If you’ve been boxing for a while but can’t tell whether you’re improving, you’re missing one of the most valuable tools a fighter can have: a training log.
Whether you’re preparing for your first amateur fight or simply sharpening your skills, tracking your sessions helps you train smarter, spot weaknesses early, and keep motivation high.
Here’s how I teach my fighters—both pros and beginners—to log and analyze their training so they actually improve week after week.
Why logging your training matters
Most boxers rely on “feel” to judge progress. That’s fine in the short term, but feelings lie. You might think your jab is faster, or your conditioning’s better—but unless you’ve tracked it, you can’t know for sure.
A solid training log will:
- Measure progress in skills, strength, and conditioning.
- Highlight weaknesses before they cost you in a fight.
- Prevent overtraining by spotting fatigue trends.
- Motivate you when you see long-term improvement.
Pro tip: Think of your log as your personal fight record—except you win by getting better each week.
What to track (don’t overcomplicate it)
You don’t need a massive spreadsheet with 50 columns. Start simple and build from there.
Core training metrics:
- Session type – e.g., heavy bag, sparring, mitt work, conditioning.
- Duration & intensity – minutes trained, RPE (rate of perceived exertion from 1–10).
- Technical focus – what you worked on (jab accuracy, defensive slips, combos).
- Performance notes – wins, struggles, adjustments made.
- Physical markers – weight, resting heart rate, perceived energy.
- Mental state – confidence, focus, stress levels.
Optional advanced metrics:
- Punch count (if you have a tracker or punch counter app).
- Reaction times (from partner drills or equipment).
- Conditioning benchmarks (e.g., jump rope time, sprint intervals).
Tools you can use
Old school: Notebook + pen.
Pros: Always available, forces reflection.
Cons: No auto-analysis, harder to compare data over time.
Digital: Spreadsheet or boxing-specific apps.
Pros: Easy to track trends, add photos/videos, share with a coach.
Cons: Requires a device and some tech comfort.
Hybrid: Handwritten notes for quick logging, then weekly input into a spreadsheet for analysis.
Pro tip: If you hate logging, voice record a quick 30-second recap after training and transcribe later.
How to review your logs for improvement
Logging without review is pointless. Schedule a weekly review and a monthly deep dive.
Weekly review:
- Did you hit your planned number of sessions?
- Which skills improved? Which need more reps?
- How was your energy and recovery?
Monthly deep dive:
- Compare conditioning benchmarks.
- Look for recurring technical mistakes.
- Adjust training load based on fatigue and performance trends.
Common logging mistakes
- Tracking too much: Leads to burnout—stick to essentials first.
- Not being honest: “Felt fine” when you were exhausted helps no one.
- Only logging physical stats: Boxing is mental—track confidence and focus too.
- No consistency: Skipping logs makes trend analysis useless.
Pro tip: Perfection isn’t the goal—consistency is. Even messy logs are better than none.
Sample training log template
| Date | Session Type | Duration | Intensity (1–10) | Focus Area | Notes & Adjustments | Energy (1–10) | Confidence (1–10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Aug 25 | Heavy bag | 45 min | 8 | Jab combos | Kept dropping rear hand—fix next | 6 | 7 |
The real payoff
When you track and review your training, every jab, every slip, every conditioning drill has a clear purpose. You stop guessing and start making informed adjustments. Over months, you’ll see the data tell a story: sharper skills, better conditioning, and a fighter who knows exactly where they stand.
Call to action: Start logging your next session. Even if it’s just the date, what you did, and how it felt—by next month, you’ll thank yourself.
