There are two kinds of people. Those who keep a training diary, and those who don’t. Which are you?
Personally I keep a training diary, and always have. There are a few very good reasons to keep a diary, and I have old ones going back over two decades!
It’s one of the strength world’s worst kept secrets, but something that is key to improving is the idea of progressive overload. This is the best possible reason to keep a record of what you do, after all if you can’t remember what you have done, how can you keep moving forward?
In a similar vein, regularly reviewing your training logs will help you to spot any patterns linked to what you do and the results that you get. This could allow you to write ever more effective programmes as you develop in the gym, optimising the work that you do..
In addition to this, it’s always nice to look back and see improvements you have made. This is particularly useful if you are become bored with your training, or are struggling to find the motivation needed to chase your goals.
I keep a paper diary. As people who know me will attest to, I am a bit old fashioned! Even my work diary is a paper diary. However, if you are a little more tech savvy than I am, Smart phones are a great way to record your training so it is always up to date and easily accessible. This could be in a simple journal entry or using one of the many apps available. I programme for my athletes using Google Drive, so they can record everything online in a spreadsheet. As discussed earlier, this allows me as their coach to constantly review and adjust the programme as required.
If you don’t already keep a training log, give it a go you might like it!
Gorilla PT 