Tactical Fitness Report with Stew Smith Podcast

Stew Smith

This is the Tactical Fitness Report with Stew Smith podcast. We will post these each week and discuss a variety of topics focused on Tactical Fitness Training for Military, Special Ops, Police, and Fire Fighting Training. We will also review videos on swimming, give quick power point presentations and discuss all things Tactical Fitness related. Check out other videos of combat swimmer stroke, workouts, and other spec ops related training. See www.stewsmith.com or www.stewsmithfitness.com for more information, training programs, books, ebooks, and online coaching for military, law enforcement, special ops, fire fighting training programs.

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Episodes

Episode 277: There is More to Training for Spec Ops Selection Than Beat Down Workouts
May 3 2024
Episode 277: There is More to Training for Spec Ops Selection Than Beat Down Workouts
You have to push yourself—YES, but programming smartly so you see improvements in your self-assessments (PST, runs, rucks, swims, lifts, etc.) is the goal of your training. Obviously, this is relative to your athletic history, as someone's "beat-down" could be another person's warmup. Have you considered teamwork drills, communication, and problem-solving with your workouts? You cannot do this by yourself, true, but you will find that really tough workouts can be divided by a team of people to reduce the total load on the individuals and involve significant training in strategizing, thinking while tired, and working together to accumulate reps to complete the workout.Take the Sand Baby Devil Murph for instance, we did this workout the other day with 4 groups of 4 people:  https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/the-official-sandbaby-devil-murph-workout-log-pt-plus-simulationEach team of four had to discuss their strategy to complete the workout, then work together, keep track of reps, distances, and times, and communicate effectively. Using the strengths of each team member to offset any weaknesses of others worked well for the teams, as did a simple group division of 4 on each event. Some teams divided and conquered. Some teams doubled up some events with a single member to balance a weakness or injury that prevented a team member from being helpful on a particular event. All in all, the teams finished the tasks at about the same time, completing them in four different ways. Discussing those methods and best practices in the debrief again demonstrated the need for more communication throughout the team. Now, let's take some questions.Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6164612443013120
Episode 276: Can't Run - Try These Bike Workouts
May 3 2024
Episode 276: Can't Run - Try These Bike Workouts
There are moments in every runner's journey when they face setbacks like tendonitis, shin splints, sprained ankles, or foot pain. It's a common experience, with over half of all runners encountering a running-related injury yearly. However, these challenges don't have to stop your progress. By incorporating these effective alternative training options, you can maintain your cardio training habit even when you cannot run for a few weeks or longer. It is possible to take some time off from running, heal up, and get back to running again even faster than before you were injured, but let’s explore these options:The bike workouts listed below are not your typical leisurely rides. They are designed to replicate the intensity of your running efforts. Even zone two biking, considered moderate, requires a level of pacing that is work. These workouts are intense, pushing your leg, lung endurance, and muscle stamina to the limit. The result? You'll likely return to running faster than before you were injured.Bike Workout #1:  Bike Tabata Intervals – This high and easy intensity interval works in 20-second fast / 10-second easy segments. Hold the 20 fast / 10 easy intervals for the time of your timed running event. If you run your 1.5-mile run in 10 minutes, these intervals will last 10 minutes. However, take an easy 5-minute rest (slow bike) and repeat the 10 minutes of the Tabata Interval again. Bike Workout #2:  Bike Pyramid (increase resistance EMOM) – For this pyramid workout, you start at 80 RPMs at level one on the resistance scale and keep it in between the range of 70 and 90 RPMs the entire workout. Every minute on the minute you increase the resistance by one or two levels depending on the amount of time you have. You can apply the Tabata interval for any cardio machine, but many have also used it for work-to-rest ratios for calisthenics and kettlebells.Bike Workout #3: 100-calorie burnout set – as fast as possible - This is meant to be a higher-intensity workout. That would be like a sprint workout if you were running. Then, it is your job to go as fast as you can for as long as you can until you reach 100 calories.  This workout/test estimates caloric burn, but it feels like you are timing yourself and a mile run. Typically, 100 calories burned on a bike or elliptical takes about the same time to run a mile fast with similar effort. This is one of those workouts that takes five and seven minutes to bike. After you burn 100 calories, rest with easy peddling for 5 minutes and do it again for a second set. If you have anything left in you, try for a third set after another 5-minute easy period.Let's not overlook the power of rest and recovery, especially from impact exercises like running. Sometimes, the body needs a de-load. Occasionally, you can take an easy week, or an injury will dictate your de-load weeks. Give it to yourself and allow your body the rest it needsWant to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6164612443013120
