Strength training routine at the gym...

awerewka
awerewka Posts: 151 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
How do you remember what routine/excerises you want to do? Do you use a phone app, take a pad of paper or memorize?

I plan on doing 5 min of cardio to warm up then the rest with dumbells, kettlebells and barbells and another 5 min of cardio at the end. Feeling the machines are not doing much for me...so want to switch it up a bit.

Replies

  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    I have a book. If I don't have my book I use my phone- but I try not to for various reasons.

    I HATE not having my book- it is the most useful tool ever- next to a barbell and weights. :D
  • chrisrc131
    chrisrc131 Posts: 45 Member
    In the past I've used the backs of grocery lists, dedicated notepads, an ipaq, and a phone (gdocs, jefit). Right now I'm doing a simple enough routine that I've been doing long enough that I don't really need to bother most days. If I was on any kind of complex periodization program or if I took the time for a workout with a wider variety of lifts I'd need something to keep it all straight.

    Any of it can work. Try whatever's easiest and see if it works for you and the routine you're doing.
  • awerewka
    awerewka Posts: 151 Member
    Well I found an awesome app that shows all the moves with either barbell, dumbell, cables, kettle bell - even shows how to correctly do them. Just not liking the idea of bringing my phone and worrying about keeping an eye on it. Maybe if I take it a couple times i can memorize the moves.

    I want to focus on full body strength. I have already been dabbling with the Strong Lifts 5x5 and am going to modify the deadlift and bent over row and squat by using free weights/kettle. This is until I can get correct form. My current squat is pretty sad and I keep catching myself in bad form. So I dont want to hurt myself with the barbell.
  • mjfer123
    mjfer123 Posts: 1,234 Member
    I have mine entered in excel and then uploaded into my phone for the entire year.
    Sure you look like a tool looking at your phone every time between reps, but whatever, if it helps you put in work that's what matters.
    Also, don't forget legs/squats.
  • awerewka
    awerewka Posts: 151 Member
    Still going to use the leg press and do squats and lunges with the dumbells. :)
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    Well I found an awesome app that shows all the moves with either barbell, dumbell, cables, kettle bell - even shows how to correctly do them. Just not liking the idea of bringing my phone and worrying about keeping an eye on it. Maybe if I take it a couple times i can memorize the moves.

    I want to focus on full body strength. I have already been dabbling with the Strong Lifts 5x5 and am going to modify the deadlift and bent over row and squat by using free weights/kettle. This is until I can get correct form. My current squat is pretty sad and I keep catching myself in bad form. So I dont want to hurt myself with the barbell.

    you are not going to get the correct form for doing a bb exercise with a db or kb.

    you are only going to get that with a bar.

    Use a broom stick- use a pvc pipe- if you can use the 45 lb bar- use the bar.

    I put technique work into almost all of my work outs. Practice practice practice.

    Practicing the piano will not help you play the violin.
  • knittnponder
    knittnponder Posts: 1,953 Member
    I have a small, cheap notebook. It's only about 3x5" so it's not a pain to deal with and if I need to walk away from it to get a weight I'm not worried about losing it or having it taken. I tried using my tablet but I was so worried about losing it or dropping a weight on it that I only used it once. The notebook works well for me. I do see a lot of people using their smart phones though so obviously you have to find what works for you.
  • knittnponder
    knittnponder Posts: 1,953 Member
    This is until I can get correct form. My current squat is pretty sad and I keep catching myself in bad form. So I dont want to hurt myself with the barbell.

    My husband was attempting to do this very thing and his squat form sucked! I convinced him to try the barbell and with a few minor adjustments his form is great now. The dumbbells and kettle bells will not help you correct your form or learn to do a proper barbell squat. The barbell on his shoulders forced him not to cheat his form.
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    Big-@$$ notebook with the week's plan written in it. That way, I can mark off exactly what I've done and input notes when necessary.
  • osuzorba
    osuzorba Posts: 35 Member
    I made little cards that have all the exercises on the left and dates across the top in excel, then printed on card stock. About 3x7, able to fit about 12 or so workouts per card.
  • awerewka
    awerewka Posts: 151 Member
    Thanks for the advice...maybe i will stick to the barbell but add in some free weights as well. I LOVE bench press and can squat the barbell easily just need to work on my form.
  • jlclabo
    jlclabo Posts: 588 Member
    http://www.amazon.com/The-Workout-Log-Joe-Oliver/dp/0968707505/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391710957&sr=8-1&keywords=workout+book

    this is the one I use. it is great. has weight conversion chart from lbs to kilo, also has a muscular system diagram. it has enough pages to cover almost a full year of training.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    those black and white composition books are great work out journals.

    stay away from spiral- they fall apart.

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