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

SEAL candidates grapple with instructors during a combatives course.

The Perfect Storm for Failure

Want to join a Special Operations outfit? Success isn't just about physical fitness.

4 Stages to Develop Mental Toughness

There is no secret sauce that makes mental toughness magically appear in your life. Mental toughness and resilience often are...

Soldiers from throughout the state of Arizona carry out the push-up portion of the Army physical fitness test during the Arizona National Guard Best Warrior Competition 2019.

Fitness Rules After 40 Years Old

Fitness rules to go by, from fitness guru Stew Smith, for general health and maintenance especially after turning 40 years...

Soldier rests before his flight out of Louisiana.

How to Achieve Restorative Sleep

Stew Smith, a Navy SEAL veteran and Military.com's tactical fitness expert, advises how to get the best sleep possible for...

A group of future sailors take the oath of enlistment. (Benjamin Dobbs/U.S. Navy photo)

He Lost 100 Pounds. Is He Ready to Serve?

A sign of maturity is patience, and this journey may take a year or two to build a foundation of fitness capable of enduring...

How to Deal with Failure: Reframe and Move Forward

Navy SEAL veteran and Military.com's tactical fitness expert, Stew Smith, provides advice for overcoming failure and...

Soldier participates in Army Combat Fitness Test.

Fueling Strategies for the Army Combat Fitness Test

You'll need to recalibrate how you fuel your body so you can handle the additional challenges to your different energy...

A U.S. Air Force airman participates in the swimming portion of the physical ability and stamina test.

A 'Dirty Dozen' of Tactical Fitness Training and Testing Ideas

Training large groups with varied fitness levels is one of the most challenging things to accomplish with success.

A future sailor and special warfare candidate swims during the Navy’s physical screening test.

The Challenges of Passing Military Swimming Tests

One of the toughest swims I receive emails for on a weekly basis is the underwater swim , especially from Navy SEAL and Air...

Soldiers at Joint Base Lewis-McChord undergo swim test.

3 Reasons Not to Practice Holding Your Breath for Underwater Swims

Practicing holding your breath for underwater swims is not a good idea, and neither is swimming underwater without a...

Navy special amphibious reconnaissance corpsmen prepare to enter the pool for a proficiency training dive.

Ask Stew: How to Become a SARC Special Operations Combat Medic

There are many opportunities in the medical training field for Navy personnel who want to start their career in the Navy as a...

Future sailors try to complete as many push-ups as possible.

Why the 'Common PFT' Has Become the Fitness Standard

While the regular military and law enforcement agencies use the "Common PFT," the specialized groups in these units have more...

An Army reservist gets done with a workout.

What You Should Know About Military Body Composition Tests

All services use the body composition test, which requires all military personnel to weigh in and have their height measured.

Ask Stew: Should I Worry About PED Testing During SEAL Training?

Here is a question from a young man seeking to join the ranks of Navy Special Warfare that shares some of his concerns.

Squats are a good exercise option for leg day.

How to Build Up to 3 Leg Days a Week

You must prepare for fitness tests that include upper-body calisthenics and cardio, but skipping leg day can cause weakness...

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