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

Sgt. Alexander Otruba, assigned to the 10th Mountain Division, completes a set of push-ups during the Ranger Physical Fitness Assessment as part of the XVIII Airborne Corps Best Squad Competition on April 15, 2025, at Fort Campbell, Ky.

How Special Operations Candidates Should Approach Workouts to Become Stronger

Strength training for the tactical athlete is not exactly the same as what football players and powerlifters do to prepare...

Staff Sgt. Alyana Vasquez exercises on an elliptical machine at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, Jan. 11, 2023.

How Combining Cardio and Strength Training Benefits Your Brain

Aerobic exercise and strength training offer unique and complementary benefits for brain health, according to a growing body...

The Unintended Consequences of Skipping a Workout (and What You Can Do About It)

When you skip a workout, the session isn't just forgotten. Unfinished tasks weigh on your mind, mentally distracting you with...

Sgt. Amber Kelly conducts a max set of kettlebell deadlifts in 60 seconds as instructor Nicole Freres counts her repetitions during the 2017 Tactical Athlete Competition Preliminaries at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.

What Having Stronger Legs Can Do for You

Stronger legs are not just for muscle heads in the gym.

U.S. Navy SEAL candidates from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) class 286 participate in a training exercise at Naval Base Coronado in Coronado, Calif.

Navy SEAL Timeline: From Acceptance to Training

Since its inception in 2014, SEAL Officer Assessment and Selection (SOAS) has served as an important step in screening...

An Indiana Guardsman completes the plank portion of the Army combat fitness test at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, during the Best Warrior Competition.

The Exercises You Should Be Doing for a Strong Core

When most people think of core exercises, they think crunches and sit-ups – possibly because the tactical professions have...

Staff Sgt. Christian Gabelmann performs a 150-pound farmer’s walk carry as part of the maximum strength test during the 4th Infantry Division Best Ranger Competition at Fort Carson, Colo.

Should You Do Farmer’s Walks with Weight in One or Both Hands?

Farmer’s walks improve your overall strength and grip strength, as well as your balance and core muscles.

A variety of healthy ingredients were used to prepare the meals for the Healthy Barbecue Cooking Class held outside the Bayview Restaurant aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.

What You Should Know About Carb Loading for Military Fitness Tests and Training

A highly active person requires carbohydrates, proteins and fats to provide energy for and support recovery from physically...

A retail services specialist 3rd class, assigned to the USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) supply department, conducts a command fitness class in the hangar bay.

Fitness at Sea: Workouts You Can Do on a Ship and Ace the Navy Fitness Test

Staying fit in tight spaces with little to no equipment is always a challenge, whether you are in a hotel room or living and...

Staff Sgt. Jason Preston, an infantry soldier with 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, starts his morning with 100 triceps dips on an improvised bar at his unit's tactical operations center in Jordan on Aug. 31, 2019.

This Calisthenics and Cardio Workout Will Prepare You for Any Military Fitness Test

Calisthenics and cardio exercises can be arranged in several ways to improve running times and overall fitness test scores...

Traveling? This Hotel Room Workout Will Keep You Active

If you need a rest, take it. But, if you need to be at the top of your game, be well-rested and well-tested.

(Cpl. Kenneth Trotter Jr./U.S. Marine Corps photo)

The Best Nutrition Tips Right Before a Military Fitness Test

When you're preparing for a fitness test, what you eat the night before can play a big role in your performance the next...

A Coast Guard recruit from Company Oscar 188 does plank exercises during incentive training at Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, N.J.

How to Prepare for the Coast Guard’s Mandatory Physical Fitness Tests

The service announced this week that all military personnel will be required to undergo mandatory physical fitness tests, or...

An airman lateral pulldowns during a back and biceps workout at the fitness center on Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea.

Why Grip Strength and Leg Strength Are Key Indicators for Longevity

Strong hands and legs make you an asset in many tactical and life-or-death situations. Moreover, the ability to maintain...

A U.S. Air Force pararescueman assigned to the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron recovers a simulated patient during a joint training with the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (VMM-161) in Djibouti, Aug. 4, 2025. As part of the 449th Air Expeditionary Group, the 82nd ERQS serves as the task force responsible for conducting personnel recovery operations in East Africa.

The Best Fitness Strategy to Prepare to Serve in Military Special Operations

Being selected for military special operations programs requires a layered approach to fitness.

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Maj. Michelle Curran, United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron ‘Thunderbirds’ lead solo pilot, takes a photo with a fan after performing at the Great Tennessee Air Show in Smyrna, Tennessee.

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