Zonesense readings
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@VoiGAS ZoneSense works flawlessly. The challenge lies in understanding it, which takes time for some users. The more experienced an athlete is—particularly those who have relied for decades on pace, heart rate, or power to analyze their training—the more effort is required to adapt to a new model. Dismissing the algorithm altogether is simply denial. Still, it’s understandable; traditional methods have proven effective for thousands of athletes.
ZoneSense was developed by Suunto in collaboration with MoniCardi, a research-driven company from Tampere University. It’s built on scientifically validated methods that analyze heart rate variability to detect intensity zones in real time. The algorithm doesn’t “work for some and not for others” — it applies the same physiological principles consistently to all users.
If the results feel inconsistent, it’s not the algorithm that’s flawed, but a misunderstanding of how it functions. Unlike fixed-threshold zone models, ZoneSense adapts dynamically to your body’s real-time responses. It demands a shift in mindset, not a rejection of its legitimacy.
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@Łukasz-Szmigiel True! @Ghost : I don’t say it has no legatimicy and agree on the last part: It needs a shift. And that should be clear: If you want to use Zonesense you have to invest time and effort.
I did and will try even more in the future without a positive result. I just think the rea tion to criticism shouldn’t be: Its your own fault.
But to be fair ‘Zonesense Nonsense’ is a little bit provocative too… -
@Ghost I admit that I forgot that Zonesense is designed for longer, more stable workouts. I read it once, a long time ago. But if I need to change my entire training because of some unproven theory, then it’s just not for me. This is for someone who is just starting to run. Everything is progressing, including the measurement of sports activities. This certainly does not mean that it is right, time will tell.
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@Ghost completely agree - and I think you are right about it being difficult for people who relied on certain systems like interpreting HR / Pace / Power etc. to quantify their performance to change or adapt to a new system, especially when this new system doesn’t relate in a way they expect.
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@VoiGAS ZoneSense is a game changer for me.
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@Ghost I never said its nonsense, if you read my last post you can see that I also think its not ok to call Zonesense nonsense!
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@VoiGAS my apologies. Edited.
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@Dragan There are six in-depth videos demonstrating that it’s 100% reliable, proven, effective, and efficient — all validated by solid research. RPE, which is widely used by elite athletes to manage training intensity through internal perception, is the closest proxy to what ZoneSense captures. That said, I fully respect those who feel they’re losing touch with familiar methods. Sticking with what makes training enjoyable is part of what keeps sport meaningful.
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@Dragan The example that you provided is not what ZS is intended for, I think you realize that now. I completely agree with @Ghost, ZS is a game changer for me and I use ZS for most runs. (Not for 2 min hill intervals that I just finished a block of). After using RPE to gauge my runs for well over a decade ZS matches my RPE well. Where ZS is especially useful are long runs where I feel fatigued by the end and don’t think I should. ZS confirms my feelings are accurate. I will use ZS to better adjust my efforts at the beginning of ultras.
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@ChrisA I think for a generation of Whoop/Garmin/Oura kids who cannot remember a time when the only running watch was a timex ironman this can probably be very frustrating. We have so many people now that rely on their watches to tell them what to feel or think about a workout. I think it is super important for any athlete to not rely on algorithms and upsold company metrics to tell you how a run went.
The magic of Suunto and the runners that it sponsors like Courtney Dauwalter is that they will not promise you gimmicks like body battery and stress scores. They will tell you to learn how to listen to your body as you start to build fitness. They will tell you to check in with your body daily to determine how you feel rather that look at a smartphone app.
RPE mixed with heart rate tracking can be a huge part of learning how to train. Zone Sense helps me confirm that information. But it is not a magic button and it does take some savvy and dare I say research (ie reading what kind of workout it is actually for) to understand what it is that it is tell you.
One example I have is I did a long intervals session where I thought the RPE was 9-10. The intervals were long enough to register with zonesense and how I interpreted the information was maybe I could have done a bit more.
