Stew Smith Fitness News

Block Periodization Helps to Develop Weakness and Maintain Strengths Do you need a formula for how to balance strengths and weaknesses when it comes to training? Try a simple 3-to-1 ratio of time spent on them each cycle of training. Learn about Tactical Fitness Block Periodization.  3 Part Weakness / 1 Part Strength    When preparing for challenging tactical professions and special ops level selections, a well constructed program that addresses both the development of weaknesses and the maintainance of current strengths is what you are looking for.  The process is not as simple as just doing everything all at...

Explosions from improvised explosive devices (IEDs), bombs, breaching blasts, large-caliber weapons fire and even repeated small-arms fire produce blast waves that affect the brain and other internal organs. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) events have become common in the military and veteran communities over the last 20 years of sustained combat operations, leading to a huge increase in diagnoses of Operator Syndrome and post-traumatic stress (PTS). USMC photo by  Photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel E. Valle When faced with these conditions, many veterans experience severe pain, reduced cognitive function and an inability to sleep, stay focused or hold coherent conversations. They can suffer...

Two walk out and only one makes it - guess who? Typically, we are one of the three types of people and maybe even a little bit of two, but when it comes to dealing with hard work, potential pain, extreme effort, only one is thoroughly prepared. This article can apply to any endeavor.  An optimist, a realist, and a pessimist walk into a recruiter's office and this is what is looks like: Recruiter:  So, all you want to be Navy SEALs? OK - here is how it goes: 1 - You have to fill out this medical paperwork, and...

Increase Strength and Crush the PST / PAST:- Lift Cycle with PT Test Weeks - Block Periodization Do you want to to crush the PST / PAST test and be durable enough to handle a selection program that 50-80% of participants do not make it?  If so, keep reading... Have you not gotten the results you want in getting stronger and maintaining calisthenics and cardio (run / swim / ruck) scores? Maybe you are really apprehensive about changing paths of what you are doing, but ask yourself these questions:  Are you seeing steady progress?  Are you stuck at the same...

 There Is A Process To Becoming ATactical Athlete...Here Are Some Rules: When making a transition into the world of "tactical fitness", there are some things you need to consider whether you are a long time athlete in sports or completely new to training.  In no particular order (other than my personal preference), here are the Ten Rules of Tactical Fitness: #10 - Understand the THREE Phases of Tactical Fitness if you want to succeed with your professional goals.Phase 1 of Tactical Fitness - Getting TO the TrainingPhase 2 of Tactical Fitness - Getting THROUGH TrainingPhase 3 of Tactical Fitness - Active Duty Operator...