breath...for tough cardio). Notes to myself on weather I should go up in weight next time, or substitute another exercise.

Though much of what I write is later often illegible even to me ;-) , I feel my log book motivates me to keep working out regularly and to keep improving. I prefer to have the info written down than to rely on my sketchy memory (I save my brain for other tasks!).

With about 200 workouts in my collection, it's almost a necessity to keep track of things!

I once came across a notebook I had used when I worked out in a University weight room, back in the early 80's. It was interesting to see what workouts I did and how much I was lifting back then.
 
dont

Hi

I use a notebook to track not only my workouts for the day, but also the weights I used so I can note how my body felt after the workout. Its a great way to track my progress since I personally workout for "strength" increase. Same with my Cardio and how hard and long I could workout in comparrison to the last Cardio session I did. I also note how I feel before I workout because if Im very tired, that will affect my performance and its important to me that I remember that certain day at the end of the month when I do a "self check in"

I use a seperate notebook for food eaten each day, and again how I was feeling on that day when I gave in to that "big bar of chocolate" I dont necessarily do this to watch my weight, but keeping track of my food really helps me understand my cravings, or bloating etc and if those symtoms have been worse that month, I try to adjust the food pattern Im on.


:)
 
Hi Susan! Yes I have a workout log. I write all the exercises/sets/reps/weights. When I look at my log book I notice how much weight I lifted & set a goal for myself; I'll shoot for more reps or will lift heavier w/fewer reps & any other comments such as go heavier or lighter next time, etc. Its very helpful. Also I do map out a rotation every week to make sure I haven't missed anything. Kathy:D
 
Yes I log my workouts, but keep a mental note of weight used and whether to go heavier or lighter next time...so far, so good.
 
I track my workouts in a workout log which I purchased at Collage. It helps me keep track of my cardio vs. weights days and how I feel each day. I record the basics of what I did ("Pyramid Upper plus 20 minutes runnning") and a little bit about my diet and mood/energy level for the day.

I have separate worksheets for Cathe weights workouts, which give me the order of exercises and how much weight to use. I also make notes on these - if a certain exercise is getting easy at, say, 12#, I'll note "try 15# next time." I'll also note things like "third set TOUGH", "go 16" step for 1st set leg press"...whatever it takes to keep me progressing.

Allison
 
I fill in a calender on my computer so I know in advance what workout I should do. It helps me keep a balance of cardio vs strength workouts. Then I keep index cards in a file with the name of each workout on it. The tabs in the file keep everything seperated - cardio, total body, upper body, lower body, circuit, etc. And on each card I'll include the weights used for the exercises and other notations. I also will print up a card if I came up with a combination of add-ons that worked well for a complete workout.

It has worked really well for me. If a card gets too sloppy, I just throw it out and make up a new one.

Diane
 
I have a Word document I use to log them, along with other things. I got into the habit of doing this last year when I was doing WW, and I just kept doing it after I reached my goal. I like seeing in print the progress I've made with workouts, and it helps me keep an even balance of cardio and weights. I don't use the features on here. I just made up my own.

Carol
:)
 
I have a "fitness binder" which is divided into the following sections:

1. Calendar - A monthly listing of the workouts I plan to do or have done on a given day

2. Rotations - my own ideas or those I've gotten from this forum

3. DVD Chaptering - VF is a great source for this info, some of which I've printed out to help me plan rotations. Especially helpful when doing "mish-moshes"

4. Worksheets - These sheets are where I log in my strength training information (weights, reps, increase/decrease next time, etc). I'd have a hard time keeping track of my progress without these! They also make my workouts go much more smoothly since they list the amount of weight, equipment used, etc. These worksheets also motivate me to increase weight loads and/or reps in the next workout. I don't keep track of my cardio or yoga workouts other than a listing in the "Calendar" section.

5. Yoga - Mostly chaptering info and some misc yoga articles

6. Misc - Mostly fitness articles and threads relevant to my goals

My binder is getting fatter and fatter!:)
 
I log mine also but not as elaborately as I'd like. I have a calendar I made and log the workouts on that. It is deficient in that I don't have anywhere to put my weights. I've been going to create something different to accommodate that. In the meantime, I know what I've been doing!

