When it comes to improving climbing efficiency, many coaches and experienced riders swear by the benefits of long zone 2 rides for building aerobic endurance and increasing stamina. However, some argue that spending time in zone 3, where the intensity is higher and the effort is more sustained, can be just as effective, if not more so, in terms of improving climbing efficiency.
The reasoning behind this is that zone 3 riding forces the body to adapt to a higher level of intensity, which can lead to increased mitochondrial density, improved muscle fiber recruitment, and enhanced lactate threshold. These adaptations can be particularly beneficial for climbers, who need to be able to sustain a high level of effort over a prolonged period.
On the other hand, long zone 2 rides can be beneficial for building endurance and increasing stamina, but may not be as effective in terms of improving high-intensity climbing efficiency. Additionally, spending too much time in zone 2 can lead to a phenomenon known as cardiovascular drift, where the body becomes less efficient at delivering oxygen to the muscles, potentially negating some of the benefits of the ride.
So, the question is, does zone 3 improve climbing efficiency better than long zone 2 rides? Are there specific benefits to training in zone 3 that make it a more effective way to improve climbing efficiency, or are the benefits of long zone 2 rides simply being overlooked? How do you incorporate zone 3 training into your climbing regimen, and what benefits have you seen as a result?