A useful training log records enough to answer a question about your activity. Start with what you planned, what you completed and a brief note about how the session felt. Add fields only when they will influence a later decision.
The CDC distinguishes different kinds and intensities of physical activity and notes that effort depends on the individual. Recording duration alone therefore leaves out information that may matter when you review a week. This article offers a record-keeping method, not a personal training prescription.
Choose a question you would like the log to help answer over time. A record of planned activity, completed activity and a brief observation is a manageable starting point. Fields can be added later when they serve a purpose in the review.
Start with a small record
| Field | Example entry, entirely hypothetical |
|---|---|
| Plan | Easy route before work |
| Completed | Shortened route after a late start |
| Duration | Actual session time |
| Effort | Harder than expected |
| Context | Different route; stopped twice |
| Next question | Was the route suitable for this time slot? |
Use your own words consistently. A precise-looking score is not automatically more informative than a clear sentence about what changed.
Separate an observation from an explanation
Harder than expected is an observation. The reason for a change may need further information beyond the log entry. Keep observations and possible explanations in separate fields when further information is needed.
If a coach or clinician asks you to record particular information, follow the requirements relevant to that professional relationship. A general template should not replace individual guidance.
Review for a decision
Pick a regular moment to look back and ask one practical question: did your planned sessions fit the week, did the location work, or what do you need to discuss with your coach? Remove fields you never consult. Keep the entry short enough to fit comfortably into the training routine.
Use a compact fictional week
| Session | Planned | Completed | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Named activity | Recorded activity and duration | Time available as planned |
| Second | Named activity | Shortened session | Appointment changed the evening |
| Third | Named activity | Deferred | Next step recorded |
This is a record structure, not a training programme. Use the activity descriptions and any relevant measures appropriate to the work already agreed for the individual.
Review one question at a time
At the end of the period, ask whether the planned time slots fitted the week. The fictional entries above may suggest reviewing the schedule before changing the activity itself. Another log might be used to discuss a repeated observation with a coach.
Keep experience notes descriptive: what was completed, how it felt and what changed in the circumstances. If a measure or scale is used, state what it means and keep its use consistent across entries. Explanations about health, injury or training response need the relevant professional guidance beyond a record-keeping article.
Choose the next action from the review: retain the arrangement, move a time slot, collect another observation or ask a specific question. A short log becomes useful when it supports that decision and leaves the relevant context available for the next conversation.
A sample entry might say: planned an evening session; completed part of it; the available time ended. That gives context to the duration recorded. A later review can group similar entries and consider how the planned routine fits the week.
Sources consulted
- What Counts as Physical Activity for Adults — CDC; consulted 3 November 2026.