Stew Smith Fitness News

Preparing for Spec Ops BUT Strength is Your Weakness?  Are you crushing calisthenics and cardio elements of training, but worried about the load bearing events of your future Spec Ops training? Logs, boats, rucks, and equipment / personnel carries are tough on those who are not strong. If you are a prior endurance athlete and need to work on overall durability when under a load, you may need to get into a lift cycle to put on some mass and increase your strength. To go where you want to go, you need to be good at ALL of the elements...

Goal Achievement is a Process of Preparation and Progression: S.M.A.R.T. is Goal Setting 101 You have a goal: to make it to and through special ops selection and come out the other side with a successful outcome - aka graduate. You know that it won’t be easy, but you’ve done the research and you’re ready to take the challenge head on. The key to success is preparation with progress and trusting the process — physical, mental, and emotional. Here’s how to get yourself ready to hit the ground running - be SMART. Are you feeling overwhelmed with all the Spec Ops...

Are You Ready to GRADUATE?  I have seen many like you over the years - in fact, I was like you myself - a candidate preparing for Special Ops Training. You have a big dream, a big goal, and a tough program to manage. You’ve started it with every intention of succeeding and giving it your all. You’ve been working hard, and you’ve made some great progress. You’re feeling energized and motivated. You are not even worried that you won’t be able to keep it up or if you are even on the right track yet. You are just excited! We...

If you have done any military reading, you may have heard of the OODA Loop (learn more) - a process we initiate every time we decide to act or not in any given situation. But here is something new - The ITA Loop! This week, I first heard of the preparation process I nicknamed the ITA Loop from a Midshipman at the Naval Academy giving a quick five minute presentation. The concepts are nothing new to those who have selected a challenging goal, but the loop process is a great way of understanding how the journey to the ultimate achievements of getting...

Take Control of Your Health and Fitness After 40 with the Tactical Fitness for the Athlete Over 40 Series (All Levels of Fitness) Are you over 40 and need to get in great shape and stay that way for the rest of your life? If so, Tactical Fitness (40+) Series is a four-part program that begins with the Foundation Rebuilding Program (For Beginners or Those Recovering from Injury). The following levels of fitness progress logically with these programs: - Taking It To The Next Level:  Ready to Advance Your Fitness - Ready to Compete: Preparing for the Next Challenge -...