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

A Marine swimming in scuba gear holds a fin out of the water.

Ask Stew: Swimming with Fin Pain and Other Issues

When swimming with scuba fins, especially the type that the military issues, Rocket or Jet Fins, you may find a learning...

Marines and sailors in blue shirts do pushups in scraggly brown grass.

The Power of the Pushup: Health Improvements Across the Board

While pushups alone won’t save your life, they will always be a solid marker of fitness, health and wellness, and they can...

A soldier does a sandbag lunge while another looks on.

3 Full-Body Sandbag Circuits

Here are three versions of a circuit workout we did last week that simulates load-bearing, equipment carry, and log PT. All...

Ask Stew: How to Gain Pool Skills for Dive School or Rescue Swimmer Prep

Here is a question from a future Navy diver or rescue swimmer who is considering his options and working on becoming better...

Soldiers sprint across an indoor football field.

3 Running Workouts to Help Ace Your Next Fitness Test

Combining Zone 2 running, goal pace running and sprinting in your weekly training plan can be ideal for developing aerobic...

Marines perform kettlebell swings in a gym.

Try This 20-Minute Upper Body Blitz

If you're looking for a fast, effective way to condition your upper body and core, this 20-minute blitz circuit is designed...

Special Forces candidates walk on a dusty road with backpacks and guns.

Ask Stew: Should I Prepare for Military Training Alone or With a Group?

I am joining the Army with the goal of becoming a Special Forces officer. How does training alone differ from training with...

How Tactical Fitness Compares to the GPP/SPP Exercise Models

While GPP/SPP and tactical fitness and strength aim to build a capable athlete, they differ largely in their “why” and “how.”...

Four U.S. soldiers wearing Army PT gear do squats on a soccer field at night.

Leg-Day Workout With Weights, Sandbags and Calisthenics

By stacking variations of the same movement, the squat, with different loading implements, you can target your lower body...

Recruits in swim masks line up in the water to start a timed test.

Ask Stew: Swim Portion of the Air Force Special Warfare Initial Fitness Test (IFT)

The process of taking and performing well on a swimming test in the military requires technique first, conditioning second...

A retiree performs battle ropes in a gym.

The 3 Phases of Fitness Provide a Lifelong Approach to Performance

When it comes to fitness, three phases provide a progressive process to building a lifelong foundation that supports both...

100-Plus Troops and Veterans Ranked These Workouts as Their Top 5

Whether climbing a PT pyramid, swimming, powering through a 5x5 or unwinding with mobility work, these workouts are favorites...

Sailors in a gym do lunges with sandbags.

Ask Stew: When Tired, How to Decide to Work Out vs. Rest

Is your body failing, or is your brain just trying to protect you from discomfort?

At night in silhouette, SEAL candidates carry a log together.

Ask Stew: The Best Recommendation Letters for Military Special Programs

Here is a question from a young OCS-to-BUD/S hopeful concerning the best letters of recommendation to help with the...

A man in a civilian tank top does a pullup.

A Workout for Days When You Have Only 20-30 Minutes to Train

With a well structured workout template that incorporates dynamic warmups, strength training and cardio options, you can...

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