Stew Smith, CSCS®

Stew Smith is a former Navy SEAL and fitness author certified as a strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. If you are interested in starting a workout program to create a healthy lifestyle, check out his Fitness eBook store and the Stew Smith article archive on Military.com. Contact Stew with your comments and questions at stew@stewsmith.com.

Latest Articles

Hospital Corpsman Third Class Dru Calloway conducts push-ups aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina.

The 5 Most Effective Push-Up and Pull-Up Workouts

Simply performing more reps is a logical start, but how you structure your training volume can mean the difference between...

(Senior Airman Jessi Monte/U.S. Air Force photo)

How Much Weekly Running Is Advisable for Military Special Operations Training?

It's better to build your cardio so that running a 7-minute mile pace for 4--6 miles feels sustainable, rather than just...

Airmen with the 157th Air Refueling Wing, New Hampshire Air National Guard, perform a litter carry as part of a multi-day military readiness exercise at Pease Air National Guard Base, Newington, N.H..

The Physiological Costs of High-Stress Military Training

These exercises build resilience and readiness by simulating combat conditions that involve high stress, including...

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Ed Scherzer, with the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, performs a demonstration on the dip bar on Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.

How a Low-Cost Home Gym Can Produce Big Fitness Benefits

For less than a $200 investment, you can have a functional home gym capable of keeping you in top shape and even preparing...

Participants run through a series of drills and exercises at Fort Drum, New York.

The Best Strategy to Rebuild Your Mileage After Sustaining a Running Injury

Not all injuries are created equal, but when an injury prevents you from running for more than six months, you should build...

Chief Warrant Officer Greg Gransback uses an elliptical trainer at the gym on Camp Victory, Iraq.

How to Gauge Where to Begin a Fitness Program

What is a good workout for someone who is just starting a fitness plan?

1st Lt. Molly Reagan, assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, performs kettlebell front squats as part of the 'Strongest All American' weightlifting competition during All American Week 2024 at Fort Liberty, North Carolina.

How to Create a Military Fitness Workout on the Fly Despite Limited Resources

If you have only half the time you usually do to train, you can either skip working out or get something done during the time...

Individuals scheduled for boot camp complete a 1.5-mile run during a Marine Corps Recruiting Station Jacksonville pool function March 22, 2025, at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Jacksonville, Florida.

The Best Way to Increase Your Running Mileage to Prepare for Military Fitness Tests

Training to run faster is a common issue for people serving in the military.

Physical fitness training during Basic Combat Training

Are You Made for the Military? Traits That Predict Basic Training Success

While your natural tendencies may set the stage, your development during training plays a crucial role in your overall...

Update Your CPR Knowledge and Save a Life

Since 2000, international guidelines on CPR have changed three times, the latest in 2015.

U.S. Navy Cmdr. Jeff Dee, commanding officer of Naval Operations Support Center at Offutt Air Force Base Neb., performs a weight-vest push-up inside the Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, Field House gym.

How This Weight-Vest Calisthenics Workout Will Test Your Military Fitness Level

Once you have achieved a moderately high level of abilities with your body weight, the next option is to increase the weight...

A U.S. soldier assigned to the 20th Engineer Brigade powers through a bench-press attempt during the Castle Week powerlifting competition at Fort Bragg, N.C.

The Best Strategies to Recover from a Heavy Weightlifting Training Cycle

When training specifically to improve your performance, especially in the strength and power components of fitness, it can be...

U.S. Army battalion commanders from 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, use resistance bands to complete a leg exercise at a special physical training session at Fort Polk, Louisiana.

6 Tips to Improve Your Fitness and Save Money

Many people assume their fitness journey must include pricey gym memberships or high-cost home equipment, but establishing a...

A U.S. Marine with Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, Marine Forces Command, Marine Forces Northern Command, performs a pull-up during the Murph Challenge at Camp Elmore, Norfolk, Virginia.

The Full-Body Military Fitness Workout Adaptable to Any Situation

Whether you have full or limited equipment, this full-body circuit offers a time-efficient workout.

Should You Drink Milk Before Going to Bed?

While billions of people do not drink milk at all, billions do or consume dairy products, providing another option to obtain...

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