Name the record type, preserve the exercise and equipment context, keep the original set result and avoid comparing different conventions as if they were identical.
Define the kind of record
| Record type | Example | What stays fixed |
|---|---|---|
| Load PR | Heaviest completed set | Exercise and rep condition |
| Rep PR | Most reps at 40 kg | Load and exercise setup |
| Volume PR | Largest sets × reps × load total | Session scope and units |
| Time PR | Longest or fastest defined effort | Movement and timing rule |
These labels describe records; they are not instructions to attempt a maximum. Follow an appropriate program and safety practices for your circumstances.
Keep the original workout entry
A PR badge or note should lead back to the actual set: date, exercise, reps, load and relevant setup. Without that context, the headline number can become misleading.
Do not replace the full set with only “new PR.” The record is a summary of the result, not a substitute for it.
Compare like with like
A barbell lift, machine variation and dumbbell variation can share a muscle group while remaining different exercises. Equipment, range and loading conventions affect the comparison.
Use distinct names when the setup changes meaningfully. If you intentionally combine variations under one label, document that choice rather than assuming the numbers are interchangeable.
Avoid estimates that look like completed records
A formula may estimate a one-repetition maximum from a submaximal set, but the estimate is not a completed one-repetition lift. Label calculated values as estimates and keep them separate from actual results.
Likewise, a planned target is not a PR until the set is completed and recorded honestly. If the set required a changed range, assistance or a different setup, preserve that note beside the result instead of silently comparing it with earlier entries.
Review records inside the wider log
Did You Lift stores actual set values alongside the workout plan, making it easier to see the session around a notable result. Use consistent exercise names and notes, then review the comparable history rather than chasing an isolated number.
Records can be motivating, but they do not capture every part of progress. Technique, comfort, consistency and the goals of your program may matter even when no headline PR appears.
Common questions
What counts as a gym personal record?
Define it before comparing: heaviest load under a rep condition, most reps at a fixed load, a session volume total or another specific repeatable result.
Is an estimated one-rep max a PR?
It is an estimate derived from another set, not a completed one-repetition result. Label and store it separately.
Published by Moocsoft, the independent studio behind Did You Lift. Examples and worksheets are illustrative. App features can vary by platform and version; see the store listing for current availability and in-app purchases.