Whether you are a member of CrossFit Achieve or not, you’ve likely used a tracking app to monitor your weights or times. We use Wodify, which generates an automatic leaderboard for each day for our strength component and metcon. This feature in particular can be controversial. I’ve encountered many athletes at this point that choose not to track their weights. This is for a variety of reasons, but the main one is that they feel self-conscious about their placement on the leaderboard.
I get it. As humans, we are going to be naturally competitive. Add in the fact that you tend to elevate your standards to the people you see around you, and it can be a recipe for feeling like you are failing to make progress.
But remember this: every person at the top of that leaderboard started at the bottom. Keeping track of your lifts, times, and workouts is one of the most empowering things you can do as a new member.
Let me tell you why.
1. Tracking Helps You See Real Progress
When you’re new, everything feels… hard. The weights feel heavy, the movements feel awkward, and the workouts leave you breathless. But if you log what you’re lifting and your metcon times now, you’re creating a baseline.
Six weeks from now, you might lift 10 more pounds on a deadlift. You might finish a WOD two minutes faster. And you’ll see it, because it’s written down. Progress that once felt invisible suddenly becomes obvious—and that’s incredibly motivating
2. It Builds Confidence Over Time
It’s totally normal to feel a little self-conscious when you’re new. But every time you log your workout, you’re telling yourself: I belong here. I’m doing this. I’m getting better.
Watching yourself move up the leaderboard—even a little—can give you a confidence boost that spills into other areas of your life. You start to believe you’re capable of more. And you are.
3. You’ll Know What Weight to Use Next Time
Ever walked up to a barbell mid-class and thought, “What did I use last time?” Without tracking, you’re guessing—and that guess might be too light to challenge you or too heavy to move safely.
When you record your weights and reps, you make smarter choices. You challenge yourself appropriately, reduce risk of injury, and make more consistent progress.
4. It Shifts the Focus to Your Journey
Instead of comparing yourself to someone who’s been training for years, tracking keeps your attention where it should be—on your own journey. The leaderboard isn’t a ranking of worth; it’s a tool to show growth.
Your Day 1 isn’t supposed to look like someone else’s Day 500. The real win is showing up, tracking your effort, and getting just 1% better every time.
5. It Helps Coaches Help You
When your coaches see your training history, they can guide you more effectively. They’ll know what weights you’ve used, what movements you’ve scaled, and when you’re ready for the next challenge. It takes the guesswork out of your training plan and ensures you’re on a path to progress.
Final Thoughts: Start Now, Thank Yourself Later
If you’re new to the gym and feeling hesitant about tracking, know this: you’re not alone. But also know that the people you look up to in class—the strong, fast, seasoned athletes—once stood exactly where you are now.
Logging your weights and times isn’t about comparison—it’s about commitment. It’s about saying: I’m in this for the long haul, and I’m here to get better.
So go ahead—log the weight. Record your time. You might be surprised by just how far you’ll go.
If you ever need help deciding what a good goal for you would be, schedule a Goal Setting Session with me! I would be happy to help you project what your next 3 and 6 months could look like!
