Abu Dhabi Saracens have shown their determination to be in fighting shape when the UAE Premiership starts by enlisting dedicated fitness professionals for the first time to put on a gruelling pre-season schedule.
The capital side enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last time out, making their debut in the elite Gulf Top Six competition Despite taking massive strides, Sarries finished bottom of the table after winning only two games, with a lack of stamina one of their main weaknesses.
The club have moved to end this problem, by seeking the help of CrossFit Yas by Vogue Fitness to work the players hard when they return to training on June 23.
“We were the least fit team in the Gulf Top Six last season,” Saracens vice-chairman Jaques Barnard told Sport360°. “This will add massively to our team for next season’s challenges.
“In all the games we played, we were in the ones we lost for the first 60 minutes but then we ran out of gas because we were unfit.
“We have targeted this as a big area in which we can improve. CrossFit Yas by Vogue Fitness will get us in shape during a tough preseason, and then hopefully stay on as consultants when the action properly starts.
“Abu Dhabi Saracens are always looking to innovate, and this is yet another example of that approach.”
CrossFit Yas by Vogue Fitness are a health and fitness company, who are preparing to open an exciting new gym and crossfit facility at Yas Marina.
They will be using a wide variety of interesting fitness programs with Saracens, broken into two five-week blocks.
The opening part will be purely about conditioning, with intensive sessions being carried out at the CrossFit gym and Saracens’ Al Ghazal ground.
The second period will be closely interlinked with traditional rugby coaching, combining fitness and sporting skills ahead of the UAE Premiership beginning in October.
The club also hope to make an announcement soon on the makeup of their coaching staff for the season ahead.
