If you've been doing CrossFit (or any type of training that involves relative intensity) for any decent length of time, you know that every second, rep, pound/kilo, etc. is important. It's the reason we're left laying on the ground catching our breath after a 2k row test and the reason we have to focus our mind before grabbing the barbell to hit a heavy squat. If you work hard in the gym (and you should), you should also want to know that the hard work you are putting in is making a difference and pushing you closer to your goals and desires. Tracking your workouts and results is going to help you make sure that happens, so here are 3 reasons why you should be logging every workout you do!
1. Logging your scores leads to measurable (and faster) improvements
Whether you're chasing a new personal record (PR) or aiming to maintain consistency, recording your scores and data will help. Data from platforms like Wodify reveal that athletes often see significant gains after consistently logging their workouts, and athletes who consistently track their progress over time tend to experience more notable improvements in strength and performance over those who don't. This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who has taken the CrossFit Level 1 course or read any of their content since they hammer the importance of fitness being measurable, observable and repeatable.
All these three words mean are that we need to be able to measure what you did (Weight lifted, time a workout was completed, amount of reps done in a certain period of time, etc.), observe that it was done the same way (squat was done to full depth, all reps were completed, distance was the same, etc.), and repeat the same thing under the same conditions at a later date. With these 3 criteria you are able to definitely tell whether or not you are getting better!
We all signed up for a gym membership because we wanted to get fitter. But how do you know if you are going in the right direction if you have no objective data to go off of? Logging your workouts provides a tangible record of your progress, allowing you to look back and see how far you've come.
2. Participation in the "leaderboard" helps you feel more connected to the CrossFit community
When you know your results are going to be recorded and visible to others, there's an added layer of accountability that can motivate you to push harder and stay committed. This sense of responsibility not only helps you stay on track but also inspires others to do the same. Now I am 100% aware that those previous 2 sentences can inspire more than a little bit of anxiety and nervousness, especially for newer athletes and folks who feel like they have a long way to go. Stay with me and keep reading!
My friend, your biggest competition is YOU and one of the best things about the CrossFit community is how well we celebrate one another's efforts! Now how much more can we celebrate you if we know you shaved 30 seconds off your 1 mile run time? Or added 30lbs to your 1 rep max front squat? Unless you have an absolutely perfect memory, you are not going to be able to keep track of all this in your head, so log it and allow us to say how proud we are of you!
On the flip side, as a member of a supportive and encouraging community, YOU have the responsibility to celebrate others as well! I promise that those feelings of nervousness, anxiety, etc. surrounding making your efforts public are not unique to you, but oftentimes when you are able to take the focus off yourself and encourage and celebrate a friend, it shifts how you feel in a positive way even more than being encouraged yourself.
BE BRAVE and BE PROUD of the work you are putting in and get the ball of positive association rolling as you hit that "post" button and engage with the community who cares about you and wants nothing but to see you succeed and reach your goals!
3. Get your moneys worth
Piggybacking off of my first point, we signed up for a gym membership because we wanted to get fitter. If you've been a part of a CrossFit gym for a while, you know a huge part of the value you get is in having a coach there to help you dial in your movement, give you tangible goals, and push you when needed. As a coach, I can't tell you how many times I've asked an athlete "How did you do on this workout last time we did it?" and being met with a sheepish and apologetic smile saying "I don't think I logged it, whoopsie..." or "I was embarrassed of my score so I didn't post it"
If this has happened to know, just know that we still love you :) BUT you make it tougher for yourself and for your coaches when we don't know what you should be capable of! CrossFit is full of benchmark workouts for a reason. We want to know if the stuff that we're doing in the gym is actually making us better, and as coaches we NEED data to go off of in order to give you the world class level of coaching that we strive to provide.
This doesn't just apply to a singular day in the gym, but as somebody who has programmed workouts for over a decade I can tell you that data is INCREDIBLY valuable when it comes to deciding which direction we are going to go in terms of workout reps, weights, movements, etc. The more numbers we have as programmers, the more effective we can serve you in providing workouts that address the weaknesses of the group as a whole and make everybody fitter and more well rounded.
Final Thoughts
Logging your workouts is more than just a way to track numbers—it's a powerful tool that will help you get fitter faster, deepen your community connections, and support your personal growth. By embracing this practice, you contribute to a culture of accountability, celebration, and mutual support that defines the CrossFit experience.
So, open up that app, and start logging today. Your future self—and your community—will thank you!