Working on a database to track gym progress...

[MrMatt]

I'm working on a database right now that tracks progress in the gym (or anywhere else you may exercise)...I may need some testers in a week or two. Would anyone here be interested in giving it a try?

I'm not sure how far I'm going to take it. If I get inspired enough I may link it with Excel to graph out progress on exercises over time.

 

[EvilYoda]

I'm at least interested enough to take a look...if it's anything like beyondthewhiteboard.com, that'd be great.

 

[StageLeft]

Not to pin your cushion, but aren't there tons of sites online that do this?

 

[MrMatt]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Not to pin your cushion, but aren't there tons of sites online that do this?

know of any that are easily customizable?

 

[Deeko]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Not to pin your cushion, but aren't there tons of sites online that do this?

There are but they all suck. I've toyed around with this same idea but ultimately always got too lazy to finish it.

 

[MrMatt]

Originally posted by: Deeko

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Not to pin your cushion, but aren't there tons of sites online that do this?

There are but they all suck. I've toyed around with this same idea but ultimately always got too lazy to finish it.

yeah I'm hoping I can finish it within the next couple weeks. I've seen a couple sites but you're really stuck with one format, and they don't really mesh well with things like Excel.

 

[BeauJangles]

I've heard good things about http://www.beyondthewhiteboard.com/ , but I'm not sure how customizable it is.

 

[MrMatt]

That site's really more aimed at crossfit though, is it not?

 

[Jack Ryan]

I'm interested in testing it out for you. Sounds like a great idea.

 

[spamsk8r]

Originally posted by: MrMatt
That site's really more aimed at crossfit though, is it not?

It is, but you can track any exercise with it, since you can make up your own movements and workouts.

 

[MrMatt]

Originally posted by: spamsk8r

Originally posted by: MrMatt
That site's really more aimed at crossfit though, is it not?

It is, but you can track any exercise with it, since you can make up your own movements and workouts.

oh ok.

 

[MrMatt]

what type of things would you guys like to see in it? I'm polling several bodybuilding/powerlifting forums for ideas.

In addition to the obvious ability to record workouts, So far I have:

PR reports, customizable by all time, or date range you specify,
Volume per exercise per workout
Volume per workout
1RM calculators
Customizable Progression %s for exercises week to week.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

That list seems fairly comprehensive. I don't see what else you would need. I'd be interested in trying/testing the database as well when you get everything finished.

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: MrMatt
what type of things would you guys like to see in it? I'm polling several bodybuilding/powerlifting forums for ideas.

In addition to the obvious ability to record workouts, So far I have:

PR reports, customizable by all time, or date range you specify,
Volume per exercise per workout
Volume per workout
1RM calculators
Customizable Progression %s for exercises week to week.

Make sure you can handle any type of workout and that you can graph workouts, or individual movements, over time. Graphs are sweet.

 

[MrMatt]

Originally posted by: BeauJangles

Originally posted by: MrMatt
what type of things would you guys like to see in it? I'm polling several bodybuilding/powerlifting forums for ideas.

In addition to the obvious ability to record workouts, So far I have:

PR reports, customizable by all time, or date range you specify,
Volume per exercise per workout
Volume per workout
1RM calculators
Customizable Progression %s for exercises week to week.

Make sure you can handle any type of workout and that you can graph workouts, or individual movements, over time. Graphs are sweet.

Yea, I'm actually giddy about the graph portion of it. I'm saving it for last because I'm going to go completely overboard with it, I already know.

 

[MrMatt]

I'm brainstorming on the graphing functions..it's hard. Because people switch up routines and rep schemes so often. Heck one week you might bench press 275 for 5 as your 2nd working set, and the next week do 275 for 6 as the 1st working set. Is that progress, or just being less fatigued? Plus on a graph of performance if you suddenly switch from a scheme where you're say squatting for 3 rep sets, to 10 rep sets, the weight will drop. If it's graphed out it'll look like your strength fell off a cliff.

 

[brikis98]

Originally posted by: MrMatt
I'm brainstorming on the graphing functions..it's hard. Because people switch up routines and rep schemes so often. Heck one week you might bench press 275 for 5 as your 2nd working set, and the next week do 275 for 6 as the 1st working set. Is that progress, or just being less fatigued? Plus on a graph of performance if you suddenly switch from a scheme where you're say squatting for 3 rep sets, to 10 rep sets, the weight will drop. If it's graphed out it'll look like your strength fell off a cliff.

Well, you could allow the user to show the graph only for a certain # of reps - ie, show only 3 rep sets. Alternatively, you could just plot predicted 1RM numbers on the graph, and use the percentages on this page to extrapolate their sets. So if I did 1 rep with 100lbs, you'd plot 100lbs, if I did 3 reps (~90% of 1RM) you'd plot 111lbs, if I did 5 reps (~86%) you'd plot 116lbs, and so on.

 

[MrMatt]

Originally posted by: brikis98

Originally posted by: MrMatt
I'm brainstorming on the graphing functions..it's hard. Because people switch up routines and rep schemes so often. Heck one week you might bench press 275 for 5 as your 2nd working set, and the next week do 275 for 6 as the 1st working set. Is that progress, or just being less fatigued? Plus on a graph of performance if you suddenly switch from a scheme where you're say squatting for 3 rep sets, to 10 rep sets, the weight will drop. If it's graphed out it'll look like your strength fell off a cliff.

Well, you could allow the user to show the graph only for a certain # of reps - ie, show only 3 rep sets. Alternatively, you could just plot predicted 1RM numbers on the graph, and use the percentages on this page to extrapolate their sets. So if I did 1 rep with 100lbs, you'd plot 100lbs, if I did 3 reps (~90% of 1RM) you'd plot 111lbs, if I did 5 reps (~86%) you'd plot 116lbs, and so on.

I think I'll use plotted 1RM....because 3 rep sets again could fall victim to 'when did you do them in the workout' good idea with the predicted 1RM, I like that.

 

[brikis98]

Originally posted by: MrMatt

Originally posted by: brikis98

Originally posted by: MrMatt
I'm brainstorming on the graphing functions..it's hard. Because people switch up routines and rep schemes so often. Heck one week you might bench press 275 for 5 as your 2nd working set, and the next week do 275 for 6 as the 1st working set. Is that progress, or just being less fatigued? Plus on a graph of performance if you suddenly switch from a scheme where you're say squatting for 3 rep sets, to 10 rep sets, the weight will drop. If it's graphed out it'll look like your strength fell off a cliff.

Well, you could allow the user to show the graph only for a certain # of reps - ie, show only 3 rep sets. Alternatively, you could just plot predicted 1RM numbers on the graph, and use the percentages on this page to extrapolate their sets. So if I did 1 rep with 100lbs, you'd plot 100lbs, if I did 3 reps (~90% of 1RM) you'd plot 111lbs, if I did 5 reps (~86%) you'd plot 116lbs, and so on.

I think I'll use plotted 1RM....because 3 rep sets again could fall victim to 'when did you do them in the workout' good idea with the predicted 1RM, I like that.

Just be sure to note that it's an estimate and can often be pretty inaccurate, especially with higher rep sets (>10). Also, I believe that for women, those calculators might be an overestimate as, apparently, the difference between a 5RM and a 1RM for many women is a lot smaller than for men.

 

[MrMatt]

I haven't forgotten about this...I'm actually working out the last few kinks in the coding.

Edit: It's going to be in Access, what versions do people have here?