Show Notes
Jason Brown returns for a nuanced discussion about Zone 2 cardio, walking, conditioning, stress, recovery, and how cardio should fit into an individual’s life.
Jason joins me to discuss:
• Whether Zone 2 cardio is actually overrated • How much of Zone 2’s benefit comes from simply getting people moving • The value of reducing sedentary time and increasing daily activity • The relationship between Zone 2-style activity, NEAT, and mental health • Why getting outside and moving can provide benefits beyond fitness adaptations • Looking at cardio and all training through the lens of nervous system regulation • Accounting for the total stress already present in someone’s life • Why cardio recommendations should begin with the individual’s available time and capacity • The nuanced debate around whether walking counts as exercise • Why sprint training should not be treated as Zone 2 cardio • Why average heart rate during lifting or high-intensity training does not prove someone received a Zone 2 stimulus • The difference between cardiovascular strain and sustained aerobic work • Why exercise labels matter less than matching the activity to the person’s needs • Jason’s thoughts on the current state of online coaching • And much more
Follow Jason on Instagram:
@jasonbrowntraining
CHAPTERS
01:04 Setting Up the Zone 2 Controversy 01:59 Who Is Zone 2 Cardio For? 05:05 Social Media Hot Takes 07:02 The Benefits of Sustained Aerobic Work 10:41 Andrew’s Questions About Zone 2 14:45 Mechanisms and Aerobic Adaptations 21:13 Time Constraints and Effective Dosing 29:07 Does Walking Count as Exercise? 30:53 Walking as Therapy 33:20 Regulation Matters More Than Debates 34:09 Plug-and-Play Training 35:40 Why Speed Training Is Not Zone 2 37:35 The Limits of Heart Rate as a Proxy 39:39 Genetics and Individual Cardio Needs 44:08 Making 30 to 60 Minutes Count 47:21 Assessments and Coaching Standards 50:40 The Reality of Online Coaching 54:49 Aerobic Training Requires Time 55:45 Final Thoughts and Where to Find Jason
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Stuart McMillan is one of the world’s most respected and decorated sprint coaches.He joins me to share his expertise on speed, sprinting, skipping, movement quality, youth development, coaching, and the balance between complexity and simplicity.We discuss:• Why adults tend to stop moving fast and powerfully• Why speed and intensity variability may matter as we age• Whether everyone actually needs to sprint• How to move fast in ways appropriate for your ability• Why movement variability matters• Why Stuart believes more adults should skip• Hip extension and the fundamentals behind skipping• How to progressively introduce skipping• How beginners can start sprint training• Managing sprint-related injury risk• Why consistency and gradual exposure matter• Coordination as a limiting factor• Why adults need to stop worrying about how movement looks to other people• Sprinting and speed development for young athletes• Why youth training should emphasize coordination and skill• Strength versus skill when thinking about injury risk• Why movement quality deserves more attention• Stuart’s six-part framework for assessing movement quality• Whether movement is effective, efficient, stable, adaptable, authentic, and aesthetic• Balancing art and science in coaching• How Stuart thinks about systems• Complexity versus simplicity• Why good coaching often becomes simpler with experience• “Safe to fail” experiments in coaching• Why mastery often involves subtraction• And much moreFollow Stuart:@fingermashCHAPTERS00:16 Why Adults Stop Sprinting02:10 Intensity Variability and Aging04:45 It’s Never Too Late to Train Speed05:45 Move Fast Your Way07:22 Why Stuart Loves Skipping08:48 Hip Extension Fundamentals12:08 Progressive Skipping Practice15:07 Beginner Sprint Progression18:40 Injury Risk and Consistency20:30 Coordination as a Skill Barrier21:51 Stop Caring How It Looks22:19 Coaching Kids to Move Fast25:07 Youth Coordination Over Strength26:26 Strength vs. Skill and Injuries27:50 Coordination Over Capacity29:49 Defining Movement Quality33:37 The Six-Word Movement Framework35:33 Authentic and Aesthetic Movement39:37 Balancing Art and Science42:33 Systems Thinking Basics48:18 Safe-to-Fail Coaching49:36 Simplicity After Complexity52:28 Mastery Through Subtraction55:18 Final Thoughts and Where to Follow StuartSUPPORT THE SHOW• Subscribe and check out more episodes• Share the episode and tag @andrewcoatesfitness• Send this to someone who hasn’t moved fast in yearsFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESANDREW COATES’ 13-WEEK ONLINE GROUP STRENGTH PROGRAMSJoin my Men’s or Women’s 13-Week Online Group Strength Programs.Choose between:• Gym Upper/Lower• Home Upper/Lower• Full BodyGet full access to me with prompt responses.Use code SEPTEMBER10 to save 10%.www.foreverstrength.ca/join-now/Questions?https://www.instagram.com/andrewcoatesfitness/?hl=enI would love to coach you.RP STRENGTH APPUse code COATESRP:https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJUST BITE ME MEALSUse code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off:https://justbitememeals.comMACROSFIRST — FREE PREMIUM TRIALDownload MacrosFirst and enter ANDREW when asked how you heard about the app.KNKG BAGS — 15% OFFhttps://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676VERSA GRIPPShttps://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC — FREE 90-DAY TRIALhttps://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive or email [email protected] and tell them Andrew sent you.L1 BIOMECHANICS AND ASSESSMENT COURSEUse code COATES:https://pro.activelifeprofessional.com/assessmentworkshopevents
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