How to Build VO2 max Year Round! (#293)

How to Build VO2 max Year Round! (#293)

25:55 Feb 11, 2026
About this episode
OVERVIEWShould cyclists incorporate VO2 max work year round or focus VO2 max work on only select periods of the year? Coach Adam Pulford tackles this listener question in Episode 293 of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast". Key ideas include the fact that VO2 max is influenced by training at several different intensities, so you can work on VO2 max without always doing high-intensity intervals. When it comes to high-intensity intervals, Coach Adam provides guidance on scheduling workouts and rest days, provides examples of effective VO2 max interval workouts, and when it makes sense to adjust annual periodization plans to incorporate high intensity intervals at unconventional times of year. TOPICS COVEREDVO2 max is influenced by all training intensitiesWhy you shouldn't train VO2 max intensity all year longHow training intensities work togetherSample Zone 5, high intensity workoutsWhy you should do Zone 5 VO2 work at every two monthsOther ways to build VO2 max off the bikeASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTHOSTAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete
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