Swimmers would never dream of stepping up to the block for a big race without having a timing system in place. Without a clock, there is no means to truly measure performance.

The same can be said of a swimmer who trains without logging workouts—without a training log, there is nothing to measure performance by each season. In a sport where improvements can be measured by fractions of a second—a logbook becomes an excellent measuring tool for both physical and psychological progress in each swimmer’s season.

It has been said that "without a knowledge of history, one is bound to repeat it." Keeping a logbook allows both the coach and swimmer to look back on the successes and failures of past training.

Without a reference point, it is hard to know what worked and what didn’t. Keeping a logbook can benefit a swimmer’s physical performance by providing that bit of history for present comparison. When athletes record each workout—they are more than just copying the coach’s workout---they are recording a piece of their own history.

At season’s end, this log serves as a record which can be reviewed to determine where the training was successful, and where changes might need to be made for future seasons.

Theoretically, seasonal successes can still be accomplished without keeping a logbook—but when coach and swimmer benefit by identifying from the past, individual needs for future training, using a logbook becomes a great opportunity to become better .

The value of communicating progress.

Daily progress in and out of the pool, when recorded, becomes a valuable communication tool for both the coach and swimmer. A logbook allows increased understanding between each swimmer and coach regarding independent training issues. With a quick glance, it is easy to note workout attendance, effort levels, and dryland training routines.

In reviewing their swimmer’s log, a coach may add important notes, goals, and encouragement. For example, a coach may issue a personal challenge to a swimmer for improvement on intervals or times for a particular set. Or, a swimmer may note how a particular set was not reflecting 100% effort because of health reasons, etc.

Such communication not only increases the swimmer’s awareness of their training during the season, but helps them to recognize their coach’s support and therefore confidently meet their coach’s challenges.

By encouraging swimmers to keep track of workouts and daily improvements, the coach is allowing them to take ownership of their training. Not only does personal ownership foster an understanding of what it takes to get better, and become faster, but it also creates a desire to do what it takes to get better.

The accumulation of daily training can be tracked to an end result by the swimmer as the importance of consistent daily work materializes in the pages of their logbook. Suddenly a season is transformed from just a bunch of workouts leading to a championship meet, to a series of observable and important daily efforts that add up in each swimmer’s career. The goal, of course, is to have these "efforts" add up to success.

When swimmers have a personal interest and investment in their training over the course of a season, the end result is a success that is more fulfilling for both the coach and athlete.

It is estimated that the average individual retains only 10% of what they hear, and 30% of what they both hear and see. However, items that are heard, seen, and written down and are frequently revisited, are more than 70% remembered.

Logbooks can have more than just a physical impact on a swimmers career. They can be a powerful tool in the psychological aspects of training and competition. For example, yardage totals alone can be an incredible motivational tool for some athletes. Seeing how many yards have gone into the "bank" during the season, can provide the knowledge and mental confidence that their training has physically prepared to swim their best at the championship meet.

Other athletes may be motivated by reviewing workout times they have achieved, or race splits they have attained during repeat sets. Being able to recall these successes from training can provide a psychological boost for a successful competition.

Using a logbook to plan goals before the season starts is a way for coaches and swimmers to establish a measuring stick for improvement throughout the season. As the season progresses, training can be adjusted to provide a framework for successfully achieving these goals.

Mapping out seasonal goals on paper, such as goal times for each seasonal meet, specific split times for a particular race, or even race strategies, allows swimmers to commit them to memory and be mentally prepared for competition. Recording these goals in a logbook puts this information in a place where it can provide a daily visible reminder for the swimmer.

Physically writing down goals, times, or even a favorite meet warm-up embeds this information in each swimmer’s mind, and allows for visualization of successful end results. If a swimmer has clear set goals, they are more achievable. A logbook can be used as a tool for this type of goal setting and visualization.

Just as each swimmer commits to a season of training, so too must logging be a discipline that requires commitment. Coaches must not only encourage, but train their athletes to record their work after each practice, and use a logbook for mental preparation purposes.

With the coach’s guidance, the swimmer will begin to see the weeks of work and effort paying off. Coaches are always looking for new ways to help improve their athlete’s physical and psychological performance, and one of the simplest tools—using a logbook, is one of the most effective.

A comprehensive log book can be the best training tool for improving a swimmer’s performance in workouts and at the big competitions. And best of all, its never too early to start.

Aimee Schmitt, founder of AimSport, is a former USA National Team Member, NCAA Champion, author and motivational speaker