Go Slow to Go Fast? Why Zone 2 Training Works

If your easy winter rides feel like a waste of time and you’re tempted to make every session a sufferfest, this one’s for you. Zone 2 training — long, steady efforts at an easy-to-moderate intensity — is everywhere in endurance coaching conversation right now. The “off-season” or base training phase is when you will see large amounts of Z2, and for good reason.   

The pitch is simple: ride easier, more often, and for longer — you’ll build more efficient mitochondria, learn to use fat, and get “fitter”. The reality is a little more nuanced, but the bottom line remains: slowing down, done intentionally, is a powerful way to get faster.

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