#ModerateExercise

Zone 2 training—once a niche exercise concept reserved for elite endurance athletes—has taken the global fitness scene by storm, attracting both health-conscious beginners and seasoned gym-goers. As new research and expert opinions pile up, this moderate-intensity approach is being celebrated for its sustainable fat-burning benefits and overall cardiovascular health, all without the demands of punishing high-intensity sessions. For Thai readers navigating the challenges of urban living, rising obesity rates, and pandemic fatigue, Zone 2 offers a practical, accessible path to improved wellbeing.

A new fitness trend is gaining momentum worldwide — and it’s not about pushing your body to its limits. Zone 2 training, dubbed the “fat-burning zone,” is making headlines for offering the promise of significant health and fat loss benefits without the grueling exhaustion of high-intensity workouts. As scientific research and health experts validate its effectiveness, Zone 2 training could reshape how Thais approach exercise, weight management, and disease prevention in everyday life.

A growing body of research and expert analysis warns that High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)—long promoted as the ultimate quick and efficient fitness solution—may pose serious health risks for adults over 50. As Thailand’s population ages, understanding which exercises truly benefit longevity and wellbeing is critical for turning back the clock not just on the surface, but deep within our bodies.

The concern over HIIT and similar high-intensity workouts lies in how older bodies respond to extreme exercise. According to the recent article published by Journee Mondiale (journee-mondiale.com), fitness professionals and medical researchers no longer consider HIIT universally safe for the over-50 crowd. The main culprit appears to be the body’s stress response: HIIT can trigger a surge in cortisol, the so-called ‘stress hormone.’ For adults over 50—especially women undergoing menopause—this cortisol spike may amplify hormonal imbalances, contribute to sleep issues, spark chronic inflammation, and promote fat accumulation around the waist, all maladies already associated with aging. Sports medicine specialists note that the long-term elevation of cortisol could counteract the cardiovascular benefits of exercise, raising the risk of heart problems.