Read sets, repetitions, sides, and time clearly
Translate the labels on a workout page without turning an example into a new prescription.
The packet’s legend and column labels control the meaning. The examples here explain record reading only.
Separate a set from a repetition
A repetition is one completion of the movement as described by its instructions. A set groups repetitions together. In a table explicitly labeled sets × repetitions, “3 × 8” means three sets of eight repetitions. It does not mean that every exercise or every NDS edition uses that prescription.
A range such as “6–8” in a repetitions column names a range, not a schedule for automatically adding weight. The edition’s progression rule determines what follows. Keep the written target separate from the work actually completed so the log remains an honest record.
Read the unit beside the number
A load needs a unit such as kilograms or pounds. A duration needs its stated time unit. Write the unit with the value or use the labeled field provided. A bare “30” cannot later tell you whether it meant seconds, repetitions, or a load.
For dumbbells, cables, or other equipment, read how the packet or log defines load. Do not silently switch between each implement and the combined total. If the definition is unclear, preserve a short factual note about what you entered and ask for clarification before making comparisons.
Keep sides and timing visible
“Per side” means the instruction distinguishes the two sides. Use the provided side fields or labels so a left-side entry is not mistaken for a total. Do not double or halve a value merely to make it resemble another record.
Duration, rest, and movement timing are different fields. A hold duration describes the timed work. A rest instruction describes the interval between the specified efforts. If an edition uses a sequence to describe movement timing, look up its legend; a string of digits without that legend is not enough to establish its meaning.
Treat an unclear label as a question
Record exactly which heading or line is unclear. Check the legend and the linked movement instruction before guessing. If your edition asks for an effort rating such as RIR or RPE, use its legend and the fields provided.
If the label is missing, clipped, or contradictory, report the version and page. A notation guide can explain how to read a clear instruction, but it cannot authorize a new target, progression, substitution, or return rule.