You can tell whether you are making any progress with the gym workout by keeping a weight training log. When the weight training log does not show the results you expect, you need to revise your workout routine and identify the possible mistakes that you are making. Over-training or under-training, these could be two of the problems. There are many ways to organize the weight training log: according to the traditional variant, the columns should include the dates, the resistance level and the performed sets. Another system is to organize the weight training log not by the work out dates but by the weight increases.
Let’s take a practical examples and see what things should be like. For example, if last time you trained you did eight sets of bench presses with 205 pounds, on your new session you may hit the same 205 pounds but this time in nine reps. There is usually no growth in resistance, muscle mass or strength when you train at the same level all the time. The best way to create a weight training log within minutes is to print ready made customized workout sheets.
The body weight before the training should be put down in a separate column. Although weight is not always relevant for the results of gym training, it is sometimes helpful particularly if you try to burn fat and replace it with lean muscle mass. The weight training log should further include a cardio section too. The workouts can be kept track of in relation with the cardio performance. Keep in mind that the intensity of the exercises drops if you perform the cardio routine before the training.
Such a section in the weight lifting log can help one better keep track of the evolution. Mood variations may help with training or can ruin it. If you include a section for mood in the log, you will be able to determine if the success of your exercises is not influenced or impaired by the way you feel when you train. Normally, pertinent observations can only be made if you analyze the weight training log entries for several weeks in a row. If you see that at 5 pm on Mondays, you feel energized and this is a common occurrence, that means you’ve found a perfect time to train and you should stick to the program.
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