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. 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...

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.

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A gavel rests on the judge’s bench in the courtroom of the 39th Air Base Wing legal office at Nov. 14, 2019, at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey.

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