So, my Garmin 530 has been harping on my workout rides being “unproductive” because I’m “too focused on high intensity activities.”

So, I’ve tried doing some Zone 2 rides. I have two questions.

One: I’ve read that Zone 2 rides need to be “long” but, I’ve only got about an hour a day for riding (except most Sundays). Is a 1 hour Zone 2 ride still beneficial?

Two: I have no problem maintaining Zone 2 on the flat, but when I’ve got to climb, even in my easiest gear, my HR fairly quickly goes into Zone 3. How do you stay in Zone 2 when you have no choice but to climb a hill?