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"Top 5 Most Influencial Fitness Books"

Roundtable Discussion #5

What are your top 5 most influencial books in fitness/strength & conditioning and why?

Panel:

Rick Karboviak:

Here are my Top 5 choices, with a little explanation of each on its influence.

#5: The Russian Kettlebell Challenge, by Pavel Tsatsouline: This got me started on the "Kettlebell Kraze", which invigorated my spirit again in training, most recently.

#4: Jumping Into Plyometrics, by Don Chu: As a college student, this was the base reading requirement that helped me establish a foundation of knowledge to build from. It helped me for future classes and for establishing future program design for athletes. I had this book read, long before it was recommended reading in my upper level classes.

#3: Sports Speed, by George Dintiman: I've read all 3 editions of this book, including a "pre-edition" of this book from the 60's, which I found in the library while in college. I can't remember the name right now, but it was like a prequel to his Sports Speed editions. This guy was training for speed before 'speed training' became a service or trait, sought after by athletes. A lot of the basics in there still apply today. A coach ahead of his time.

#2: Body For Life, by Bill Phillips: I might get some slack for this choice, but the simplistic nature of this book helped me lay a foundation for how I train people in my career. I did the program, got results like you do through any program, but it laid some basic principles for me which I still go by today. It gave me a simple structure to aid others in sticking to their programs.

#1: Essentials of Strength Training & Conditioning: NSCA coursebook for the CSCS: I took a college class with this book as the textbook, during a time I was studying for the CSCS, and taking 2 internships in that same time frame. This book was like a bible to me during that time. I had classwork, internship experience, and free-time study in which I used this book daily. It filled me with more information, and left me searching for more, which is what any good book should do for you. You should be satisfied, but also be a bit hungry for more information after you read it.

Honorable Mentions:

High Performance Sports Conditioning: A 'cliff notes' of the big time experts in the sports training world. If you want a little of everything from everyone, this is the book to get.

Brian Nolan:

(No particular order)

Complete Hip Conditioning--Evan Osar. great indept information regarding training hips/core/lower extremities. does a nice job of marrying the physiology with the function.

Complete Core Conditioning--Evan Osar. Same reasons as above.

Training Young Athletes--Brian Grasso. Brian gives good insight, from a basic level, on working with young children--an area I think trainers should have some formal education/continuing education before working with kids.

Breaking the Bonds--JC Santana. JC's "ground based" approach is fundamental to my training methodology.

NSCA Journal of S&C--as someone who is not a research junky, it helps keep me up to date.

Roger White:

#1: Theory and Application of Modern Strength and Power Methods

#1A: Developing Youth Speed

#2: Functional Training for Sport

#3:Total Training for Young Champions

#4:Training for Speed

#1: Hands down, this book is a must read for anyone serious about strength and power training.

I always try the methods in each book first before telling anyone else to do them. In 8 weeks following a sample program, I gained 30 lbs on my upper body lifts and over 50 lbs in squat.

#1A: This is my first book and I feel it gives young athletes a great foundation for speed

development.

John Izzo:

"Functional Training for Sports"- Mike Boyle. I have always been a fan of Boyle since the first time I heard him speak in 2001. Have really seen him move up in the ranks and love this book.

I think this book is significant on so many levels for fitness professionals learning the latest techniques.

This book has really put alot of accountability and professional responsibility on Mike as he has gained popularity over the years.

"NASM OPT Model Curriculum Text" - Mike Clark. Another great eye-opener to anyone. Mike Clark really, to me, is the guy that started the mesh between pre-hab and performance training (along with Gary Gray). NASM has come along way since I discovered them in 1998 when Tom Purvis was at the helm. (My #1)

"Breaking the Bonds of Traditionalism" - JC Santana. JC is probably the best speaker today. I'm not talking about the content of his talks, but his charisma, engagement, and vast experience paint a great learning experience for anyone fortunate enough to see him.

"Optimal Muscle Training" - Ken Kinakin. Love the book for its simplistic, yet thorough depiction of muscle function and movement.

"Athletic Body In Balance" - Gray Cook. Great book from a guy that tells it how it is and is extremely knowledeable.

Honorable Mention:

"Underground BodyOpus"- Dan Duchaine

"The Poliquin Principles" - Charles Poliquin

Steve Payne:

My top 5 (in no particular order, aside from #1):

Super Training by Mel C. Siff

Athletic Body in Balance by Gray Cook

Science and Practice of Strength Training by Vladimir M. Zatsiorsky

A System of Multi-Year Training in Weight Lifting by A. S. Medvedyev

#1 Low Back Disorders: Evidence Based Prevention and Rehabilitation by Stuart McGill.

This book has influenced not only the way I work with my back rehab clients,but those who do not currently have back "issues" as well. It has given me tools, techniques and formulas for keeping athletes and lay people alike healthy, fit, productive and feeling great.

