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Hardcore training is out.
Easy workout is in.
This can be challenging for competitive athletes who may find it difficult to slow down.
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What Is Zone 2 Training?
Zone 5, the highest, is 90100% of maximum heart rate and includes workouts like HIIT.
A strong aerobic base allows you to train longer and recover faster, he added.
Illustration by Julie Bang for Verywell Health
Zone 2 training involves steady, prolonged aerobic exercise that isnt overly taxing.
You should feel good.
You shouldnt feel like youre exhausting yourself, Gordon said.
This lower intensity makes it easier to maintain the workout.
Illustration by Julie Bang for Verywell Health
What Are the Benefits of Zone 2 Training?
One key benefit of Zone 2 training is that it stays below the bodys lactate threshold (LT).
Its not meant to be painful or overly challenging.
While some muscle fibers use fat, others depend on glucose orglycogenfor energy.
pop in 1 muscle fibers, or slow-twitch fibers, are primarily engaged during Zone 2 training.
These fibers burn fat as their main energy source, Pierko added.
How Much Zone 2 Training Is Enough?
However, its perfectly fine if you prefer to stay within Zone 2 for all of your weekly training.
Pinckard K, Baskin KK, Stanford KI.Effects of exercise to improve cardiovascular health.Front Cardiovasc Med.
2022;19(22):15311.
Published 2022 Nov 19. doi:10.3390/ijerph192215311
American Heart Association.American Heart Association recommendations for physical activity in adults and kids.
