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Make Threshold Training Work for You
Improve your endurance, speed and stamina
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Threshold training will often play a significant role in an athlete’s endurance program. A focussed threshold block, when properly implemented, can increase fitness levels in cyclists, runners and swimmers.
What is threshold training?
To most people, any type of ‘threshold training’ involves the maximum intensity someone is able to hold for up to 1 hour (if they’re cyclists or runners) or1-1.5K in the pool. However, we actually have two different thresholds and they’re both really important to understand.
The difference between lactate thresholds and ventilatory thresholds
You may have heard about the 1st threshold and 2nd threshold, or LT1/VT1 and LT2/VT2… these terms have become a lot more popular recently thanks to distance athletes using lactate measuring devices on YouTube.
LT simply means lactate threshold or turn point and VT means ventilatory threshold or turn point.
The first threshold comes around when exercise intensity initiates a disturbance in physiological homeostasis, intake of oxygen (O2) increases as does amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) exhaled. This usually coincides with the lactate concentration in the blood rising above normal resting levels.
Once this turn point is reached, we can simply define the exercise intensity as moderate. If you continue to exercise moderately or increase effort, you will soon find yourself closer to or at a vigorous intensity.
At this point, you’re working above the disturbance line of physiological homeostasis and on your way to reaching the 2nd threshold or the top end of vigorous activity.
Here we begin to breath in greater amounts of O2 but we stop being able to exhale the same volume of CO2 - this is called your maximum tidal volume. Lactate in the blood stream also rises and will continue to rise above 4mmol/L (depending on definition). If intensity remains the same at this stage you are unable to clear as much lactate as is being made and eventually exercise will cease.
Threshold training example for distance running
Let’s break this down into a simple example.
Think of the 1st threshold as your marathon or Ironman 70.3 distance intensity (Ironman distance for the extremely trained person), a fit person can hold intensity at or close to the 1st threshold for 3-4 hours without a drop in performance.
If using a zoning system think of this as the top of your zone 2 or bottom half of zone 3, you may also hear it referred to as ‘tempo’.
The 2nd turn point is what most people understand to be ‘threshold intensity’ or 10k run pace, sprint distance triathlon or a 40km cycling time trail. A fit person can exercise at or close to the 2nd threshold for 40 – 60mins. This intensity can also be referred to as zone 4.
How to implement threshold training
Hopefully the different thresholds make a bit more sense now... but how can we use threshold training to help us exercise more effectively?
Coaches often prescribe training zones or intensities for sessions, using power meters, heart rate, speed or pace to determine an athlete’s threshold. Each method has their own benefits and limitations, though they all share one thing in common – they are predicting and not measuring.
The only true way to calculate lactate threshold or ventilatory threshold is with a lactate meter or ventilation device.
Should you exercise above or below your lactate threshold?
When exercising below the 1st threshold we get physiological adaptions without a high cost. Lactate has not built up in the blood and therefore the metabolic cost is low, we can do more training hours here as essentially, we recover quicker.
When training above the 2nd threshold, we get a high amount of metabolic and muscular damage which comes with a cost of needing longer time to recover but also a benefit of adaptation. When exercising between the 1st and 2nd thresholds we get the cost of metabolic and muscular damage but not quite the same benefit of adaption we get when at or above the 2nd threshold.
This is why many coaches utilise the 80:20 rule.
Improve endurance performance with the 80:20 rule
If we want to increase our endurance performance, or ability to sustain pace, speed or watts over longer distances we should be very mindful of spending most of our time below our 1st threshold.
A great general rule of thumb (used by a lot of coaches) is the 80:20 rule. Simply put, 80% of time training is easy and 20% of the time training is very hard. There’s a lot of research that backs up this type of training, but let’s take a minute to understand why it works so well.
Exercising below the 1st threshold causes physiological adaptions without a high cost. Lactate has not built up in the blood and therefore the metabolic cost is low, so we can do more training hours here as we recover quicker.
When training above the 2nd threshold, we get a high amount of metabolic and muscular damage which comes with a cost of needing longer time to recover but also has the benefit of adaptation.
If you exercise between the 1st and 2nd thresholds, we get the cost of metabolic and muscular damage but not quite the same benefit of adaption we get when at or above the 2nd threshold.
The only exception to this rule is when doing event specific training, particularly for marathons or half Ironmans.
In these events a lot of time is going to be spent in zone 3, at or between the 1st and 2nd thresholds. It’s smart to train at that intensity to understand realistic paces and power – you definitely want to know what you’re up against! This block might only last for 6-8 weeks during a build up towards the race.
Outside of these events and thinking for an everyday amateur athlete, it’s important to understand where on the threshold scale your coach wants you to be. Ensure when your program requires you to be above the 2nd threshold you go hard and when below the 1st threshold you go easy!
Fun - Honesty - Simplicity - Smash Life - Mental Toughness - HARD WORK
ENGINE
Revisiting Mikkos with some over and under-threshold intervals.
