With the rise of the internet, social media, and now AI, we’ve got more data than ever at our fingertips.
Chances are, you’re wearing some of it right now. Smartwatches and fitness trackers are everywhere, and I’d estimate that over 70% of our members use them in some way. In the gym, we’re seeing more people track metrics like:
- Weight lifted
- Speed and distance during cardio
- Plank hold time
And that’s before we even get into the old-school data points like your bodyweight or total distance run.
But here’s the thing…
We’re all busy. Work, kids, social lives, fitness—it’s a lot. Adding “part-time data analyst” to your job description? Not ideal.
So let’s simplify .Here are the key objective and subjective metrics we think are actually worth keeping an eye on:
Health & Heart Rate
These are useful insights into your recovery, stress, and overall fitness:
- Resting Heart Rate (RHR) – Lower (within a healthy range) usually indicates better cardiovascular fitness.
- Recovery Heart Rate – How quickly your heart rate returns to baseline post-workout. Many trackers offer this stat.
- Heart Rate Variability (HRV) – A sign of how well your body is handling stress and recovering. Higher is usually better.
Longevity & Fitness
Metrics that matter for long-term health—not just gym performance:
- VO₂ Max – A great indicator of aerobic capacity and cardiovascular fitness.(Elevate98 members: we’ve got something exciting coming soon here 👀)
- Grip Strength – A surprisingly powerful indicator of longevity.(Yes, we’re bringing this into Elevate98 too.)
- Strength Markers – Like squats, pull-ups, and push-ups.(Stay tuned for Part 2 where we dive into these more.)
Body Composition
We’re not about the scale—but these markers give a more complete picture:
- Visceral Fat – Fat stored around organs; a key health marker.
- Muscle Mass – Crucial for maintaining mobility, strength, and energy as we age.
You can track both of these on our InBody machine at the gym.Want a scan? Just give us a shout.
Subjective Metrics That Matter (a lot)
Not everything can be measured by a device. These signs are just as valuable:
- Fewer aches and pains (especially back, hips, knees, shoulders)
- Waking up feeling more refreshed
- Falling asleep more easily
- Feeling more energy for work, family, social life, etc.
Sometimes the best “data” is how you feel, move, and show up day to day.
What Not to Track (Seriously)
We’re not doing a full “don’t bother” list today—but let’s call one out:
Calories burned during a workout.
This number is not a good indicator of a quality workout.It’s wildly inaccurate and doesn’t say much about strength, energy, or progress.
Got Questions?
Are you already tracking some of these?Curious why we included (or skipped) something?
We’d love to hear from you—chat to us in the gym or drop us a message.Your data should help you feel better, not more confused.
Note- As always you should consult with a medical professional for more in-depth undertsanding of these numbers, especially heart rate related as there are individual variances.
