Heart rate zone training utilizes designated intensity levels, often expressed as percentages of maximum heart rate (MHR), to guide exercise. Cyclists employ tools, often online calculators or wearable devices, to determine these individualized zones. For instance, a moderately trained cyclist might target zone 3, representing 70-80% of their MHR, for sustained endurance training.
Structured training based on these zones allows cyclists to optimize physiological adaptations, maximizing the effectiveness of each workout. This approach can lead to improved aerobic capacity, enhanced fat burning, increased lactate threshold, and more effective performance gains. While heart rate training has been around for decades, advances in technology have made it significantly more accessible and precise for cyclists of all levels.