Lately I also have changed to very long “zone 2” cardio. Because of specific joint and back problems, some injuries, some congenital. But the exertion itself still feels good mentally if I seperate it from my aching body.
Luckily zone 2 still works for mental effects, it just takes hours to have the same effect. Basically you only exert yourself below the threshold where your body would start building up lactic acid. So if you feel muscle soreness the next day, you’re pushing too hard. Unless you live in a lab you have to use proxies and trial and error to estimate where zone 2 is. Usually people say something like, “You should still be able to have a good conversation at this effort level.”
The time is annoying but my Netflix addiction has never felt so useful.
Lately I also have changed to very long “zone 2” cardio. Because of specific joint and back problems, some injuries, some congenital. But the exertion itself still feels good mentally if I seperate it from my aching body.
Luckily zone 2 still works for mental effects, it just takes hours to have the same effect. Basically you only exert yourself below the threshold where your body would start building up lactic acid. So if you feel muscle soreness the next day, you’re pushing too hard. Unless you live in a lab you have to use proxies and trial and error to estimate where zone 2 is. Usually people say something like, “You should still be able to have a good conversation at this effort level.”
The time is annoying but my Netflix addiction has never felt so useful.