How many of you....

[Rob_NC]

keep a log of your workouts? I used to but eventually gave it up. I think I might start again. It's the only REAL way, other than a scale, to measure progress.

 

[dojdave11]

I don't, but I know I should. I kind of keep a running tap in my mind and switch up from time to time.

 

[Scotty the Body]

I haven't been but I'm also gonna start. The old memory aint what it use to be.

 

[I Are Baboon]

I keep a log. I carry a small notebook with me at the gym. It definitely helps. I always try to do a little more weight or one or two more reps than the previous workout. Keeping a log helps me remember where I was the last workout. I could never remember from week to week (since I work each body part once a week).

 

[Arnold]

I tried in the past, but I do not care to do it....lazy I guess.

 

[Neil]

I think a journal is a neccesity to my training. It also motivates me to look back on how far I've come since I started training, especially when I get in a rut.

 

[hurtyhair4u]

I used to keep one . But i find i no longer need to do so . I keep my progress in my head and in the mirror .

 

[rks1969]

I keep a training log & have kept a diet log before.I go back to the diet log when I need to lose afew lbs.Need to hunt that sucker down before spring hits.

 

[seyone]

Originally posted by Rob_NC
It's the only REAL way, other than a scale, to measure progress.

how about a mirror?

 

[Rob_NC]

I mirror can be deceptive although it is a good tool. Since you see yourself in the mirror everyday, tiny improvements usually go unnoticed. My thinking is, if you keep track of your weight using a scale with graduations down the the 1/4 lb, you should be able to tell if your gaining muscle, provided everything remains constant such as diet. Also, with a journal, you can see if your strength gains are constant or if you're hitting a plateau. Maybe I'm a little of base here, but at least the theory makes sense to me.

 

[Preacher]

I have never tracked my "progress" in weights handled .. if I find that my muscles get worked from the weight-of-the-day, I'm perfectly fine with that. All depends on the energy I have at that time.

I found it to be more important to log what I ate, since there's the part where most people tend to slack (a little).

Having a good training partner sure helps a lot (don't worry, he'll remember that you kicked his hiney last week with that 250 press!).

 

[Winny]

I use one...

Rob--I think this is a case of 'different strokes for different folks'.

I use one b/c it's a way for me to keep my dicipline, which is my biggest hurdle. It helps me keep the 'workout' habit. I know others that go into the gym and just do what feels right that day.

If you are serious and are looking to make some specific gains, then a log is the way to go. (ex: you want to bring up your shoulders....then a log goes a long way in setting up your plan...)

Just my $.02.

 

[bgrexon]

I keep a log mostly for a starting point on an execise. My diet log has also helped me take off weight

 

[BigB]

I keep a log because i never can seem to remember what I did the last time.

 

[Tank316]

i've logged every workout since 1992,just habit,but i try different routines, splits.i think it helps.just my opinion

 

[fitness4life]

I have always kept a log of my workouts. It helps when I have to look back at the progress I have made. It also gives me a good ideal of what works and what workout schemes do not since I write every change I have made and date it to see if in time I am making any progress with it.

 

[Markus]

I keep a log of my current exercises so I remember where I'm up to as I increase my plates. Throw the old sheets away as I update.
I find I don't need to remember all tha figures, just need to remember where to find the details. It saves