GYMNASTICS
This week, we will spend some time on ring dips! Get read for isometric holds, eccentrics, strict work, and kipping progressions. We’ll prioritise lockout strength, crucial for pressing movements like handstand push-ups, strict presses, and jerks.
HYROX
We will take on a full HYROX for the race simulation. It can be done individually or in pairs.
MOBILITY
This weekend, the mobility focus is improving the range of motion in joints and muscles. Upper body mobility focuses on the shoulders, wrists, and T spine, helping with movements like reaching and rotating. Lower body mobility targets the hips, knees, and ankles, improving flexibility for activities like squats and lunges. Come join us to keep those bodies healthy.
PURE STRENGTH
In Pure Strength this week, we are hitting some cluster sets on the front squat on Monday, followed by some single leg work coupled with the bent-over rows. We are clustering the Bench Press and ring rows to build some push and pull strength, followed by some dumbbell Romanian Deadlifts on Wednesday.
WEIGHTLIFTING
For weightlifting this week, we will focus on the squat snatch. With a fun complex snatch pull, Hang squat snatch and OHS. Great technique session!
Monday Ride
A ride dedicated to group riding skills and some fitness. Coach Rob Foster leads this ride, if you'd like to join email rf@innerfight.com
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: The Loop Cafe, Bike DXB
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Friday - Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. This run is currently gearing run fitness towards the incoming half marathons. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Monday
Time: 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: Tempo
PM Session only: This evening we will be building in pace as the blocks progress. Each block of work is 6 mins long and has a 2 mins recovery. Start at a 5/10 effort and gradually build to a 8/10 RPE.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. Today we will be running 200m repeats at 1km pace. This is a fast session, focus on keeping good running form throughout.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 4:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
If you didn't run track, today we have some speed work for you in the morning. The session at 5:59am will be 1km into 400m repeats, back to 1km.
In the evening we will run easy at 4:59pm this week with IFE ahead of Iftar in Gym 2 from 6pm.
Friday
Hills Start Time: 5:29am
Tempo
Brief time: 5:54am
Start Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will have bridge repeats for those who want elevation, and tempo for those who want to push the pace on the flat surface. The choice is yours. (If you are running Two Oceans, we recommend the hills option).
Saturday
Location: KhorFakkan
Session: LRC Training Camp
We will be back in Hatta this week for our Sunday long run. We will be in Khorfakkan this wekeend for our LRC Training Camp. All details or run distances, start times, and locations will be share in TrainnigPeaks and WhatsApp.
Please talk to Steph for further details.
SH@Innerfight.com
Sunday
Location: KhorFakkan
Session: LRC Training Camp
We will be back in Hatta this week for our Sunday long run. We will be in Khorfakkan this wekeend for our LRC Training Camp. We will be in Khorfakkan this wekeend for our LRC Training Camp. All details or run distances, start times, and locations will be share in TrainnigPeaks and WhatsApp.
Please talk to Steph for further details.
SH@Innerfight.com
Monday:
We start the week with some upper-body pressing work and weighted push-ups as we build up to heavy 3 reps. Then, we'll move on to dumbbell bench presses and push presses before hitting a tough effort partner ski and burpee workout. Who's your partner?
Strength:
A) EMOM x 7 - 3 Weighted Push Ups
B) Every 90secs x 5 - 8 DB Bench Press (Tempo 20X1)
C) EMOM x 6 - 5/5 DB Push Press
Conditioning:
In Pairs 2000m ski
EMOM including minutes 1, 5 synchro burpees.
Tuesday:
We have some single-leg barbell good mornings at a nice tempo that will fire up your posterior, followed by a heavy barbell complex and running in the workout.
Strength:
Every 2mins x 5 - 6/leg staggered stance barbell good morning
(Tempo 30x1)
Conditioning:
25 min AMRAP
Park run
Into
6 Rounds Complex:
1 power clean
1 hang power
1 STOH
Wednesday:
Wednesday is about strict pulling strength, focusing on developing strict pull-ups and building more strength with sleds and dumbbells. The workout will test your grip and your shoulders!
Strength:
Alt EMOM x 10
A) 3-5 Strict Pull Ups
B) 5/5 Db Bent Over Row
C) Every 3mins x 5 - 1 Length Sled Pull
Conditioning:
For Time
30-20-10
DB Hang Snatch
100 DU after each set
Thursday:
On Thursday, we are progressing on our back squats and working in some power with jumping and some single-leg work before a nice triplet of rowing, rope climbs, and assault bike work.
Strength:
A) Max Distance Broad Jump
B) Every 2mins x 5 - 3 Back Squats (Tempo 30X1)
C) Every 90secs x 4 - 16-14-12-10 Db Reverse Lunges
Conditioning:
In a 3-minute window x 3
250/200m row
2 Rope Climb
AMRAP Cal Assualt Bike
Rest 2:00 mins
Friday:
Finishing the week off with some static gymnastics strength as an EMOM before hitting the workout, which will last for 30mins involves a barbell, some push-ups, and box jump-overs.
