Making a Few Changes to Your Training Can Change Your Life and Extend Your Progress
The book and e-book titled "Tactical Fitness For the Athlete Over 40: Actively Pursuing Recovery and Maintenance" have much to offer. Not only does it share the 20-year journey the author has had with training for sports, high-level special ops programs (Navy SEALs), but most importantly, some life lessons dealing with the injuries obtained from decades of rigorous activity. You can find it at the StewSmithFitness.com store.
The program offers a 16 week (4 x 4 weeks) training program that walks you through each cycle of Stew Smith's Periodization program (Twenty Years of Periodization) he has been testing and improving upon with local tactical athletes seeking some of the toughest military, police, and fire fighter programs this country has to offer. You can test each phase of the periodization program during the four-week cycles of Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. You will see that these shorter cycles will help prevent overtraining (running too much or too far, PTing too much or too many reps, and lifting too heavy or too long). This program enables you to recover from all the elements of fitness while pushing you in all the elements as well: strength, power, muscle stamina, speed, agility, endurance, flexibility, and mobility.
However, if you are not ready at an advanced level, try the other three options in the 4-part series.
The Tactical Fitness Over 40 Series Introduces What We Call Mobility Day!

These programs are not just for people over 40. If you want to become or remain an asset rather than a liability, this well-rounded training can help. We have people younger than 40 and over 50-60 doing this level of workouts as they progressively build from beginner to advanced (left to right).
The Key To Longevity - The Mastery of Recovery
The addition of Mobility Day in the middle of the week has been a lifesaver for those 40 and over, as well as for younger athletes who are burning the candle at both ends with work, school, and intense training. This simple addition incorporates non-impact cardio options, stretching, and foam rolling. If you have access to a pool, you can enhance your workout by incorporating treading and water dynamic stretches for even greater benefits in mobility, flexibility, and stress relief.
Don't Stop in your 40s-50s and Beyond!
Not giving up on your fitness in your 40s means better health and ability in your 50s and 60s. This approach focuses on functional training, enabling you to perform everyday tasks with ease. If you're over 50, it's vital to include exercises that enhance flexibility, balance, and strength while prioritizing joint health. Throughout my journey, I've found that tailoring your routine with these factors in mind allows for safe progress and long-term success.
The Latest Program: The Ageless Athlete-50+
This is my latest fitness program that I have developed since I am now in my 50's.
From my own reflections, I know that fitness is not solely about the destination; it’s about the path toward a healthier and more vibrant life - a consistent journey. By treating yourself like a beginner and embracing a consistent, mindful approach, you’ll discover the joy in movement and the strength to keep moving forward. Your future self will undoubtedly thank you for every step you take today.
Time to Get Mentally Ready!
How do you coach mental and physical toughness? The book below is a comprehensive 100-page guide that explains 25 years of my coaching, available also as an ebook, audiobook, and video training course. Visit Stew Smith Fitness to learn about comprehensive training programs designed to help you excel in your Army journey. This is your moment—embrace it and start training for a rewarding career today! New Never Quit Mindset Book, eBook, Audio Book, and Online Video / Audio Course
There is More to StewSmithFitness.com Than You May Know
Who is Stew Smith? Coach, Trainer, Author, Podcaster
I'm the former Navy SEAL that special ops candidates go to for books, ebooks and online coaching to prepare themselves to get to and through intense tactical assessment and selection programs and qualify for service in their chosen tactical profession. See More at StewSmithFitness.com
Quick Summary: Here is a list of what we do at StewSmithFitness.com
- FREE Fitness (all topics) / Mindset Articles and Workouts - Latest info on training for any goal! (over 1000)
- eBooks, Books and eBooks in PRINT (over 40 options)
- Spec Ops Swim Critiques on social media -
- Live QA / CSS Critiques Mon / Tues 9am -
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Podcasts (over 200)
- Stew Smith Fitness APPs - Triad version, Pushup Push APP, Pullup Push APP, FBI workout APP
- FREE Navy SEAL Exercises Apps - iPhone, Android
- Membership Site - Get access to 100s of weeks of training programs and unpublished workouts we are currently doing each week. Constantly updated weekly with new articles, videos, and workouts of the week.
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Tactical Fitness Course - 80 minutes to learn how to get both TO and THROUGH spec ops selection programs. Plus the Never Quit Mindset Course
- Online Coaching - Get personalized programming designed for your goals, abilities, time per day, days per week, equipment/facilities...etc.
Dive deeper into Tactical Athlete training and mental toughness by exploring Stew Smith Fitness Programming for the Tactical Athlete online store. Uncover the strategies and techniques elite forces use to push past physical and mental barriers. Visit https://www.stewsmithfitness.com now and equip yourself with the tools for success for many special ops-level selection programs in the military and police world.
Books and eBooks Available (All Levels of Fitness)
Navy SEAL Workout Phase 1
Navy SEAL Workout Phase 2 - 3
Navy SEAL Workout Phase 4 Grinder PT
Navy SWCC Workout
Army PFT Workout (Prep For Rucking, OPAT, & Updated AFT 2025)
Army Special Forces / Ranger Workout
Army Air Assault School Workout
Army Airborne Workout






Advanced Running Program - Special Ops Supplement Plan
USMC RECON / MarSOC Workout
USMC OCS / TBS Workout
USMC IST and PFT
The Combat Conditioning Workout
Air Force PJ / CCT Workout Battlefield Airman Prep Course
The UBRR Upper Body Round Robin Workout / Spec Ops version
The Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer / Navy SAR Workout
The Service Academy Workout (West Point, Navy, Air Force Academy)
The Navy, Air Force, Marine Corp Boot Camp Workout
The Law Enforcement Physical Fitness Workouts
The FBI Academy Workout | FBI Workout Vol 2
The DEA Workout
The FLETC Workout - Ace the PEB
The PFT Bible: Pushups, Sit-ups, 1.5 Mile Run
The Fire Fighter Workout - Ace the CPAT
Calisthenics and Cardio
Online Coaching Options
Online PT CLUB - Premium Coaching -
Do you need a program that works for you? We can customize it to your personal goals and help you fit it into your day with the equipment you have available. Let us be your training partner and coach.
Many people ask me about the difference between the Premium Program and the Online PT CLUB Coaching. Individuals in either program receive personalized training from me, Stew Smith, tailored to fit their abilities, goals, daily time commitment, weekly schedule, facilities, and equipment. We communicate regularly about your progress, and your feedback helps me develop the plan for the following week. There is no template workout and see you later. These programs are created on a week-by-week basis, with you and me in communication to determine the best approach for the upcoming week.
Tactical Fitness Course - Getting TO the training does not guarantee you get THROUGH the training. Learn about the two phases of tactical fitness you need to develop thoroughly before getting to BUDS. Check out the Online Course - Getting TO and THROUGH Special Ops Selection.
Member's Only Content / Services Program!
Want access to years of workouts, favorite weekly workouts, a free fitness app, a private Facebook group, and a video and photo library of exercises? Plus, get more access to live Q&A sessions. Check out the Stew Smith Fitness Members Section for all this and more.
The dashboard below has the links to all the information, archives, videos, and links to workouts, podcasts, and Live Q and A sessions.
Consider this! - A Membership Program and Gain Access to Exclusive Content
(click for Fitness Club Dashboard - members only)