Martin Gibala
Exercise physiologist at McMaster University, co-author of The One-Minute Workout
Martin Gibala is an exercise physiologist and professor of kinesiology at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada. His lab studies brief, intense interval training, including a trial in which three 20-second sprints in a 10-minute session matched 45 minutes of moderate cycling for fitness gains. He co-wrote The One-Minute Workout and co-authored a 2025 review that questioned Zone 2 as the best intensity for most people.
Updated November 1, 2026 · cited in 3 guides
Where our guides cite Martin Gibala
Their public positions, summarized in our words. Follow each link for the full context.
Outlive and Medicine 3.0 (Peter Attia)Oppose or doubt it
Co-authored a 2025 review concluding that evidence does not back Zone 2 as the optimal intensity for the general public, and that harder exercise matters more when training time is limited.
Sprint trainingSupport it
Led the trial showing three 20-second sprints in a 10-minute session matched 45 minutes of moderate cycling for fitness gains, and argues brief intense bursts are a time-efficient way to train.
Zone 2 cardioOppose or doubt it
Co-authored the 2025 review concluding that zone 2 is not the optimal intensity for mitochondrial or fat oxidation capacity, especially for people with limited training time.