Stew Smith Fitness News
Spec Ops Use of the Combat Swimmer (side) Stroke (CSS) Explained
Stew smith
Why Special Ops Use the CSS and Not the More Common Competitive Swimming Strokes? This is the most common question asked (usually by lifelong competitive swimmers) about the military's use of the side stroke or the Combat Swimmer Stroke (CSS), aka the Combat Side Stroke. These typically appear in my comments section on the Instagram Reels or my CSS Critique TikTok Channel, and with the unfortunate trolling tone a teenage swimming athlete can offer. My answer with attitude: Just because you have spent countless hours swimming in a pool at competitive levels does not mean you know everything about swimming. There is another...
If You Want to Get Through Hard Times...Do Hard Things
Stew smith
Leave No Weakness Undeveloped If you are not willing to do things that you do not like to do (because you suck at them), you are likely doomed to fail. No matter your athletic background, if you seek a challenging future progression that requires you to level up and bring your A-game every day, you will ultimately have to assess / test to determine your competitive strengths and weaknesses. Whether that is from high school to college athletics (or beyond) or choosing to serve your country in some of the toughest jobs in the world - Military Special Operations. The reason is to build...
Who's Ready for Summer?
Stew smith
Summer Training - Time to Up Your Game We have been building up our reps and miles over the Spring and now have a nice foundation to take it to the next level. In this phase of training, there is more running, more repetitions of calisthenics as well as swimming and load-bearing activities. The workouts are longer and require typically a few hours a day of combined training events to get it done. If you are ready for the next level of Seasonal Tactical Fitness Periodization check out the Summer Peak Cardio Endurance / Stamina Training Cycle – with Optional...
“It’s Hard Now”…(spoken in a tone of it is going to get much better)
Stew smith
Times May Be Tough Now...But It Gets Much Better Hard work, Patience, and Attitude are everything when you are going through tough times and trying to finish each day that leads to the ultimate long-term goal you seek. Attitude alone is more important than skill, fitness level, talent, and the past and future. Attitude is NOW and how you perceive what is happening to you NOW, but allows for a clear hope for a much better tomorrow and the ability to learn from past mistakes. A positive attitude brings these valuable traits to a life changing mindset. I recently had...
Weight Gain, Joint Pain, Achy Muscles? You Need a Change.
Stew smith
Attention Former Athletes / Tactical Athletes over 40, 50, and beyond... Are you tired of weight gain and achy joints and muscles interfering with your daily life? Do you miss the days when your body was strong and functional? Well, it's time to rebuild your body from the ground up and regain the mobility and functionality you deserve! Joint pain, weight gain, and stiff muscles are common problems that many former athletes and post-military, fire, and police service members over 50 faces. Typically, a steady 5 lbs. per year weight gain creeps up on you and you find yourself 50+ lbs...