Tag: Zone 2 training

While many believe fasted cardio burns more fat, several studies suggest the long-term impact on overall body composition is minimal compared to fed training. The central question for athletes and health enthusiasts is whether the acute physiological benefits of exercising in a low-glycogen state truly make fasted zone 2 better for specific performance and metabolic goals.

While Zone 2 is often dubbed the “fat-burning zone,” research shows that your body never relies on a single fuel source. So, does Zone 2 burn sugar? Yes, but not exclusively. It primarily trains your body to become more efficient at burning fat while still utilizing a small, steady amount of sugar.

According to sports physiologists like Dr. Iñigo San Millán, elite endurance athletes spend a large percentage of their training time in Zone 2 to maximize fat oxidation. This low-to-moderate intensity exercise is highly effective at burning fat rather than carbohydrates, a counterintuitive but scientifically-proven concept for improving metabolic health.

For many long-distance athletes, a significant portion of their weekly training volume is dedicated to Zone 2, a low-intensity effort. This makes knowing whether you should eat during Zone 2 training crucial for maximizing results and sustaining performance.