Whats the most effective way to structure a Zwift workout plan for time-efficient training, and are the traditional 3-4 zone-based workouts still the best approach, or have the newer, more dynamic workouts like the Zwift Academy and Build Me Up series proven to be more beneficial for improving overall fitness and increasing FTP in a shorter amount of time?
With the constant evolution of Zwifts workout library and the introduction of new, more dynamic workouts, its becoming increasingly difficult to determine which workouts are truly the most effective for achieving specific training goals. While the traditional zone-based workouts have been a staple of many training plans for years, the newer workouts seem to offer a more engaging and varied training experience, but do they actually produce better results?
For example, the Zwift Academy workouts, which focus on short, high-intensity intervals and dynamic changes in intensity, seem to be designed to mimic the demands of real-world racing, but do they actually improve FTP and overall fitness more efficiently than traditional zone-based workouts? And what about the Build Me Up series, which focuses on longer, more sustained efforts at high intensity - are these workouts more effective for building endurance and increasing FTP, or are they simply a more engaging way to do traditional tempo workouts?
Ultimately, the goal of any training plan is to achieve specific goals in the most time-efficient way possible, so it would be great to hear from other riders who have experience with these newer workouts and can offer some insight into their effectiveness. Have you found that the newer, more dynamic workouts have improved your fitness and increased your FTP more efficiently than traditional zone-based workouts, or do you still swear by the traditional approach?