What are your metrics?

We've established that you're not at the gym to simply be active (See here.). So, to safeguard ourselves from this apparently perpetual state of non-accomplishment we need a variety of "metrics" to guarantee that we are moving forward. First, there is the obvious and standard measurements often taken at the beginning of a training program (waist, hip and the other circumference measurements), body composition and simple strength measurements. So that secures a chance to check in on the worthiness of your efforts every couple of months or, at best, few weeks.

So, what's your standard ADD-"I want it all, I want it now"-American to use? Your first and simplest option is a notebook. It needn't be anything fancy but somewhere to record your workouts so that you can initiate and observe your progress will be vital to knowing that you're accomplishing your goals, step-by-step.

Your next option, and my personal favorite, is a stop watch. As an aside, if there is one tool that could single-handedly cut down your time at the gym, the stopwatch is it. Very few people workout for 45 minutes to an hour but a lot of people spend 45 minutes to an hour (or even more) at the gym. Get a stopwatch and start timing your workout. Push start as you begin warming-up, monitor your rest periods between sets and make a record of the time when you push stop. Also experiment with doing timed sets versus counting repetitions.

Watching your rest periods will not only cut down on total gym time but also bring a new element to improving your fitness level.

Of the many metrics we could cover here the third of my big 3 is the most costly but equally as beneficial; heart rate monitors. Your time spent trudging through "cardio" and pushing yourself with metabolic conditioning circuits will likely be revitalized by manipulating rest periods based on your actual heart rate response rather than simply time.

I'm okay with "my pants are fitting better" (from women, at least, guys don't have clue how their pants fit...) and periodically testing your body composition or weight but doesn't the idea of knowing each that you've gotten better sound much more appealing?

Engage in your training, take the time, and get what you want.