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 the Stew Smith article archive on Military.com. Contact Stew with your comments and questions at stew@stewsmith.com.

Latest Articles

Blurs represent runners on a sunny trail in spring.

Ask Stew: How to Run Faster on Timed Runs

While most of the military will be tested on the 1.5-mile timed run, you will find special programs within each of the...

Sailors do plank pose side by side in the grass.

Favorite PRT Workouts (Pushups, Plank, Run)

Add a variety of these workouts to your training week throughout the year to maintain and/or improve your military PT test...

Soft-Sand Beach Running: Training Ideas Plus Alternatives

Here is a question on how to do infrequent beach workouts and prepare the legs for timed runs and load-bearing activities in...

Soldier with two trays outdoors in a breakfast line.

Oatmeal, Eggs or Skip Breakfast? The Pros and Cons of Each

After an informal poll on breakfast options, it seems most either go high-protein with eggs and meat, skip breakfast...

Soldier receives instruction in a dumbbell exercise.

5 Common Mistakes Beginners Make in the Gym

People who join a gym in order to add resistance and cardio training often start out using weight machines, dumbbells and...

Blurry silhouettes of runners on a track.

Ask Stew: What Is the Perfect Workout?

While our goals of weight loss, weight gain, better fitness or longevity may be the same, the road to get there will be...

A Marine does an overhead lift with a barbell in a gym.

Overwhelmed by Choices in the Gym? Start With the 5 Pillars of Movement

You need five types of exercises to create a healthy body that supports longevity and independent living later in life.

Warmup Ideas for Your Cardio Workouts

Here is a list of warmups you can try out before your next cardio day, along with a sample workout of the week that requires...

A soldier on a rope unhooks a sign representing a ranger tab.

Ask Stew: Teen Wants to Be an Army Ranger

My 13-year-old son wants to go to the Ranger Regiment when he is old enough. What should I focus on to help him prepare?

A soldier leads a field of soldiers on yoga mats in a seated yoga pose.

How to Reduce Burnout, Overstress and Physical Stress From Overtraining

Chronic stress is not something you can eat, sleep or work out of your system.

A Marine recruiter with a mustache and long-haired Marine recruits do planks.

Military PT Test Workout: Prepare for the Pushups, Plank, Run

Following changes in military fitness tests, along with corresponding pass/fail standards ,over the past few decades, most...

Ask Stew: How to Prepare for Dive School, Including Swim, Tread and Pool Skills

Preparing for any military diving training will involve significant time in the pool and open water as well as land-based...

These Are the Current DoD Fitness Tests for 2026

Over the past 20 years, to say that all branches of the military have changed their fitness testing and standards is an...

Ranger School candidates do pushups in the grass.

Ask Stew: Endurance Athlete Prepares for Army Ranger Selection

Endurance athletes typically need to focus more on resistance training, including both calisthenics and weight lifting, when...

Drill and Workout to Help with Diver, Rescue Swimmer and Special Ops Pool Skills

Here is a workout to help with both underwater swimming and the lifesaving, or buddy tow, test.

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Most Popular Military News

Command Sgt. Maj. John Brown, senior enlisted advisor of the 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, provides a rousing speech to the Soldiers of Bravo Battery before departing on a deployment to the United States Central Command area of responsibility on August 19, 2024 at Kadena Air Force Base, Japan. (U.S. Army photos by Capt. Frank Spatt)

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Marine Corps veteran Al Duran. (Facebook)

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Latest Military Videos

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Apollo astronaut Schmitt cheers on new generation of moon missions.

Chernobyl Anniversary: Hear from Those Who Were on the Frontline

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US soldier charged with using classified intel to win $400K Polymarket bet on Maduro raid.

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Investigations and Features

In One of the Marines' Most Iconic Jobs, a Stunning Pattern of Suicide

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Army News

A Soldier signs a banner for the Resiliency Stand-To Fort Jackson held, Nov. 16-17. (Fort Jackson Public Affairs Office)

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AI-generated influencer posing as a nurse and social media personality, part of a trend involving fake online identities used to build audiences and generate income. Screenshots via social media

AI MAGA Influencer, Service Member Scams Fuel ‘Digital Stolen Valor’ Rise

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Navy News

Secretary of the Navy John Phelan speaks, at President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago club, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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Phelan, a big GOP donor in 2024, is out and becomes the first top military official to depart the Trump administration.

'Military Child of the Year' awards wait to be presented to past honorees at an awards gala. (Operation Homefront)

'Military Child of the Year' Awards Honor Seven Teens from Seven Services

Lila Morgan is 18 years old but has written a book, started a nonprofit, and is graduating college soon. She credits her...

Air Force News

'Military Child of the Year' Awards Honor Seven Teens from Seven Services

Lila Morgan is 18 years old but has written a book, started a nonprofit, and is graduating college soon. She credits her...

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft flies over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility during Operation Epic Fury, March 9, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Air Force Extends A-10 Warthog Through 2030 After Combat Missions in Iran

Air Force Secretary Troy Meink announced that three A-10 squadrons will keep flying through 2030, following the Warthog's...

Space Force News

'Military Child of the Year' Awards Honor Seven Teens from Seven Services

Lila Morgan is 18 years old but has written a book, started a nonprofit, and is graduating college soon. She credits her...

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National Spacepower Center: Advancing US and Allied Spacepower

The Space Force Association launched the National Spacepower Center in Dec. 2025 to connect government, academia and industry...

Marine Corps News

'Military Child of the Year' Awards Honor Seven Teens from Seven Services

Lila Morgan is 18 years old but has written a book, started a nonprofit, and is graduating college soon. She credits her...

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Abbey Gate Marines Receive Upgraded Valor Awards After Pentagon Review

The Pentagon has upgraded valor awards for Marines who defended Abbey Gate during the 2021 Kabul suicide bombing.

Coast Guard News

'Military Child of the Year' Awards Honor Seven Teens from Seven Services

Lila Morgan is 18 years old but has written a book, started a nonprofit, and is graduating college soon. She credits her...

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Coast Guard Searches for 6 People After Losing Contact with Boat Following Typhoon Sinlaku

A Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircraft was launched to search for the six people on board, but it had to return to Guam...

Stew Smith, CSCS®

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