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The Best Fitness Journals a Fitness Coach Recommends

Jot down your progress with the Papier Wildflower Wellness Journal

Best Fitness Journals

Verywell Fit / Danie Drankwalter

Whether you prefer lively workouts, like elliptical machines, or breathing it all out during a yoga class, finding a fitness routine can be difficult. With scheduling conflicts, distractions, and the ups and downs that come with any health endeavor, it can be easy to lose track of your goals. That’s where a fitness journal comes into play.

Providing a space for your goals and fitness metrics, a fitness journal allows you to keep track of where you’ve been so you can focus on where your health is going. These journals can be customized based on interests, intentions, and the schedule that works best for you. When purchasing, it’s important to keep things like timeframe, size, trackable metrics, and nutrition in mind. We looked at fitness journals from top brands (and smaller businesses, too) and evaluated them for size, format, price, and more. We also had a certified personal trainer from our Review Board review this article for accuracy and how to find a fitness journal to help you reach your goals.

Pros
  • Includes mental wellbeing

  • Aesthetically pleasing

  • Allows for customized goals

Cons
  • No body measurement tracking 

This 12-week wellness journal is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it's also comprehensive in its ability to track progress, which is why we named it our top pick. Detailed daily pages include space for goals and intentions, as well as space for tracking habits that contribute to a healthy lifestyle, like sleep and meals.

The journal dives even deeper, prompting you to confront your thoughts and feelings as they relate to your overall wellness with questions like, “What meals nourish me?” Regular goal check-ins also help you stay on track, whether you're focusing on setting a new PR on your next run or weight loss. 

Key Specs:
Duration:
12-weeks | Size: 6 x 8 inches | Trackable Metrics: Goal, sleep, activity, gratitude, reflection | Nutrition: Daily meal tracker and “meals that nourish me” sheet 

NewMe Fitness Journal

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros
  • Budget-friendly

  • Protective laminated coating

  • Clear guidance on tracking workouts 

Cons
  • No detailed nutrition section

This high-quality, low-budget fitness book has 126 daily workout pages, leading you to track progress in multiple areas. The journal begins by having you fill out initial stats, including weight, allowing you to look back and see how far you’ve come after the dedication that follows that first step.

From there, each workout page consists of daily stats, as well as a section to write out workout notes or nutrition details for the day. The largest section of the page—the exercise chart—provides space to track the specific exercises and sets done, allowing you to better track progress over time.

Aside from the daily workout pages, there is a sheet dedicated to writing down goals, a calendar, a list where you can add “my exercises,” and a guide explaining exercises that target specific muscle groups. 

Key Specs:
Duration:
126 workout pages | Size: 5.5 x 8.5 inches | Trackable Metrics: Weight, sets, reps, exercises, cardio, goals | Nutrition: Small section to use for either nutrition or additional notes 

Pros
  • Durable exterior

  • Straightforward layout

Cons
  • Lacks nutrition-specific section

This minimalistic, easy-to-use exercise journal has a layout that takes the work out of tracking your physical fitness. With 150 clear, concise pages that allow you to track daily workouts (complete with exercises and sets, a cardio section, and additional space for notes), you’ll be able to observe your progress without spending too much time or energy writing everything down.

There is also a page to record your personal bests in certain exercises, as well as your body measurements over time. If you need more room, there are 10 additional “DIY” pages, perfect for nutrition notes or reminders for later.

Key Specs:
Duration:
150 workout pages | Size: 6.3 x 8.3 inches | Trackable Metrics: Exercises and reps, cardio, body measurements | Nutrition: Can use a “DIY” page for nutrition notes, if desired

Pros
  • Calendar

  • Ample goals section

  • Durable exterior

Cons
  • No exercise tutorials

This thorough workout book contains 140 pages to track your daily workouts. Each page allows you to fill in your exercises (as well as sets) and cardio. There's also a small section to rate your workout and add any supplements (like pre-workout) that were taken that day.

The goals section allows you to write out both short-term and long-term goals before asking you to choose a deadline and forming a plan for you to accomplish these goals. Additional pages with personal records for specific exercises, as well as calendars, keep you accountable as you progress through your weight loss journey

Key Specs:
Duration:
140 workout pages | Size: 5.5 x 8.5 inches | Trackable Metrics: Weight, exercise reps/records, goals, calendar, and more | Nutrition: Can use blank note space to track if desired 

Pros
  • Accompanying pictures for each exercise

  • Targeted exercises for specific muscle groups

Cons
  • No nutrition section

  • No additional pages for goals 

This 12-week journal doubles as a training program. It takes you through customized workouts that focus on two muscle groups at a time, providing a weight training plan that ensures you don’t miss any muscle group.

Workouts include the target muscle groups, specific exercises for those groups (and pictures to show you how to do them), as well as sets and rep goals. A cardio tracker is also included with each workout, encouraging you to maintain a balanced fitness routine.

This easy-to-follow process takes the guesswork out of weight lifting, making it a great resource for rookies hoping to learn or seasoned weightlifters needing a refresher. 

Key Specs:
Duration:
12-weeks | Size: 7 x 9.5 inches | Trackable Metrics: Exercises, sets, and reps | Nutrition: Not available

Gone For a Run Day-by-Day Run Planner

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros
  • Separate pages for daily workouts and race days

  • Convenient size 

Cons
  • No nutrition section

  • No cross-training section 

This journal was designed by runners, for runners. It has two different workout sections—one for daily runs and one for race days. The daily run pages let you track distance and pace, as well as the route you took, the terrain, and the weather. This way you can see how you perform on hills, in the rain, or in other variables that may impact your pace.

The race day sheet helps you keep all your races in one place, noting PRs or milestones that may move you toward your goals. Longer-term goals can be stored at the front of the book, reminding you what you’re working toward every time you open it. Lastly, you can track your long-term progress with weekly and monthly summaries.

