Zone 2 training is incredible for building your aerobic base, improving fat oxidation, and making long efforts feel easier, but if it’s the only intensity you train in, you’ll eventually hit a performance plateau.

In this episode, I break down why Zone 2 alone won’t make you faster, how it fits into the bigger performance pyramid, and why you still need threshold and VO2 max work to raise your race pace, FTP, and repeatability in high-intensity efforts. I’ll explain why beginners often see huge early gains with Zone 2 while intermediate and advanced athletes quickly stall, and how triathletes, runners, and CrossFit athletes can layer higher intensities to deliver real race-day speed and durability. If you’ve been “living in Zone 2” and wondering why your performance isn’t improving, this will help you understand what’s missing and how to build a complete endurance engine.