Fitness planning website ?? Tracker ?? - reviews ??

faidwen

Howdy folks,

I have searched high and low, sifted through numerous forums, emails, topics, and visited hundreds of websites.

BUT...

I haven't found a definitive resource for fitness planning / tracking? I don't mind paying, but I am looking for something where I can PRE-PLAN my fitness activities for the next month.

IDEAS? What has worked for you folks? Or should I simply create an excel spreadsheet and go from there?

Thanks in advance.
Keith

VeryKatie

What kind of exercise? You can pre-log indefinitely here. You could look at Bodybuilding.com, I think it sets up a calendar for you.

faidwen

Normally I do a 20km -> 50km bike ride. Now it is getting colder here, so I am going to move that indoors.

BUT, I would like to add in some elliptical, and strength training as I am nearing my goal weight. Or rather, I need to expand my horizons, but if I don't plan it, I won't follow it....

I guess I am looking for something that will TELL me when to do what I have planned etc.

tomatoey

Put it in your calendar? (assuming you have google calendar - you can set notifications to go to your phone or email)

And track with something like this (I love it; Android only though). You can program routines in there (including supersets), run it with timers for each exercise, get stats, it's great.

Step 1 would be to choose a progressive plan, though (eg 5x5 or whatever for lifting). Then put that into your calendar. Then program your routines into whatever app and track them.

faidwen

Thank you very much Tomatoey, this is exactly what I am going to try.

rkonnad

Thanks for the recommendation, @tomatoey! I'm one of the Simple Workout Log developers.

In addition to the Android app, we have a web based version of our logger on our responsive Simple Workout Log website which is currently in beta (no routines quite yet). We also have an iOS version under development which is slated for release around the new year.

-Ryan

tomatoey

rkonnad wrote: »

Thanks for the recommendation, @tomatoey! I'm one of the Simple Workout Log developers.

In addition to the Android app, we have a web based version of our logger on our responsive Simple Workout Log website which is currently in beta (no routines quite yet). We also have an iOS version under development which is slated for release around the new year.

-Ryan

@rkonnad - No way! That's awesome I Simple so much for its flexibility, usability (it's clean as a whistle), and data capture. I recommend it to people all the time. Glad to hear iOS users can benefit from it soon!

(Ah, but since I have your ear - the one teensy, tiny thing I wish it had, that an analog notebook would have, is a place to write a little reminder note on how an exercise is to be executed. I mostly use Simple for physical therapy exercises now, and it would be great to have a place for cues/instructions, that I could somehow permanently attach to the exercise name so I could see it when I open it up. I know I could go back to notes in the exercise history, but it's an extra step that disrupts the flow. [ I've also tried saving instructions as exercises, and putting them into their own category, but there's not enough room for the full text to show when I actually run the routine.] )

Other than that one (very minor) thing, it is, in my belief, the perfect workout log.

No probs, @faidwen , hope it works for you!

rkonnad

tomatoey wrote: »

@rkonnad - No way! That's awesome I Simple so much for its flexibility, usability (it's clean as a whistle), and data capture. I recommend it to people all the time. Glad to hear iOS users can benefit from it soon!

(Ah, but since I have your ear - the one teensy, tiny thing I wish it had, that an analog notebook would have, is a place to write a little reminder note on how an exercise is to be executed. I mostly use Simple for physical therapy exercises now, and it would be great to have a place for cues/instructions, that I could somehow permanently attach to the exercise name so I could see it when I open it up. I know I could go back to notes in the exercise history, but it's an extra step that disrupts the flow. [ I've also tried saving instructions as exercises, and putting them into their own category, but there's not enough room for the full text to show when I actually run the routine.] )

Other than that one (very minor) thing, it is, in my belief, the perfect workout log.

@tomatoey, thanks for the kind words! It really means a lot when we hear from people who actually use and enjoy Simple Workout Log.

As for your suggestion, this has long been on our list of items to do. We have bumped the priority up and are currently planning the best way to implement it so you can expect to see it within one of the next few updates.

-Ryan

jgnatca

Perhaps less than perfect, but I use a little app called IntervalTimer . It logs my entries as I do them and if I spend too much time away it sends me a reminder. The screen is big, bold, and easy to read when working up a sweat.

I set up the intervals any way I like.

It won't pre-plan for you.

tomatoey

rkonnad wrote: »

tomatoey wrote: »

@rkonnad - No way! That's awesome I Simple so much for its flexibility, usability (it's clean as a whistle), and data capture. I recommend it to people all the time. Glad to hear iOS users can benefit from it soon!

