Keeping track of workouts

[whippetgirl]

I wonder how everyone keeps track of workouts (and not just bicycling). I would like suggestions on how to track my training. I bicycle, run, swim a little, do weight training and spin classes. I've never kept track before...my New Year's Resolution, I guess! Thanks.

[rocknrollgirl]

I keep a training log. I actually got it with a subscription to Runner's World. I have always logged my training, I find it extremely helpful. I was just looking back to this morning, to see what my training was like last January.

[Veronica]

I use Bikejournal, but I only keep track of my cycling miles.

V.

[DeniseGoldberg]

I use a spreadsheet. I created it with 3 tabs:

1. track bicycle mileage, 1 week per line (split into days), total by week carried over to 3rd tab
2. track non-biking activity (walking, elliptical trainer, swimming, weights), 1 week per line, activity tracked in minutes spent in activity, total time in each activity carried over to 3rd tab.
3. totals per week (calculated from other 2 tabs)

It's pretty simple, but it works for my purposes.

--- Denise

[SouthernBelle]

This software may handle everything for you:

www.evenfit.com

& it's a freebie

[Bikingmomof3]

I keep track in a journal.

[KSH]

www.beginnertriathlete.com, has a Training Log option. Really great stuff.

I started logging my stuff on there April/May 2006.

Here is example of how it tracks your workouts:

Bike: 10h 58m 34s - 158.58 Mi
Run: 4h 13m - 24.74 Mi
Swim: 1h 56m - 7400 Yd
Spinning Class: 1h
Stationary Biking : 15m


Once you sign up and start a training log though, it is way more detailed that just that.

[yellow]

I also have to put a plug in for the Cool Running log (also free). You can track any kind of activity, not just running. It doesn't have as many neato features as bikejournal for cycling, but I'm finding it suits my cross training tendencies much better. The two things I really like about it are that you can download your journal into Excel and you can track ANY kind of activity. I have running, trail running, treadmill running, road cycling, mountain biking, skate skiing, telemark skiing, ski touring, hiking, weight training, etc...you get the picture.

[HillSlugger]

I also use Beginner Triathlete. It is biased towards swim, bike, run but also allows you to add and log all of your other training activities.

[Sheesh]

Since I wear my heart rate monitor when working out, I track my exercise on www.polarpersonaltrainer.com (the site is free, and you don't have to use a Polar Heart Monitor). The interface let's you enter info from your heart rate monitor to keep track of your progress week-to-week. I've just recently started using it, but so far it's very gratifying to see the totals each week!

[tygab]

I just joined Training Peaks which has a virtual coach (another holiday request yay!). It isn't the cheapest out there (definitely not free) but it is very thorough and geared at cyclists and triathletes. It can work with the fancy HRMs (which I don't have) and power meters. It graphs/tracks everything, including all the stressors in your life etc. It even proposes workouts which it then emails to you, or you can input your own (and there are tons of options to customize).

It seems pretty cool. Probably overkill for someone just starting out but thought I'd throw it out there. I joined because I wanted to get pretty serious in my 2nd year of really getting fit. And I want to do several tris & long rides this year.

Before, I've used Cool Running. Pretty good, easy to use. Definitely a little running centric, but that's to be expected. I would recommend that as a simple tool.

[whippetgirl]

Thanks for all the responses which I really appreciate! You ladies are great and I can't thank everyone enough. I really learn a lot from this forum and I feel comfortable here, too!

There is so much out there to take advantage of and it is great to get everyone's responses. I am going to try a couple of the free sites and see which one seems easiest to use.

[Offthegrid]

I was using training peaks, but checked out beginnertriathlete.com and it's WAY cool. You have your own little blog and you can log everything you want, from heart rate to hours slept, weight, resting HR, etc. etc.

Then the really cool part is that other people leave you little notes to inspire you. (Although you can make your log private if you choose.) Practically every day I have a note that says "good workout" or "nice bike." All of this stuff is free.

If you pay for membership, you can get more advanced training plans geared to triathlon, but you certainly don't need to pay (I don't).

[Bad JuJu]

Besides using Bike Journal to keep track of cycling, I use an old-fashioned, low-tech method for other workouts--I write them down with actual pen and paper. I use a small Moleskine notebook (pocket-size, unruled) and use a page per day. For strength workouts, I've printed out my routines from a Word table and pasted them into the notebook so I can take it to the gym with me and make notes about sets, reps, and weight as well as how I'm feeling.

I'm reasonably computer literate but there's something very satisfying to me about writing my workouts in a physical log. Also, I have room to get all artistic about it if the urge strikes me to add some sketching, a photo, or even a quoted phrase from time to time. Since there's no loop for a pen or pencil, I had to make my own by wrapping the cover with duct tape to make a sort of pen quiver. I don't know what I'd do without these little notebooks.

[Offthegrid]

For those who use beginnertriathlete.com and keep their logs public, do you want to share your handle so I can make you my buddies?

I use the same handle there, too.