How Data Drives Lifelong Performance at 98

At 98, our programming isn’t built on trends, guesswork, what “feels hard” or looks cool on social media. It’s built on data. The foundation of every training season, the progression models and performance benchmarks we use is based on evidence-based practice combined with real-world results collected across our global community.

Data gives us clarity and direction. It tells us what’s working, what needs adjusting, and whether our athletes are progressing the way we intend. It removes the bias and emotion that often clouds training decisions and replaces them with measurable, reliable feedback. It prevents programs relying on dogma and ensures that what we’re providing is consistently member-centric.

That’s why we test consistently, deliberately, and with purpose.

Every quarter, athletes complete a series of foundational strength and capacity tests, of which include: bench press, deadlift, strict press, back squat, max-rep bodyweight pull-ups, power clean, and a conditioning time trial of their choice (a 2,000m SkiErg, 2,000m RowErg, 4,000m BikeErg, 1,600m Run, or a 6-minute max-calorie AirBike effort). These movements and distances aren’t chosen at random; they represent key pillars of well-rounded athletic performance.

Our strength tests show how well an athlete is responding to our programming across upper- and lower-body strength, power production and pulling capacity. They highlight imbalances, reveal plateau points, and validate whether the structure of the training season is achieving its intended outcome.

Our time trials give us an equally powerful insight into conditioning. Whether it’s a 2km erg or a 6-minute AirBike effort, these tests show improvements in aerobic efficiency, sustainable power, pacing awareness and overall work capacity. Tracking both total time (or calories) and average split gives a deeper picture of progress - not just how fast an athlete can go, but how well they can hold power under fatigue.

Testing isn’t about comparison or competition. It’s about progression. For coaches, this data confirms the effectiveness of our programming season to season. For our members, it builds confidence, direction, and a clear sense of growth - because although progression can be measured in more than just kilos, for many, progress is most powerful when you can see it.

Data keeps us accountable. Data keeps us improving. And at 98, data is the reason we can say with confidence: our training works, and we can prove it.