Fitness, Strength and Conditioning, Exercise Science or whatever you wish to say is more than just a job for me. It is a life. I pretty much eat, breathe, and sleep this stuff. When I am not training clients or myself, you can find me reading, studying, watching videos, etc. in order to constantly get better, learn more, and become more knowledgeable in all aspects of the body and performance. After being around some of the extremely knowledgeable people that I have been around, I know its a must to continually strive to learn.
Here are some of the best books and resources that I have read and commonly refer to for information. Great reads/views for any trainer or serious enthusiast. Numerous articles can be found on the links page that are all wonderful learning resources as well.
Science and Practice of Strength Training – Amazing text that gets deep into the science behind strength training and many modalities; a must read for any strength coach or trainer
By Vladimir Zatsiorsky and William Kraemer
Muscles: Testing and Function with Posture and Pain
By Florence Kendall and others
– a physical therapy book that is awesome for anatomy, assessment and working with postural issues
Ultimate Back Fitness and Performance – If you read this book, you will know more about training effectively for healthy performing backs then 99% of the health professionals out there. Every trainer/strength coach and pretty much any health pro that deals with backs needs to read this and the following book by Stuart McGill
Low Back Disorders – Great to read along with the above book, gets more into the clinical side of spine and back issues
By Stuart McGill (His dvd’s are also great)
NSCA’s Essentials of Strength and Conditioning – Great text that covers all aspects of science and practical application of strength and conditioning; geared more towards athletes
NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training – Covers many aspects of science and training; geared more towards general pop
Westside Barbell Book of Methods – Great collection of articles from one of the greatest lifters and strength coaches ever. If you wanna know some of the best methods to get strong and explosive, you better read Louie’s stuff. By Louie Simmons
Diagnosis and Treatment of Movement Impairment Syndromes
If you deal with movement in any capacity, you better read this. By Shirley Sahrmann
BulletProof Knees – Great read on training for healthy knees
By Mike Robertson
Building the Efficient Athlete – Great seminar series going through everything from anatomy and assessment to proper exercise technique
By Mike Robertson and Eric Cressey
Inside Out – Upper body mobility drills that everyone can use in some capacity
By Mike Robertson and Bill Hartman
Assess and Correct – Learn about finding muscle imbalances and how to fix them
By Mike Robertson, Bill Hartman, and Eric Cressey
Anatomy Trains – All about the amazing fascial lines that run through the body; amazing book. Whether you train people or do bodywork, this is a must read.
By Thomas Myers
Optimal Shoulder Performance and Rehabilitation – the name says it all, amazing seminar dvd and manual
By Eric Cressey and Mike Reinold
Explosive Power and Jumping Ability for All Sports – a classic book with great science and methods
By Tadeus Starzynski and Henryk Sozanki
Training for Speed, Agility, and Quickness – unlimited number of drills for athletes
By Vance Ferrigno and Lee Brown
Core Performance
By Mark Verstegen
Primal Body, Primal Mind – Learn how humans are supposed to eat
By Nora Gedgaudas
Trail Guide to the Body – My favorite musculoskeletal anatomy/kinesiology book that I’ve ever used
Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers – in depth science about stress and the many effects it has on the body; fun to read
by Robert Sapolsky
Ultimate MMA Conditioning – One of the best books you will find on energy system development. Geared towards MMA but provides information that can be implemented with all sports. Better than most textbooks for energy system info. By Joel Jameison
Block Periodization by Issurin – Easily one of the best books out there on scientific and practical based periodization. Great info about how to properly plan cycles and workouts for high level athletes.
Clinical Application of Neuromuscular Techniques by Leon Chaitow and Judith Delaney – AMAZING resource for anybody who does manual therapy and even for those in strength and conditioning practice. Comes in an upper and lower text and is absolutely loaded with information and research on muscle imbalances, biomechanics, physiology of movement/injury/pain, fascia, assessments, treatments, breathing and the list goes on. There aren’t enough hours in the day to read all that I want to in these texts.
Testosterone Advantage Plan – great nutrition and training info
Clinical Massage Therapy – Main text I had in massage therapy school. Has tons of great info from multiple treatment protocols for specific conditions to assessment and orthopedic tests.
Trigger Point Therapy Workbook – Great info on trigger points and how you can treat them on yourself or clients. Basically a more summed up and user friendly version of Travell and Simons original trigger point books. If you deal with pain, you should probably pick up this book.
