[hlnx1]

“Zone 2” has become a movement: mitochondria, fat burning, longevity. What do we actually know?

• Long, low-intensity training is the foundation of endurance; that’s not in doubt
• But “Zone 2” is defined differently in different systems; one watch’s zone 2 is another system’s zone 1
• Most of the benefit comes from total volume and consistency rather than hitting an exact intensity
• Easy training alone eventually plateaus; you need some hard sessions too

More: polarized training: why 80% easy makes you faster.

How much of your week is genuinely easy?

[hlnx1]

The simplest answer to “am I in zone 2?” is the talk test: if you can speak in full sentences, you’re probably there. It can be more reliable than your watch, especially in the heat.

[Author]

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