Periodization 101: Legendary Coach Joe Friel’s Take on Structuring Your Training Plan

Описание: In this episode of the Fast Talk Podcast from Fast Talk Laboratories, we explore one of the most powerful—and often misunderstood—concepts in endurance training:

👉 Periodization.

It may sound intimidating—filled with terms like mesocycles, transition phases, and specificity—but periodization is simply the art of structuring your training over time to achieve peak performance. Whether you’re a full-time pro or juggling training with work and family, a basic periodized plan can help you make the most of your time.

To help us break it all down, we’re joined by legendary coach Joe Friel, author of The Cyclist’s Training Bible, and one of the first to bring periodization to cycling in the 1990s.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ What periodization actually means—and why it’s not just for pros
✅ How to apply core principles like overload, specificity, reversibility, and individualization
✅ The pros and cons of linear, reverse, block, and undulating periodization
✅ How to choose the right periodization strategy based on your goals, time, and training history
✅ Why even riders with just 6–8 hours per week can benefit from a structured plan
✅ How modern tools like Zwift can fit into (or complicate) periodized training

You’ll also hear the history of periodization—from its Soviet origins to its widespread adoption in endurance sports—and learn how to avoid common mistakes when planning your season.

🎧 Whether you’re new to structured training or ready to level up your approach, this episode will help you train with more purpose and long-term vision.

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