How do you measure progress?

[IronInsanity]

How do you measure progress? Some are very anal and do tape measurements, body fat calculations, etc. on a weekly basis. Others are consumed with the weight scale. While some only rely on the mirror to gauge progress. I also know some who only measure results by the progression of their weights they are moving.

Much depends on your goals, and of course, whether you are a bodybuilder, powerlifter, strongman/woman, etc. What do you use and why?

 

[bybon]

Like you said, it's all dependent on goals-it's silly to use a mirror to see how your strength is progressing.

If the goal is the physique, it's the mirror+scale. Bodybuilding is all about illusion. If I weight 150 but look 210, then I know I'm good.

If the goal is strength, then max attempts are used. When maxes are going up, then progress is made.

 

[Gstacker]

I mostly use lifting progress.... Keeps me more motivated and goals are black and white to me...Good thread idea I'm curious what the outcome of the poll will be... Prolly the mirror I'd imagine.

 

[AllTheWay]

the way my clothes fit and the daily pics. amazing how much the body will change in a 24hr period depending on diet!

 

[jandj0821]

Mirror and clothes are always a good indicator. I remember when my shirt at wrok went to a 4x for my shoulders to fit. I was excited and pissed because there is a surcharge on 4x shirts. Still felt good though.

 

[NutNut]

For my clients usually a mix of measurements/bodpod/calipers/logs and last weight. Weight doesn't mean much but body composition does. I use calipers as a general gauge of bodyfat +/- the previous week, logs to watch routines progress (if something is off in the diet you will see it in training too..eventually). The bodpod or hydrostatic tank is usually done before a cut and after a cut just for the fun of it as people are always curious as to true body fat %. The measurements are the real key, weight is only really factored in coming into the pre-contest phase as I want my guys and gals to be close enough to not go to extremes on weigh-in day.

 

[Ogre717]

The mirror is my best indication but i still track BW and BF just to have something to gage it by.

 

[Thinkbig]

By how much shit people talk. You hear the most negative things, when your doing well for/by yourself.

I've learned that in Bodybuilding/Powerlifting as in all things in life, the more people talk shit, the better your probably doing.

 

[SAD]

Is it weird that I don't measure my progress at all? I used to religiously, but then I realized that if I ate right, lifted hard, and got enough sleep, the results would come and I wouldn't have to stress about the little stuff. I still pay attention to my body to determine what works for me, i.e. red meat or white meat, heavy compound or light/strict iso, etc etc. So in a way, I guess my way of measuring progress is just listening to my body, whatever the hell that means.

 

[NutNut]

Is it weird that I don't measure my progress at all? I used to religiously, but then I realized that if I ate right, lifted hard, and got enough sleep, the results would come and I wouldn't have to stress about the little stuff. I still pay attention to my body to determine what works for me, i.e. red meat or white meat, heavy compound or light/strict iso, etc etc. So in a way, I guess my way of measuring progress is just listening to my body, whatever the hell that means.

If you don't atleast keep basic logs it's hard to judge what is a sticking point or how far you have came in any given time or how a change has impacted performance. People often misjudge things they do not track. No need to stress over it, just do basic logs for reference later.

 

[IronInsanity]

Is it weird that I don't measure my progress at all? I used to religiously, but then I realized that if I ate right, lifted hard, and got enough sleep, the results would come and I wouldn't have to stress about the little stuff. I still pay attention to my body to determine what works for me, i.e. red meat or white meat, heavy compound or light/strict iso, etc etc. So in a way, I guess my way of measuring progress is just listening to my body, whatever the hell that means.

Not weird. I've always kept a lift log but I went about 12 months not long ago without any physical measurements. The only thing I measured was the amount of fun I had in the gym. I always hit my goal in that one. I think sometimes it is good just to stop micro-analyzing everything and just enjoy the process.

 

[MightyMouse719]

Weights and plates. Bigger numbers on the lifts, faster times on the events.