The Value of Workout Analysis for Weight Training Over Forty
Sponsored Links
Fitness experts and competitive bodybuilders all over the world insist that keeping an exercise journal was a pivotal part of their success. This is because an exercise journal allows you to track and analyze your progress. If you are able to analyze what puts you ahead and what sets you back, you know how to adjust your training program in order to make yourself stronger, healthier, and better.
Your exercise journal should be a detailed record of the muscle group trained, specific exercises, and how many reps you performed. As an example, you might train your biceps using arm extensions and dips. A typical journal entry would look like this: Triceps- Dips (6 reps), Arm Extensions (12 reps). Also, you should record the time of your total workout and each movement.
The more information you include, the more you will be able to analyze your progress. If you are just beginning with fitness over 40, there is no such thing as too many details. Eventually, you learn how you body responds to strength training and will be able to recognize which information is most helpful to modify your entries accordingly.
Another benefit to journaling is to be able to quickly identify when you overwork a muscle group and correct it. If you overwork a muscle group, especially in the beginning of a session, you will notice that you are unable to do as many reps later in the session. Also, if you notice unusual pain or need an unusual amount of rest you should be able to pinpoint the aspects of your training session that caused the injury. Therefore, you can keep yourself from repeating the injury or causing more damage.
Your warm up cardio, weights, and stretching should also be documented. If you find you are not making progress or are overly sore after training, this may be because you are not warming up properly. If you analyze when you have the most progress and compare that to the warm up performed during periods of no progress, you will probably be able to see how you need to adjust your routine.
Bodybuilders often chronicle their nutrition in their journals as well, including daily amounts of carbs, proteins, and fat. If you are bodybuilding over 40 this will be important because of your changing metabolism. You should also track the amount of calories you consume and when. If you are not building muscle appropriately, you may not be eating enough calories. If you are gaining unwanted weight, you may have to eat fewer calories or do more cardio.
It is also good to track your energy levels and motivation. Create a numbered rating system to describe your mood. Everyday, especially the day after training, record your number. Pay attention to the days you have the most energy and, more importantly, the days when you feel sore or sluggish. If you notice that changes you have made to your training program overly exhaust you or cause pain, you may have to lower the intensity a bit until your body adjusts.
No matter how much you have prepared for bodybuilding over 40, you are probably not going to start with the perfect program. Most competitive bodybuilders know that they get the maximum results when they use exercise journals to track and modify their progress. If you keep a journal, you will have a tool to create a great fitness plan tailored to your body, your life, and your fitness goals.
To find out more tips on bodybuilding over 40, visit Scott Fishers website in the above mentioned link. Scott Fisher writes frequently on topics related to fitness over 40.
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.


