A notebook full of abbreviated rows and pulldowns can become difficult to interpret after only a few weeks. Use names that distinguish the actual exercises. Include the machine or attachment when it matters. The record should allow you to reconstruct the session quickly, without relying on a memory of which corner of the gym you happened to use.
Create one line for each movement and keep working sets together. Add relevant settings in a consistent place. If you change from one machine to another, make the distinction visible. Similar labels on weight stacks do not make the exercises equivalent. Clear naming prevents accidental comparisons that could otherwise distort your impression of progress.
Use short notes for meaningful context: an altered order, an unfamiliar handle, or a setup that felt more controlled. Avoid writing a long story about every set. A record that takes too much effort may become inconsistent precisely when the gym is busy. The best format is one you can maintain while still paying attention to the actual workout.
At the end of the week, scan for one useful pattern or decision. Perhaps a station is regularly unavailable, or a particular setting needs to be remembered. Let the notebook inform the next visit. It is a practical tool for continuity, not an obligation to produce an elaborate report about every ordinary training session.