However, whenever I go on trips, one of the things going through my mind is not losing my progress in training, and how do I know where I am in training once I get back. Once you go on a trip, the daily routing you’re used to goes away and the fear of losing progress may be there. I am here to tell you, that you can counter these common feelings.

I’m a big fan of tracking/ logging my workouts. I log EVERY little detail, from the most common ones such as what weights I used to how may reps, all the way to how I felt, what I ate the night before, how did I sleep, weather, and gear.

I do this so I am always in the know of my performance, and it gives me a clear answer to why I perform amazing on some days and other days it feels like I have bricks for sneakers. It also allows me to know how much a vacation affected my training and where I need to regain structure at.

I also would like to mention that for the past few months we’ve seen so many wins in our community, especially with our Run Club who have been absolutely crushing it being led by Coach Julio. These wins didn’t come from one day to the next, there was a structure and plan in place, everything was documented and tracked to ensure progress within time. So, for this weeks blog, let’s dive into why it’s important to track progress as you live a life of fitness.

Tracking Progress Effectively

I want you to picture this: you’re running a marathon but have no idea how far you’ve gone. Exhausting, right? The same applies to your fitness journey. Without tracking progress effectively, you’re lost in a fog, making motivation hard to sustain and results even harder to achieve.You will hit a wall.

Why Tracking Progress Is Your Secret Weapon

Now, imagine building a house without a blueprint, chaos, wasted energy, and no clear finish line. Tracking your fitness progress is your blueprint. It anchors your motivation and ensures every ounce of effort contributes to meaningful results.

When you track, you turn broad hopes (“I want to get fit”) into concrete wins (“I squatted 20 more pounds this month”). This tangible evidence fuels your fire, keeps self-doubt at bay, and transforms guesswork into strategy. Below are some ideas I would love for everyone to begin implementing in your fitness routine.

Tools That Make Tracking Easy

NJ HIIT, here’s the good news: You don’t need an advanced fitness degree or an expensive app to track progress. Here’s how to keep it simple and effective:

1. The Power of Journals

• Keep a notebook or use a fitness journal app. I personally use a free app called Gym Log to track my strength workouts, free app named Strava for my run workouts, and our app Wodify for my NJ HIIT and HYROX workouts. 
• Log key metrics like weight lifted, miles run, or workouts completed. 
• Write down how you feel—energy levels, soreness, mood.

Why is this important? Numbers are only part of the picture. Your notes reveal patterns, like when bad sleep crushes performance. You want to document every bit of information. Coach Angel is a master at logging in her clients progress, pick her brain if you want more information on journalling your workouts.

2. Photos Are Underrated

• Take progress photos weekly, same time, same lighting. 
• Wear the same outfit (or close to it).
• You can also take multiple shots of front, sides, back and arms down, and arms flexing.

Why? Your eyes adapt to gradual change, but side-by-side photos show undeniable progress. You’ll spot muscle definition, posture improvements, and other wins the mirror hides.

3. Numbers Never Lie

• Track body measurements: waist, hips, chest, arms, and thighs. Your coach can assist you with tape measurements. 
• Use a smart scale for body fat percentage such as our InBody. (Have you scheduled your monthly InBody?)
• Record workout stats—sets, reps, weights, and time.

Why? This data provides a tangible way to measure improvement and pinpoint plateaus.

Making Progress Tracking Fun

Let’s face it: tracking can feel like homework. But done right, it’s a motivational supercharger. It also becomes easier the more you do it. Here’s how to spice it up:

Set Small Wins

Big goals are exciting but intimidating. Break them into mini-milestones. For example:

• Add 5 pounds to your deadlift in two weeks.
• Hit 10,000 steps five days this week.
• Cook three healthy meals this week instead of eating out.

Celebrate these wins like a championship, because they are.

Reward Yourself

No, not with junk food. Reward progress with things that support your goals:

• New workout gear
• A massage or spa day
• Upgraded gym equipment

Compete (With Yourself or Others)

• Gamify your progress. Challenge a friend to a meter on rower contest or time yourself in a workout.
• Track streaks—how many days in a row can you stick to your plan?
• Consider getting a MyZone belt from us to increase motivation through friendly competition. 

Why It Matters to You

Busy people don’t have time to waste. Tracking gives you clarity, efficiency, and confidence that every effort counts. You’re not blindly spinning your wheels; you’re building momentum toward real, measurable transformation.

And let’s be real—you didn’t get where you are in life by winging it. You’re results-driven. Apply the same mindset to your fitness journey, and you’ll unlock levels of health and energy you didn’t know were possible.

The Takeaway

Tracking progress effectively isn’t about obsessing over numbers or perfection. It’s about giving yourself the gift of clarity. It’s about knowing where you started, celebrating how far you’ve come, and staying laser-focused on where you’re headed.

So grab a notebook, snap that photo, and start today. Because fitness isn’t just about effort, it’s about evolution.

I’d love to help you learn more on how to track your training effectively.

If you’d like to hear about how my team and I can help you do that, book a free consult with me via link below! 

Coach Jose