Stew Smith Fitness News

 Comprehensive System to Transform Former Athletes into Tactical OperatorsFrom a team athlete /\ to tactical athlete \/The article was inspired by a question. "What is the most weight one person had to lose to get ready to serve that you have prepared?" Preparing individuals to transition into demanding roles within tactical professions, such as the military, police, firefighting, or special operations, requires a multi-phased and structured approach. This is particularly true for former athletes, including college football players or powerlifters, who may need to shed significant weight—often between 80 and 100 pounds—and shift their fitness focus from strength-oriented training to...

Who Will Make It THROUGH Selection? I have always maintained that you cannot measure someone's heart or how badly they want to achieve something. Although this remains true, studies and statistical analyses can help us draw closer to answering the question.    Insights from a Groundbreaking Study on Spec Ops  Selection In the world of elite military training, where precision and resilience define success, understanding who will succeed in the grueling selection process is critical. For the 75th Ranger Regiment’s Ranger Assessment and Selection Program (RASP), the stakes are even higher. This isn’t just about identifying toughness; it’s about recognizing...

Building Endurance and Muscle Stamina: Running and Leg Calisthenics for Better Performance  Running Hills is Another Great Way to Work the Lungs and Legs When it comes to improving fitness, few things can rival the transformative power of running and targeted leg exercises. Yet, despite their importance, lower-body workouts are often undervalued or skipped entirely by even the most dedicated athletes. Strengthening your legs not only enhances your running performance but also improves your body's overall stability, boosts calorie burn, and increases muscle stamina. However, many individuals face challenges with traditional leg exercises due to knee or lower back injuries....

This week, a female Army soldier asked me about the week prior to taking the Army Fitness Test (AFT): On Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Women’s Mentorship Group put on an Army Combat Fitness Test team-building event to boost deadlift and leg tuck scores on April 14, 2021. (S. Sangster/U.S. Army) Stew, "What is it that you recommend doing 7-10 days out from your AFT? Is it similar to preparing for a marathon and tapering a few weeks before it? I have a few questions about adjusting my workouts in preparation for the fitness test. My current...

 Thanks for Choosing to Serve!Now, Are You Ready? Throughout the decades of writing about military fitness, I have observed recruitment ebb and flow in response to various situations. Before 2000, the economy was booming and a military down sizing caused a tightening in recruitment. After 9-11, 2001, people wanted to serve at above-average rates as a call of patriotism and to defend against future attacks. When the economy suffers and unemployment is high, recruitment tends to increase. When the economy is strong, recruitment tends to decrease. A 20-year war did not help recruitment (final 10 years). COVID hurt recruitment. The...