Strength:
EMOM x 9
A) 20sec L Sit Hang
B) 20 Sec Handstand Hold
C) 30sec Hollow Hold
Conditioning:
#FUF
Threshold training will often play a significant role in an athlete’s endurance program. A focussed threshold block, when properly implemented, can increase fitness levels in cyclists, runners and swimmers.
What is threshold training?
To most people, any type of ‘threshold training’ involves the maximum intensity someone is able to hold for up to 1 hour (if they’re cyclists or runners) or1-1.5K in the pool. However, we actually have two different thresholds and they’re both really important to understand.
The difference between lactate thresholds and ventilatory thresholds
You may have heard about the 1st threshold and 2nd threshold, or LT1/VT1 and LT2/VT2… these terms have become a lot more popular recently thanks to distance athletes using lactate measuring devices on YouTube.
LT simply means lactate threshold or turn point and VT means ventilatory threshold or turn point.
The first threshold comes around when exercise intensity initiates a disturbance in physiological homeostasis, intake of oxygen (O2) increases as does amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) exhaled. This usually coincides with the lactate concentration in the blood rising above normal resting levels.
Once this turn point is reached, we can simply define the exercise intensity as moderate. If you continue to exercise moderately or increase effort, you will soon find yourself closer to or at a vigorous intensity.
At this point, you’re working above the disturbance line of physiological homeostasis and on your way to reaching the 2nd threshold or the top end of vigorous activity.
Here we begin to breath in greater amounts of O2 but we stop being able to exhale the same volume of CO2 - this is called your maximum tidal volume. Lactate in the blood stream also rises and will continue to rise above 4mmol/L (depending on definition). If intensity remains the same at this stage you are unable to clear as much lactate as is being made and eventually exercise will cease.
Threshold training example for distance running
Let’s break this down into a simple example.
Think of the 1st threshold as your marathon or Ironman 70.3 distance intensity (Ironman distance for the extremely trained person), a fit person can hold intensity at or close to the 1st threshold for 3-4 hours without a drop in performance.
If using a zoning system think of this as the top of your zone 2 or bottom half of zone 3, you may also hear it referred to as ‘tempo’.
The 2nd turn point is what most people understand to be ‘threshold intensity’ or 10k run pace, sprint distance triathlon or a 40km cycling time trail. A fit person can exercise at or close to the 2nd threshold for 40 – 60mins. This intensity can also be referred to as zone 4.
How to implement threshold training
Hopefully the different thresholds make a bit more sense now... but how can we use threshold training to help us exercise more effectively?
Coaches often prescribe training zones or intensities for sessions, using power meters, heart rate, speed or pace to determine an athlete’s threshold. Each method has their own benefits and limitations, though they all share one thing in common – they are predicting and not measuring.
The only true way to calculate lactate threshold or ventilatory threshold is with a lactate meter or ventilation device.
Should you exercise above or below your lactate threshold?
When exercising below the 1st threshold we get physiological adaptions without a high cost. Lactate has not built up in the blood and therefore the metabolic cost is low, we can do more training hours here as essentially, we recover quicker.
When training above the 2nd threshold, we get a high amount of metabolic and muscular damage which comes with a cost of needing longer time to recover but also a benefit of adaptation. When exercising between the 1st and 2nd thresholds we get the cost of metabolic and muscular damage but not quite the same benefit of adaption we get when at or above the 2nd threshold.
This is why many coaches utilise the 80:20 rule.
Improve endurance performance with the 80:20 rule
If we want to increase our endurance performance, or ability to sustain pace, speed or watts over longer distances we should be very mindful of spending most of our time below our 1st threshold.
A great general rule of thumb (used by a lot of coaches) is the 80:20 rule. Simply put, 80% of time training is easy and 20% of the time training is very hard. There’s a lot of research that backs up this type of training, but let’s take a minute to understand why it works so well.
Exercising below the 1st threshold causes physiological adaptions without a high cost. Lactate has not built up in the blood and therefore the metabolic cost is low, so we can do more training hours here as we recover quicker.
When training above the 2nd threshold, we get a high amount of metabolic and muscular damage which comes with a cost of needing longer time to recover but also has the benefit of adaptation.
If you exercise between the 1st and 2nd thresholds, we get the cost of metabolic and muscular damage but not quite the same benefit of adaption we get when at or above the 2nd threshold.
The only exception to this rule is when doing event specific training, particularly for marathons or half Ironmans.
In these events a lot of time is going to be spent in zone 3, at or between the 1st and 2nd thresholds. It’s smart to train at that intensity to understand realistic paces and power – you definitely want to know what you’re up against! This block might only last for 6-8 weeks during a build up towards the race.
Outside of these events and thinking for an everyday amateur athlete, it’s important to understand where on the threshold scale your coach wants you to be. Ensure when your program requires you to be above the 2nd threshold you go hard and when below the 1st threshold you go easy!
