10 Ironman 70.3 Zone 3 / Tempo Example Bike Sessions

Summary:
Zone 3 bike training, typically performed at 76–90% of FTP, 80–87% of maximum heart rate or an RPE of 5–6, plays a key role in Ironman 70.3 bike development by building sustainable power, efficiency and fatigue resistance at higher race-relevant intensity. These tempo workouts sit between easy endurance and threshold, allowing athletes to accumulate quality riding without excessive recovery cost. Rather than chasing intensity, Zone 3 training improves pacing control and durability, helping athletes maintain smooth, controlled power output across long sections of the 90 km (56 mile) bike leg and arrive at the run composed, fuelled and ready to execute.

Why Ironman 70.3 Tempo Bike Training Matters

Tempo bike training plays a central role in Ironman 70.3 preparation because it develops the ability to sustain controlled power at a higher relative intensity without accumulating excessive fatigue. While endurance riding builds the aerobic foundation and threshold work raises the upper limit of sustainable output, Zone 3 training occupies the space just above easy endurance where control, efficiency and pacing discipline are refined under race-relevant pressure. This makes tempo work especially valuable for teaching athletes how to manage effort across the 90 km (56 mile) bike leg without forcing intensity or relying on surges that compromise fuelling and consistency before the run.

Zone 3 bike training targets an effort that feels purposeful yet controlled, sitting closer to race intensity in Ironman 70.3 than in full-distance racing. This is a slightly more demanding version of Zone 2, where lactate production increases but can still be managed effectively, allowing athletes to hold steady power with smooth cadence and stable breathing under sustained load. This makes tempo riding well suited to accumulating quality bike volume while reinforcing pacing discipline at speed. Repeated exposure to Zone 3 work improves durability, limits late-session fade and supports controlled riding under fatigue, helping athletes arrive at the run strong, composed and ready to execute.

This may help you: Triathlon Training: What Is Zone 3 / Tempo Workouts?

Metrics Guide for Tempo Bike Training

Understanding how tempo bike training is measured helps ensure sessions are executed at the correct intensity and deliver their intended effect in Ironman 70.3 preparation. Zone 3 sits between easy endurance and threshold, which makes clear metrics essential for keeping effort controlled rather than drifting too hard or becoming too relaxed during longer bike sessions where intensity sits closer to race demand.

Heart rate measures how frequently the heart beats per minute and reflects the body’s internal response to effort. It is used to estimate how hard the cardiovascular system is working relative to an athlete’s maximum or threshold heart rate. FTP or Functional Threshold Power represents the highest average power an athlete can sustain at threshold intensity for approximately one hour and is used as a reference point for defining cycling zones and expressing intensity relative to sustainable effort. RPE or Rate of Perceived Exertion describes how hard a session feels to the athlete on a subjective scale and provides a practical reference for regulating effort alongside power and heart rate, particularly during longer 70.3-specific efforts.

Tempo Bike Metrics

• Power: 76–90% of FTP

• Heart Rate: 80–87% of max HR

• RPE: 5–6

• Effort: Moderately hard

• Use the FLJUGA Heart Rate Zone Calculator to find your exact Zone 3 range.

These metrics define an intensity that allows meaningful quality riding to be accumulated without excessive strain while remaining closely aligned with Ironman 70.3 race demands. Staying within this range ensures tempo bike sessions remain repeatable and support durability, pacing control and efficient power delivery across the 90 km bike leg. When effort is clearly defined and consistently respected, Zone 3 bike training becomes a reliable foundation for Ironman 70.3 bike development rather than a grey-area effort that compromises recovery or training balance.

This may help you: Triathlon Training Zones 1–5 Explained: Why They Matter

10 Example Tempo Bike Workouts for Ironman 70.3

1. Steady Tempo Ride

• Purpose: Build consistent aerobic power at 70.3 race effort

• Warm-Up: 15 min spin

• Main Set: 2 x 30 min @ Zone 3 (5 min easy spin between)

• Cool-Down: 10 min easy spin

2. Broken Tempo Intervals

• Purpose: Sustain tempo load in focused blocks

• Warm-Up: 15 min spin

• Main Set: 5 x 12 min @ Zone 3 (4 min easy spin between)

• Cool-Down: 10 min easy spin

3. Progressive Tempo Build

• Purpose: Transition smoothly from aerobic to tempo effort

• Warm-Up: 15 min spin

• Main Set: 20 min @ Zone 2 + 25 min @ Zone 3

• Cool-Down: 10 min easy spin

4. Long Tempo Hold

• Purpose: Train steady-state pacing under race conditions

• Warm-Up: 15 min spin

• Main Set: 1 x 75 min @ Zone 3

• Cool-Down: 10 min easy spin

5. Tempo Pyramid

• Purpose: Add variety to tempo volume with increasing/decreasing sets

• Warm-Up: 15 min spin

• Main Set: 15 / 20 / 25 / 20 / 15 min @ Zone 3 (5 min easy spin between)

• Cool-Down: 10 min easy spin

6. Over/Under Tempo Set

• Purpose: Improve control by alternating between high Zone 2 and Zone 3

• Warm-Up: 15 min spin

• Main Set: 5 x (5 min @ Zone 2 + 10 min @ Zone 3)

• Cool-Down: 10 min easy spin

7. Tempo with Big Gear Focus

• Purpose: Build muscular endurance while sustaining Zone 3 output

• Warm-Up: 15 min spin + cadence drills

• Main Set: 4 x 15 min @ Zone 3 in a big gear (5 min easy spin between)