Key Specs:
Duration:
160 workout pages | Size: 5.5 x 7 inches | Trackable Metrics: Pace, distance, placement (on race days) | Nutrition: Not available

Pros
  • Focuses on both physical and mental wellbeing

  • Thorough prompts and blank space for reflection

  • Includes daily "Fit tip"

Cons
  • No official calendar (dates need to be written manually at the top of each page)

This 16-week journal takes individuals through daily entries that include a gratitude list, a daily goal, and sections to track daily movement, nutrition, and reflection. There’s also blank space for journaling and a "fit tip" for further inspiration.

This journal not only encourages physical wellness but also focuses on the intentions and mental boost that yoga provides. With space to reflect freely and prompts that help you better understand your daily mood, both beginners and seasoned yogis can utilize the journal for holistic wellness.

Key Specs:
Duration:
16-weeks | Size: 6.5 x 8 inches | Trackable Metrics: Gratitude, goals, movement, nutrition, energy level | Nutrition: Included in daily entries

TF Paper Goods Fitness Tracker & Meal Planner

Courtesy of Etsy

Pros
  • Easy-to-follow

  • Weekly calendar format 

Cons
  • No additional notes pages

  • Fitness section is not detailed 

This 52-week journal contains a Monday to Sunday format, with each day split into fitness (activity and time) and nutrition (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks). The weekly layout also contains a goals section, space to list important events, and a “my rewards” box.

There are even motivational quotes to keep you on track and push you toward success. With a no-nonsense approach, this fitness journal is easy to follow and makes tracking your goals a natural habit.

Key Specs:
Duration:
52-weeks | Size: 7.5 x 10.25 inches | Trackable Metrics: Meals, activities, goals, calendar | Nutrition: Daily meal tracker 

Pros
  • Well-rounded

  • Features a habits tracker

  • Weekly and monthly check-ins

Cons
  • No weight loss section

The Wellness Log from Erin Condren provides a concise yet thorough approach to everyday health. The 80 pages of weekly tracking include an activity section, a habits tracker (water consumed, steps taken, and hours slept), a nutrition section, and a space for weekly wellness goals.

Monthly progress check-ins are included, making it easy to see continual progress. It also includes a starting page with instructions on how to create wellness goals that are achievable while still challenging individuals to push farther than before. There are additional blank pages in the back of the book for more notes and reminders.

Key Specs:
Duration:
80 pages | Size: 5.7 x 8.25 inches | Trackable Metrics: Activity, nutrition, goals, water consumed, steps taken, hours slept | Nutrition: Daily food tracker 

Pros
  • Features weekly stats sheets

  • Compact size

  • Motivation section 

Cons
  • Limited body measurement tracking 

This 12-week planner begins with a stats sheet that lets you track weight, body fat percentage, and nutrition goals for the duration of the notebook. It also provides space to write down what the motivation behind your goals is—to remind users of their “why” when the going gets tough. The planner can work in conjunction with a fitness tracker to help you reach your fitness and nutrition goals.

From there, the journal is split into weeks with workouts and nutrition sections for each day. Every week starts with a new stats sheet for continued progress tracking. Lastly, the journal comes with specific workout sheets, with a place to track strength training sets and reps, cardio, and any classes you've taken. 

Key Specs:
Duration:
12-weeks | Size: 5.5 x 5.5 inches | Trackable Metrics: Weight, body fat percentage, goals, daily meals, exercise sets, and reps | Nutrition: Daily meal tracker 

Final Verdict

Papier’s wellness journal (view on Papier) provides a comprehensive approach to both physical and mental wellness, affirming the notion that the two go hand-in-hand. Its additional variables, like sleep and self-care, encourage healthy and sustainable habits that will benefit individuals’ fitness journeys. For individuals looking for a more focused option, the Fitlosophy Fitbook (view on Amazon) offers more detail in statistics, pairing well with specific fitness goals.

What to Look for in a Fitness Journal 

Time Frame

Fitness journals can range from a month to a year when it comes to how long the journal will last. If you’re doing a specific program, make sure that your journal won’t run out in the middle of it (or prepare to refill its pages). Generally, the most common time frames are either 12 weeks or one year. 

Size

Your fitness journal should be able to travel to the gym with you. Leave any extra-large journals behind; you need a book that won’t weigh down your gym bag.

Trackable Metrics

Fitness journals provide a variety of metrics for you to track. This could be simple, like the amount of weight you’ve lost or the number of steps you’ve taken. Many journals will also provide space to track full workouts, down to the sets and reps you do for every exercise. 

Nutrition

Many fitness journals will include a section to track your nutrition. This should include your water intake, food, and perhaps a grocery store list for future meal prep. Some journals may also help you track macros and calories, too. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What do I put in a fitness journal?

    What you put in your fitness journal is up to you, but it’s recommended that you track your workouts, as well as your daily nutrition. You can track these things at the surface level with metrics like what workout you did and what you ate, or you can go deeper with rep counts and macros for each of your meals. No matter how you utilize your fitness journal, it should help you track and plan for progress. 

  • How do I set up a fitness journal?

    Most fitness journals will already be set up for you. You just have to fill in the appropriate blank spaces. Many journals will provide space to put in current metrics (like your weight), so you’ll be able to track progress as you move through your fitness journey. Fill out all the preliminary information and make a plan for how often you’ll update it. 

Why Trust Verywell Fit?

As a former fitness coach, long-time wellness enthusiast, and current health editor, Lily Moe understands the importance of equipment that is made to help you reach your fitness goals, whether outside or in the gym. Most importantly, Lily always looks for research and first-hand reviews when it comes to deciding on a product.