Fun - Honesty - Simplicity - Smash Life - Mental Toughness - HARD WORK
Monday Ride
A ride dedicated to group riding skills and some fitness. Coach Rob Foster leads this ride, if you'd like to join email rf@innerfight.com
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: The Loop Cafe, Bike DXB
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Friday - Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. This run is currently gearing run fitness towards the incoming half marathons. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Monday
Time: 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: Tempo
PM Session only: This evening we will be building in pace as the blocks progress. Each block of work is 6 mins long and has a 2 mins recovery. Start at a 5/10 effort and gradually build to a 8/10 RPE.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. Today we will be running 200m repeats at 1km pace. This is a fast session, focus on keeping good running form throughout.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 4:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
If you didn't run track, today we have some speed work for you in the morning. The session at 5:59am will be 1km into 400m repeats, back to 1km.
In the evening we will run easy at 4:59pm this week with IFE ahead of Iftar in Gym 2 from 6pm.
Friday
Hills Start Time: 5:29am
Tempo
Brief time: 5:54am
Start Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will have bridge repeats for those who want elevation, and tempo for those who want to push the pace on the flat surface. The choice is yours. (If you are running Two Oceans, we recommend the hills option).
Saturday
Location: KhorFakkan
Session: LRC Training Camp
We will be back in Hatta this week for our Sunday long run. We will be in Khorfakkan this wekeend for our LRC Training Camp. All details or run distances, start times, and locations will be share in TrainnigPeaks and WhatsApp.
Please talk to Steph for further details.
SH@Innerfight.com
Sunday
Location: KhorFakkan
Session: LRC Training Camp
We will be back in Hatta this week for our Sunday long run. We will be in Khorfakkan this wekeend for our LRC Training Camp. We will be in Khorfakkan this wekeend for our LRC Training Camp. All details or run distances, start times, and locations will be share in TrainnigPeaks and WhatsApp.
Please talk to Steph for further details.
SH@Innerfight.com
Monday:
We start the week with some upper-body pressing work and weighted push-ups as we build up to heavy 3 reps. Then, we'll move on to dumbbell bench presses and push presses before hitting a tough effort partner ski and burpee workout. Who's your partner?
Strength:
A) EMOM x 7 - 3 Weighted Push Ups
B) Every 90secs x 5 - 8 DB Bench Press (Tempo 20X1)
C) EMOM x 6 - 5/5 DB Push Press
Conditioning:
In Pairs 2000m ski
EMOM including minutes 1, 5 synchro burpees.
Tuesday:
We have some single-leg barbell good mornings at a nice tempo that will fire up your posterior, followed by a heavy barbell complex and running in the workout.
Strength:
Every 2mins x 5 - 6/leg staggered stance barbell good morning
(Tempo 30x1)
Conditioning:
25 min AMRAP
Park run
Into
6 Rounds Complex:
1 power clean
1 hang power
1 STOH
Wednesday:
Wednesday is about strict pulling strength, focusing on developing strict pull-ups and building more strength with sleds and dumbbells. The workout will test your grip and your shoulders!
Strength:
Alt EMOM x 10
A) 3-5 Strict Pull Ups
B) 5/5 Db Bent Over Row
C) Every 3mins x 5 - 1 Length Sled Pull
Conditioning:
For Time
30-20-10
DB Hang Snatch
100 DU after each set
Thursday:
On Thursday, we are progressing on our back squats and working in some power with jumping and some single-leg work before a nice triplet of rowing, rope climbs, and assault bike work.
Strength:
A) Max Distance Broad Jump
B) Every 2mins x 5 - 3 Back Squats (Tempo 30X1)
C) Every 90secs x 4 - 16-14-12-10 Db Reverse Lunges
Conditioning:
In a 3-minute window x 3
250/200m row
2 Rope Climb
AMRAP Cal Assualt Bike
Rest 2:00 mins
Friday:
Finishing the week off with some static gymnastics strength as an EMOM before hitting the workout, which will last for 30mins involves a barbell, some push-ups, and box jump-overs.
Strength:
EMOM x 9
A) 20sec L Sit Hang
B) 20 Sec Handstand Hold
C) 30sec Hollow Hold
Conditioning:
#FUF
ENGINE
Revisiting Mikkos with some over and under-threshold intervals.
GYMNASTICS
This week, we will spend some time on ring dips! Get read for isometric holds, eccentrics, strict work, and kipping progressions. We’ll prioritise lockout strength, crucial for pressing movements like handstand push-ups, strict presses, and jerks.
HYROX
We will take on a full HYROX for the race simulation. It can be done individually or in pairs.
MOBILITY
This weekend, the mobility focus is improving the range of motion in joints and muscles. Upper body mobility focuses on the shoulders, wrists, and T spine, helping with movements like reaching and rotating. Lower body mobility targets the hips, knees, and ankles, improving flexibility for activities like squats and lunges. Come join us to keep those bodies healthy.
PURE STRENGTH
In Pure Strength this week, we are hitting some cluster sets on the front squat on Monday, followed by some single leg work coupled with the bent-over rows. We are clustering the Bench Press and ring rows to build some push and pull strength, followed by some dumbbell Romanian Deadlifts on Wednesday.
