Stew Smith

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 Military.com Fitness eBook store and the Stew Smith article archive at Military.com. Contact Stew with your comments and questions.

Email: stew@stewsmith.com

Latest Articles

9 Crazy Ways the Military Changed Your Spouse http://wp.me/p1d7d0-9ZK

How to Achieve Restorative Sleep

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

Tony Horton, creator of workout program P90X, demonstrates an exercise during a calisthenics routine at the southside gym, Ramstein Air Base, Germany (U.S. Air Force photo/Brea Miller).

Workout of the Week: Weights and Calisthenics Mix

Stew Smith, Navy SEAL veteran and Military.com's tactical fitness expert, gives us a new twist on combining weights with cali...

Laura Bennett stretches in the grass after a game of soccer at Pine Plains fields. Bennett uses fitness as an outlet to relieve stress and to maintain strength and energy. (Photo Credit: Mrs. Michelle Kennedy (Drum)).

Here's a Foolproof Way to Make Time for Workouts

Stew Smith, Navy SEAL veteran and Military.com's tactical fitness expert, gives his foolproof way that anyone, even with limi...

U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Chase Lawrence runs his final lap during an APFT (Photo By: Jermaine Jackson).

Are Landmark Workouts Fun Challenges or a Bad Idea?

Stew Smith, Navy SEAL veteran and Military.com's tactical fitness expert, discusses the pros and cons of landmark workouts.

Sgt. Guadalupe Campos, the marketing and public affairs representative for Recruiting Station San Antonio, performs push-ups during a physical training session as part of the inaugural Battles Won Academy (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Bryan Nygaard/Released).

Ask Stew: How to Improve Pushup Performance

Stew Smith, Navy SEAL veteran and Military.com's tactical fitness expert, advises a reader how to improve their pushup perfor...

Marines flip over obstacles and climb ropes as the sun peers over the horizon. The training was part of an obstacle course during which Marines retained team and morale building techniques.

Military.com's Best Fitness Articles of 2018

Stew Smith, Navy SEAL veteran and Military.com's tactical fitness expert, gives us his top fitness picks of 2018.

Senior leaders of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Resolute Support Sustainment Brigade participated in the Army Combat Fitness Test (Photo Credit: 1st Lt. Verniccia Janet Ford (101st Airborne))

An Easy-to-Remember Goal for the New Year

Stew Smith, Navy SEAL veteran and Military.com's tactical fitness expert, gives his advice on the single most important fitne...

A U.S. Air Force airman from the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron swims to a boat after rescuing a simulated crash victim at Whynnehaven Beach, Fla., April 9, 2013. (U.S. Air Force/Airman 1st Class Christopher Callaway)

Ask Stew: About Air Force Special Warfare

Stew Smith, Navy SEAL veteran and Military.com's tactical fitness expert, advises a reader how to prepare for Air Force Speci...

Members of Team Holloman participate in a physical fitness assessment at Holloman Air Force Base (U.S. Air Force photo by Aaron Montoya / Released).

Not Another New Year's Resolution Article

Stew Smith, Navy SEAL veteran and Military.com's tactical fitness expert, gives his advice on how to make and keep your fitne...

Workout of the Week: Just Add Stairs to Make it KILLER

Stew Smith, Navy SEAL veteran and Military.com's tactical fitness expert, gives us a twist on a normal workout; just add stai...

U.S. Air Force pararescuemen and a simulated “survivor” watch as an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter comes in for a landing. (Photo: U.S. Air Force/Petty Officer 2nd Class Scott Taylor)

Ask Stew: Getting Back in Shape After Returning from the Field

Stew Smith, Navy SEAL veteran and Military.com's tactical fitness expert, advises a reader how to resume training after a lon...

Marine Corps Combat Fitness Test (CFT)

The CFT is intended to keep Marines ready for the physical rigors of contemporary combat operations.

Popular Swimming Pool Workouts

During the winter months, many people who email me are looking for an alternative to running outside. In other words, what ca...

