EPISODE · Jan 8, 2025 · 13 MIN
Are Intervals More Effective At The Beginning Or End Of A Zone 2 Workout? (#230)
from The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast by CTS · host CTS
OVERVIEWShould you perform your interval efforts at the beginning or end of your workout? In most cases, doing hard efforts early, when you are freshest, increases power output and time-at-intensity for those intervals. In this episode, Coach Adam Pulford provides the rationale behind this structure and shares the three specific scenarios when he has athletes ride in Zone 2 for most of the ride and execute hard efforts at the end.TOPICS COVEREDWhy you should do intervals in the first third of your workout.How early intervals improve Zone 2 training effect afterwardIntervals at the end for competition specificityIntervals at the end for fatigue resistance training/durabilityInterval timing advice for Time-Crunched AthleteASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTLINKS/RESOURCESWorkout & Interval Structure: Decoding Interval Workouts: How to determine the number and duration of intervalsThe Science of Training Your Durability and Fatigue Resistance: https://youtu.be/8-RRwmlErDI or https://www.buzzsprout.com/813266/episodes/15275108 Fatigue Resistance Training and Testing: https://youtu.be/556YzqceA9E or https://www.buzzsprout.com/813266/episodes/15507165 Knowledge is Watt: DURABILITY: THE FOURTH DIMENSION OF ENDURANCE PERFORMANCE: HOSTAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete
What this episode covers
OVERVIEW Should you perform your interval efforts at the beginning or end of your workout? In most cases, doing hard efforts early, when you are freshest, increases power output and time-at-intensity for those intervals. In this episode, Coach Adam Pulford provides the rationale behind this structure and shares the three specific scenarios when he has athletes ride in Zone 2 for most of the ride and execute hard efforts at the end. TOPICS COVERED Why you should do intervals in the first thir...
NOW PLAYING
Are Intervals More Effective At The Beginning Or End Of A Zone 2 Workout? (#230)
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Mar 26, 2026 ·1m
Mar 19, 2026 ·34m
Feb 18, 2026 ·11m
Feb 11, 2026 ·45m