“I wish I had tracked my numbers.”
If I could go back and change one thing in my own training journey, it would be that.
For the longest time, I was that person who just showed up, did the workout, and moved on. No logbook, no tracking app, no notes. Just vibes. And honestly? It was a mistake. Not because I didn’t get stronger — but because I never realisedhow much stronger I’d gotten.
Going from a 60 kg snatch to a 100 kg snatch in a year is massive. But if you haven’t recorded that, if you haven’t seen that build week by week, you miss out on the motivation, the perspective, and the momentum that comes from seeing tangible progress.
Why You Should Track Your Training
Progress isn’t always obvious. Sometimes you’re too close to the grind to see it. Journaling gives you a clear lens — it reminds you of where you started and shows you how far you’ve come.
It’s not just about PRs either. It’s about movement quality, consistency, mindset, effort — all of it matters.
Whether you’re trying to improve a lift, build a better engine, or finally get that first pull-up, tracking helps you:
- Train with purpose.
- Spot trends (good and bad).
- Stay motivated.
- Reflect and reset when needed.
- Walk into each session with intention.
How to Track (It Doesn’t Have to Be Fancy)
You don’t need the perfect app or the prettiest journal. You just need something you’ll actually use. Could be:
- A notebook.
- A Google Sheet.
- A notes app on your phone.
- Or better yet — Octiv (preferred — easy and all-in-one).
Top Tips for Journaling Like a Pro
Here are a few ways to make journaling easy and sustainable:
1. Do it right after class.
The longer you wait, the less likely you are to do it. Take 2-3 minutes post-WOD to jot down:
- Your scores.
- The weights you used.
- How you felt.
- What scaled options you used (if any).
- Anything that stood out.
2. Be honest.
This is your journey. Tracking isn’t about impressing anyone — it’s about learning and growing. Document your wins and your struggles.
3. Review before the next week.
Make it a habit to check your notes or data before walking into a session. If Monday has front squats, and you know last week you hit 85%, aim to build from there.
4. Track more than just numbers.
Note how you slept. How your body felt. What your mindset was like. These are all factors in performance.
5. Set a 30-day challenge.
Commit to journaling every single session for the next 30 days. Track everything. Your lifts, your conditioning scores, your notes. At the end of the month, go back and look at the progress — you’ll surprise yourself.
Your Challenge: Record 30 Consecutive Days of Training
Let’s make it real — for the next 30 days, commit to recording every single training session you do.
Here’s what that looks like:
- 📓 Write down what you did (strength, metcon, skill).
- 🧠 Note how it felt (energy, mindset, recovery).
- 📊 Record any scores, weights, or progressions.
- 🔁 Review it weekly to see patterns and wins.
💡 Don’t overthink it. Just be consistent. One line is better than nothing.
You can use:
- A notebook.
- Notes app.
- Google Sheet.
- Octiv (recommended)
✅ Complete 30 days of journaling, and here’s what you’ll gain:
- Clarity on your progress.
- A better understanding of your body.
- Increased motivation.
- Stronger results.
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about building a habit that makes you better.
Start today. Day 1 = NOW.
We’re in it with you.
