SAID Principle
Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands - the body adapts specifically to training stresses.
Updated
SAID (Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands) is a fundamental training principle stating that the body will adapt specifically to the stresses placed upon it. Heavy weight training produces strength adaptations; endurance training produces cardiovascular adaptations. This principle underlies all effective program design and exercise selection.
Examples
- Want bigger muscles? Train for hypertrophy
- Want to run faster? Do speed work
- Body adapts to what you ask of it
Related Terms
Compound exercises
Put this into practice with exercises from the library.
Snatch Shrug
Olympic Weightlifting · Barbell
Snatch from Blocks
Olympic Weightlifting · Barbell
Speed Box Squat
Powerlifting · Barbell
Speed Squats
Strength · Barbell
Spell Caster
Strength · Dumbbell
Spider Crawl
Strength · Bodyweight
Split Clean
Olympic Weightlifting · Barbell
Split Jerk
Olympic Weightlifting · Barbell
Common questions
What is SAID Principle?
Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands - the body adapts specifically to training stresses. SAID (Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands) is a fundamental training principle stating that the body will adapt specifically to the stresses placed upon it.
What exercises train the SAID Principle?
Good options include Snatch Shrug, Snatch from Blocks, Speed Box Squat, Speed Squats, Spell Caster. Each links to a step-by-step guide with demonstration images.
What are examples of SAID Principle?
Want bigger muscles? Train for hypertrophy; Want to run faster? Do speed work; Body adapts to what you ask of it.
Put it into practice
12-Week Muscle Building · £29
A 12-week, four-day hypertrophy plan in three phases, with a modest calorie surplus