One of the many things I have learned for some of the best in the business is that you should never stop learning! So over the years I have made it a point to read two new books a month. One on the subject of sports performance/ strength and conditioning/ fitness, or whatever you want to call it. And one on the business side of things. The following is a list of some of the books on the performance training side of things that I would recommend. Whether you as a trainer or coach agree with what you are reading you should keep an open mind about newly developed training methods and the science behind them! If you are interested in physical fitness, sports performance, athletic development or the human body this is a list of a few books I have found to be some of the best on the subject.
Science:
Basic Biomechanics: 5th Ed, you will need to have a solid understanding of Biomechanics to be a good coach.
Muscles: Testing and Function with Posture and Pain 5th Ed, Classic book that all trainers should have. On the Physical Therapy/Movement Impairment side of things, Very in-depth!
Diagnosis and Treatment of Movement Impairment Syndromes: A good coach/trainer will need to spot musculoskeletal dysfunction.
Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Good book on the science of human movement.
Exercise Physiology: Theory and Application to Fitness and Performance Solid book on Applied Physiology (the science of the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of the human body)
ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription a reference for all allied health, fitness and clinical exercises professionals. Everything you want to know about exercise testing.
Mainstream application/training:
Essentials of Strength and Conditioning a solid book that every Strength and Conditioning coach must own. It’s literally the study guide (650 pages) for the NSCA-CSCS test.
Designing Strength Training Programs and Facilities Mike Boyle, one of the best in the business, great overall book!
Vertical Jump Development Bible Kelly Baggett, another good read.
Trigger Point Therapy Workbook Self-healing with soft tissue work.
Starting Strength Great teaching resources for compound lifts.
Training for Speed, Agility, and Quickness Lee Brown, President of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) from 2006-2009. Full of some good drills.
Jumping into Plyometrics Donald A. Chu, long time S & C coach, basically a list of some good drills.
Men's Health Power Training Coach Dos really knows his stuff! 2006 NSCA strength coach of the year.
Athletic Development: Art & Science of Functional Sports Conditioning Vern Gambetta, Very well know strength coach in many sports.
Core Performance Mark Verstegen, President of Athletes' Performance.
The Poliquin Principles: Successful Methods for Strength and Mass Development
Strength Training Anatomy very cool book about the inside view of the muscles in action during every exercise.
Athletic Body in Balance Gray Cook, fan of his Functional Movement Screen.
Functional Training for Sports Mike Boyle, enough said.
Total Training for Young Champions Dr. Tudor Bompa, great info on youth sports, I read whatever he puts out, very smart guy.
Periodization Training for Sports - 2nd Edition Dr. Tudor Bompa, easy read about program planning and periodization.
Warp Speed Fat Loss Alwyn Cosgrove, another very smart guy, I also read everything he puts out.
Precision Nutrition Dr. John M. Berardi, PhD, great nutrition book, really makes you think.
NSCA's Essentials of Personal Training, Big difference between Personal Trainers & Strength and Conditioning Specialists. I like to have a solid understanding of the general population as well, hence the PT book.
Children and Sports Training Dr. Jozef Drabik, one of the best youth fitness/sports training books.
A System of Multi Year Training in Weightlifting Translated Russian text, difficult read, but great info!
Fundamentals of Special Strength Training in Sport Translated Russian text, difficult read, but great info!
Program and Organization of Training Translated Russian text, difficult read, but great info!
Brian Van Hook, CSCS
Van Hook Sports Performance Training
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