Whether the Zone 2 hype is warranted depends on one significant factor: whether you have female or male physiology.
But first, here’s a quick recap of zone 2 training:
Any continuous cardio activity at around 70-75% of your max heart rate for over 30 minutes. Ideally closer to an hour.
Men have poorer mitochondria respiration and mitochondria density than women.
Men need more slow aerobic work, such as Zone 2. What the men are doing is based on the science done on men.
You already have the qualities that men try to improve with Zone 2 because you’re a woman.
You’re better off focusing the bulk of your training on high-intensity work and strength training.
This will improve the quantities that you need more of: mitochondrial and anaerobic capacity.
And then mix that with just enough of Zone 2 to improve your aerobic base.
-J