WEIGHTLIFTING
For weightlifting this week, we will focus on the squat snatch. With a fun complex snatch pull, Hang squat snatch and OHS. Great technique session!
Threshold training will often play a significant role in an athlete’s endurance program. A focussed threshold block, when properly implemented, can increase fitness levels in cyclists, runners and swimmers.
What is threshold training?
To most people, any type of ‘threshold training’ involves the maximum intensity someone is able to hold for up to 1 hour (if they’re cyclists or runners) or1-1.5K in the pool. However, we actually have two different thresholds and they’re both really important to understand.
The difference between lactate thresholds and ventilatory thresholds
You may have heard about the 1st threshold and 2nd threshold, or LT1/VT1 and LT2/VT2… these terms have become a lot more popular recently thanks to distance athletes using lactate measuring devices on YouTube.
LT simply means lactate threshold or turn point and VT means ventilatory threshold or turn point.
The first threshold comes around when exercise intensity initiates a disturbance in physiological homeostasis, intake of oxygen (O2) increases as does amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) exhaled. This usually coincides with the lactate concentration in the blood rising above normal resting levels.
Once this turn point is reached, we can simply define the exercise intensity as moderate. If you continue to exercise moderately or increase effort, you will soon find yourself closer to or at a vigorous intensity.
At this point, you’re working above the disturbance line of physiological homeostasis and on your way to reaching the 2nd threshold or the top end of vigorous activity.
Here we begin to breath in greater amounts of O2 but we stop being able to exhale the same volume of CO2 - this is called your maximum tidal volume. Lactate in the blood stream also rises and will continue to rise above 4mmol/L (depending on definition). If intensity remains the same at this stage you are unable to clear as much lactate as is being made and eventually exercise will cease.
Threshold training example for distance running
Let’s break this down into a simple example.
Think of the 1st threshold as your marathon or Ironman 70.3 distance intensity (Ironman distance for the extremely trained person), a fit person can hold intensity at or close to the 1st threshold for 3-4 hours without a drop in performance.
If using a zoning system think of this as the top of your zone 2 or bottom half of zone 3, you may also hear it referred to as ‘tempo’.
The 2nd turn point is what most people understand to be ‘threshold intensity’ or 10k run pace, sprint distance triathlon or a 40km cycling time trail. A fit person can exercise at or close to the 2nd threshold for 40 – 60mins. This intensity can also be referred to as zone 4.
How to implement threshold training
Hopefully the different thresholds make a bit more sense now... but how can we use threshold training to help us exercise more effectively?
Coaches often prescribe training zones or intensities for sessions, using power meters, heart rate, speed or pace to determine an athlete’s threshold. Each method has their own benefits and limitations, though they all share one thing in common – they are predicting and not measuring.
The only true way to calculate lactate threshold or ventilatory threshold is with a lactate meter or ventilation device.
Should you exercise above or below your lactate threshold?
When exercising below the 1st threshold we get physiological adaptions without a high cost. Lactate has not built up in the blood and therefore the metabolic cost is low, we can do more training hours here as essentially, we recover quicker.
When training above the 2nd threshold, we get a high amount of metabolic and muscular damage which comes with a cost of needing longer time to recover but also a benefit of adaptation. When exercising between the 1st and 2nd thresholds we get the cost of metabolic and muscular damage but not quite the same benefit of adaption we get when at or above the 2nd threshold.
This is why many coaches utilise the 80:20 rule.
Improve endurance performance with the 80:20 rule
If we want to increase our endurance performance, or ability to sustain pace, speed or watts over longer distances we should be very mindful of spending most of our time below our 1st threshold.
A great general rule of thumb (used by a lot of coaches) is the 80:20 rule. Simply put, 80% of time training is easy and 20% of the time training is very hard. There’s a lot of research that backs up this type of training, but let’s take a minute to understand why it works so well.
Exercising below the 1st threshold causes physiological adaptions without a high cost. Lactate has not built up in the blood and therefore the metabolic cost is low, so we can do more training hours here as we recover quicker.
When training above the 2nd threshold, we get a high amount of metabolic and muscular damage which comes with a cost of needing longer time to recover but also has the benefit of adaptation.
If you exercise between the 1st and 2nd thresholds, we get the cost of metabolic and muscular damage but not quite the same benefit of adaption we get when at or above the 2nd threshold.
The only exception to this rule is when doing event specific training, particularly for marathons or half Ironmans.
In these events a lot of time is going to be spent in zone 3, at or between the 1st and 2nd thresholds. It’s smart to train at that intensity to understand realistic paces and power – you definitely want to know what you’re up against! This block might only last for 6-8 weeks during a build up towards the race.
Outside of these events and thinking for an everyday amateur athlete, it’s important to understand where on the threshold scale your coach wants you to be. Ensure when your program requires you to be above the 2nd threshold you go hard and when below the 1st threshold you go easy!
