Technique-aware workout logging
How to log tempo, paused reps, and range-of-motion changes
Keep tempo, pauses, and range visible when they change exercise difficulty, while avoiding notation that adds friction without helping decisions.
The short answer
Add tempo, pauses, or range to the exercise name or note when they materially change the set. Keep paused bench press separate from touch-and-go bench if you compare them often. You do not need a four-number tempo for every exercise—record only the constraint you intend to reproduce.
Technique is part of the set
Give paused and tempo work a fair comparison.
LogFast keeps repeated technique constraints in distinct exercise histories while preserving one-off notes with the source workout.
Track technique variationsName the constraint, not every second
“3-second eccentric squat,” “2-count paused bench,” and “deficit deadlift” communicate the important difference. Exact tempo notation can be useful in a prescribed program, but it becomes noise when the timing was approximate and never affects the next session.
- Pause: where and approximately how long
- Tempo: emphasize the controlled phase that matters
- Range: deficit, blocks, pins, depth target, or partial range
- Technique: keep a distinct variation when it changes loading materially
Protect fair comparisons
A lighter paused set may represent progress even when it trails the standard lift. Compare paused with paused and standard with standard. If technique improves within the same named variation, mention it as context rather than fabricating a new exercise every session.
Worked example: “Paused bench, 2-count — 80 kg × 5 @8.” Do not merge it into touch-and-go bench merely because both use the same bar path.
Let the history stay readable
Put stable constraints in the exercise name and temporary deviations in notes. That keeps charts grouped sensibly while preserving why one exposure looked different. If the constraint disappears next week, return to the standard variation's history.
Frequently asked questions
What does 3-1-1 tempo mean?
It commonly describes seconds for lowering, pausing, and lifting, though four-number systems also include a top position. Define the convention when ambiguity matters.
Is better range of motion progress?
It can be a meaningful improvement, but compare it honestly: note the range change rather than treating equal load as an identical set.
Should every pause create a new exercise?
No. Create a separate history when the pause is programmed and repeated; use a note for a one-off technique cue.