(Ah, but since I have your ear - the one teensy, tiny thing I wish it had, that an analog notebook would have, is a place to write a little reminder note on how an exercise is to be executed. I mostly use Simple for physical therapy exercises now, and it would be great to have a place for cues/instructions, that I could somehow permanently attach to the exercise name so I could see it when I open it up. I know I could go back to notes in the exercise history, but it's an extra step that disrupts the flow. [ I've also tried saving instructions as exercises, and putting them into their own category, but there's not enough room for the full text to show when I actually run the routine.] )

Other than that one (very minor) thing, it is, in my belief, the perfect workout log.

@tomatoey, thanks for the kind words! It really means a lot when we hear from people who actually use and enjoy Simple Workout Log.

As for your suggestion, this has long been on our list of items to do. We have bumped the priority up and are currently planning the best way to implement it so you can expect to see it within one of the next few updates.

-Ryan

@rkonnad - wow! That's exciting news Thanks so much for listening - it's amazing when developers are responsive. As you all have been - the new tweaks have made this app even more intuitive to use than it was before, in ways I wouldn't have imagined. It really does help make things simple.

(More than that, in my case. It's been really helpful with motivation. I'd probably never make it through my boring physio exercises if I couldn't treat them them as goals, by tracking them in such an accessible and seamless way, and running them as a routine. The timer also means I don't cheat myself on some of the isometric holds that I have to do. And I have to do this stuff, in order to function in life. I'm trying to get my physical therapist on board to share it with her other clients. BIG FAN, in other words - keep up the great work

rkonnad

tomatoey wrote: »

rkonnad wrote: »

tomatoey wrote: »

@rkonnad - No way! That's awesome I Simple so much for its flexibility, usability (it's clean as a whistle), and data capture. I recommend it to people all the time. Glad to hear iOS users can benefit from it soon!

(Ah, but since I have your ear - the one teensy, tiny thing I wish it had, that an analog notebook would have, is a place to write a little reminder note on how an exercise is to be executed. I mostly use Simple for physical therapy exercises now, and it would be great to have a place for cues/instructions, that I could somehow permanently attach to the exercise name so I could see it when I open it up. I know I could go back to notes in the exercise history, but it's an extra step that disrupts the flow. [ I've also tried saving instructions as exercises, and putting them into their own category, but there's not enough room for the full text to show when I actually run the routine.] )

Other than that one (very minor) thing, it is, in my belief, the perfect workout log.

@tomatoey, thanks for the kind words! It really means a lot when we hear from people who actually use and enjoy Simple Workout Log.

As for your suggestion, this has long been on our list of items to do. We have bumped the priority up and are currently planning the best way to implement it so you can expect to see it within one of the next few updates.

-Ryan

@rkonnad - wow! That's exciting news Thanks so much for listening - it's amazing when developers are responsive. As you all have been - the new tweaks have made this app even more intuitive to use than it was before, in ways I wouldn't have imagined. It really does help make things simple.

(More than that, in my case. It's been really helpful with motivation. I'd probably never make it through my boring physio exercises if I couldn't treat them them as goals, by tracking them in such an accessible and seamless way, and running them as a routine. The timer also means I don't cheat myself on some of the isometric holds that I have to do. And I have to do this stuff, in order to function in life. I'm trying to get my physical therapist on board to share it with her other clients. BIG FAN, in other words - keep up the great work

Most definitely! Simple Workout Log is what it is because of great suggestions brought to us by people who actually use it, like you!

I do understand the motivational piece. Simple Workout Log was originally built by myself and a friend because I was strength training a lot at the time and really found logging to be helpful and keep me motivated. I hated bringing a notepad and pen to the gym with me when I already had my phone with for music. I searched the then Android Market and didn't find anything that met my needs, so it was at that time that I decided I'd build my own.

It's great that Simple Workout Log plays such an important role in helping you in maintaining your health.

Thanks again for all the recommendations! It's very much appreciated and really helps us out.

-Ryan

tomatoey

rkonnad wrote: »

tomatoey wrote: »

rkonnad wrote: »

tomatoey wrote: »

@rkonnad - No way! That's awesome I Simple so much for its flexibility, usability (it's clean as a whistle), and data capture. I recommend it to people all the time. Glad to hear iOS users can benefit from it soon!

