A parkour training diary: notice your small steps forward

Fill in five fields after training

Write the date and setting, the day's task, what worked, what you changed and one question for next time. A note on your phone is enough. You do not need to record every attempt or give yourself a score.

Describe the task precisely enough to recognise it. “Balance” is vague. “Follow the floor line, stop halfway and turn without rushing” says what you actually worked on.

An example you can copy

Setting: beginner class in the gym. Task: a short floor route with two stops. Worked: I could finish calmly when I slowed down. Change: I removed one change of direction. Question: how can I make the transition flow better without rushing?

There is no record in this example. It still shows a decision you can take into the next class. It also helps the coach understand what you want feedback on.

Compare similar conditions

An exercise may feel different with a different setup, a new surface or more people around you. Note the difference before concluding that you have got worse. Avoid drawing a big conclusion from a single session.

Look back after a few sessions. Are instructions easier to understand? Do you find a suitable variation more quickly? Can you explain why you choose to stop? That is progress too, even when the distance on the floor stays the same.

Let the diary support your training

If recording takes up more attention than moving, make it shorter. One sentence may be enough. Share only the notes you want to share and use them to start a conversation, not as proof that you must move on to a harder task.

Questions and answers