Training Journals

[May10April]

What are good training journals you've used?

I'm a pencil and paper type girl-I don't know why. I think it is because I get tired of sitting at a computer all day.

Anyway, I'm about to create my own, but it would be so much easier if I could just buy a nice one that included extra things like:
1. work out goals
2. nutrition goals
3. work out accomplishments (daily)
4. Adequate space to take notes of how your workout went after each day
5. Adequate space to take notes at the end of the week about:
-work out/nutrition summary-if I kept up with my goals, injury, if I had a bad day off working out
-I'd also like enough space to write about new things I've learned about nutrition, working out, anatomy, ect.

I think I may just have to keep a journal of my own just logging it, but if I do that, it's going to be easier to read if I do it on-line.

So I don't know.

My whole point is: Do you use a training journal? Are there ones you'd recommend? Do you do it on-line or through your computer? etc.

[Bytsi]

The computerized journal that I like best is Crosstrainer. It was probably around $40, but the trial version was good for 2 weeks or a month or something like that, so I could really try it out. I downloaded probably 3 or 4 different trial progams before choosing Crosstrainer. For me, it was the most intuitive, the most easily customized, and the most inclusive.

You can enter foods with a ton of macros and vitamins and almost any information you could possibly want. The exercises are also very detailed and easy to customize. It tracks exercises, sets, reps, weights, goals, 1RMs - and more. Cardio is also very inclusive and lots of detail about effort, time, even location...

Hope that helps

[missjane]

I just use an excel spreadsheet to log all of my workouts for each stage.

[beach_plums]

I came across this last week while looking for cookbooks. Amazon.com: The Eat-Clean Diet Workout Journal: Tosca Reno: Books
I haven't used it, but it might be good, I don't know. It maybe a place to start if you prefer pen and paper.

For my training log, I write down my workouts as I go through them using the example training log in NROL4W. Then I transfer everything into a series of spreadsheets that I've created myself.

[ledove]

I just use a spiral-bound notebook, with a pen and paper clip (for current page). One page per workout; I write the Stage and workout info at the top. I drag it with me when I workout and write as I go, and I can flip back to see what I did last time.

True, I have to write in each workout, but that also reminds me of what I'm doing that day. I record cals/macros at the bottom of each page. I have as much room to write as I make room for. And I use a new page at the end/beginning of each stage for measurements or anything else I want to include.

Oh, and then I copy the relevant info to my thread in the Training Log forum.

[GinaKina]

I just use a composition notebook Plenty of room!

[mel]

I'm an excel girl myself as well. very easy. print out the particular workout for the day and take the page to the gym. input when I get home. very organized and easy.

mel

[Lisa~]

Excel spreadsheet attached to my clipboard (along with all my clients' workouts and articles I'm going to give them). Keep it in a file at home. I don't even put it in the computer at all. If I want to look back through my workouts, I look at the papers.

[DDRdiva]

I tried the spreadsheets, prefab journals, palm pilot and online logs, and the good old spiral notebook is still my favorite. I especially like graph notebooks; I had a couple left over from statistics classes.

[LisaS]

I usually use a spreadsheet.

If you are looking though - you could always check out Aoife's site as mentioned here

[Frank.S]

Wouldnt catch me in a 100 years with a log book/clipboard/etc in the gym.

I keep track of training on here, but it is in my head when it comes to remembering what i did last week. Maybe im weird, i remember how many sets, reps, the weight used and even the specific set-up for every movement (complex sometimes with bands/chains/hand positioning..) that me or my training partner/gf uses.

This works for me. Its funny, because im the guy who forgets his own phone number on a weekly basis.

[botgurl]

Ok I have a rookie question here that has to do with how you record your workout in your training journal.

For example, if I do a Dumbbell Shoulder Press set with a 20# dumbbell in each hand, should I record that as 20# in my log or 40#?

I guess the same question goes for lunges with dumbbells.

And what about squats with olympic bar the lift total should take into account the weight of the bar plus the total of the plates right?

Thanks.

[LisaS]

your log is for you - so as long as you will remember what you meant it is fine. If you read your log a year from now, will you remember what you meant? If not, be explicit.

Me, I tend to use the individual DB weight for DB exercises. If I use 1 DB for a lunge I'll write 10#, if I use 2 DB I'll usually write 10(e) for e(ach) hand.

With the barbell, the convention is to record the entire weight used, bar+plates.

I've seen some people use a short hand of just the plate weight or even just one side worth of plates (e.g. 35s) but I find it confusing on a public log.

Normally if you see Squats 125/6 it means 125 lbs total, bar+plates.

[UConnJulie]

Originally Posted by Frank.S

Wouldnt catch me in a 100 years with a log book/clipboard/etc in the gym.

I keep track of training on here, but it is in my head when it comes to remembering what i did last week. Maybe im weird, i remember how many sets, reps, the weight used and even the specific set-up for every movement (complex sometimes with bands/chains/hand positioning..) that me or my training partner/gf uses.

This works for me. Its funny, because im the guy who forgets his own phone number on a weekly basis.

Ha! You just can't remember your phone number because your brain is all cluttered up with your workout stats!!