How do you track your lifts?

tageekly

So I'm going to be starting Stronglifts after I finish my current program and want to get everything in order beforehand and I'm wondering how y'all track your progress. Do you use an app? If so, which one? Do you use a spreadsheet (there are so many online that it get overwhelming) or just keep a notebook?

I know I'll need something with me in the gym so I don't miss a set or forget what weight I did last time on a particular exercise so just looking for advice and what you prefer.

Thanks!

_SusieQ_

I have been using the spreadsheet personally. But there is a really cool Apple app. (Unfortunately I have an Android, and it's not available for that yet). Rhonda showed me the app on her iPhone though, and it looks very user friendly.

*ETA - I typically take a screen shot pic of my spreadsheet so that I can look it up on my phone when I get there. Because I'm a dork like that. But I've thought about taking a small notebook, especially now that I do warm up sets first, then my working set.

sarahz5

I use MFP and copy my last Workout A or B onto the current day before I workout, then change the weights. I usually take my phone with me, but there are so few lifts that if you check before you go, you easily remember where you are.

ahviendha

I use the 5x5 Stronglifts app. It's a manly layout (lots of red, black, bolded font) but it gets the job done! It tracks my workouts better than I could with pen & paper.

chubby_checkers

I used to use an app called LiftBig. I have Android, so can't use the Stronglifts one, but I think LB is a good sub.

ETA: This is the description of the app from Google Play:

*This application is based of the very famous Stronglifts 5x5(SL 5x5).

Features:
- Keeps track of what weights to lift
- Kepps track of your number of stalls and deloads
- Automatically deloads for you
- Backup/restore your progress to/from the SD-card
- Set a timer for inbetween sets
- Add notes to your workout
- Checkout old workouts
- Change between Lbs/Kg
- Keep track of your bodyweight
- Progress-graphs
- Edit your old logs
- Edit increment amount and deload percentage
- Edit number of current stalls and deloads*

stlhrs

I used to use an app called LiftBig. I have Android, so can't use the Stronglifts one, but I think LB is a good sub.

ETA: This is the description of the app from Google Play:

*This application is based of the very famous Stronglifts 5x5(SL 5x5).

Features:
- Keeps track of what weights to lift
- Kepps track of your number of stalls and deloads
- Automatically deloads for you
- Backup/restore your progress to/from the SD-card
- Set a timer for inbetween sets
- Add notes to your workout
- Checkout old workouts
- Change between Lbs/Kg
- Keep track of your bodyweight
- Progress-graphs
- Edit your old logs
- Edit increment amount and deload percentage
- Edit number of current stalls and deloads*

^^ This

Fittreelol

I use as spreadsheet in an app called "quickoffice" (It comes standard on many androids, or get it from the play store) It saves as an excel file so it's easy to transfer to/from computer. Or editable if you open it from your phone through your computer. I'm pretty handy with smartphones so if anyone has any questions pm me and I'll be happy to help.

sarahz5

an app called LiftBig.

^^ This

...is fabulous!!! Thanks for the recommendation.

extraordinary_machine

I was just keeping track through a note app on my pie, but I'll have to try quickoffice.

BusyRaeNOTBusty

I use the jefit phone app. You can program your own routines so once you move beyond Stronglifts you can still use it.

tageekly

Thanks for the recommendations!

I'm going to hit up the app store today and check these out.

Leadfoot_Lewis

I have all my workouts and workout journals in Microsoft Excel. I print out the workout sheets and fill them out as I workout, then enter them into my workout journal in Excel. I guess I'm old school LOL.

Jaxster92708

I plan my workout in a small spiral notebook then enter into Jefit after my workout. I am doing Wendler's, so I only put my main lift in my notebook, then add my assistance lifts during the workout because I mess around with the weights a lot in my assist exercises.

To track my cycles and overall progress, I put my planned workouts and completed workouts in an Excel spreadsheet. I used a few different apps that were capable of tracking Wendler's, but I found them cumbersome and not user friendly, so I set up a year long Excel spreadsheet based on the instructions in the 5/3/1 book.

Edited to add: When I did Stronglifts, I used the Excel spreadsheet to track overall progress and plan, and also used a notebook while at the gym. I workout super early in the morning (4:30 AM) and can't do simple math that early, so I use the notebook to write down my plates...that way I don't have to think too much!

Good luck!
Jackie

lesita75

Lifting Buddy app for android is great for SL 5x5 until an official app is released for andriod.

RunHardBeStrong

I used to use an app called LiftBig. I have Android, so can't use the Stronglifts one, but I think LB is a good sub.

ETA: This is the description of the app from Google Play:

*This application is based of the very famous Stronglifts 5x5(SL 5x5).

Features:
- Keeps track of what weights to lift
- Kepps track of your number of stalls and deloads
- Automatically deloads for you
- Backup/restore your progress to/from the SD-card
- Set a timer for inbetween sets
- Add notes to your workout
- Checkout old workouts
- Change between Lbs/Kg
- Keep track of your bodyweight
- Progress-graphs
- Edit your old logs
- Edit increment amount and deload percentage
- Edit number of current stalls and deloads*

^^ This

Yep. Me too!

xidia

I prefer Strong Log to LIft Big on Android, but that might be because I've been using it longer. I'm currently running them in parallel and trying to decide whether to stick with SL or switch to LB.

Built_Strong

I use the 5x5 Stronglifts app. It's a manly layout (lots of red, black, bolded font) but it gets the job done! It tracks my workouts better than I could with pen & paper.

I use the app too because it tracks my progress for me and automatically adds weight to each session - no thinking involved on my part.

glwerth

I take a notebook to the gym with me and make notes and see where I was on my previous workout.

I enter it in a spreadsheet, to look at progress over time, but at the gym, I find the notebook and a pen to be sufficient.

iorahkwano

I use the 5x5 Stronglifts app. It's a manly layout (lots of red, black, bolded font) but it gets the job done! It tracks my workouts better than I could with pen & paper.

Me too, love it!