Anatomy Trains by Thomas W. Meyers. This book helped me understand how muscles are connected together through fascia. Textbooks in certification and school teach you how each muscles works independently but that's not how humans function. We move as a symphony of muscles working together and if one area of the body is tight it messes up the function of its partner muscles.
My top pick would have to be "How Minds Change" by David McRaney. Although not explicitly about fitness, it has profound insights into the psychology of belief and persuasion, which is very relevant when trying to foster behavior change and address misconceptions in clients. McRaney's exploration of how minds are changed via empathy, understanding, and creating a safe environment is directly applicable to coaching. My biggest takeaway is that facts alone rarely change someone's mind, especially if those facts challenge deeply held beliefs. McRaney emphasizes the importance of building rapport and allowing people to come to their own conclusions by gently guiding them through self-reflection and motivational interviewing techniques. This can be extremely useful in helping clients overcome resistance to certain training methods or nutritional advice, leading to more effective and sustainable long-term behavior change. I think this must-read book will transform how fitness professionals approach the psychological barriers clients face to exercise.
As a fitness copywriter at SQUATWOLF, I recommend two books that have really helped me in my fitness journey. Beyond Bigger Leaner Stronger by Michael Matthews is great for anyone who wants to improve their workouts and nutrition. For example, the book’s advice on tracking macros has helped me fine-tune my diet to better support my training goals. The workout plans in the book have also guided me in structuring my routines to ensure I’m targeting the right muscle groups effectively. Chrissie Wellington’s A Life Without Limits is another favorite. Her story of becoming a world champion triathlete is super inspiring. It reminds me to keep pushing through challenges and never give up. One of the key lessons I took from this book is the importance of mental toughness. Whenever I hit a tough spot in my training, I think back to her perseverance and it motivates me to keep going. Both of these books have made a big impact on how I approach fitness and life.
It’s gotta be "Move Your DNA" by Katy Bowman. It’s like she cracked the code on how our bodies were meant to move. Forget about fancy gym equipment and isolating muscles – this book’s all about getting back to basics and using our whole bodies. It’s opened my eyes to how important natural movement is for overall health and well-being. Seriously, it’s a must-read for anyone in the industry.
"The New Rules of Lifting" by Lou Schuler and Alwyn Cosgrove. This book has been pivotal in shaping my approach to fitness, particularly in how I structure strength training programs. The book challenges many of the traditional notions of weight training by emphasizing functional movements and strength-building over simply focusing on aesthetics or isolated muscle training. The authors advocate for compound movements, like squats and deadlifts, which not only build muscle but also improve overall functional strength and mobility. This has influenced me to prioritize full-body workouts that are more aligned with real-world physical demands rather than just gym-based exercises. What stands out in the book is the practical and straightforward advice on program design, including how to adjust workouts based on individual goals, whether they be fat loss, muscle gain, or general fitness. I've integrated many of these principles into my own training, focusing on efficiency and effectiveness. The emphasis on proper technique, progressive overload, and balanced routines has allowed me to achieve better results, more sustainably. For anyone serious about fitness, this book is a game-changer.
If there's one book I'd recommend to fellow fitness professionals, it’s "The New Rules of Lifting" by Lou Schuler and Alwyn Cosgrove. This book changed how I think about strength training. It’s not just about lifting heavy weights—it’s about finding balance in your workouts. The routines are practical, focusing on movement quality over just adding more reps or weight. I love how it talks about recovery too, something we often overlook. The writing feels like chatting with a seasoned coach, making complex ideas easy to grasp. This book has definitely made me a smarter trainer and helped me design better programs for my clients.
I highly recommend "The New Rules of Lifting" by Lou Schuler and Alwyn Cosgrove. This book has influenced my approach by emphasizing the importance of strength training and functional movements, helping me design more effective and balanced workout programs for clients.