Volume-Progression Tracking

Progress in strength and hypertrophy depends on progressive overload (see Principle of Progressive Overload) — doing meaningfully more work over time. The tracking job is to confirm that's real by trending the right volume metric across a training block:

• Hard sets per muscle per week (see Counting Hard Sets) — for hypertrophy, the usual progression is adding sets across a block (e.g. start a mesocycle at 12 sets, build to 18), then deload and restart lower (see Deload Weeks).
• Volume load (sets×reps×load; see Training Volume Load) — captures progression via added load or reps even at constant set count.
• Estimated 1RM trend (see Estimated 1RM Trend) — for strength, the cleaner output metric.

Common progression schemes the tracker should support:

• Double progression — add reps within a target range at a fixed load, then add load and drop back to the bottom of the range. The log detects when the top of the range is hit.
• Linear load progression — add a fixed load increment when the prescribed reps are completed (novice programs).
• Set progression — add a set per week per muscle through a block.

What the data should reveal: a rising volume/e1RM trend block over block = working; flat or falling across weeks despite intent = a plateau signal to change something — deload, technique, recovery, or volume target (see When a Metric Signals "Adjust the Program", Applying Progressive Overload). Without per-set logging, none of this is computable (see What to Log for Strength Training).

• Track weekly hard sets, volume load, and/or e1RM trend across a block.
• Hypertrophy progression often = adding sets through a mesocycle, then deload.
• Double progression: add reps in range, then load, then reset reps.
• Linear progression: add fixed load when reps are met (novices).
• Rising trend = overload working; flat/falling vs intent = adjust.