Episode 271: Skip Stretching at Your Own Risk...Plus LIVE QA with Stew Smith
Dec 5 2023
Episode 271: Skip Stretching at Your Own Risk...Plus LIVE QA with Stew Smith
Have you been told that static stretching is bad, and it does not doesn't prevent injuries? See - https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/dont-skip-moblity-dayMost of us have been coached to avoid stretching altogether, don’t stretch before a workout, or use dynamic stretches instead. For me personally, stretching more has been life-changing, with increased joint mobility, reduced pain, and even injury prevention. Despite what you may have been told, a well-balanced mix of cardio warmups, dynamic stretching, and static stretching can make a real difference in your physical health. Finding the right warmup routine for your body and your specific physical activities is a process that will take some trial and error, but the benefits are well worth the effort.The Benefits of Daily StretchingDaily stretching can be spread throughout the day with short walks mixed with any stretch for just minutes a day. But it is recommended to add a stretching session after exercise or stressful days or as a cooldown to cardio activity. Helps Decompress – Both physically and mentally, stretching allows you to relax, brings stress levels down, and puts you in a better mindset. Stress in the body makes muscles tight and stiff, leading to tension headaches and lower back pains. Stretching helps to relieve aches from common soreness and tension. Stretching increases blood flow throughout the body and the brain. Increasing feel-good hormones like serotonin stretching reduces stress, anxiety, and general fatigue—stretch/stress study. See https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23764394/Increased Flexibility and Joint Range of Motion – This major benefit also allows you to be more balanced with your posture and will help you prevent injuries. From avoiding common daily aches and pains to being more durable during workouts and athletic activity, stretching reduces pain and injury through soft tissue flexibility and joint mobility. Helps with Treading Water and Swimming – For many non-swimming athletes, swimming and treading are more difficult, mainly due to the lack of shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle mobility and tight leg, back, and shoulder muscles.  See related article and recent coaching tips. see article - https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/treading-might-be-a-mobility-issue-try-these-stretches-movementsCooling Down After Workout – Most people who stretch will stretch on the back end of a workout, but often, this section is skipped due to busy lives and lack of time. But stretching helps us move better. When you bend over to pick up a heavy box or even a pen on the floor, you can throw your back out just by bending over at the hips if your back, hips, and legs are tight (lacking flexibility and mobility). Sitting is the New Smoking – Getting up every 30-40 minutes for a quick walk and stretching session of the legs, hips, and shoulders can reduce stress and back pain and help you with your productivity and mood. Sitting too much is one of the biggest reasons why we need to pursue a daily stretching habit actively. See more great training ideas at https://www.stewsmithfitness.com in the form of free articles, free APP, and books, ebooks, and online coaching too.Find more about our programs at our social media:Facebook    Instagram  TikTok  Youtubehttp://www.facebook.com/stewsmith182http://www.instagram.com/stewsmith50https://www.tiktok.com/@stewsmith50https://www.youtube.com/stew50smithGo to https://www.stewsmithfitness.com and use LIVE15 and save 15% on the store purchases
Episode 270: Endurance and Strength Training + Going LIVE with QA by Stew Smith
Nov 27 2023
Episode 270: Endurance and Strength Training + Going LIVE with QA by Stew Smith
Get good at both - learn about Seasonal Tactical Fitness Periodization - https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/seasonal-tactical-fitness-periodization-what-is-it-why-is-it-importantFor the best athletes in either the endurance or strength world, you will find both athlete types excel in one and perform rather miserably in the other.  While this may be true for the elite athletes who need to master their competition events, it does not matter for the tactical athlete in the military, who needs to have a solid foundation in both but does not need to be great in either strength or endurance. Just being good at both is the goal of the tactical athlete in the military, police, and firefighting professions. A recent study was published ( https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35971745/ ) discussing that after a cycle of endurance training, athletes who did a resistance training cycle immediately following saw an increased rate of muscle growth. This is news as, for as long as I can remember, those who like to lift for both strength and mass gains avoid cardio as if it were a disease that could negatively affect their performance and/or aesthetics. Granted, this study was done in untrained teens, who typically see quick increases in gains when exposed to any new stimulus. See more great training ideas at https://www.stewsmithfitness.com in the form of free articles, free APP, and books, ebooks, and online coaching too.Find more about our programs at our social media:Facebook    Instagram  TikTok  Youtubehttp://www.facebook.com/stewsmith182http://www.instagram.com/stewsmith50https://www.tiktok.com/@stewsmith50https://www.youtube.com/stew50smithGo to https://www.stewsmithfitness.com and use LIVE15 and save 15% on the store purchasesWant to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6164612443013120
