Why Exercise Zones Don't Matter Much - Zone 2 vs Zone 5

Doctor Turned Health Coach · Mar 31, 2026 · 6m

Zone 2 vs Zone 5 sounds scientific, but for most people, it doesn't matter.

Everyone is talking about Zone 2 and Zone 5 training right now. And if you listen to enough podcasts, you might think your entire health depends on staying in the "right zone."

But for most people, that's not how health works. In this episode, I break down when heart rate zones actually matter, and when they don't. If you're training for a specific performance goal, then yes, zones can be useful.

But if your goal is long-term health, energy, and staying active as you age, focusing too much on zones can actually…