Exercise Log Sheet

One of the best ways to increase motivation to exercise is to maintain an exercise log sheet. The log doesn't need to be elaborate. As a matter of fact, since a simple log requires less input it is more likely to be updated regularly.

Although an exercise log can be used for varying purposes it should contain basis information, such as the...

• day or date of exercise
• time spent on exercise
• level of exercise intensity, and
• when applicable, comments pertinent to exercise results

In addition to my own exercise log sheet ...

A good book such as The Workout Log from Amazon...

...or, Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred - a highly rated DVD - may quickly get you going in the right direction.

Exercise Motivation from an Exercise Log

Studies find that most people are "visual" learners. This visual sense of learning, and the way we interpret information, carries over to many aspects of our lives, including fitness and health.

Visualizing exercise accomplishments, in black and white, can have a very positive impact on our motivation to continue our efforts to meet goals. This is true whether they are short-term weekly or monthly goals, or longer term goals.

A word of caution regarding long term goals...

Although you may be trying to achieve a specific result, long term goals are more easily reached when they consist of realistic short term milestones.

Why?

When goals consist of short term milestones there are more opportunities along the way to experience a sense of accomplishment, which helps create additional motivation to move forward.

Short term goals additionally provide a chance to re-evaluate the "big picture", determine if the long term goal is realistic and achievable, and make adjustments when needed.

You may also be interested in:
Benefits to Exercise, Benefits of Daily Exercise, Motivation to Exercise

Reliable way to Track Exercise Progress

It is usually easy to remember the specifics of an exercise routine from day-to-day. However, over time it becomes more difficult.

A log provides easy reference to past exercise performance, as well as a way to visualize progress and track trends. Tracking trends can be particularly useful in defining exercise strengths and weaknesses, and tweaking your routine accordingly.

Including a "Comment" section on a log can be particularly useful, as it provides a way to record...

• negative AND positive exercise results
• heart rate, blood pressure readings
• changes to be made in future exercise sessions

And what if your doctor, physical therapist, or exercise coach asks about your exercise habits? An up-to-date exercise log sheet provides them with an accurate and easy to comprehend view of your exercise habits.

Free Printable Exercise Log

You can download my printable exercise log, or easily create your own customizable workout log.

How do you create a log? If you have a word processor that allows you to insert a table, building your own is REAL easy...

Use my free exercise log as a guide and then create your own daily exercise log. Add headers appropriate to the type of exercise you do, and as many columns and rows as are needed to capture information that you think is important.

Be creative...
You can easily build helpful logs around any regular activity that you take part in. How about a diet AND exercise log sheet, a weightlifting log, or a sports training log?