Fun - Honesty - Simplicity - Smash Life - Mental Toughness - HARD WORK
Monday
Time: 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: Tempo
PM Session only: This evening we will be building in pace as the blocks progress. Each block of work is 6 mins long and has a 2 mins recovery. Start at a 5/10 effort and gradually build to a 8/10 RPE.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. Today we will be running 200m repeats at 1km pace. This is a fast session, focus on keeping good running form throughout.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 4:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
If you didn't run track, today we have some speed work for you in the morning. The session at 5:59am will be 1km into 400m repeats, back to 1km.
In the evening we will run easy at 4:59pm this week with IFE ahead of Iftar in Gym 2 from 6pm.
Friday
Hills Start Time: 5:29am
Tempo
Brief time: 5:54am
Start Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will have bridge repeats for those who want elevation, and tempo for those who want to push the pace on the flat surface. The choice is yours. (If you are running Two Oceans, we recommend the hills option).
Saturday
Location: KhorFakkan
Session: LRC Training Camp
We will be back in Hatta this week for our Sunday long run. We will be in Khorfakkan this wekeend for our LRC Training Camp. All details or run distances, start times, and locations will be share in TrainnigPeaks and WhatsApp.
Please talk to Steph for further details.
SH@Innerfight.com
Sunday
Location: KhorFakkan
Session: LRC Training Camp
We will be back in Hatta this week for our Sunday long run. We will be in Khorfakkan this wekeend for our LRC Training Camp. We will be in Khorfakkan this wekeend for our LRC Training Camp. All details or run distances, start times, and locations will be share in TrainnigPeaks and WhatsApp.
Please talk to Steph for further details.
SH@Innerfight.com
Monday:
We start the week with some upper-body pressing work and weighted push-ups as we build up to heavy 3 reps. Then, we'll move on to dumbbell bench presses and push presses before hitting a tough effort partner ski and burpee workout. Who's your partner?
Strength:
A) EMOM x 7 - 3 Weighted Push Ups
B) Every 90secs x 5 - 8 DB Bench Press (Tempo 20X1)
C) EMOM x 6 - 5/5 DB Push Press
Conditioning:
In Pairs 2000m ski
EMOM including minutes 1, 5 synchro burpees.
Tuesday:
We have some single-leg barbell good mornings at a nice tempo that will fire up your posterior, followed by a heavy barbell complex and running in the workout.
Strength:
Every 2mins x 5 - 6/leg staggered stance barbell good morning
(Tempo 30x1)
Conditioning:
25 min AMRAP
Park run
Into
6 Rounds Complex:
1 power clean
1 hang power
1 STOH
Wednesday:
Wednesday is about strict pulling strength, focusing on developing strict pull-ups and building more strength with sleds and dumbbells. The workout will test your grip and your shoulders!
Strength:
Alt EMOM x 10
A) 3-5 Strict Pull Ups
B) 5/5 Db Bent Over Row
C) Every 3mins x 5 - 1 Length Sled Pull
Conditioning:
For Time
30-20-10
DB Hang Snatch
100 DU after each set
Thursday:
On Thursday, we are progressing on our back squats and working in some power with jumping and some single-leg work before a nice triplet of rowing, rope climbs, and assault bike work.
Strength:
A) Max Distance Broad Jump
B) Every 2mins x 5 - 3 Back Squats (Tempo 30X1)
C) Every 90secs x 4 - 16-14-12-10 Db Reverse Lunges
Conditioning:
In a 3-minute window x 3
250/200m row
2 Rope Climb
AMRAP Cal Assualt Bike
Rest 2:00 mins
Friday:
Finishing the week off with some static gymnastics strength as an EMOM before hitting the workout, which will last for 30mins involves a barbell, some push-ups, and box jump-overs.
Strength:
EMOM x 9
A) 20sec L Sit Hang
B) 20 Sec Handstand Hold
C) 30sec Hollow Hold
Conditioning:
#FUF
ENGINE
Revisiting Mikkos with some over and under-threshold intervals.
GYMNASTICS
This week, we will spend some time on ring dips! Get read for isometric holds, eccentrics, strict work, and kipping progressions. We’ll prioritise lockout strength, crucial for pressing movements like handstand push-ups, strict presses, and jerks.
HYROX
We will take on a full HYROX for the race simulation. It can be done individually or in pairs.
MOBILITY
This weekend, the mobility focus is improving the range of motion in joints and muscles. Upper body mobility focuses on the shoulders, wrists, and T spine, helping with movements like reaching and rotating. Lower body mobility targets the hips, knees, and ankles, improving flexibility for activities like squats and lunges. Come join us to keep those bodies healthy.
PURE STRENGTH
In Pure Strength this week, we are hitting some cluster sets on the front squat on Monday, followed by some single leg work coupled with the bent-over rows. We are clustering the Bench Press and ring rows to build some push and pull strength, followed by some dumbbell Romanian Deadlifts on Wednesday.
WEIGHTLIFTING
For weightlifting this week, we will focus on the squat snatch. With a fun complex snatch pull, Hang squat snatch and OHS. Great technique session!
