Fast Talk 389: Fast Chats - Should We Be Reconsidering Zone 2 Training
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Sep 18, 2025 Zone 2 training is being critically reevaluated as new research questions its effectiveness. The discussion delves into how previous reviews differ, especially in defining true Zone 2 efforts. They explore the biological pathways involved and how intensity affects these interactions. Practical advice for athletes includes balancing various training intensities while recognizing the need for more long-term studies. The conversation emphasizes the importance of collaboration in the field and a humble approach to understanding exercise physiology.
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Zone 2's Benefits Questioned
- The 2025 review argues Zone 2 may not increase mitochondrial capacity as commonly claimed.
- The authors conclude high-intensity training gives more metabolic bang for limited weekly training time.
Conflicting Papers Share An Author
- A 2022 paper on AMPK and CAMK2 arrives at different conclusions than the 2025 review.
- The two papers share an author but reach contrasting messages about Zone 2 and intensity.
Specify The Target Population
- Define your population before applying exercise claims because sedentary and trained people respond differently.
- Avoid blanket statements that 'Zone 2 is best' for everyone without specifying the population.