Stew Smith Fitness News — stew smith

This week I received an email that brought back a few old memories of Army Airborne training in Fort Benning , GA. This young soldier wishes to become an Army Ranger and wants to know what he needs to do to prepare each step of the way.If anyone is preparing to become a member of any Special Operations Group (Army SF, Rangers, Navy SEALs, Marine RECON, Air Force PJs, EOD units, and others) they all must graduate from the Army Basic Airborne Course (BAC) in Fort Benning. Not only is it a prerequisite for Special Ops, but it has become...

Swimming with Fins - We Do This On Leg Days (Get Used to It)    Rocket Fins                        Jet Fins You will most likely see Rocket or Jet Fins when you check into any military special ops swimming / diving program. Get used to them! This week, I received a frequently asked question about swimming with fins. Swimming with fins during rigorous military training like BUD/S, Coast Guard HRSS, Air Force SpecWar, RECON/ MarSOC Training, Army Ranger / SF training, or many law enforcement SWAT programs is required in open water tests....

Many emails ask about the “magic weight loss pills” and diets. Here is an email from a couple who are interested in losing some weight and getting more fit.What about Diet Pills and special supplements? Do they work?If diet pills and “special” weight loss supplements worked, there would be fewer overweight people in America. Weight loss pills and diets for that matter are both ineffective and potentially harmful; long-term health-oriented programs should replace them. The weight loss pills contain ingredients that are not regulated by any scientific research or government department like the Food and Drug Administration. Notice on any...

I have received many emails this week concerning past injuries of Military.com and StewSmith.com readers. According to Navy Bureau of Medicine, the top three sport injury surgeries done on its members are:- Shoulders - Knees - Lower Back For the next three weeks I will focus on exercises to help strengthen these areas in case you are suffering from previous injuries. For those healthy StewSmith.com readers, the exercises discussed in the next three weeks will also help you PREVENT hurting yourself with these most common of injuries.This week my focus is on the number one most injured joint in our...

  This week an email prompted me to write about one of my favorite and most frequently done exercises in my workouts – the CRUNCH! The question asked was concerning when in your workouts do I like to do abs – in the beginning, after cardio, or in the middle? I have found that I do two types of abs that work very well for me as well as many of the people I train - - I REST WITH CRUNCHES and WARMUP WITH CRUNCHES! Many will say that crunches are in no way a resting exercise, but I disagree....