• Cool-Down: 10 min easy spin

8. Tempo Finish Ride

• Purpose: Teach strong finishing effort after aerobic build

• Warm-Up: 15 min spin

• Main Set: 30 min @ Zone 2 + 20 min @ Zone 3

• Cool-Down: 10 min easy spin

9. Double Block Tempo

• Purpose: Accumulate sustained Zone 3 load with recovery

• Warm-Up: 15 min spin

• Main Set: 2 x 30 min @ Zone 3 (10 min easy spin between)

• Cool-Down: 10 min easy spin

10. Race Simulation Tempo Ride

• Purpose: Mimic 70.3 race intensity for distance confidence

• Warm-Up: 15 min spin

• Main Set: 90 min @ Zone 3

• Cool-Down: 10 min easy spin

Common Mistakes with Zone 3 Bike Training

Zone 3 bike sessions are highly effective for building sustainable power and pacing control in Ironman 70.3 preparation, but only when they are executed with discipline and intent. Because tempo riding sits at a Moderately hard intensity and close to race demand, it is easy for effort to drift too high or for sessions to quietly become more fatiguing than planned. Avoiding these common mistakes helps ensure Zone 3 work supports durability and consistency rather than undermining recovery or run performance.

• Riding too hard for too long:
  Allowing Zone 3 efforts to creep toward threshold for extended periods significantly increases fatigue without improving the intended training effect. Tempo sessions should feel purposeful but controlled, leaving athletes able to complete the work with stable power and good form rather than grinding through prolonged discomfort that requires excessive recovery.

• Allowing effort to gradually rise:
  Letting effort increase steadily across a tempo session often shows up as heart rate climbing for the same power, breathing becoming more strained and perceived effort rising late in the ride. Allowing effort to creep upward increases fatigue, reduces repeatability and shifts the session away from its intended purpose of controlled, sustainable work aligned with Ironman 70.3 race demands.

• Overusing tempo rides:
  While Zone 3 work is valuable, relying on it too frequently can crowd out lower intensity endurance riding and compromise recovery across the training week. Tempo sessions are most effective when placed deliberately alongside easier rides that support aerobic development, volume accumulation and long-term consistency.

• Poor fuelling during longer sessions:
  Tempo rides in Ironman 70.3 training often last long enough to require structured fuelling. Failing to fuel adequately commonly results in rising heart rate, falling power and declining concentration late in the session, turning controlled work into unnecessary fatigue. Consistent fuelling supports stable effort, preserves session quality and reduces recovery cost.

• Skipping warm-ups or cool-downs:
  Although Zone 3 is not maximal, it still places meaningful load on the body. Skipping warm-ups often leads to stiff, unresponsive legs early in the session, while skipping cool-downs can leave the legs heavy and slow to recover, negatively affecting training quality in the days that follow.

When applied with restraint and consistency, Zone 3 bike training builds control, confidence and durability for Ironman 70.3 racing. By managing effort carefully, fuelling appropriately and respecting recovery, these sessions become a reliable foundation for half-distance bike preparation rather than a source of accumulated fatigue.

This may help you: How to Train for Ironman 70.3: The Complete Training Guide

FAQ: Ironman 70.3 Zone 3 / Tempo Bike Training

What is Zone 3 bike training for Ironman 70.3?
Zone 3 bike training for Ironman 70.3 involves sustained tempo efforts that sit between endurance and threshold, designed to build controlled power, pacing discipline and durability across the 90 km (56 mile) bike leg.

How does Zone 3 bike training differ from Zone 2 in 70.3 preparation?
Zone 2 focuses on building the aerobic base and supporting volume accumulation, while Zone 3 applies greater sustained pressure closer to race intensity. Zone 3 reinforces control at higher output without the recovery cost of threshold work.

Is Zone 3 close to race pace in Ironman 70.3?
For many athletes, Zone 3 closely reflects Ironman 70.3 race effort. Training in this zone helps athletes practise holding steady power at a level they are likely to sustain on race day.

How often should Zone 3 bike sessions be used in a 70.3 plan?
Most Ironman 70.3 athletes benefit from one dedicated Zone 3 bike session per week, adjusted based on total bike volume, recovery capacity and training phase.

Should Zone 3 bike training feel hard?
Zone 3 bike training should feel purposeful and controlled, not strained. Effort should be sustainable, allowing stable power output and consistent cadence without forcing intensity.

Can Zone 3 bike training improve the run off the bike in Ironman 70.3?
Yes. By reinforcing pacing control and reducing excessive fatigue on the bike, Zone 3 training supports better run execution and helps athletes start the half marathon in a more composed state.

FURTHER READING: BUILD YOUR IRONMAN 70.3 Tempo

• Ironman 70.3 Training: What Is Zone 2 / Endurance?

• Ironman 70.3 Training: What Is Zone 3 / Tempo?

• Ironman 70.3 Training: What Is Zone 4 / Threshold?

• Ironman 70.3 Training: What Is Zone 5 / VO2 Max?

Ironman 70.3 Tempo Sessions

• Ironman 70.3 Swim Training: 10 Tempo Sessions

• Ironman 70.3 Run Training: 10 Tempo Sessions

• Ironman 70.3 Training: Recovery Week

• Ironman 70.3: Beginner’s Guide

Final Thoughts

Zone 3 bike training sits at the point where control matters most in Ironman 70.3 preparation, developing the ability to hold steady power at race-relevant intensity without compromising consistency, fuelling or run execution. When applied deliberately and supported by appropriate endurance volume and recovery, tempo riding reinforces pacing discipline and efficient power delivery across the 90 km (56 mile) bike leg, helping athletes arrive at the run composed, prepared and ready to execute rather than simply having endured the ride.

Always consult with a medical professional or certified coach before beginning any new training program. The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized advice.