Addressing a Huge Misunderstanding About 80/20 Training
We’re being fooled into thinking we’re training optimally
If you’re a runner and you haven’t at least heard of the 80/20 rule, you’re probably living under a rock. It’s that prevalent in the running community. This method has been mainstream for years thanks to author Matt Fitzgerald and exercise physiologist Stephen Seiler. While their research and intentions were good, there is one drawback that rarely gets brought up in health and fitness circles. This is a misunderstanding that leaves many beginner athletes thinking they’re maximizing their training while majorly falling short of their true potential.
Before I reveal the big caveat that’s been going under our radars, we need to get on the same page about this popular training strategy. So grab your pen and paper and let’s talk about the 80/20 rule. You may just be surprised at what you’ve been missing.
The Good, Bad, and Ugly of the 80/20 Rule
While the principle behind this rule is quite simple, it’s made complicated by the plethora of training zone systems out there. For example, some athletes use a 3-zone model in which 80% of the work lands below the first ventilatory threshold or the top of zone 1. Other people prefer a 5-zone heart rate system in…
