63 points
Discussion Lifestyle

Zone 2 cardio completely changed my metabolic health

E
epigenetic_age 1 month, 3 weeks ago

After years of HIIT-only training, I switched to 80% zone 2 / 20% high intensity. In 8 months my resting heart rate dropped from 68 to 52, my fasting glucose went from 98 to 82, and my VO2max estimate went from 38 to 46. I'm 48 years old. The key insight was that most of us dramatically overestimate what zone 2 actually feels like — it should feel almost too easy.

63 points 4 comments

Comments

Best New
B
biohacker_sam · 1 month, 3 weeks ago · 22 pts

This mirrors my experience exactly. I was "running" for years but always in zone 3-4. Once I slowed down, everything improved.

Z
zone2_mike · 1 month, 3 weeks ago · 9 pts

48 with a resting HR of 52 is elite. What does your weekly volume look like in hours?

S
stack_queen · 1 month, 3 weeks ago · 7 pts

How are you measuring zone 2? Chest strap + lactate threshold test, or just the MAF formula?

S
stack_queen · 1 month, 3 weeks ago · 4 pts

I want to start but I find zone 2 incredibly boring. Any tips for staying engaged during long slow sessions?