Rethinking Zone 2: How Clubs Should Coach Cardio Now
Mon Feb 02 2026
What if the most popular cardio advice is actually slowing member progress — instead of accelerating it?
In Episode 4 of The Research Debrief, Rachel Chonko, our hosts examine new scientific research questioning the effectiveness of “Zone 2” cardio training for the general population — and what it means for health clubs, operators and fitness leaders.
This episode explores:
-Why Zone 2 training became so popular in media and podcasts
-The difference between endurance athlete training and everyday member needs
-What current research says about low-intensity vs. high-intensity cardio
-How short, higher-intensity workouts can outperform long steady sessions
-Why time efficiency is one of the biggest opportunities for clubs
-What this science means for programming, coaching and cardio messaging
If you operate, lead or work in a health club, this episode will challenge how you design cardio offerings — and help you better communicate results-driven guidance to members.
📚 Access the show notes page for links to the research papers discussed:
https://clubsolutionsmagazine.com/2026/02/rethinking-zone-2-how-clubs-should-coach-cardio-now/
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or SoundCloud
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdTzDt3DUmM
👉 Stay ahead of fitness, leadership and research
Subscribe to the Club Solutions newsletter to receive industry insights, trends and research-driven strategies delivered straight to your inbox:
https://clubsolutionsmagazine.com/newsletter/
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What if the most popular cardio advice is actually slowing member progress — instead of accelerating it? In Episode 4 of The Research Debrief, Rachel Chonko, our hosts examine new scientific research questioning the effectiveness of “Zone 2” cardio training for the general population — and what it means for health clubs, operators and fitness leaders. This episode explores: -Why Zone 2 training became so popular in media and podcasts -The difference between endurance athlete training and everyday member needs -What current research says about low-intensity vs. high-intensity cardio -How short, higher-intensity workouts can outperform long steady sessions -Why time efficiency is one of the biggest opportunities for clubs -What this science means for programming, coaching and cardio messaging If you operate, lead or work in a health club, this episode will challenge how you design cardio offerings — and help you better communicate results-driven guidance to members. 📚 Access the show notes page for links to the research papers discussed: https://clubsolutionsmagazine.com/2026/02/rethinking-zone-2-how-clubs-should-coach-cardio-now/ 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or SoundCloud 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdTzDt3DUmM 👉 Stay ahead of fitness, leadership and research Subscribe to the Club Solutions newsletter to receive industry insights, trends and research-driven strategies delivered straight to your inbox: https://clubsolutionsmagazine.com/newsletter/