A workout log records the exercise, load and completed reps for each set, plus a short note when something could change the next comparison. A notebook works fine to start.
An app can show your old numbers beside the next set. It can also hold saved routines and a history of past sessions.
Give your workout log clear exercise names
A name should identify the move and the equipment. "Row" alone can mean several different exercises, so pick a clear name and use it every time.
If you switch machines, note the change. Two machines can load a similar movement differently.
Write down the work you completed
Log the reps you actually completed. In this fictional example, the second set stays at seven even though the plan said eight.
| Exercise | Set | Load | Completed reps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dumbbell bench press | 1 | 20 kg per dumbbell | 8 |
| Dumbbell bench press | 2 | 20 kg per dumbbell | 7 |
These rows show a record, not a starting weight to copy. State whether a dumbbell weight means each hand or the pair, and use a barbell rule that includes the bar. Keep the unit with the number.
Add context when it helps
A short note can explain why two sessions differ. "Different machine" or "shorter rest today" is enough when that detail matters, and you do not need a paragraph for every set.
Mark warm-up sets apart from working sets. If you use an effort scale, keep its meaning consistent. For more detail, read what RIR means.
Check the record next time
Your last entry shows what you did. It does not decide what you must lift today, because your plan, the equipment and how you feel still matter.
GameLiftEat's logger keeps past values beside new sets and saves workouts offline. The app is still in development. When it opens, Field Notes will carry the news.
Next, learn how to read progress or plan your training week.
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