The Real Science of Sport Podcast

Why Everything You Know About Zone 2 Training is Probably Wrong

101 snips
Aug 11, 2025
Brendon Gurd, a muscle physiologist at Queen's University and co-author of 'Much Ado About Zone 2', breaks down the real science of Zone 2 training. He clarifies common misconceptions and reveals that the benefits are overstated. Gurd discusses how higher intensity workouts may actually drive better adaptations for cardio fitness and fat metabolism. Listeners learn about the complexities of exercise intensity and the importance of engaging in sports in enjoyable ways for all fitness levels.
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INSIGHT

Narrative Review Versus Systematic

  • Dr. Brendon Gurd explains a narrative review tells a focused story rather than following strict systematic protocols.
  • The team still searched broadly to fairly fact-check Zone 2 claims from the literature.
INSIGHT

Zone Definitions Vary Wildly

  • Ross Tucker highlights massive variability in how Zone 2 is defined and measured across methods and countries.
  • Different tests can assign the same person wildly different intensities labeled as Zone 2.
INSIGHT

Zone Two Defined Physically

  • Dr. Brendon Gurd defines Zone 2 physiologically as the top of the moderate domain just below the first lactate threshold.
  • Exercising here produces steady-state responses and relies primarily on fat metabolism.
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