Do you keep an exercise log? Should I keep doing mine?

bfit · 01-04-21, 12:34 PM

Do you keep an exercise log no matter what kind of exercise you are (or are not) doing? I've kept a log for years, but now I can't run any more or do high impact activities ever again because of the permanent effects of an injury. It doesn't seem like there's much of importance to write in the log any more, and I haven't written anything down since the New Year started, and I'm thinking of just giving it up. What do you do? And what do you think?

DD546 · 01-04-21, 12:39 PM

I try, but I usually fall off the wagon and am inconsistent. I think it's a good idea, and I've started again this year with the intention of following through. It's nice to be able to look back and see how the year looked. Even if you skip a day, I think the accountability of a log or journal really helps. So here's to keeping a workout log in 2021!

Vantreesta · 01-04-21, 12:52 PM

Personally I think it's a good idea, regardless of what format you use or what types of workouts you do. I keep falling behind on mine but then catch it back up (need to do this again tonight and then try to keep it up). It can help you see where you're lacking or overdoing and it can be a reality check as well as a boost for the sense of accomplishment. Of course, this is coming from a person who tracks practically everything so of course I'm biased.

yogapam · 01-04-21, 12:57 PM

I’ve kept one consistently since I joined a vf check in back in 2006. This year I’m keep a diary that will include thoughts & activities as well as my workouts, more like a journal.

Gams · 01-04-21, 01:01 PM

I keep one, but I need to be a little more detailed - when I look back I often have no idea what I was talking about.

star117 · 01-04-21, 02:04 PM

I use excel and plan rotation in advance for the month. I mostly do this because if I have to think about what to do, I won't do anything. This way, I've got it printed out and just go do the darn thing lol

bee · 01-04-21, 02:07 PM

All I do is write the name of the workout I did on a calendar square for the day and increment my count for the year. As I mentioned in the most used instructors thread, I don't tend to ever go back and review the year, but what I do sometimes is look back over the last few weeks to see how balanced by workouts have been or when was the last time I had a rest or easier day, etc. And sometimes I can't remember which step workout I did so I need to check that, too.

I say do what works for you.... if you think any of the reasons people here are suggesting might be of any remote use for you, do it so you won't regret not. But if nothing resonates and it seems useless, don't bother.

LindaL · 01-04-21, 02:15 PM

I also have a small planner that is used only to write down my workouts. I write down whatever I did that day, whether it was AM or PM, and rate the workout. I also write down if I get to 10K steps. I've been using this method for years and really like it. I think seeing the square filled in gives me a sense of accomplishment. I can also go back and check workouts and when was the last time I took a rest day.

cjayd · 01-04-21, 02:41 PM

I do what Bee does. I write what workout/workouts I did, how long they were and I’ll star ones I really liked so I can remind myself in case I forget (that’s really helpful for workouts that have similar titles). I also write down my goal for the year at the start of the year which for me is a total number of workouts. Then every few days on the side of my notebook I make what looks like a fraction with the top number being the amount of workouts I’ve done so far for the month and the bottom number is the total I’ve done for the year. In January those two numbers are the same but as the year goes on I can watch my progress toward my yearly goal.

I don’t know if it is super beneficial or not but I enjoy doing it. Sometimes when I’m not seeing the results I want to I can remind myself that I am putting in the work exercise wise anyway. I don’t chart how many of different types of workouts and instructors I use etc.

Paine · 01-04-21, 03:04 PM

I keep an exercise log in a small yearly planner (5.5" x 8.5") similar to this:
https://www.mead.com/p/planners-cale...thly-planners/

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01-04-21, 12:34 PM
bfit Join Date: Nov 2005	Do you keep an exercise log? Should I keep doing mine? Do you keep an exercise log no matter what kind of exercise you are (or are not) doing? I've kept a log for years, but now I can't run any more or do high impact activities ever again because of the permanent effects of an injury. It doesn't seem like there's much of importance to write in the log any more, and I haven't written anything down since the New Year started, and I'm thinking of just giving it up. What do you do? And what do you think?

