A workout tracker is any device that enables an athlete to log the exercises that he or she is doing in order to check for progress over time. There are a variety of ways that an athlete can go about tracking his or her workouts, including various workout software, a workout journal or even an iPhone workout tracker application. Regardless of the type of tracker an athlete uses, keeping a record of workouts is a valuable tool for an athlete to be able to develop an exercise routine that will provide optimal benefits.
The information that an athlete records in a workout tracker can vary depending upon the exercise. Someone who is lifting weights, for instance, will want to keep track of what type of lift he or she performed, how much weight was lifted and how many repetitions were completed. Someone training in an endurance sport might keep track of the distance covered, the time spent exercising or some combination of both.
Regardless of the exact type of information, the purpose of the workout tracker is to compare results over time. A weightlifter can use the workout tracker to determine how much stronger the muscles have become as a result of the exercise. He or she also might be able to recognize that his or her progress is starting to plateau and thus might need to consider a new workout routine. Similarly, if a runner notices that his or her time running a certain distance has started to plateau, that might indicate the need for interval training or some other change to the overall training regimen.
One of the simplest forms of a workout tracker is a workout journal. The advantage of this type of workout tracker is its portability. An athlete who performs exercises outside of the home can take the journal along with him or her and can record the results of different exercises right after they happen. This will ensure that all of the information is accurate, because the athlete does not have to try to remember all of the details of the workout in order to input the data later.
Using a digital workout tracker, such as workout software or an online workout tracker, also has unique benefits. These types of software often can generate various charts and graphs to help the athlete accurately monitor overall performance. They also can make organizing the data easier. Some forms of electronic exercise tracking, such as the iPhone workout tracker, even provide the same portability of a workout journal.