Episode 269: Thanksgiving Week Plus Going LIVE with QA with Stew Smith
Nov 25 2023
Episode 269: Thanksgiving Week Plus Going LIVE with QA with Stew Smith
National Diet Cheat Day is was here this week. Many Americans are thankful for this day of feasting as it can bring together family, friends, and lots of food with no excuses. If you are considering making Thanksgiving Day your “cheat day” and combining eating a masterfully prepared meal by someone prideful in their cooking with sitting around watching football, parades, and dog shows, try some of these ideas to help with some activity. Get the Physical Activity Done BEFORE Eating – There are many tradition-making ideas to get you moving on Thanksgiving morning. The low-hanging fruit for physical activity can start with home and yard cleanup if you are hosting a dinner. Local Turkey-Trots for a good cause are also available in most areas, OR you can make your own family/friend-oriented Turkey Trot. If you have a big family or group of friends, maybe create your own Turkey-Bowl Flag Football game. These are all great ideas for morning activity.Start a Tradition - My own Thanksgiving Day workout consists of current students and prior students who are back home on leave for a traditional run and calisthenics / some lifting workouts. While they have varied in detail throughout the 25 years of workout tradition, having a mini-reunion with old friends is a fun hour or so. It has been more reunion than a typical difficult workout, but remembering where you came from is also a nice touch. Long before this tradition, when I would go home, my high school buddies and I would meet old coaches in the morning at the high school and have the gym to ourselves.  I am sure this is where I got the idea to continue creating a moment for former students to join in a homecoming workout.  If you are a coach, consider building a new tradition if it fits your abilities and facilities. See more great training ideas at https://www.stewsmithfitness.com in the form of free articles, free APP, and books, ebooks, and online coaching too.Find more about our programs at our social media:Facebook    Instagram  TikTok  Youtubehttp://www.facebook.com/stewsmith182http://www.instagram.com/stewsmith50https://www.tiktok.com/@stewsmith50https://www.youtube.com/stew50smithGo to https://www.stewsmithfitness.com and use LIVE15 and save 15% on the store purchases
Episode 268: What Our Deloads Look Like - Consider Them When Changing Seasons
Nov 9 2023
Episode 268: What Our Deloads Look Like - Consider Them When Changing Seasons
See related article on the topic: https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/training-overload-when-less-is-moreIf you are burned out from life, previous high volume cycles, you may want to do a deload week prior to getting your lift cycle on. As you know we do Fall / Winter Lift cycles and will progress into lifting.  We even do a 4th week deload during the Fall progression and throughout the winter lift cycle. WHY? - It helps....both with recovery and progress. When training hard, especially those preparing for a Special Ops level selection program in their future, multiple challenging workouts in a week always requires a strict recovery regimen.  That means your sleep, nutrition for fuel, nutrition for recovery, electrolytes / hydration, recovery days, and a smart balance of training using split routines that allow for muscle group recovery ALL have to be in perfect alignment.  When any of those get neglected, you will start to see the signs of over-training or under-recovery start to show themselves usually as lack of energy to train and decreased performance.See more great training ideas at https://www.stewsmithfitness.com in the form of free articles, free APP, and books, ebooks, and online coaching too.Find more about our programs at our social media:Facebook    Instagram  TikTok  Youtubehttp://www.facebook.com/stewsmith182http://www.instagram.com/stewsmith50https://www.tiktok.com/@stewsmith50https://www.youtube.com/stew50smithGo to https://www.stewsmithfitness.com and use LIVE15 and save 15% on the store purchases
Episode 267: Most Common Training Mistakes Athletes Make Preparing for Spec Ops - LIVE QA
Oct 17 2023
Episode 267: Most Common Training Mistakes Athletes Make Preparing for Spec Ops - LIVE QA
New Article: https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/most-common-training-mistakes-made-by-former-athletes-preparing-for-spec-opsIt 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 to learn tactical skills while remaining calm in stressful situations are that important.  The attrition is high in these jobs because the training has to be tough physically, mentally, and emotionally to best prepare you for when it is real. Check out my info at https://www.stewsmithfitness.com for more on tactical fitness training, testing, and getting TO and THROUGH Selection. https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/physical-assessment-tools-for-to-and-through-selection Personalizing Spec Ops Programming to Logically Fit Your Abilities...then Progress from There... See ideas: https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/test-article Also - Two Programs To Turn Weakness into Strength - https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/two-programs-that-turn-weakness-into-strengths-or-much-less-of-a-weaknessDon’t Skip Mobility Day - https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/dont-skip-moblity-dayCheck out more info on my YouTube, TIKTOK (CSS Critiques), Instagram pages as well as my site https://www.stewsmithfitness.com
Episode 266: Time in the Pain Cave - Have Your Spent Enough Time There Spec Ops Recruits?