01-04-21, 12:39 PM
DD546 Join Date: May 2011	I try, but I usually fall off the wagon and am inconsistent. I think it's a good idea, and I've started again this year with the intention of following through. It's nice to be able to look back and see how the year looked. Even if you skip a day, I think the accountability of a log or journal really helps. So here's to keeping a workout log in 2021!

01-04-21, 12:52 PM
Vantreesta Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Snowman Land :)	Personally I think it's a good idea, regardless of what format you use or what types of workouts you do. I keep falling behind on mine but then catch it back up (need to do this again tonight and then try to keep it up). It can help you see where you're lacking or overdoing and it can be a reality check as well as a boost for the sense of accomplishment. Of course, this is coming from a person who tracks practically everything so of course I'm biased. __________________ "No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everybody on the couch." "God, please help me to be the person my dog thinks I am." "You can't run from your problems. But you'll both feel a little lighter when you get back." ~New Balance shoe ad You don't have to be fast, just keep moving forward. Note to self: You don't get to complain about things you won't work to change! Word for 2024: Accomplished; Word for 2023: Grounded; Word for 2022: Consistency; Word for 2021: Mindfulness

01-04-21, 12:57 PM
yogapam VF Supporter Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: West coast of Canada, eh. ;)	I’ve kept one consistently since I joined a vf check in back in 2006. This year I’m keep a diary that will include thoughts & activities as well as my workouts, more like a journal. __________________ **~Pam~** Certified Level 4 Essentrics Instructor - March 2021 Hatha YTT - 2011 Your body keeps an accurate journal regardless of what you write down..... "Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live." Jim Rohn "It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives, but what we do consistently.” - Tony Robbins Check out my Instagram account, @fitness.ficti0n.inspirati0n

01-04-21, 01:01 PM
Gams Join Date: Mar 2007	I keep one, but I need to be a little more detailed - when I look back I often have no idea what I was talking about.

01-04-21, 02:04 PM
star117 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Virginia	I use excel and plan rotation in advance for the month. I mostly do this because if I have to think about what to do, I won't do anything. This way, I've got it printed out and just go do the darn thing lol

01-04-21, 02:07 PM
bee VF Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008	All I do is write the name of the workout I did on a calendar square for the day and increment my count for the year. As I mentioned in the most used instructors thread, I don't tend to ever go back and review the year, but what I do sometimes is look back over the last few weeks to see how balanced by workouts have been or when was the last time I had a rest or easier day, etc. And sometimes I can't remember which step workout I did so I need to check that, too. I say do what works for you.... if you think any of the reasons people here are suggesting might be of any remote use for you, do it so you won't regret not. But if nothing resonates and it seems useless, don't bother. __________________ I am @summitbee on instagram.

01-04-21, 02:15 PM
LindaL VF Supporter Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Florida	I also have a small planner that is used only to write down my workouts. I write down whatever I did that day, whether it was AM or PM, and rate the workout. I also write down if I get to 10K steps. I've been using this method for years and really like it. I think seeing the square filled in gives me a sense of accomplishment. I can also go back and check workouts and when was the last time I took a rest day. __________________ Linda Disclosure: I was a Beachbody success story and part of a P90X infomercial.

01-04-21, 02:41 PM
cjayd VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Spanaway, WA	I do what Bee does. I write what workout/workouts I did, how long they were and I’ll star ones I really liked so I can remind myself in case I forget (that’s really helpful for workouts that have similar titles). I also write down my goal for the year at the start of the year which for me is a total number of workouts. Then every few days on the side of my notebook I make what looks like a fraction with the top number being the amount of workouts I’ve done so far for the month and the bottom number is the total I’ve done for the year. In January those two numbers are the same but as the year goes on I can watch my progress toward my yearly goal. I don’t know if it is super beneficial or not but I enjoy doing it. Sometimes when I’m not seeing the results I want to I can remind myself that I am putting in the work exercise wise anyway. I don’t chart how many of different types of workouts and instructors I use etc.

01-04-21, 03:04 PM
Paine VF Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010	I keep an exercise log in a small yearly planner (5.5" x 8.5") similar to this: https://www.mead.com/p/planners-cale...thly-planners/