digit-argument + negative-argument = Great way to maintain editing tempo.

For example:

• to capitalize three words forward, you can do M-3 M-c.
• for three words backward, you can apply the negative argument: M-- M-3 M-c

This way, your hand don't need to move away from the meta key and maintain editing tempo.

Note: For Doom Emacs, M-- is mapped to decrease font size instead, which I don't use often, so I have to switch it back:

(global-set-key (kbd "M--") 'negative-argument)