Originally Posted by
hhnngg1
I still think your definition of hammering as strictly zone5 stuff is wayyy too narrow. Most cyclists don't limit hammering to max-HR zone5 work. My zone4 and even upper zone3 stuff is hard (and fast) enough that I and most nonelite riders would consider it hammering, but I can hold that zone4 for a good 45-60 minutes.
You're really talking about sprinting or all out efforts, which can be sustained for short periods, like 5 minutes or less. That's hammering too, but a very specific part of it.
Obviously OP should do a range of training, but riding fairly hard should be a big part of it if he wants to get faster. Doing sprints all-out is part of that, but obviously cannot be even close to a majority of it - even a professional cannot train at zone5 HR all the time, or even close to it.
absolutely, hammering is subjective to each rider, anything in my zone 4 for me is just barely pushing it and doesn't tire me too bad, its my zone 5 that tends to make me feel like I'm giving a maximum effort (as it should) and am hammering.
I could easily discern that the guys I ride with might not feel like they are hammering when I'm trying to keep up with them on tuesdays and I"M hammering.