Should you consider keeping an exercise log?
Exercise is always performed with a specific goal in mind. Each individual hopes to achieve an explicit result. In order to attain that goal, the individual must continuously increase the intensity of the work-outs and adjust the exercises based on the observable outcome. You may need to adjust your exercise program to include additional exercises if results in certain muscle groups are lagging. And if you are trying to lose weight but are not losing as quickly as you would like, you will need to add more weight training sessions or increase your cardio. Keeping an exercise log or journal has become a popular practice that is extremely useful in furthering your goals and determining what changes may need to be implemented in your exercise program.
An exercise log or journal provides a record of each work out session. It records your accomplishments and allows you to view your progress. It can be difficult to remember exactly how many repetitions you completed of an exercise and how heavy the weight load was that you lifted. A log allows you the luxury of certainty. You have the information in writing. You can easily determine when you last increased your weight load, the number of repetitions you were able to perform at a certain weight, and when you should be ready to increase your intensity level again.
What you record in your exercise log is up to you. You can just list the exercises, weight load, and the sets and repetitions performed. Or you can include a weekly or monthly record of your measurements, your weight, and even what supplements you may have tried. If you keep a record of all exercises you perform, including cardio, you will also be able to determine if you are incorporating sufficient cardio into your workout to facilitate adequate fat burning. The more information you record in your exercise log, the more information you will have to determine what works for you and what doesn’t.
