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

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Caine Nielsen, 19th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal NCO in charge of EOD equipment, performs the trap-bar deadlift at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas.

What Air Force Bomb Techs Should Know About Their New Fitness Test

Beginning in August, those in EOD roles will no longer be required to complete the standard 1.5-mile run, push-ups and sit...

U.S. Army Sgt. Zarinadel Diazinga conducts kettlebell swings during SETAF-AF’s sergeant’s time circuit training at Caserma Del Din, Vicenza, Italy.

The Essential Workout for Service Members Performing Load-Bearing Military Activities

The combination of leg and core strength, along with cardio conditioning through weight movement, makes you better at rucking...

The Best At-Home Fitness Exercises Without a Lot of Equipment

To achieve any health, wellness or fitness goal, consider incorporating movement throughout the day to break up prolonged...

U.S. Marines assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Guard prepare to transport a simulated casualty on a stretcher during a casualty evacuation exercise at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

What Service Members Should Do to Prepare for Casualty Evacuations

CASEVAC tests every facet of physical strength and endurance, as well as team cohesiveness, leadership and communications.

U.S. Army Pfc. Eileen Vasquez, a soldier with 24th Military Intelligence Battalion, 66th MI Brigade, swims 100 meters in uniform for the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge at a swimming pool in Wiesbaden, Hessen, D.E.

The Best Workouts to Improve Your Swimming Times on Military Fitness Tests

When you are a non-swimming athlete and your time in the pool is basically limited to backyard games such as Marco Polo and...

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Alissa Platukis performs the sandbag throw event during the 8th Army Best Squad Competition at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex, South Korea.

How the Growth of Tactical Fitness Has Improved the Military

The concept of the "tactical athlete" is a relatively recent development in military fitness training.

How Your Eating Habits Affect Sleep Quality

Understanding the relationship between the stomach, brain and sleep can lead to more restful nights, as well as increased...

Battlefield Airmen Preparatory Course candidates participate in physical exercises at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

The Best Strategy to Recover from a Running Injury Without Overdoing It

Resuming running mileage after an injury and some recovery time can often create a training dilemma that could lead to...

A soldier makes a smoothie at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, on March 6, 2025.

How 'Hard Gainers' in the Military Can Add Weight Healthily

The old saying is that if you want to get big, you must eat big and lift big. Science confirms this, but it is more...

Capt. Richard Kresser, Headquarters Company, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, runs down one of many hills in the ‘Run to Remember’ half-marathon (13.1 miles) at Forward Operating Base Masum Ghar, Afghanistan.

How to Improve Your Mobility and Running in One Workout

Whether you're preparing for a fitness test, looking to increase your running performance, or simply seeking a challenging...

U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Officer candidates prepare for the next activity during an assessment and selection process at Hurlburt Field, Florida.

How to Balance Preparing for Special Operations with Playing a Sport

If you are a competitive athlete considering adding a Special Operations prep program to your routine, it's important to...

The Do's and Don'ts for Training Safely in Extreme Heat

Many special operations dreams have ended in the heat of rigorous physical activity during selection, just as it occurs in...

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...

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What Air Force Bomb Techs Should Know About Their New Fitness Test

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