In the recreational cycling community, what type of training do you find most effective for improving your performance? 1) High-intensity training (HIIT), 2) Long-distance steady-pace training, 3) Mixed training with intervals. Tell us which one you choose and what advantages you find in that method. Does it help you climb faster, maintain endurance, or vary the load? We look forward to your opinions!
What are your favorite training methods as a recreational cyclist?
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I usually combine mixed training with intervals, though I like to alternate HIIT and long-distance sessions depending on what the week calls for. A couple of years ago, when I started using cycling to complement my soccer training, I found that 2-minute intervals at high cadence followed by 3-minute recovery periods helped me climb hills faster and maintain sustained power in sprints. Plus, mixing those blocks with 60–80 km rides at a steady pace really boosted my aerobic endurance without letting my body hit a plateau.
The biggest advantage of this mixed approach is variety—it not only improves my explosive response but also keeps things fresh and lowers the risk of overuse. After a week packed with intervals, I notice I recover quicker in long sessions and my lactate threshold is higher, which means I can sustain more speed on weekend rides. In short, mixed training gives me the best of both worlds: the power to climb hills fast and the endurance to keep a strong pace over long distances.