Soldiers from 1st Engineer Brigade complete the leg tuck event Oct. 17 while testing the Army Combat Readiness Test at Fort Leonard Wood. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Dawn M Arden).

Everything You Need to Know About the Army's New PFT

The Army is getting tough on new recruits. If you are considering joining the Army this year or are currently employed by the...

The "Get Lean" Diet

The nutritionist who helped me with this diet is also a body builder who really knows how to trim the fat off every area of y...

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Most Popular Military News

The Sea Hunter, a 132-foot-long self-driving ship, made history by traveling from San Diego to Hawaii's Pearl Harbor and back again without sailors aboard to guide its way. DARPA photo

A Navy Ship Sailed to Hawaii and Back With No One on Board

When the Navy christened the Sea Hunter in 2016, officials said it could change the nature of U.S. maritime operations.

U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, participate in the Infantry Immersion Training Course at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 25, 2019. (U.S. Marine Corps photo/Robert L. Kuehn)

Retired General: Train, Pay Army and Marine Infantry as an Elite Force

Army and Marine infantry may be moving closer to being transformed into an elite force, much like the 75th Ranger Regiment.

Capt. Captain Zoe M. Kotnik was the first female commander of the United States Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team (U.S. Air Force)

Air Force's 1st Female Demo Team Commander Relieved After 2 Weeks

The 20th Fighter Wing commander said Capt. Zoe Kotnik had "made mistakes."

In this Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, file photo, members of the U.S. military install multiple tiers of concertina wire along the banks of the Rio Grande near the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge at the U.S.-Mexico border, in Laredo, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

These Military Construction Projects Could Be Cut to Fund a Border Wall

"Some generals thinks this is more important," Trump said of funding a wall rather than military construction projects.

Honorary Chief Petty Officer Bill Cosby, hospital corpsman, delivers remarks during his pinning ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. in 2011. (U.S. Navy/ Petty Officer 2nd Class Kevin O'Brien)

Bill Cosby: Navy Life Prepared Me for My 'Amazing Experience' in Prison

"He was in the Navy for four years, and this is no different than being in the Navy," his spokesman said.

Latest Military Videos

Army News

Gordon Miller, North District Lifeguard Supervisor for Cape Cod National Seashore looks over the early morning crowd at Head of the Meadow Beach in Truro, Mass. (Steve Haines/The Cape Cod Times via AP)

Search for Contamination at Former Camp Wellfleet Nearly Complete

Preliminary sampling indicates no issues with regard to contamination at the former Camp Wellfleet.

In this photo taken Jan. 4, 2011, U.S Army Capt. Mathew Golsteyn is congratulated by fellow soldiers following the Valor Awards ceremony for 3rd Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, N.C. (James Robinson/The Fayetteville Observer via AP)

Investigator in Green Beret Murder Case Charged with Stolen Valor

A decorated former Green Beret who has been charged in the death of a suspected Taliban bomber wants the charges dropped.

Two members of the U.S. Army Golden Knights drift down while one carries the Arkansas state flag during the Thunder Over the Rock Air and Space Show at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, Nov. 27, 2018. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kristine M. Gruwell)

Condition of One Injured Army Golden Knights Member Upgraded

The soldiers were injured about 4 a.m. Tuesday during a training exercise at Homestead Air Reserve Base.

Navy News

San Francisco Mayor London Breed, left, and Adm. John Aquilino, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, watch as the crew of the Navy's newest littoral combat ship, USS Tulsa (LCS 16), brings the ship to life during the ship's commissioning ceremony. LCS 16 is the second Navy combat ship named after Tulsa, the second largest city in Oklahoma. (Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacob I. Allison/U.S. Navy)

USS Tulsa Commissioned as the US Navy's Newest Warship

The USS Tulsa was commissioned on Saturday at a pier in San Francisco.