Oct 10 2023
Episode 266: Time in the Pain Cave - Have Your Spent Enough Time There Spec Ops Recruits?
Before I go down this rabbit hole, I will explain where I heard this comment. An older candidate gave his opinion to a younger candidate when asked, "How are you crushing everything like you do?"  See full article at https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/update-to-articleThe new guy is still in his teens, played sports in high school, and is preparing for the Navy SEAL program. The "older guy" is 23 years old, spent his high school years playing multiple sports, and continued wrestling through college. During the off-season, he practiced swimming, treading, and getting comfortable in the water. My involvement with the "older guy" was to fine-tune his swimming, to be honest. He had all the other scores on PST, longer runs, rucks, swims with fins, lifting, etc...He continued: "Before I even considered going to SEAL training," the wrestler who can swim said, "I was working out hard since 12 years old, getting my ass beat by high school wrestlers." My life was practicing, lifting, running (for other sports), and cutting weight during the wrestling season. I always kept in shape and spent the summer preparing for football season. I just lifted more and ran faster for that season. At the end of his story, he said the phrase, "I have spent many years living in the "pain cave."See more great training ideas at https://www.stewsmithfitness.com in the form of free articles, free APP, and books, ebooks, and online coaching too.Find more about our programs at our social media:Facebook    Instagram  TikTok  Youtubehttp://www.facebook.com/stewsmith182http://www.instagram.com/stewsmith50https://www.tiktok.com/@stewsmith50https://www.youtube.com/stew50smithGo to https://www.stewsmithfitness.com and use LIVE15 and save 15% on the store purchases
Episode 265: Rucking for Fun? Some Tips for New Ruckers Plus LIVE QA
Oct 3 2023
Episode 265: Rucking for Fun? Some Tips for New Ruckers Plus LIVE QA
Check out https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/rucking-progression-rules-of-rucking for more rucking tips. But here is the latest info to help beginners:Here are seven things to consider when new to rucking for exercise:Walk, Don’t Run – In the military, there are often races with moderately heavy rucks that many can still run with (40-50lbs). Your goal as a new rucker is to put time under the load and walk.  If you want a standard, shoot for 15-minute miles (4 mph), which you will see is a moderate pace that borders on the casual stroll and a power walk. Start Light – You may have heard stories about 100+ lbs. rucks from your military friends. While this is true with many who served in the Infantry, Rangers, and other special operations ground pounders, the beginner doesn't need to go heavy. Start Short and Progress Smartly – If you walk 30 minutes a day already, try making 5-10 minutes of that normal walk with the added new weight. Progress every week or two with an additional 5 minutes under the ruck. You can build up to 30-60 minutes of rucking in a few months as long as you are consistent with your walking/rucking regimen. Don’t Do Daily – Progress with the number of days you ruck as with the weight and distance increases. Start off once or twice a week at first. I recommend calling your rucking day a leg day. Rucking is a great way to top off leg day if you lift. Good Shoes / Boots – The shoes, boots, and socks will largely be preferred by the individual, but it is smart to ruck with boots if the terrain you are walking is uneven (trails, fields, etc.). But good walking shoes are fine if you walk on roads and pavement. Get a Good Backpack (or Weight Vest) – Many people start off wearing a backpack to build strength in a more balanced way, as the weight vest has front/back weights distributed on your torso better than a backpack. Don’t Forget Weight – Adding weight to a backpack seems common sense. Just put in a plate or a dumbbell to get your desired weight - right? Wrong. Unless you like metal grinding on your ribs and spine, you may want something softer and equally dense. Try sand. You can buy a 40-50lb bag of play sand (think sandbox filler) for less than $5 and adjust it to fit nicely in any pouch in your pack. See more great training ideas at https://www.stewsmithfitness.com in the form of free articles, free APP, and books, ebooks, and online coaching too.Find more about our programs at our social media:Facebook    Instagram  TikTok  Youtubehttp://www.facebook.com/stewsmith182http://www.instagram.com/stewsmith50https://www.tiktok.com/@stewsmith50https://www.youtube.com/stew50smithGo to https://www.stewsmithfitness.com and use LIVE15 and save 15% on the store purchases
