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

Combat rescue officer candidates perform flutter-kicks.

Air Force Combat Rescue Officer (CRO)

The United States Air Force combat rescue officer (CRO) is an officer career field added because of the importance of joint...

Runners take off at the start of the Yokohama North Dock Running Festival, held Nov. 4 on the installation at U.S. Army Garrison-Japan. The event, which returned to the installation for the first time in four years, drew nearly 1,000 competitors for its 5K, 10K and half-marathon races.

How to Improve Your Cardio Fitness Safely

While running is an effective form of cardio, it is not always the best option for heavier athletes, especially those with...

A screen from the 2013 movie 'Cliffy,' about an Australian potato farmer named Cliff Young who won a 544-mile ultramarathon in 1983.

How an Australian Potato Farmer Changed Running Forever

Released in 2013, the movie “Cliffy” chronicles Australian Cliff Young’s rise from a potato farmer to an ultramarathoner and...

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Marcella Quinonez, an aircraft armament systems specialist from the 57th Maintenance Group, performs a sandbag front carry during the fitness portion of the 4th quarter weapons standardization team load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

Try This Military Fitness Workout to Improve Leg Strength and Endurance

Leg days in military preparation training require two components: strength training with weights and movement training with...

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.

Lt. Marylou Proano, a Navy nurse from New York, rides a stationary bike during a Morale, Wellness, Recreation event aboard the USNS Comfort (T-AH 20).

6 Biking Options to Replace Running if You Are Injured

If you are dealing with common running injuries such as shin splints, stress fractures or persistent foot and knee pain...

How Recruits Can Build Core Fitness

Many combat veterans reportedly are adding sprints, agility drills and core exercises to build a better-equipped combat...

New Army PRT and CRT

For decades, the Army has assessed physical fitness through the standard fitness test that many branches of the military and...

Air Force Senior Airman Brandon Stout, 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, does pull-ups during a workout at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.

Circuit to Improve Pull-Ups: First Strength, Then Muscle Stamina

Many people struggle with pull-ups at first, but with practice, this exercise can be rewarding and can build upper body...

Military.com fitness writer and former Navy SEAL Stew Smith demonstrates a deep squat.

Why Improved Flexibility and Mobility Is Crucial for Tactical Service Members

When it comes to tactical fitness, being more flexible and mobile can make the difference between peak performance and...

Andrew Hutchinson, an Army veteran and director of camps and special programs for Team Red, White and Blue, leads a warm-up before a calisthenics session during a rock-climbing camp at Estes Park, Colo.

How Group Exercise Can Do More for Veterans Than Going Solo

For more than a decade, Team Red, White and Blue -- a nonprofit organization for veterans – has operated a unique program...

How Walking Backward Can Enhance Your Overall Fitness

What if taking a few steps back could propel your health forward?

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Keyon A. Simmons-Harwell conducts a pull-up during a battalion workout challenge at Camp Elmore, Norfolk, Virginia.

3 Keys When Doing Military Fitness Training Twice a Day

If you are preparing for challenging military training programs or selections, you must progress to advanced, well-rounded...

A Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) student participates in interval swim training in San Diego Bay.

How Navy SEAL and SWCC Training Is Alike and Different

Navy SEAL and Navy SWCC training share a foundation rooted in rigorous training, water competency and high fitness standards.

An explosive ordnance disposal team member squats with a 50-pound kettlebell during part of the 2019 Warrior Challenge event May 16, 2019, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

The Workout You Should Be Doing to Prepare for Military Training

Incorporating fundamental exercises, such as squats, lunges, carries, crawls and load-bearing movements, is among the best...

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Most Popular Military News

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin

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How an Australian Potato Farmer Changed Running Forever

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Army Capt. Jeremy Kuykendall and his wife Kate, cradle their daughter

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A Military.com investigation into military day care centers revealed that service branch rules generally prioritize...

Army News

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