A weight training log is the only way to tell whether you are making any progress with your gym work or not. When progress is not visible, you thus have the chance to look over the entire workout routine and identify the mistakes. Training too much or too little, these could be two of the problems. There are many ways to organize the weight training log: according to the traditional variant, the columns should include the dates, the resistance level and the performed sets. Another system is to organize the weight training log not by the work out dates but by the weight increases.

To give just an example of what a weight training log should look like, let's analyze a column and see how you should interpret it. For example, if on your last training you worked on the bench presses doing 205 pounds in eight sets, on your new training session, the bench presses should hit 205 pounds but in nine reps this time. There is usually no growth in resistance, muscle mass or strength when you train at the same level all the time. Such a weight training log is not difficult to get, just search on the Internet or customize a workout sheet as you see fit and then print it.

The body weight before the training should be put down in a separate column. Even if some athletes tend to believe that weight is not relevant for gym training results, you may find it helpful to learn how much lean mass you have put on. Don't forget to include a cardio section in the weight training log too. You can keep track of workouts in relation to the cardio exercises. It seems that when performed before the weight training, the cardio routine reduces the intensity of the exercises.

Evolution is easier to track if you include such sections n the weight lifting training log. Mood variations may help with training or can ruin it. Find out when you feel in the right spirits to train by including a mood section in the weight training log. Normally, you wouldn't be able to make a pertinent observation from one week to another, unless you have this weight training log to check. If you see that at 5 pm on Mondays, you feel energized and this is a common occurrence, that means you've found a perfect time to train and you should stick to the program.