I was wondering if any of you guys happen to have pictures of your training logs? I’ve just started keeping one and I’m not sure how to set it up and what kind/size of notebook to use.
I know it’s simple; write the name of the exercise, weight used, sets and reps - but still, I’de love to see other logs to get a better idea of how to keep one.
If you go to the “training lab” tab above.
Everyone records their stuff differently. Just look around for a style that makes sense to you.
I don’t use a notebook anymore, I created an Excel Spreadsheet where I program my workouts and note on my cellphone the reps-sets and weight of each exercise I’ll do. On the gym, if a weight is too heavy and I miss my target reps and/or sets, or if I decide to do a different exercise altogether, I take note in my cell and update the excel sheet when I get home. I find it’s easier to organize and visualize my gains this way.
When I did use one, I stuck to a small notebook, kind of like a diary. IMO any type will do, as long as you can write and read your own handwriting.
What do you mean by “setup”? Do you mean how to organize the training log?
I can remember every weight on every exercise i use each set for a couple weeks of workouts so ive never needed one
I still have the one I used as a teen… back in '79!
Mine has a picture of Optimus Prime and in front of a rainbow on the cover… I found it at Wal-Mart for like 2 dollars. lol
[quote]Blackaggar wrote:
I can remember every weight on every exercise i use each set for a couple weeks of workouts so ive never needed one[/quote]
what are you, Rain Man or something?
I keep mine on my phone. it’s been getting messy lately though.
I like Spidey’s idea. maybe I’ll get a Ninja Turtles one.
I keep mine as notepad files on my computer.
Does anyone else use two logbooks?
I have a small one to scrawl my sets down in whilst in the gym, then I transfer it all into a larger A4 logbook that I keep at home. The A4 one is much more organised and you can compare one workout to the next without flipping through pages. It’s also less likely to get destroyed as I don’t throw it around the gym like I do with the smaller one.
I don’t know how some guys use a phone as a log. Low tech all the way!
I ordered some logbooks off bb.com and I also log on Fitocracy
I used to keep written logbooks starting when I was 15. I kept them all the way until I was 19 and then technology took over and I began logging my workouts here. It’s pretty cool to look back and see exactly what I was doing on any given day. It’s also cool to see pages with spills on it, blood from hands ripping etc lol.
I just write on gym walls on weak peoples soul
I just use the cheapest hardback type notebook that they have in the grocery store.
log the date, exercises/sets/reps and if there is any special circumstance. Sometimes when i get really psyched i tend to scribble the lyrics of the song blasting, or a quote/mantra i have repeating in my head.
I also have a small notebook with inspirational / motivational quotes.
I program my workouts in a Google spreadsheet, and print that for each week and log all of my worksets there, then I put that information into a Google doc as my training log, so I have a searchable document in case I want to go back and see what I was doing in the past. Bit of advice, if you do it this way, it’s easiest to record your most recent workouts first so you don’t have to scroll to the bottom to log each new workout.
haha
oh man, if you saw my logbook even for only a moment…
Anyone use any apps for smartphones??
I use ‘MyGymBuddy’. It’s ok, but seems like there could be better ones. It’s free FWIW
I use excel, each workout goes on its own tab so I just rotate through them. If the days workout has numbers I might forget I just write them down on a piece of paper to take to the gym, record everything when I get home while I still remember it. Most of the time just writing them down makes me remember so I don’t even have to reference the piece of paper in my pocket at the gym.
I use a A5 sized book with about 300 odd pages. Easy to carry, bend and toss around. Sweat, dust, grime, runny ink is commonplace. I used 2 or 3 letter codes for each exercise and small notes like when I used straps chalk belt etc. I’m lazy to transfer it online but I really should.
[quote]Iron Dwarf wrote:
I still have the one I used as a teen… back in '79![/quote]
Do you doodle during rest periods? 
[quote]Blackaggar wrote:
I can remember every weight on every exercise i use each set for a couple weeks of workouts so ive never needed one[/quote]
This is kinda freaky. I’ve got a decent memory but even I can’t remember pounds and reps. lol