Stew Smith Fitness News

Order the Fitness Program / Book here! The Army Combat Fitness Test is now the ARMY FITNESS TEST (AFT).  The changes are minimal, so you still have to run 2 miles, deadlift, hand-release pushups, sprint-drag-carry, but the power throw and the leg tuck are taken out, and the plank pose is in! Whether you are a new recruit or a current Army soldier, this change applies to you.  If so, you need to get into the weight room to build not only your muscle stamina and cardio endurance but also strength, power, speed, agility, and grip strength.  You still have...

Streamline Glide Position, Stroke Technique, Conditioning (1,2,3)  Streamline glide, tight arm recovery, power kick and pull = speed I train many athletes who have spent a lifetime on land as they prepare for military and special ops professions that require swimming, diving and other pool skills. It’s important for them to learn the sequence and timing of each stroke. Getting in swimming shape is really important, but learning how to properly streamline your body in the water is critical to making progress as you build speed and overall efficiency. If I had to categorize the three most important abilities in the water it...

Visualizing the Critical Elements and Their Overlaps in Special Ops Success (Or Any Goal Really) Becoming a member of a special ops unit is recognized as one of the most demanding physical and mentally tough challenges you can undertake. Success in any multi-year goal requires a combination of multiple traits, skills, and the answer to the immeasurable question: How Badly Do You Want It?  The following diagram illustrates the five essential elements and their intersections, based on personal experience, current training standards, and more than 25 years of coaching observations. The Five Critical Elements ·        How Bad Do You Want It?...

Are You Finding it Difficult to Build Health and Fitness Habits Over 50? I Do... I believe I know some things about you and your current situation. If you are like many of us over 40 or over 50 still working hard to get after it, it can be difficult when life's commitments and responsibilities get in the way of training time.  Whether you are coming off of decades of consistent training and still pushing advanced-level fitness numbers or you have spent that time focusing on work and family - neglecting your own health, the struggle is still there. Struggling with...

When Politics Fail, Our Military is Called to do These Things "The society that separates its scholars from its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools" The United States military and those who serve are at first defenders of freedom and democracy. But, yes, because of the failure of a desired political outcome, they are called to kill and destroy things. But military members also selflessly sacrifice family holidays and their personal safety so we can have a country that enables the "American Dream." While our military needs to know the latest and...