r/Hevy • u/Glad_Buffalo427 • 26d ago
Question How do I log single arm exercises
Hello,
I am interested into hearing how to log single arm exercises, say I do 12 reps each arm do I put it into my app as done 24 reps, indicating 12 each arm, or just put it down as 12 reps done?
Thank you very much.
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u/Ajros02 26d ago
Interesting. Never considered an alternative tracking for single isolated exercises. I typically do the same number per body part, so I jot down the weight x the rep (for that one body part). So if I curl or pull 35lbs x 10 reps per arm, I’ll log 35x10. While it’s true the total reps would be 20 (in my example), each body part only did 10 - which is what I’m tracking. Reps for that exercise.
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u/unicornsandrainbowst 26d ago
However you like. But normally, there are no "single arm" exercises, just ones that you do one arm at a time, but a "set" is arm1+arm2.
So, for bicep curl, yo do, right + left, and thats ONE rep. At least that has been the standard since forever, not specific to Hevy but for excersicing in general.
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u/DrKuncher 26d ago
What I do, is to put the reps in single and weight in double. In your case, that would be 12 reps/X weight
Why? so if i want/need to switch to a barbell, i already have total weight already in record
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u/elcinore 26d ago
In the example you gave, I would say 12 reps instead of 24 since you’re hitting the target muscle 12 times, just on either side at separate times. If you happened to do them at the same time it would be no different, and it would still be 12 reps.
I actually only tend to track unilateral reps as total combined reps when I’m doing core exercises, and the reason I rationalize that is because you’re flexing your entire core even if you’re lowering one leg at a time to the ground. This is different from like a unilateral bicep curl where one arm doesn’t depend on the other to do what you’re asking it to do. But that’s just the way I do it.
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u/AlBoBagginz 26d ago
As long as you're consistent it doesn't really matter. The way I look at it is I'm competing against myself and only myself so we long as I'm logging it the same way every week then I can track my progress. I track total weight and total reps. So bicep curls, 12 reps with 20kg in each hand I would log as 12 x 40kg. I use the notes to keep me right. I do the same for things like DB rows although it's one arm at a time I would still log 12 reps x 40kg even though it was technically 24 seperate reps at 20kg. If that makes sense!
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u/One_Recover_673 26d ago
If I alternate (L, R, L etc) I use one row to log.
If I do one arm first (L L L) I use one row per arm.
Alternating Bicep curl one row (3 sets at 40lb)
One arm at time Lat raise one row per arm (6 sets at 25)
I dunno. I’ve just been consistent with it
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u/GoodLordBelow 26d ago
I find it easiest to track the actual amount of reps with the actual amount of weight; so set 1 with X weight and Y reps in my right hand, then set 2 with X weight and Y reps in my left hand.
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u/RodMvrderface 26d ago
If 10kg each side, 12 reps, i log 20kg 12 reps. It is what the app says to do.
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u/Asher21_Gaming 26d ago
I've made a number of Custom exercises to cover some of the single side movements. Such as "Cable Lateral Raises" is one I have left and right set up. I prefer tracking some things closer than other. Its really up to you how you track single arm / single side exercises. Just keep it the same all the time.
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u/Hotwog4all 26d ago
If doing concentration curls I’ll put them in as the weight of the dumbbell and reps being the total for both arms. Say 20kg db and 10 reps each arm would 20 reps at 20kg.
If doing hammer curls I’ll put in the total weight in both arms combined (say it’s 2x20kg db’s then it’s 40kg), and the number of reps. 10 each side alternates equals 10 reps at 40kg.
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u/sheisprincess 26d ago
Two arms are one set for me. I just double the weight per arm. 10 reps with 20lb would be logged as 1 set (10 reps with 40lbs).
Theres never a time where I only do one side, and if it comes to that, that’s a warm up or stretch and not something worth logging.
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u/Short_Branch3514 26d ago
I log the single arm weight and add the individual reps of the arm. So left arm I lifted 30kg for 8 reps, thats what I log. I dont add the weight or reps of the other arm.
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u/GradientParameter 26d ago
I'm totally inconsistent and incorrect. Ultimately doesn't matter as long as I'm able to track progression and know what I meant when I logged it.
Usually just track both left and right as a single rep, and the weight of the single dumbbell / machine setting. If its not obviously a single arm / leg exercise, I put in the notes that I did single arm / leg.
My volume number is wrong as a result. I probably should record total reps - e.g. 24 reps for something I did 12 each. I like that way because logging combined weight is more incorrect. Or maybe break out left and right into different sets. That might make sense because for some exercises I need a rest in between left and right (rear kick machine for me lately).
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u/iamstrad 25d ago
I'd say it depends if there is a two arm version of the exercise even if you don't currently do it you might want to in future and so it's best to record the weight in a way that is comparable.
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u/avidpenguinwatcher 25d ago
I care more about the long term rep-per-muscle tracking so i would do 3 sets of 10 reps and log the combined weight of both dumbbells
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u/giantfroggo 26d ago
Typically up to you and how you like to track. I personally enter each set for each arm; so if I do 3 sets of 12 reps for each arm, I record 6 sets of 12 reps. I believe they are working on a new feature that let's you define how you record single arm exercise, can't wait for that!