If you don't have a training log...

[Doktor Bollix]

...you are pissing into the wind.

I only started doing it a couple of years ago and it really makes a huge difference. More than deadlifting. Ok, not more than deadlifting but you get the point.

I flailed for a couple of years before that and now I really regret that lost time.

Get organized!

Make lists!

Write it all down!

you fuckers!

 

[luto199]

good advice, wish i knew how to make some good charts with excell. I think i'll go try to figure it out.

 

[Haz]

I agree Doctor; a training log would help me ALOT. THe problem is, I'm too damn lazy to keep one. Going by memory is a piss poor method of tracking progress.

 

[tzan]

For eight months of the year I'm all for the training log. It really helps you track your progress and is another way of motivating you to go harder. For the other 4 months(cutting season) I don't use one because I'm doing so many supersets, dropsets, etc.....I'm always changing exercises and reps and stuff. Deffiantly a good tool when training though.

 

[louden_swain]

I like to keep a log. . . it forces me to use more weight for the next workout. And yes, Excel is a good program to use for generating a routine.

 

[barnes3]

I agree Doctor; a training log would help me ALOT. THe problem is, I'm too damn lazy to keep one. Going by memory is a piss poor method of tracking progress.

No offense, but that is a poor excuse. All you have to do to keep a workout journal is get a little memory notebook that is the size of your hands (maybe $3.50) and scrounge up a pen or pencil somewhere and keep a log of your exercises, the order of them, the weight you did and the reps. You do not have to keep it in excel, bodybuilders around the world use pencils and pieces of paper to keep their log way before computers were even invented or practical for the public use. It is not that hard and there is really no excuse for not doing one. It is just a matter of choice not to use one, which is fine... you won't progress as much. But to say that you are "too damn lazy to keep one" that is a bullshit excuse and a waste of posting space.

barnes3

 

[nikkita]

what do you guys include in your log?? I include for every week bodyweight, body measurements, days trained, how I feel after certain exercise and if changes had to be done to a routine, how much weight for every set and general comments for a specific day

 

[jeremys]

maybe if someone was REALLY bored they could put their nutrient breakdown for the day and see what their body responds to best. but this would take a while. i think it would be a good idea though

 

[The Shadow]

Logs are a bit overrated imo.

 

[Haz]

Jeremys, I've kept a diet journal in the past. I kept tabs on everything: Cals, carbs, protein, fat, bodyweight, measurements, bodyfat%. I made HUGE improvements in my physique when I kept the journal. Kept my strength while I became much leaner. So I definitely think a diet journal will help. You'd be surprised at how the calories add up over the day. Writing everything down, will make it much easier to make the improvements you want.

I also recorded the ratio of protein/carbs and fat. I found that 35% protein, 50% carbs and 15% fat worked really well for me. It was very easy to follow to. I just ate tuna, chicken, oatmeal and veggies all day long. I kept my calories VERY low at about 1800-2100 a day. Lost about 30 lbs of blubber in 8 weeks.

 

[scruples]

Logs are a bit overrated imo.

I agree... when a little notebook helps me lift more weight, then i'll start keeping one... i don't have any trouble remembering the weight on my lifts...

 

[argent]

In general they are good. There is the possibility that it could hold you back though. I know a guy who is so zeroed in on his log that he never really challenges himself. He just keeps adding weight incrementally every few weeks, even though he is capable of adding more weight in less time.