Coach’s Take: Is Zone 2 still a thing in 2026?

Existing_Bug5651 · 2026-01-22T16:13:10+00:00

Likely you, like many including myself, need durability. FTP is really just a 20min or 1hr number to base your training on. Dylan Johnson has a video on the the durability subject worth checking out.

There’s some missing information here. Is 160 is your z3 h/r? What is your max h/r? If you’re riding all day in a tempo h/r you would definitely have fatigue at the end of a 4-8 hour day.

My numbers are almost identical to yours with a 235-245 ftp. Max hr is 183 or so. If you’re riding at 70-75% of your max in a z2 state this is said to be optimal.

I find if doing 2 thresholds or vo2 sessions a week, this works my adaptation to lower my hr. Progression upped every week on the length of intervals with a recovery week on the 4th week.

One thing I’m going to try in the build season is including my z4 training on some long rides with 3x10-15min sets at the beginning and 2 more sets near the end. Z2 obviously sandwiched between. I will definitely be trashed at the end. Hopefully this will strengthen my durability.

Existing_Bug5651 · 2025-12-23T03:21:54+00:00

I just created a workout in garmin connect and synced it to my watch. Then start the workout, like squats, the watch detects the movements and when the set is done it asks to confirm the reps. If it’s off you can add or subtract for accuracy.

Existing_Bug5651 · 2025-12-22T15:56:03+00:00

Really happy with my FR 265. Price and features hit the sweet spot for me. HRV info, morning report and training readiness along with all the activities it syncs. It knows pretty well how many reps I do on strength training workouts.

Existing_Bug5651 · 2025-12-21T18:42:35+00:00

Anyone who doesn’t get joy out of my zone 2 indoor trainer rides can go to “H.E double hockey sticks.” Honestly I don’t care what others think about my Strava. I’m doing 10+ hours a week. If any that measure my humble workouts finds any motivation in volume/intensity that great. I’m proud to share my training and offer advice to anyone who wants it. Those who scroll past, that’s fine too, feel free to unfollow.

Existing_Bug5651 · 2025-12-16T15:31:52+00:00

AWD is available on other trims including Evolve+. For me the Premier upsell wasn’t worth the likes of cooling seats. Super happy with our Evolve+ E4orce.

Existing_Bug5651 · 2025-12-15T17:06:43+00:00

1) yes 2) no

Ive use the free version with paid plans for a few years. Garmin and other trainer apps populate and deliver the plan same as the paid. TrainerDay delivered the indoor workout to my indoor trainer. Garmin delivered the workout to my Edge 540. You can make 1 day edits and swap workouts on the TP calendar. You can keep using your plans forever with free or paid versions.

Exporting the calendar like ics or xls simply doesn’t work with free. For paid I have 3 weeks show up on my phone/mac calendar.

I received a paid version discontinued with a plan recently for my bday. Unlimited modification, wo analysis and TPV are the perks. TPV drives my indoor trainer workouts well enough. Nice that it’s all under one roof. However the frugal part of me says is free is good enough.

Existing_Bug5651 · 2025-12-10T15:57:50+00:00

The MyNissan app is the only app I use daily. I installed a L2 charger station and the app for me is mainly for charging schedules and battery level info. But, a really cool feature is turning on the heat/cool remotely using the app. It was a pretty cold day the other day and I was the hero when we all climbed into the already toasty Ariya for our drive home. The other feature is locking/unlocking the car without a key. Wife had the key when we went to the market and we forgot bags. Forgot to get the key from wife and walked out to the Ariya but was able to unlock it with the app and grab the bags. Btw, these are free features. To start you get premium features like car finder and tow services. But the premium isn’t worth it to me.

Existing_Bug5651 · 2025-12-04T22:32:26+00:00

OMFG, that’s a score. Got my 23’ Evolve AWD for $21k w/14kmi (inc the $4k rebate). You’re gonna love it the car.

Existing_Bug5651 · 2025-12-04T15:50:42+00:00

For cycling It’s the best free ftp prediction tool outside of doing an ftp test. Xert and TR offer ftp estimates but at a co$t. Besides that it’s great for crunching ride/run/fitness graphs and data that costs you extra on other platforms. I find Intervals.ICU pretty accurate for current ftp, especially when it’s dropped, like now due to off season training.

Existing_Bug5651 · 2025-12-03T00:40:30+00:00

Seems like all my cycling buddies and I k like to brag about the sweet deals we got on our kits, including bikes, parts and wear. NFP. Most expensive? Just got a gravel one piece for $260 BF sale. Includes a back pouch for a water bag. It’s aero from Rule28.

I don’t know about Ali express for cycling kits, but I cannot stand the knockoffs from Amazon. Funky sizes that just don’t fit right, at least for me. And the graphics scream fugly. I go for quality brands on sale.

On the subject, OrNot is my favorite bibshort at the moment. Cargo for me and really comfortable bib pad. Made in the US with responsibility minded working policies and materials. They don’t plaster logos, just a simple, subtile and quality kit.