Monday Ride
A ride dedicated to group riding skills and some fitness. Coach Rob Foster leads this ride, if you'd like to join email rf@innerfight.com
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: The Loop Cafe, Bike DXB
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Friday - Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. This run is currently gearing run fitness towards the incoming half marathons. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Threshold training will often play a significant role in an athlete’s endurance program. A focussed threshold block, when properly implemented, can increase fitness levels in cyclists, runners and swimmers.
What is threshold training?
To most people, any type of ‘threshold training’ involves the maximum intensity someone is able to hold for up to 1 hour (if they’re cyclists or runners) or1-1.5K in the pool. However, we actually have two different thresholds and they’re both really important to understand.
The difference between lactate thresholds and ventilatory thresholds
You may have heard about the 1st threshold and 2nd threshold, or LT1/VT1 and LT2/VT2… these terms have become a lot more popular recently thanks to distance athletes using lactate measuring devices on YouTube.
LT simply means lactate threshold or turn point and VT means ventilatory threshold or turn point.
The first threshold comes around when exercise intensity initiates a disturbance in physiological homeostasis, intake of oxygen (O2) increases as does amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) exhaled. This usually coincides with the lactate concentration in the blood rising above normal resting levels.
Once this turn point is reached, we can simply define the exercise intensity as moderate. If you continue to exercise moderately or increase effort, you will soon find yourself closer to or at a vigorous intensity.
At this point, you’re working above the disturbance line of physiological homeostasis and on your way to reaching the 2nd threshold or the top end of vigorous activity.
Here we begin to breath in greater amounts of O2 but we stop being able to exhale the same volume of CO2 - this is called your maximum tidal volume. Lactate in the blood stream also rises and will continue to rise above 4mmol/L (depending on definition). If intensity remains the same at this stage you are unable to clear as much lactate as is being made and eventually exercise will cease.
Threshold training example for distance running
Let’s break this down into a simple example.
Think of the 1st threshold as your marathon or Ironman 70.3 distance intensity (Ironman distance for the extremely trained person), a fit person can hold intensity at or close to the 1st threshold for 3-4 hours without a drop in performance.
If using a zoning system think of this as the top of your zone 2 or bottom half of zone 3, you may also hear it referred to as ‘tempo’.
The 2nd turn point is what most people understand to be ‘threshold intensity’ or 10k run pace, sprint distance triathlon or a 40km cycling time trail. A fit person can exercise at or close to the 2nd threshold for 40 – 60mins. This intensity can also be referred to as zone 4.
How to implement threshold training
Hopefully the different thresholds make a bit more sense now... but how can we use threshold training to help us exercise more effectively?
Coaches often prescribe training zones or intensities for sessions, using power meters, heart rate, speed or pace to determine an athlete’s threshold. Each method has their own benefits and limitations, though they all share one thing in common – they are predicting and not measuring.
The only true way to calculate lactate threshold or ventilatory threshold is with a lactate meter or ventilation device.
Should you exercise above or below your lactate threshold?
When exercising below the 1st threshold we get physiological adaptions without a high cost. Lactate has not built up in the blood and therefore the metabolic cost is low, we can do more training hours here as essentially, we recover quicker.
When training above the 2nd threshold, we get a high amount of metabolic and muscular damage which comes with a cost of needing longer time to recover but also a benefit of adaptation. When exercising between the 1st and 2nd thresholds we get the cost of metabolic and muscular damage but not quite the same benefit of adaption we get when at or above the 2nd threshold.
This is why many coaches utilise the 80:20 rule.
Improve endurance performance with the 80:20 rule
If we want to increase our endurance performance, or ability to sustain pace, speed or watts over longer distances we should be very mindful of spending most of our time below our 1st threshold.
A great general rule of thumb (used by a lot of coaches) is the 80:20 rule. Simply put, 80% of time training is easy and 20% of the time training is very hard. There’s a lot of research that backs up this type of training, but let’s take a minute to understand why it works so well.
Exercising below the 1st threshold causes physiological adaptions without a high cost. Lactate has not built up in the blood and therefore the metabolic cost is low, so we can do more training hours here as we recover quicker.
When training above the 2nd threshold, we get a high amount of metabolic and muscular damage which comes with a cost of needing longer time to recover but also has the benefit of adaptation.
If you exercise between the 1st and 2nd thresholds, we get the cost of metabolic and muscular damage but not quite the same benefit of adaption we get when at or above the 2nd threshold.
The only exception to this rule is when doing event specific training, particularly for marathons or half Ironmans.
In these events a lot of time is going to be spent in zone 3, at or between the 1st and 2nd thresholds. It’s smart to train at that intensity to understand realistic paces and power – you definitely want to know what you’re up against! This block might only last for 6-8 weeks during a build up towards the race.
Outside of these events and thinking for an everyday amateur athlete, it’s important to understand where on the threshold scale your coach wants you to be. Ensure when your program requires you to be above the 2nd threshold you go hard and when below the 1st threshold you go easy!
