Stew Smith Fitness News

DUDE - You are NOT in Swimming Shape You may be able to run or ruck for days or play high speed sports, but when you are new to swimming - stand by.  It takes time to first learn the technique and then get into swimming shape - maybe months.  Every week a new athlete joins my local training group seeking to improve his/her PST scores.  We teach the basic Combat Swimmer Stroke and fix the typical (any not so typical) errors with this military / spec ops swim stroke.  For consistency purposes, I am speaking about a 25 yd...

Running Programming is NOT One Size Fits All If you're looking to improve your running for military special ops training, you've come to the right place. Running is a vital component of the physical demands of special ops, and it's essential to be well-prepared for the variety of running challenges you'll face.First and foremost, mastering sprinting and agility is crucial for navigating the short obstacle courses you'll encounter during your training. Incorporate a mix of sprinting and agility drills into your training regimen to improve your speed, quickness, and coordination. Additionally, incorporate grip training exercises to ensure you have the...

From Average to Outstanding: How Strategic Pacing Will Elevate Your Fitness Test Scores Are you ready to ace your fitness tests? You may have heard that you need to give it your all but let me tell you something - pacing is the key to achieving optimal scores, not sprinting. Regarding fitness tests, unless it specifically calls for 2x25m sprints or 300m sprints, you need pacing for drills such as a 1.5 mile timed run, two minutes of sit-ups, or a 500-yard swim. Why is this Important? You will not get accepted into military/spec ops programs if you cannot meet specific higher-level standards.  Situp...

Don't Short-Sight Your Spec Ops Preparation or You May Be Another Attrition Statistic Photo by D McBurnett - www.dmcburnett.com or McTeams3842 It is no secret that attrition rates are historically high among the Special Ops units across the military and SWAT Teams. Becoming a tactical athlete is a requirement for any tactical profession, as the job tends to be physically demanding, and the members are placed in dangerous situations. Life-or-death situations are common in the tactical professions (military, police, firefighters, EMT), and your fitness level may be THE determining factor in someone (or you) living or dying. So, fitness and your ability...

Military, Police, Fire Fighters… Learn to Treat Yourself Like an Athlete Back in the 90’s, before there were terms like “tactical fitness” or “tactical athlete”, I remember stating that one of the biggest problems in the public service (tactical) communities is few consider themselves athletes, nor do they come close to treating their bodies like an athlete would. Obviously, you do not have to be an athlete when serving your country or community. However, taking care of your health, wellness, and ensuring your physical abilities are up to being able to do your job and successfully recover from the personal,...