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

Lt. Colin Charpentier leads the way as a battalion sets off on its 5K Family Fun Run fundraiser.

Ask Stew: 5 Reasons Why You Might Gain Weight on a Military Fitness Program

Have you ever started a workout program and were stunned that, after a month, you did not lose weight? You actually gained...

Elliptical machines are a good alternative to swimming.

Ask Stew: Options for Those Without Access to a Swimming Pool

People often lose access to swimming pools, weight rooms and cardio machines because of travel, deployment or a change of...

A senior airman completes a set of dips.

Goal Setting: How to Turn Dreams Into Reality

Regardless of your career or life goals, there is one common denominator to accomplishing them, and that is preparation.

Sleep is one part of the Performance Triad and is necessary to perform optimally. (Courtesy of U.S. Army)

Ask Stew: The Importance of Sleep for Growing Teens

Sleeping too long can interrupt your normal circadian rhythm, making it difficult to sleep on your normal cycle later that...

Participants in a memorial run cross the finish line on Camp Lejeune.

Ask Stew: Why Runners' Race Times Are Getting Slower

A new study finds slower overall running times from people participating in races in the United States. What does this mean?

5 Steps to Military Fitness Training Success

If you're striving for a specific long-term goal, training and working out with consistency are the keys to success.

BUD/S students participate in a surf passage training exercise.

Ask Stew: How to Recover from Intensive Military Training

After a long day at any special-ops training selection program, learning how to recover and prepare your body for the next...

A soldier participates in the semiannual physical fitness test.

Ask Stew: Managing Your Time to Prepare for Army Basic Training

To get into the Army, you have to pass the Army physical fitness test, which is made up of push-ups, sit-ups and a two-mile...

The theme for National Nutrition Month 2017 is: “Put Your Best Fork Forward.”

The Future of Nutritional Research in the US Government

Check out the government's roadmap for the next 5-10 years of nutrition and performance optimization research.

An explosive ordnance disposal candidate performs push-ups during a Navy Special Warfare physical screening test.

How the New Navy SEAL Fitness App Allows You to Train for the PST

Want to test your fitness against some of the fittest special-ops candidates? There's an app for that.

A sergeant executes a fireman's carry on a simulated casualty during the Best Warrior competition.

How Assessing Your Fitness Can Save Your Life or Those You Love

Assessing your abilities regularly can help you one day, when needed, to save yourself, your family, your teammates or other...

A member of the Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment gets in a morning workout.

This Early Morning Workout Will Help You Rise and Shine

Workouts first thing in the morning are not for everyone, but if you try it, you may like it.

A soldier bear crawls during a battalion fitness competition.

How to Build Speed and Power for PT Tests

Depending upon the branch of service, the PT tests vary in exercises, timed events and run distances.

A physical therapy assistant stretches an airman's quadriceps.

How to Train After an Injury or Illness

After an illness or injury, it is often difficult to regain the same level of fitness you worked so hard to achieve.

Marines perform ammo can lifts during a combat fitness test.

How to Crush Military Fitness Tests

Depending upon the branch of service, the PT tests vary in exercises, timed events and run distances.

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