Fun - Honesty - Simplicity - Smash Life - Mental Toughness - HARD WORK
Threshold training will often play a significant role in an athlete’s endurance program. A focussed threshold block, when properly implemented, can increase fitness levels in cyclists, runners and swimmers.
What is threshold training?
To most people, any type of ‘threshold training’ involves the maximum intensity someone is able to hold for up to 1 hour (if they’re cyclists or runners) or1-1.5K in the pool. However, we actually have two different thresholds and they’re both really important to understand.
The difference between lactate thresholds and ventilatory thresholds
You may have heard about the 1st threshold and 2nd threshold, or LT1/VT1 and LT2/VT2… these terms have become a lot more popular recently thanks to distance athletes using lactate measuring devices on YouTube.
LT simply means lactate threshold or turn point and VT means ventilatory threshold or turn point.
The first threshold comes around when exercise intensity initiates a disturbance in physiological homeostasis, intake of oxygen (O2) increases as does amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) exhaled. This usually coincides with the lactate concentration in the blood rising above normal resting levels.
Once this turn point is reached, we can simply define the exercise intensity as moderate. If you continue to exercise moderately or increase effort, you will soon find yourself closer to or at a vigorous intensity.
At this point, you’re working above the disturbance line of physiological homeostasis and on your way to reaching the 2nd threshold or the top end of vigorous activity.
Here we begin to breath in greater amounts of O2 but we stop being able to exhale the same volume of CO2 - this is called your maximum tidal volume. Lactate in the blood stream also rises and will continue to rise above 4mmol/L (depending on definition). If intensity remains the same at this stage you are unable to clear as much lactate as is being made and eventually exercise will cease.
Threshold training example for distance running
Let’s break this down into a simple example.
Think of the 1st threshold as your marathon or Ironman 70.3 distance intensity (Ironman distance for the extremely trained person), a fit person can hold intensity at or close to the 1st threshold for 3-4 hours without a drop in performance.
If using a zoning system think of this as the top of your zone 2 or bottom half of zone 3, you may also hear it referred to as ‘tempo’.
The 2nd turn point is what most people understand to be ‘threshold intensity’ or 10k run pace, sprint distance triathlon or a 40km cycling time trail. A fit person can exercise at or close to the 2nd threshold for 40 – 60mins. This intensity can also be referred to as zone 4.
How to implement threshold training
Hopefully the different thresholds make a bit more sense now... but how can we use threshold training to help us exercise more effectively?
Coaches often prescribe training zones or intensities for sessions, using power meters, heart rate, speed or pace to determine an athlete’s threshold. Each method has their own benefits and limitations, though they all share one thing in common – they are predicting and not measuring.
The only true way to calculate lactate threshold or ventilatory threshold is with a lactate meter or ventilation device.
Should you exercise above or below your lactate threshold?
When exercising below the 1st threshold we get physiological adaptions without a high cost. Lactate has not built up in the blood and therefore the metabolic cost is low, we can do more training hours here as essentially, we recover quicker.
When training above the 2nd threshold, we get a high amount of metabolic and muscular damage which comes with a cost of needing longer time to recover but also a benefit of adaptation. When exercising between the 1st and 2nd thresholds we get the cost of metabolic and muscular damage but not quite the same benefit of adaption we get when at or above the 2nd threshold.
This is why many coaches utilise the 80:20 rule.
Improve endurance performance with the 80:20 rule
If we want to increase our endurance performance, or ability to sustain pace, speed or watts over longer distances we should be very mindful of spending most of our time below our 1st threshold.
A great general rule of thumb (used by a lot of coaches) is the 80:20 rule. Simply put, 80% of time training is easy and 20% of the time training is very hard. There’s a lot of research that backs up this type of training, but let’s take a minute to understand why it works so well.
Exercising below the 1st threshold causes physiological adaptions without a high cost. Lactate has not built up in the blood and therefore the metabolic cost is low, so we can do more training hours here as we recover quicker.
When training above the 2nd threshold, we get a high amount of metabolic and muscular damage which comes with a cost of needing longer time to recover but also has the benefit of adaptation.
If you exercise between the 1st and 2nd thresholds, we get the cost of metabolic and muscular damage but not quite the same benefit of adaption we get when at or above the 2nd threshold.
The only exception to this rule is when doing event specific training, particularly for marathons or half Ironmans.
In these events a lot of time is going to be spent in zone 3, at or between the 1st and 2nd thresholds. It’s smart to train at that intensity to understand realistic paces and power – you definitely want to know what you’re up against! This block might only last for 6-8 weeks during a build up towards the race.
Outside of these events and thinking for an everyday amateur athlete, it’s important to understand where on the threshold scale your coach wants you to be. Ensure when your program requires you to be above the 2nd threshold you go hard and when below the 1st threshold you go easy!
Fun - Honesty - Simplicity - Smash Life - Mental Toughness - HARD WORK
One-Hour Workout: Revving Your Swim Engine
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