What Is a Training Journal?

A training journal is a record of your training sessions that captures both what you did and what you learned. It typically includes basic session data (duration, effort, what you worked on) alongside short reflections (what went well, what to adjust, what to focus on next time).

How it's different from a training log

A training log tracks the numbers: sets, reps, distances, times. A training journal adds the thinking. It captures observations, lessons, and intentions alongside the data. The combination of what you did and what you learned is what makes the journal useful for improving over time, because you can look back across weeks and see patterns that aren't visible in any single session.

Who uses them

Athletes across all sports and levels use training journals, from recreational BJJ practitioners who want to track what they're learning in class to professional runners managing complex training blocks. Sports psychologists have recommended structured training reflection for decades. The practice is well established even if most athletes don't do it consistently.

What a good entry looks like

A solid training journal entry takes about 90 seconds and covers: how long and how hard the session was, one thing that worked, one thing to adjust, and one intention for next time. It doesn't need to be long. Consistency and specificity matter more than volume.

Try it yourself

You can keep a training journal in any notebook or notes app. If you want something with the structure built in and AI that tracks your patterns over time, Sherpa is a free app designed for athlete training reflection.