Unfortunately, it has become very uncommon for people to track their workouts, and I’d say approximately 90% of the people who workout don’t record what they do.
Coincidentally, these people are most likely experiencing little to no results in the gym. Throughout my 10 years of weightlifting, the periods in which I gained the most muscle and strength was when I was tracking my lifts.
Tracking your workouts is the most beneficial technique you can use to constantly progress. I want to highlight for you the three main reasons you must track your lifts to see and experience maximum gains.
Reason #1 – You Need To Discover What Works For You
The first reason you must track lifts to experience maximum gains is because recording your workouts allows you to figure out what works best for you.
Trial and error is the most powerful problem-solving method, and tracking your lifts stimulates your brain and allows you to make tweaks and modifications so that your progress never slows.
Peter Drucker once said, “What gets measured, gets managed.” This is a very powerful quote. The simple act of paying attention to what you do will allow for you to make connections you never did before, and you will make continuous steady progress – almost without any extra effort.
Reason #2 – You Need To Push Yourself
The second reason you must track your workouts is because it will allow you to push harder in the gym.
For example, if last week you did 6 reps on a given exercise, you will know that this week you’ll need to get 7 reps.
During your set, you may find yourself grinding hard to push out the last rep, but you won’t quit and you’ll continue to fight until it’s completed.
Why? …Because you know you’ll need to get that extra rep in order to experience the muscle and strength gains you’re striving for.
Those who don’t track lifts are usually:
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Not pushing themselves hard enough because they don’t know the amount weights, reps, or sets they need in order to progress
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Pushing themselves too hard and take themselves to an extreme where they will experience too much fatigue in the central nervous system
For optimal gains, you want to push yourself just a little bit each and every week. Over time, you will experience massive strength and muscle gains.
Reason #3 – You Will Get Increased Motivation
The final reason you must begin tracking your lifts – and likely the MOST powerful – is because of how motivating it is. When you’re in the gym and you’re seeing yourself increase your reps and weight, you feel great!
Conversely, people that DON’T see progress (due to lack of tracking their workouts) typically suffer from a lack of motivation because they don’t feel like they’re getting anywhere.
The solution: track your workouts to see progress every single week – whether it’s moving up in weights or simply getting one more rep in a set.
Your fitness journey should be enjoyable and rewarding. Seeing progression will satisfy you, and that satisfaction translates into even more gains.
This Is How To Track Your Workouts
Track your workouts is very simple. In general, there are two ways you can do it:
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Get a notepad and begin writing down your workouts. Include your exercises, the amount of weight you used, as well as the number of sets and reps.
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Use your smartphone and track your workouts in a tab or free note app (like Evernote). Simply copy and paste the workout and enter your stats for each workout!
Tracking your workouts is one of the most important things you can do on your fitness journey. It keeps you accountable, helps push you, and rewards you – all at the same time. That’s why every program I’ve created is centered on this key concept.
If you’re currently suffering from a lack of progress, then the first step is to start tracking your workouts and see on paper how you’re doing. Only then will you know how to improve it.
In addition, make sure you’re tracking your body measurements to get yourself closer to that aesthetic physique you want.
*Your results may vary. Testimonials and examples used are exceptional results and are not intended to guarantee, promise, represent and/or assure that anyone will achieve the same or similar results.