A Navy Ship Sailed to Hawaii and Back With No One on Board

When the Navy christened the Sea Hunter in 2016, officials said it could change the nature of U.S. maritime operations.

The U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) returns to U.S. Fleet Activities (FLEACT) Yokosuka, July 24, 2018. (U.S. Navy photo/Ryo Isobe)

Fourth USS Ronald Reagan Sailor Pleads Guilty in Drug Operation

A fourth USS Ronald Reagan sailor pleaded guilty to charges related to a drug operation that involved 15 7th Fleet sailors.

Air Force News

The official greeting party stand by on the flightline as the president, first lady and their family depart on Air Force One from Joint Base Andrews, Md., June 29, 2018. (Tech. Sgt. Robert Cloys/U.S. Air Force)

If This Plane Could Talk: A US President's Plane Rests in Georgia

The jet that served as Air Force One during the Johnson Administration sits at the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins, Ga.

Under Secretary of the Air Force Matthew Donovan receives the 61st Fighter Squadron F-35 mission brief during his visit to Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., June 29, 2018. (Airman 1st Class Zoie Rider/U.S. Air Force)

Air Force Under Secretary Tells Vance Airmen to Prepare for New Conflicts

Under Secretary of the Air Force Donovan told airmen to prepare themselves for a new era of superpower competition.

An U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo plane loaded with humanitarian aid lands at Camilo Daza airport in Cucuta, Colombia, Feb. 16, 2019. The U.S. Air Force has begun flying tons of aid to the Colombian town on the Venezuelan border as part of an effort meant to undermine socialist President Nicolas Maduro. Fernando Vergara/AP Photo)

Air Force Cargo Planes Land near Venezuela Border with Aid

The U.S. military airlifted tons of humanitarian aid to a Colombian town on the Venezuelan border.

Marine Corps News

Retired General: Train, Pay Army and Marine Infantry as an Elite Force

Army and Marine infantry may be moving closer to being transformed into an elite force, much like the 75th Ranger Regiment.

A Marine staff noncommissioned officer was awarded the Silver Star for braving enemy fire to stop a vehicle-borne bomb that was heading toward him and his men. (Cpl. Reece Lodder/Marine Corps)

A Marine Raider Was Awarded the Silver Star for Taking Out an ISIS Car Bomb

A Marine special operator received the nation's third-highest valor award after his heroism in Iraq saved his comrades' lives...

Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., asks a question of Budget Director Mick Mulvaney during a the House Budget Committee hearing, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Marine Combat Veteran Lays Groundwork for 2020 Presidential Campaign

Rep. Seth Moulton, a veteran Marine officer, is a proponent of greater investment in technology and public service.

Coast Guard News

A Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules airplane crew from Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, conducts pre-flight checks before departing the air station, Jan. 8, 2019. The crew embarked on a training flight during which mission system operators practiced using the airplane's camera, radar and other sensory equipment. (Petty Officer 2nd Class Corinne Zilnicki/U.S. Coast Guard))

Coast Guard Teams up with University in Quest for More Pilots

Elizabeth City State University could help the Coast Guard increase its number of pilots.

U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. John Filipowicz and Royal Canadian Air Force Capt. Pete Wright salute the memorial wreath honoring the 40th anniversary of the crew of Aircraft 1432 who gave the ultimate sacrifice, Feb. 13, 2019, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. (U.S. Coast Guard photo/Nicole J. Groll)

Remembering Air Station Cape Cod's Only Fatal Helicopter Crash

Coast Guard helicopter 1432 was 180 miles southeast of Cape Cod when it inexplicably dropped into the sea and flipped over.

This undated file photo provided by the Erie County Department of Corrections in Erie, Pa., shows Christopher Leclair. Leclair, convicted of killing his wife and tossing her body into Lake Erie, was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole. (Erie County Department of Corrections via AP)

Judge: Man Who Murdered Wife on Boat Must Pay Restitution to Coast Guard

Leclair is serving life in prison without parole for first-degree murder in the death of his wife.