We obtain a “measurable and repeatable’ outcome at the end of each day, which is one of the main reasons CrossFit and CrossFit-style training are so practical. Even though showing up and putting in the effort is the first step, keeping track of your development over time will ultimately lead to success.
The first persons to utilize the gym had to make do with the whiteboard and compare their results to those of other people who showed up on that particular day. Some even went to the trouble of maintaining written records of their workouts. These days, we can use one of the many convenient applications or websites to do it all for us. Beyond The White, Board is a pioneer in this area.
Keeping a personal journal (as opposed to a “leaderboard”) is an effective way to emphasize that YOU are the focus of this adventure. It’s not about where you place in the group but how much improvement you show over time. Displaying your accomplishments this way is an excellent way to keep you motivated. That’s because it’ll point you where you’ll reap the most rewards (by working on areas where you can improve the most). And it’ll help you draw lessons from the past and avoid repeating the same errors in the future.
Anyone logging in for 5 years or more will tell you how inspiring it is to reflect on how far you’ve gone since you first started.
Beginners
Make sure you log in often and early. When starting, many individuals are intimidated by how far behind everyone else they feel. Ignore that negative thought! When you look back on your progress in the future, you will be grateful that you did this for yourself. In my conversations with CrossFitters, I often hear, “I wish I had logged in when I began.”
Dabblers
You should record your benchmarks even if you’re not a big logger. At the rate of twice weekly, you may expect to see things like hard squats and “CrossFit Classic” routines (and repeat 1-4 times per year). What you did, plus a few sentences on how it went, what you learned, etc., should go in the box. This little effort in logging will pay out tremendously in the long term.
In other words, “what gets assessed becomes better.” Logging every gym visit is essential if you want to see results. Create a habit out of it! You should check the app before you come in. And remember to schedule some time after class to enter the data before you leave. Document your thoughts, experiences, progressions, and reasoning behind them.
Spending a few minutes after each exercise to keep track of your progress can provide a fun way to remain motivated and a helpful “history” to look back on in the future. You will notice patterns, such as the effect of sleep or diet on your performance. You’ll learn where you can make adjustments so you can make the same motions over and over and over again.
Time to Get Going
You may begin tracking immediately instead of waiting until your next exercise. Use your brain’s extensive network of neurons to remember what you did recently. Remember to record your results on any relevant benchmarks. Beyond the White Board is a benefit of membership in the CFP. It’s an incredible piece of equipment.
Just keep in mind that comparisons to others aren’t the point here. You are pitted against your earlier self. Any of the coaches can help you create an account on BTWB if you still need one.