Matt Shuebrook:

Well since I am a weight loss specialist I will be a bit bias.

5. Nutrition Essentials- Joe Cannon

4. Shape Shift- Alwyn Cosgrove

3. Arnold's Encyclopedia to Lifting

2. Afterburn- Alwyn & Rachele Cosgrove

1. Program Design Manual - Alwyn Cosgrove

This manual is non-fail guide to designing a program for almost any type of client/goal. It is a easy read, even for a fitness enthusiast who doesn't know many "industry terms". Many people see workouts in the gym, magazine, books, etc. and wonder why "workout A"? why not "workout B" or "workout C-F"? I believe Program Design manual breaks it down pretty well. The book actually shows you why "workout type A" would work in this circumstance better than "workout type B or C" It can be fully read in less than 2 weeks. It has proved to be more than successful in my attempt to rid Philadelphia and America of FAT. This is why I have voted Alwyn Cosgroves Program Design Manual 1st on my list.

Rob Pilger:

I love this question! I will list the five books that have influenced the training for my clients, and myself. Books, and manuals when after you read them you can immediately apply the methods to your training. These are excluding the texts that have shaped my assessment process. The list would be to long!

SuperTraining, Science and Practice of Strength Training, Science of Sports Training, Managing the Training of Weightlifters, and the other great Russian Manuals are all loaded with great training info and are all must reads.. To some they may seem like heavy duty reads, and are not meant to be read cover to cover like novels.. I have to mention these.

Here is the list of the most practical that have helped me..

1. Advanced Program Design Manual: Paul Chek: Teaches you how to design programs from the post rehab setting, to the elite athlete. Explains how to properly ascend, and descend exercises particularly exercises of the Push,Pull, Squat, Bend, Lunge, Twist, pattern. how to perform a needs analysis, bio motor ability analysis, and movement pattern analysis. Musts for proper and effective program design. Paul pulls and references from the above Strength Bible Books.. I say he is the first to bridge the gap between rehab, post rehab, and high performance conditioning. He is a very dynamic speaker, and his talks are usually standing room only.

2. Both Mike Boyle Books. Functional Training for Sports first really turned me on to him, loaded with great training info. Designing Strength Training Programs and Facilities was another.. Attending his Functional Strength Coach course put it all together. Mike is a great speaker, and great guy. He will answer your questions kindly, and is not rued or stingy with his time..

3. Program Design Manual: Paul Chek. This is really a Charles Poliquin manual, as he pulls from him heavily. Poilquins PICP Level 1 Theory Manual mirrors this in ways. Both are MUSTS for understanding, and manipulating acute exercise variables.

4. WestSide Barbell Club Seminar Manual: This is a must for anyone seeking to get strong. Personally it's helped me reach, as of now 505lb squat, Dead nearing five hundred, and Bench nearing four hundred. I owe this system to helping me get strong in these lifts. Dave is another terrific speaker, and very generous man. When he was presenting at the Swis he had free copies of his book Under the Bar available. This is a must read also..

5. RTS Manual: Great manual for looking at the risk versus benefit of exercises. Breaks down exercises and explains the forces that are applied to the joints, and are they appropriate? Why the weight is more than the number on the dumbbell. Assessing people to properly prescribe them exercises that their ROM , and structure can handle without injury.

There is to many good books to just list five. I have to mention these. Facts and Fallacies of Fitness Training: Siff Black Book of Training Secrets: Thibaudeau, A GREAT book.

High/Low Sequences of Programing and Organizing Training: James Smith. Unifies the WestSide System, and Charlie Francis Training System into athletic performance. Explains how to manage and program High/Low frequencies successfully into training. I think this is overlooked by some trainers. Pulls heavily from the Russian Texts.

Training for Warriors: Martin Rooney.

Secrets to Martial Arts Conditioning: Alwyn Cosgrove. This could of made my top five too.

Max Conditioning: Jamie Hale.

I have many more but I know I must stop now!

Chaney Weiner:

#5 High Performance Sports Conditioning- This book provides a summary from some big names in the business and overall is a great resource for conditioning in general.

#4 Complete Core Conditioning by Evan Osar- This book integrates the technical knowledge with the practical knowledge. A little technical for the average person but a great resource for the fitness pro.

#3 Functional Training for Sports by Mike Boyle- Great book even for the non fitness pro. He discusses the latest techniques, even on the topics that are somewhat controversial, and the logic behind it. I also like how he categorizes the exercises in progression(beginner to advanced)

#2 & #1 Breaking the Bonds of Traditionalism and Program Design both by JC Santana- I have a tough time deciding which one is #1 or #2. Nonetheless these books by Carlos are a must have. The Breaking the Bonds book opened my eyes to alot of new things. The program design book puts it all together in programs. Even though I had learned this stuff hands on at IHP for 10 weeks I still refer to these books and still get new info out of them. In addition both of these books have spurred ideas that I am currently working on that are not in his books.

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