"... Why would you call a site for athletes overtrainer? ..."
Maybe because there is an optimal point in training. Working with weights is about repetition. Too much and you overtire or worse, injure yourself. Too little and you miss out on the benefits.
The thing I would want to know is what benefit I'd get from logging this on a site (with all the associated hassles) compared to noting it in a log book with pencil & paper? Being able to see the results is a good motivational point.
You do bring up a good point. I have logged workouts for years into paper, and its easy to do, damn easy. I have done this in the impromptu way of writing what I am going to do next on the fly, or plan it out in a spreadsheet, print it and fill it in from there.
The problem I have always had with these methods is after some time I have a big stack of rumpled papers, too much data really. To evaluate progress I just read through and try to grasp some qualitative comparison. By that point it would be far too much work to sit and enter all of the data into a spreadsheet.
The point I am trying to address is to make a data entry method as easy as paper, but with results you can easily look back on and really compare. The results can also be generated to an image, and then embedded into websites, forums, what have you, to share with friends or to make an ongoing training log.
I am also trying to address the annoyances with planning workouts with spreadsheets. I have done this plenty of times and don't care for it. Usually it involves digging up some template you made for the purpose and manually typing the exercises in, its annoying. So overtrainer.com will also allow you to plan your workout and print a form that you can just fill out, making the process more streamlined.
So if you dont care for anything but paper thats fine! You can still plan your workouts and print the form.
Thanks to everyone for all the feedback, its been really helpful.
"... The problem I have always had with these methods is after some time I have a big stack of rumpled papers, too much data really. To evaluate progress I just read through and try to grasp some qualitative comparison. By that point it would be far too much work to sit and enter all of the data into a spreadsheet. ..."
Agreed. Doing this by paper is probably dead, spreadsheets so, so. Having a web based alternative is something that compelling if you continue using it. Is there a social side of this? Like working out a gym and comparing weights?
Perhaps you could develop a sort of system where users can text in their results as they work out or post-workout and the site takes the data and charts it?
i.e.: "db bench 160, db fly 50, s press 140, l press 650" translates into 'dumbbell bench press 160lbs., dumbbell fly 50lbs., etc. etc.
I know most people at the very least lug around their cell phones with them in the gym, so it could prove to be very useful.
Maybe because there is an optimal point in training. Working with weights is about repetition. Too much and you overtire or worse, injure yourself. Too little and you miss out on the benefits.
The thing I would want to know is what benefit I'd get from logging this on a site (with all the associated hassles) compared to noting it in a log book with pencil & paper? Being able to see the results is a good motivational point.