The Best Fitness Gear Everyone Already Has
And it is a notepad, a workout notepad.
We have been splurging money on all kind of fitness gears, more than we ever needed. Although a quality equipment will help to bring your game to the next level, they are often cost a lot more than a simple notepad.
At this age and time, we are overwhelmed with a wide array of digital workout tracker apps popping up on our phone screen now and then.
Pick one, use it long enough and it asks to be updated. This is where it will usually start having glitches thanks to the uncertain compatibility with your phone. Or maybe you took a long break from working out for a while and forget the password. In some cases, the phone goes defunct and you get a new one only to realize it takes your fitness data with it.
In short, when it comes to the incompetence of technological advancements, our trust should go back to the conventional way. Backing up the data is relatively easy – take photos of them and create a library on your PC.
Here’s why you should consider using a workout notepad instead of an app:
Distractions in Many Forms
Notifications, texting, taking photos or scrolling through Instagram feed are the distractions that’ll persist when you use an app to log your workout sessions.
How many times you take the 30 seconds break between sets, to swipe some news feed. Only ended up swiping for straight up 3 minutes before getting back to work?
Although having the urge to reply to a text when working out, is totally relatable by most of us, focus should be the priority.
This is because:
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Hunching or straining your neck is bad for your posture.
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Your intensity and efforts will decline.
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Not following a workout plan degrade the gain and result.
The Tendency to Forget Logged Data
While having the fitness tracking apps in your phone may currently work, think ahead. Having a workout history that’s trail paved with outdated websites and forgotten passwords is inevitable.
Would you remember the log training data from your marathon 7 years ago? What about the website that unfortunately failed to recognize your email address for some reason?
More often than not, we’re engrossed in keeping track of our current workout routine. With the new year just kicked in, why not leave some space for future data? In case 10 years later you’re wondering how you did now, this ‘future data’ might come in handy.
Keep Track of What Matters
Tracking fitness data is important to reflect on your current progress, evaluate what you should do next, and which area to improve.
Regardless you’re lifting in the gym or going for a run, it’s indeed easier to have your progress tracked on a fitness watch or an app. However, don’t forget to transfer the important numbers to a notepad. Here’s how you can record your workout for the day:
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Date and time of workout
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Current bodyweight
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Workout of the day (sets, reps, rest in-between sets and the actual weights you plan to use)
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How you feel about it (yes, this is important!)
Use a simple system to elaborate your feelings, for instance – represent the intensity with smiley faces or a number.
There are various types of workout journals in the market that serve the same purpose. Psychologically, this can trigger some motivations for you to start jotting down your training data. But the truth is, a piece of paper will do - so long as you track metrics that are important to achieve your fitness goals.
By logging down all the process and progress, you lay a solid path to the goal, and you will always running in the right track.
Be clear and precise on your preferred strength, aesthetic or weight loss goals, without compromising your health and well-being.
Every time you feel demotivated or in need of a booster, read the secret of the Olympic champion getting out of bed in the morning and succeed!
Better Still – Use Both
Fitness tracking apps are designed for convenience. For example, the Strong app is popular among weightlifters as it does a lot of math for them and logs many data that matter at the moment, such as weights and reps. It also has a reminder of what you lifted previously. These are great features that you can record in your workout notepad as soon as you get home.
Yet again, take a pen and document your achievement!
Unless you’ve decided to convert into a total workout notepad advocate, bring it to the gym or chuck it inside your running belt.
That’s also a cool way to prevent any corporations from tracking your location and personal data while you’re working out.
Regardless of the method that works best for you, be consistent in achieving your fitness goals. Don’t let lost passwords stopping you in tracking your fitness journey!