Gym Tracking

lornamarie57

Does anyone use a program or app for tracking gym weights? I know I can track in MFP but it doesn't show achievements ie last month I could lift X and now I can lift Y - YAY lol.

I'd like something that shows my history so I can celebrate getting stronger.

Retroguy2000

There are popular apps you can google for. I've never used them. I just use my own Google Sheets sheet. Each row is an exercise and set number for that day. For ease of reading I alternate the background color of the rows for each exercise, so X rows of exercise A, Y rows of exercise B, and so on. Columns to the right are historical. I set the background color of entries where I've gone up in weight or reps to green, or to red if I've done less than last time. Before the next workout I insert two columns for the upcoming weight and rep counts.

Daddy78230

If you have an iPhone, there’s an app called Gym Log+

I know there’s not an android version.

Nonetheless, great app with lots of bells and whistles. It’s not intended for beginner lifters. Its not filled with a bunch of videos of how to do lifts. Nor are there routines to follow. It’s your own routines.

nossmf

I just use a spiral notebook and a pencil. As I get stronger, I cross out the current weight and mark in the new on the same page. Every 3 months or so I turn the page, print in the current workout (might change, might not) and repeat. As I go to earlier pages I see my past...my notebook has records from the past ten years, though is showing signs of age and I'll soon need to put the current notebook on my bookshelf and get a new one for active use.

If I want to celebrate how much stronger I am now than before, or if I'm feeling a need for a break from current intensity, I go back a few pages and repeat an older workout, using the exact reps/weights as back then. Since the majority of the time that means fewer reps and/or lighter weights than today, I end the workout feeling like it was easy compared to today's, which is good for an ego boost, lol.

lornamarie57

Thanks. I decided to just write in a notebook. I like the idea of an app better but not in the mood to hunt one down and then inevitably it is a 2 week trial till they ask for $$ or something similar

cwolfman13

I use the Fitbod app which gives me my program and tells me what to do on any given day as well as the weight to be lifted. I can adjust that manually, but I tend to let the app do it's thing unless something is way to effortless and it will incrementally increase my weights for particular lifts as I go. It doesn't keep a history, but I just write that down in a notebook.

AnnPT77

I do use a spiral notebook, but FWIW, Fitnotes was suggested to me by one of the old hands here who is much more lifting-oriented than I am. It's Android-only, though.

There's a free version (no ads), and a wholly separate Supporter purchase thing (currently $5.99). The free app doesn't mention "in app purchases" in its description, and it sounds like it's oriented to be voluntary-support freeware, but I haven't used it enough to know for sure that there are no surprises. High ratings, though.

jwardtabitha1

I use FitNotes. The basic one is free and you can customize your workouts, keep track, copy to other days etc. It will even track 1RM and such.

Daddy78230

jwardtabitha1 wrote: »

I use FitNotes. The basic one is free and you can customize your workouts, keep track, copy to other days etc. It will even track 1RM and such.

I recommend this to my son, whom I’m helping with starting a training program. I downloaded myself to give it a try - customize his routine. I like it so far.

Thanks for the recommendation

EliseTK1

I started using the Strong app a few months ago and love it. I use the free version, but you can get more features with the paid version.

lcamp867

I use the strong app and love it. You choose your exercises and log your sets, reps and weight with it. It also has a timer that will ding to let you know when your set rest time intervals is up. It’s a great app!

JBanx256

Another vote here for good old-fashioned spiral notebook & ink in the gym. I've actually got my programming in a spreadsheet that I can pull up on my phone in Google Sheets, and I'll write down the movement/sets/loads/etc in advance, but then actually write down reps & any notes as I go along during the session. I just prefer it that way, and also opening up Sheets between every set to note reps etc is ehhhh kinda annoying (and then I'm looking at my phone and OH I just got a notification, better go look at that, OH just got an email I've been waiting for, lemme take care of that right quick....). I limit my phone use in the gym to Spotify & videoing a couple sets here & there for form check etc.