The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast by CTS

Zone 2 intervals are trending across pro pelotons and training apps, but are they actually superior to steady endurance riding, or just a complicated solution to a simple problem? Coach Adam Pulford breaks down the science, shares real athlete data, and gives you an honest answer on whether structured Zone 2 intervals are worth your time.
Free Cycling Training Assessment: https://trainright.com/cycling-training-assessment-welcome/
RESOURCES
Cycling’s Latest Trend: Structured Zone 2 Intervals
Zone 2 Training to Improve Aerobic Endurance and Fat Burning - CTS
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HOST
Adam 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 platform

Interested in working with a coach? Schedule a free consult: https://trainright.com/coaching/cycling/

Self-coached athlete? Check out our TrainRight Membership: https://trainright.com/membership/

Find more free resources here: https://trainright.com/blog/

Struggling to fit training into your busy life? Coach Adam Pulford breaks down a simple weekly framework that helps time-crunched cyclists build real fitness — without burning out or blowing up their schedule.
Free Cycling Training Assessment: https://trainright.com/cycling-training-assessment-welcome/
RESOURCES
Time-Crunched? Here’s the Training Week Framework That Works
How to Build a Strong Week of Your Cycling Training Plan - Chris Carmichael
ASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCAST HERE
HOST
Adam 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 platform

Interested in working with a coach? Schedule a free consult: https://trainright.com/coaching/cycling/

Self-coached athlete? Check out our TrainRight Membership: https://trainright.com/membership/

Find more free resources here: https://trainright.com/blog/

CONNECT WITH CTS

Website: trainright.com
Instagram: @cts_trainright
Twitter: @trainright
Facebook: @CTSAthlete

OVERVIEW
Cyclists almost always report a discrepancy between the power output and/or perceived exertion between indoor and outdoor cycling. Typically, this means struggling to achieve the same power output indoors than can be achieved outdoors for common workouts like FTP intervals or VO2 max efforts. Even easier Zone 2 rides can have higher RPE values (i.e., feel harder) indoors compared to outdoors. In Episode 294 of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast", Coach Adam Pulford reveals why indoor cycling feels harder, how you can narrow the gap between indoor and outdoor performance, and whether you should use different power training zones indoors vs outdoors.
TOPICS COVERED
Why indoor cycling feels harder than outdoor riding
Which types of cycling workouts are affected more by moving indoors
How to narrow the gap between indoor and outdoor performance
When to make different indoor and outdoor power training zones
RESOURCES
 Indoor vs Outdoor Power Explained
Knowledge is Watt: https://www.instagram.com/knowledgeiswatt/
- Indoor vs Outdoor Power post 
Can a Mismatch Between Course Gradient and Resistance Affect Performance When Using ERG Mode in a Zwift Workout? 
ASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCAST
HOST
Adam 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 platform

GET FREE TRAINING CONTENT

Join our weekly newsletter

CONNECT WITH CTS

Website: trainright.com
Instagram: @cts_trainright
Twitter: @trainright
Facebook: @CTSAthlete

OVERVIEW
Should cyclists incorporate VO2 max work year round or focus VO2 max work on only select periods of the year? Coach Adam Pulford tackles this listener question in Episode 293 of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast". Key ideas include the fact that VO2 max is influenced by training at several different intensities, so you can work on VO2 max without always doing high-intensity intervals. When it comes to high-intensity intervals, Coach Adam provides guidance on scheduling workouts and rest days, provides examples of effective VO2 max interval workouts, and when it makes sense to adjust annual periodization plans to incorporate high intensity intervals at unconventional times of year. 
TOPICS COVERED
VO2 max is influenced by all training intensities
Why you shouldn't train VO2 max intensity all year long
How training intensities work together
Sample Zone 5, high intensity workouts
Why you should do Zone 5 VO2 work at every two months
Other ways to build VO2 max off the bike
ASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCAST
HOST
Adam 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 platform

GET FREE TRAINING CONTENT

Join our weekly newsletter

CONNECT WITH CTS

Website: trainright.com
Instagram: @cts_trainright
Twitter: @trainright
Facebook: @CTSAthlete