Conditioning: Aerobic Base Part 3 — Common Pitfalls
Aerobic work is one of the most underrated superpowers in fitness — but most people either get frustrated too early or accidentally sabotage their results.
Here are the major pitfalls to avoid when building your aerobic engine:
✅ Training Too Hard
Zone 2 is supposed to feel easy — almost boring.
If your heart rate climbs too high (above Zone 2), you're no longer training your aerobic system efficiently.
Instead, you're pushing into glycolytic (sugar-burning) work, which misses the point and slows your base development.
➔ Golden Rule:
If you can’t carry on a conversation without gasping for air, you’re going too hard.
Keep it truly conversational, even if it feels "too slow" at first.
✅ Using Only One Tool
Running 5–6x per week sounds hardcore — but it often leads to joint stress, overuse injuries, and burnout.
Variety is key for building a resilient engine without wrecking your body.
Better Strategy:
Mix running with biking, rowing, rucking, hiking, sled drags, incline walking, etc.
Choose low-impact options to keep the aerobic work high and the pounding low.
✅ Quitting Too Early
Aerobic development is a long game.
Expect 6–12 weeks of consistent, steady work before you feel a real difference.
You might feel “stuck” in the early weeks, but if you stay patient, your energy systems transform under the surface — better recovery between lifts, easier conditioning sessions, better mental focus, even better sleep.
➔ Aerobic gains aren't always obvious until one day... they are.
🚫 Common Mistakes Checklist:
🚫 Pushing Zone 2 sessions too fast (sabotaging adaptations)
🚫 Running-only programs that beat up joints
🚫 Expecting results in 2–3 weeks and giving up
✅ Keys to Success:
Stay slow and steady.
Use multiple machines and movement types.
Be consistent for months, not weeks.
When you build a true aerobic base, everything in training feels easier: lifting heavier, sprinting faster, recovering better, and dominating longer.
🔗 HTC 365 conditions you like an athlete — with smart aerobic blocks built into the bigger training picture.
7-day free trial — start building your engine today.