A commonly thrown-around phrase in gyms and fitness centers, SAQ training, is a functional exercise method that focuses on speed, agility, and quickness—hence, “SAQ.”
Speed, agility, and quickness are all physical qualities that often deploy themselves in real-life situations and in sports, which is why many gym-goers utilize SAQ training exercises. Even menial activities such as getting out of the car, walking your dog, or washing dirty dishes, for example, require strong reflexes in the case of an emergency. Preparing your body to react with speed, agility, and quickness in the blink of an eye is at the core of SAQ training.
Today we’re diving into the benefits of SAQ training.
Enhances Overall Athleticism
Rather than focusing on a specific part of the body, SAQ training works to develop physical skills that influence your overall fitness and athletic ability.
You never know when your body will need to quickly and safely react to a given situation, which is why intentionally preparing your body for whatever life throws it’s way pays off.
If you’ve been in one of our Team Training sessions or have joined us for a virtual treadmill class on iChuze Fitness, you may be familiar with the—often loved and hated simultaneously—treadmill incline, a classic SAQ exercise. While hearing “inclines up” over the loudspeaker may make you think your coach wants to invoke torture on you, the truth is, it is one of the most effective ways of building up those leg muscles and your endurance for an even faster run.
SAQ drills help you develop your acceleration, deceleration, reaction time, coordination, quickness, and focus. These are all skills necessary for athletic performance in all sports and physical activities and are a fabulous way to mix up your training sessions for some s-w-e-a-t.
Increase Confidence
With heightened athletic ability comes heightened confidence. When you trust your body’s agility, strength, quickness, and coordination, your mental headspace has less to worry about when put into situations that require athleticism.
The more you practice a specific skill, the more confident you’ll naturally become. Since SAQ training prepares your body for speed, agility, and quickness, you’ll become more confident in situations requiring these skills.
Think about the first time you lifted a dumbbell. Your arms were probably shaking, unable to finish your final curl on a fairly light weight. As you became more consistent with dumbbells over time, though, you got stronger and that weight got higher. Dumbbell exercises quickly became an enjoyable, and, dare we say, a fun exercise to do?
The same goes for other challenges, too. If you have yet to pick up a weight, change this example with anything in your life that took time and effort to improve. Better begets better because we get more confident. The same can be said for a SAQ exercise. Just like that treadmill example above, the incline will feel more and more manageable as you continue to build up your strength.
In everyday life, your body needs to have its reflexes ready to go at a moment’s notice. So, when you know you have strong physical skills and abilities, your mind feels less scared and more confident to go after your dreams, aspirations, and adventures.
Reduces Risk of Injury
Did you know that low confidence can increase your risk of injury even though your body may be physically ready to overcome the obstacle? The benefit of SAQ training is two-fold for reducing the risk of injury.
On a physical level, your body is more prepared to react quickly, gracefully, and agilely in a given situation. When you have better overall body mechanics, which SAQ training helps develop, your body is physically stronger. This reduces your risk of injury because your reaction is better than if you had not been training and working on your skills.
On a mental level, an increase in confidence can give you the mental boost it needs in a scary or difficult situation. This correlates with injury because your body and mind can take on more stress than if you had less confidence. Additionally, sometimes the safest decision may require a more challenging maneuver. With less confidence, your mind may want your body to take the easy way out, but doing so could expose you to more danger.
Our Team Training sessions offer the perfect opportunity for folks to test their limits and safely try out new training styles. Available live at your local Chuze Fitness, our Team Training classes provide encouragement from a professional trainer and positive reinforcement from being in a group setting.
As with all exercises, it is essential to practice proper form while continuing to build your muscles in a balanced way. Having an experienced professional right there to help you make micro-adjustments is one of the best ways you continue to thrive in your SAQ exercises for years to come.
As you can see, SAQ training provides a wide range of mental and physical benefits. Not sure how to get started with SAQ training? Here are some of our favorite exercises for beginners. Additionally, stop into your local Chuze Fitness to access top-tier fitness equipment and exercise spaces. With a wide range of amenities and resources, our team is here to support you through every step of your fitness journey.