Episode 263: All Ways to Lose Weight Have These Two Things in Common (even Vegan and Carnivore)
Sep 19 2023
Episode 263: All Ways to Lose Weight Have These Two Things in Common (even Vegan and Carnivore)
No doubt, you have seen countless ways to lose weight in your life, from dieting, fasting, and sweating (water weight) to portion control; all work if you are consistent with your chosen process of restricting calories consumed.  See https://www.stewsmithfitness.com for more info. The one thing you must realize no matter what method you choose to try to lose extra weight is it takes an effort to burn more calories than you consume. Typically, this process takes weeks of consistently either burning more calories than normal or reducing the number of calories you eat during this time. As a person who is not a dietitian or nutritionist, I want to share some experiences over the decades of trying to gain weight as a young athlete, maintaining a healthy weight during military service, and even losing weight throughout my forties and fifties.  Though each scenario is different, it all comes down to keeping track of the number of calories IN versus OUT.  Here are some classic examples: (see LIVE QA show)Also if you have not been to https://www.stewsmithfitness.com in a while check out the latest articles, updated books and ebooks on tactical fitness, and online coaching is available too by Stew Smith CSCS - former Navy SEAL and long time tactical fitness and spec ops swim coach.Find more about our programs at our social media:Facebook    Instagram  TikTok  Youtubehttp://www.facebook.com/stewsmith182http://www.instagram.com/stewsmith50https://www.tiktok.com/@stewsmith50https://www.youtube.com/stew50smith  Go to https://www.stewsmithfitness.com and use LIVE15 and save 15% on the store purchases
Episode 261: Happy Monday - LIVE QA with Stew Smith (varying topics from quitting to doing lift cycles)...
Aug 22 2023
Episode 261: Happy Monday - LIVE QA with Stew Smith (varying topics from quitting to doing lift cycles)...
Stew Smith https://www.StewSmithFitness.com discusses what you ask about today. Some of the most common topics and related articles about prior questions are here.Related introduction topic article: https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/two-programs-that-turn-weakness-into-strengths-or-much-less-of-a-weaknessCheck out my info at https://www.stewsmithfitness.com for more on tactical fitness training, testing, and getting TO and THROUGH Selection. https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/physical-assessment-tools-for-to-and-through-selection Personalizing Spec Ops Programming to Logically Fit Your Abilities...then Progress from There... See ideas: https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/test-article Also - Two Programs To Turn Weakness into Strength - https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/two-programs-that-turn-weakness-into-strengths-or-much-less-of-a-weaknessCheck out the System’s Check article - https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/perform-a-systems-check-after-long-bouts-with-illness-injury-or-not-trainingWho is Ready for FALL Transition Training? It is coming up....When in doubt – go with Mobility Day workouts to keep the habit of training alive:https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/mobility-day-easy-day-recovery-day-technique-day-call-it-what-you-want-you-still-need-itDon’t Skip Mobility Day - https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/dont-skip-moblity-dayCheck out more info on my YouTube, TIKTOK (CSS Critiques), Instagram pages as well as my site https://www.stewsmithfitness.com