Counting reps without losing track

I started going to the gym regularly this year, and the hardest part was not the weights but keeping count of my reps. I would get to eight or nine and then doubt myself, especially during the last set when I was tired.

A friend showed me a free online tally counter that runs in the browser. I prop my phone against my water bottle and tap the screen between reps. The big number is easy to read, and I no longer lose count halfway through a set.

It has made my sessions feel more structured. I rest for the right amount of time, hit my target reps, and leave knowing I did the work properly.

• Rober Orbituary