(Ah, but since I have your ear - the one teensy, tiny thing I wish it had, that an analog notebook would have, is a place to write a little reminder note on how an exercise is to be executed. I mostly use Simple for physical therapy exercises now, and it would be great to have a place for cues/instructions, that I could somehow permanently attach to the exercise name so I could see it when I open it up. I know I could go back to notes in the exercise history, but it's an extra step that disrupts the flow. [ I've also tried saving instructions as exercises, and putting them into their own category, but there's not enough room for the full text to show when I actually run the routine.] )

Other than that one (very minor) thing, it is, in my belief, the perfect workout log.

@tomatoey, thanks for the kind words! It really means a lot when we hear from people who actually use and enjoy Simple Workout Log.

As for your suggestion, this has long been on our list of items to do. We have bumped the priority up and are currently planning the best way to implement it so you can expect to see it within one of the next few updates.

-Ryan

@rkonnad - wow! That's exciting news Thanks so much for listening - it's amazing when developers are responsive. As you all have been - the new tweaks have made this app even more intuitive to use than it was before, in ways I wouldn't have imagined. It really does help make things simple.

(More than that, in my case. It's been really helpful with motivation. I'd probably never make it through my boring physio exercises if I couldn't treat them them as goals, by tracking them in such an accessible and seamless way, and running them as a routine. The timer also means I don't cheat myself on some of the isometric holds that I have to do. And I have to do this stuff, in order to function in life. I'm trying to get my physical therapist on board to share it with her other clients. BIG FAN, in other words - keep up the great work

Most definitely! Simple Workout Log is what it is because of great suggestions brought to us by people who actually use it, like you!

I do understand the motivational piece. Simple Workout Log was originally built by myself and a friend because I was strength training a lot at the time and really found logging to be helpful and keep me motivated. I hated bringing a notepad and pen to the gym with me when I already had my phone with for music. I searched the then Android Market and didn't find anything that met my needs, so it was at that time that I decided I'd build my own.

It's great that Simple Workout Log plays such an important role in helping you in maintaining your health.

Thanks again for all the recommendations! It's very much appreciated and really helps us out.

-Ryan

Well, I'm very glad you were bothered enough by your paper notepad to make such an excellent thing It's been a pleasure to chat with the original developer of the app that made me not hate PT It's great for regular workouts, of course, too. (But thank you, yes, it's absolutely made a difference in my willingness to comply with my "homework" - in the same way, I think, that apps like MFP help people stay on track with food. Usability = everything, imo, and I think your app stands out in that regard.)

Cheers

OldAssDude

faidwen wrote: »

Howdy folks,

I have searched high and low, sifted through numerous forums, emails, topics, and visited hundreds of websites.

BUT...

I haven't found a definitive resource for fitness planning / tracking? I don't mind paying, but I am looking for something where I can PRE-PLAN my fitness activities for the next month.

IDEAS? What has worked for you folks? Or should I simply create an excel spreadsheet and go from there?

Thanks in advance.
Keith

Have you looked into any of the more advanced fitness trackers, like the Polar V800?

It tracks all your workout sessions, keeps a history, and lets you plan and set your fitness goals. It counts all your activity toward your daily goals, and not just steps like most trackers do.

The website app is like a calendar of all your activities, and you can use it to set up custom workouts and download them right to the watch. It will record your heart rate, pace, distance, elevation, and has several fitness related tests that you can use to measure your progress. It also keeps track of your recovery level and time too.

Very motivating device, and even though they retail for $499.00, you can find them on sale for as low as $329.00 on amazon.

MeanderingMammal

faidwen wrote: »

Howdy folks,

I have searched high and low, sifted through numerous forums, emails, topics, and visited hundreds of websites.

BUT...

I haven't found a definitive resource for fitness planning / tracking? I don't mind paying, but I am looking for something where I can PRE-PLAN my fitness activities for the next month.

IDEAS? What has worked for you folks? Or should I simply create an excel spreadsheet and go from there?

Thanks in advance.
Keith

TrainingPeaks

But it's expensive if you're not aiming for performance improvement

faidwen

MeanderingMammal wrote: »

faidwen wrote: »

Howdy folks,

I have searched high and low, sifted through numerous forums, emails, topics, and visited hundreds of websites.

BUT...

I haven't found a definitive resource for fitness planning / tracking? I don't mind paying, but I am looking for something where I can PRE-PLAN my fitness activities for the next month.

IDEAS? What has worked for you folks? Or should I simply create an excel spreadsheet and go from there?

Thanks in advance.
Keith

TrainingPeaks

But it's expensive if you're not aiming for performance improvement

I used to have a TrainingPeaks account a long time ago for my daughter for soccer training. I've actually just re-activated it. It now syncs with MyFitnessPal and everything, so although expensive ($16+/month) it does appear to have all the planning, sync, and tracking that I require.

Thanks!