My garmin has it set up like this:

Z1 = 50-60%
Z2 = 60-70%
Z3 = 70-80%
Z4 = 80-90%
Z5 = 90%+

As of right now, I’m seeing my Z3 improve but improving Z2 is going to take me a while. I can have a conversation in Z3 using the Garmin percentages.

I’ve also seen other forums/websites have different percentages. Ex.

Z1 = 68-73%
Z2 = 73-80%
Z3 = 80-87%
Z4 = 87-93%
Z5 = 93%+

If I used this method, then my Z2 is the one that has been improving this whole time. This one ‘feels’ right to me when I’m running but I’ve only been running for a few months at this point (was running last year but got sick a few times and had to basically start all over) so maybe I just need to stick to it and the garmin method will start to make more sense.

So I was just curious how everyone has their percentages set up. What do you all actually train at?

a_fancy_kiwi

  • running_ragged@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    1 year ago

    One thing to watch out for, some places will recommend zones based on %HRR rather than just % Max HR so you could see significant differences there

    As for what I like my zones to be, it all depends on what label you want to give your zones.

    • Z1 - Recovery, so everything below 73 %HR Max, 62 %HRR
    • Z2 - Easy, Up to 80 %HRMax, or 70 %HRR
    • Z3 - Moderate/High Aerobic,
    • Z4 - Lactate Threshold, 88-92 %MaxHR, or 84-88 %HRR for me
    • Z5 - Everything else

    I find the Garmin defaults are fine for people who don’t want to think about it, but I like zones set for specific training goals. Easy and LT zones are about the only zones I really try to use. Everything else is based on VDOT paces usually.

    edit: formatting