Jo
 
I have made up a binder somewhat like Susan's. It has 3 sections. I open it up to today's log (4 weeks on one page, 3-hole-punched, 2-sided) that records which workout I did, and has check-spaces for cardio, chest, back, biceps, triceps, shoulders, lower body, and abs.

So I can tell at a glance how many of each of the above I have done so far that week.

The second section has Excel spreadsheets for each relevant Cathe workout. Most of the cardio ones have no spreadsheet, but IMax 1 does, and Bootcamp. The rest of the worksheets are strength workouts, with spaces for how much weight I used, and some spaces for comments.

The third section is "Times," how long each workout is, how long the sections are, and 30 minute cardios, and groups of workouts that fulfill certain requirements such as "lower and cardio in less than 1 hour," Upper and abs," etc.

I have each workout indexed so I can turn straight to it. Each index is labeled with a Dymo hand label maker so I can read it.

Otherwise I don't really keep track:p

By the way most of my forms are available free on the web.
 
I'm getting back to logging my workouts. I use a notebook, putting down what workout I did, the amount of weight I use, how I felt, and that sort of thing.
 
I log my workouts too. I have a calendar page for each month (I just print out my AOL calendar) & a page stating the rotation I'm doing. Then for each workout I do, I have a page to note weight used mostly...I can't imagine trying to remember what I used on this or that exercise & what should I use now? Takes too long! Along with the weight used I have various symbols to indicate how it went...early failure, hard, HARD, go up next time, etc. I will note in my calendar page which workout was done on each day...if cardio, I will note any comments right there.

I think it's invaluable to have a journal to look back on...to see where you gained strength (or didn't), where you didn't lose any weight that week & well, guess what, you missed two workouts!! And that kind of thing. I will also indicate anything I feel may have influenced the workout...such as, no sleep the night before, ate junk yesterday, it's hot, it's HOT, migraine, etc.

I have a separate food diary & also a notebook which holds workout/diet related things. Such as, heart rate charts, rotations, workout reviews, postings from this forum, etc.

Ruth:)
 
Wow! Thanks so much for your information. You all have a great logical process and orderliness. I might steal some of your ideas…

Connie, I’d like to see your worksheets you said are available on the web. Thanks.
Susan C.M.:D
 
>Each day I write down in a small notebook what workout I did
>for that day. I do this so I can make sure I get a balance of
>upper and lower body workouts, cardio and circuit. However,
>I’m not writing down weights used or any additional comments.
>I was wondering what you guys do. Do you use workout sheets?
>Or the Calendar available on this website? I've been getting a
>little stronger and wonder if I should be tracking my
>workouts.
>Susan C.M.:D


Hi Susan...I have a calendar on the wall where I work out. It has large blocks for each day. I write in the name of the workout and how many minutes I worked out. When I do a sweaty, pumpin' aerobic/interval workout, I stamp the block with "AWESOME". When I do a weighted workout, I stamp the block with a little red kiss stamp. :D

On each of my workouts, I have post-it notes with the poundage I normally use for each section. If I'm feeling stronger that day, I go higher. If I feel a bit depleted, I will lower the weight.

Just my .02.
 
I use a 3 ring binder also. My dividers are very similar to your Soooooooooooosan:
*calendar sheets (I have my own 4 week spread sheet).
*rotations worksheets
*non video workouts- treadmill or bike intervals, home made circuits
*misc.

The 3 ring plan is useful for adding as I go.
 
No. I know it's a good idea and everything, but it's too organized for me. Actually, they have software that tracks it all for you and I'm kind of a computer geek. Notebooks though? That's just something that would get left out on the desk making the room look messier.
 
Yes, I track all of my workouts. I actually have three journals. One keeps track of what I do each day time wise. Then I have a section I separate the cardio times. It allows me to make sure I don't do the same workouts repetitively. It also allows me to go back & see what I was doing when I started feeling any strain in a certain area. Then I have a binder where I keep track of weights used on vids so I can make changes or if I have not done them for awhile see what I did last. Then I have a journal to keep track of what I do on my Bowflex & free weights on my own. Also I like to make notes for ideas when they come to me for new rotations to try out.
Diane Sue
 
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