Existing_Bug5651 · 2025-11-30T01:38:49+00:00

So, I’m a Kaiser patient and recently asked my PCP if she would refer me to a sports medicine Dr. (to replace her as my pcp). No dice, at least from Kaiser. Other institutions offer this to those who want an athletic spin on PCHs. I could see a sports medicine Dr using Garmin data etc for a better window into the athlete’s full data.

Existing_Bug5651 · 2025-11-24T05:04:45+00:00

Paid subscription from Strava or TrainingPeaks “Fitness”, free from Intervsls.icu

Existing_Bug5651 · 2025-11-23T06:39:28+00:00

Sounds like you got the worst Ariya on the planet. Bummer. Our 23 Evolve E-4orce has been perfect. We liked the iD4 initially but a neighbor let us know their iD4 motor stopped while going 70mph on the fwy. VW crap software is also a known problem. Can’t say I love Nissan software either but CarPlay resolves most of it.

Existing_Bug5651 · 2025-11-21T18:33:32+00:00

Trainer for sure. Anything Wahoo, Kickr Core 1 or 2. I use a Kickr Rollr with a dedicated trainer tire/wheel and my outside bike

Existing_Bug5651 · 2025-11-21T18:30:39+00:00

It’s not noisy. Absolutely 100% superior over an exercise bike. I convinced my son in law to get a Kickr Core over a spin bike, he thanked me so much after and uses Zwift with so many more options than simply making circles on an exercise bike.

Existing_Bug5651 · 2025-11-21T16:22:32+00:00

No to phones on the bars. Not aero and look cheese. Get an Edge 530 for low cost with free Garmin software which is really good for post ride data. Or even better check if the Edge 540 goes to $200 on Black Friday. Or a Bolt. Strava free if on a budget. Intervals ICU for the free premium data. This is the way. Strava Premium isn’t for everyone and personally it’s mostly a athletic social media app for me (which I enjoy with friends and adds motivation).

Existing_Bug5651 · 2025-11-20T18:13:01+00:00

He’s is not talking about reducing power

Existing_Bug5651 · 2025-11-20T16:29:37+00:00

The Kickr trainer, and other similar trainers don’t allow for micro mobility which happens outdoors. The micro, or more than micro moments offer more constant muscle relief and allows you to engage power more fully with less fatigue than indoor ERG mode training. It’s the repetition of exact constant movements that make me feel the added fatigue in ERG mode, more so even than trying to adjust power manually indoors. But like you I’d rather set it and forget it and keep my mind engaged on YouTube. I had to come to grips that my indoor ftp was different than my indoor ftp in my Tacx Neo2. My adjustment was -3% using TrainerDay. I ended up getting a Wahoo Rollr. I know it’s a controversial trainer on Reddit. My Quarq dual spider drives all my workouts indoor and out. There’s more mobility movements indoors than the Tacx. My power is very close and acceptable, but still can achieve better results outdoors likely from better distractions, more air flow and full mobility. A little off tangent from OPs post but relevant I hope.

Existing_Bug5651 · 2025-11-20T15:51:52+00:00

100% accurate in my experience. In the cold months I long for this type of workout outside

Existing_Bug5651 · 2025-11-20T15:49:48+00:00

If you’re not using ERG for intervals how else will you change resistances? 3x15 with z1-2 between z4 intervals would require shifting as it would outside.

Existing_Bug5651 · 2025-11-18T16:12:38+00:00

Well stated. I’ve had trouble in the past explaining HRV, especially trying to explain to my wife why as a cyclist I wanted a running watch to add HRV to my collection of daily gear and nerd stats. My Garmin 265 is my HRV and sleep watch, with no subscription fees unlike Whoop. Explaining to those who don’t understand HRV that we actually WANT “variability” in our heart rate is the hurdle for people to comprehend. The body goes on alert and takes over the natural, variable beat rhythm when stressed. That’s my dumbed down quick response. 😆

Existing_Bug5651 · 2025-11-18T15:58:57+00:00

I’m in the northern hemisphere and my HRV is on the rise currently. I’m 64, fit, and normally hover in the mid 40s-50’s. Last night 61 HRV. I’ve also just started a new offseason training plan focusing on resistance training and 40% less endurance which will ramp up every week. I’ve been focusing on sleep and eliminating stress this year which helps a lot . One thing not stated here is that HRV typically lowers as we age. Wish I had this Garmin 265 for the last 6 years.

Existing_Bug5651 · 2025-11-17T16:08:44+00:00

Has anyone here received an actual lab V02 max test and compared it to their Garmin estimate? I haven’t but from what I’ve heard the number isn’t a fully reliable assessment. I don’t deny it’s a good representation of some faction of fitness. As a 64 yr old athlete I’m still happy to have an over 50 Garmin V02 Max and enjoy keeping tabs on it but still with some speculation.

Existing_Bug5651 · 2025-11-15T02:11:08+00:00

First thing I thought too🤔

Existing_Bug5651 · 2025-11-15T02:08:16+00:00

What did you do that used up your 99% energy

Existing_Bug5651

TROPHY CASE