Training Logs

When you walk into the gym, do you have a goal?  Do you know exactly how much weight you used last time for how many reps, or how long it took you to complete the same workout last time? Don't know?  Then how do you expect to progress?

Anyone who is serious about training and wants improvement should have a training log.  What is a training log?  It's just a written account of all your training.  You can list when you train, what you do, personal records, rest days, etc.

It doesn't have to be fancy, a basic note book will do.  Record the date, the workout you did, the weight you used each set, the time it took to complete, and other little notes ... such as how you felt that day.

Before you go to the gym, refer to your log to decide (ahead of time) what you will do that day.  Have a plan and a goal in mind.  Try to increase the weight for the sets you will do (even by a few pounds) or try to do your circuit in less time.  The goal should always be to progress in some (small) way.  Small, steady progressions will eventually lead to great improvements.

If you are in the gym and guessing at what exercises to do, what weight to use, or how long it is taking you, then your training will be much less productive (if at all).

"Do not fear going forward slowly; fear only to stand still."
-- Chinese Proverb