Mastering Fitness

Personal Trainer, Fitness Educator, and Web Developer

Books

Assessment and Treatment of Muscle Imbalance

The Janda Approach

Super Thinking

The Big Book of Mental Models

I’ve always thought that we should have a class in school that tells us things that should be “common sense”. This is the most thorough representation of that dream. Fine tune the way you think and become aware of your biases.

Color Atlas of Anatomy

A Photographic Study of the Human Body

Anatomy pictures of real cadavers. The illustrated atlases are perfect world fantasies. They are easier to learn from, but fake. If you want something more true to nature, you need this book.

Atlas of Anatomy

My favorite pictures for upgrading your anatomy visuals.

The Paradox of Choice

Why More Is Less

Schwartz not only tackles important topics on decision-making, but also offers up his own opinions as a professor, researcher, and human. It’s a refreshing touch on a sometimes bland category.

Range

Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World

If you’re like me and don’t find hyperspecialization very interesting, then you’ll really like this book.

This Is Marketing

You Can't Be Seen Until You Learn to See

This is Seth Godin’s marketing instruction in a nutshell. Goes well when paired with his free lecture series, Startup School.

Close Your Mouth

Stop Asthma, Hay Fever, and Nasal Congestion Permanently

Short read. An intro to nasal breathing. It’s a little over-sold, but still an important topic.

Supertraining

The bible of strength and conditioning.

Science and Practice of Strength Training

The first strength and conditioning book you should read.

The Art of Possibility

Transforming Professional and Personal Life

The War of Art

Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles

Pressfield attacks that inner voice in your head that prevents you from getting things done.

Linchpin

Are You Indispensible?

Seth Godin’s manifesto. I found it highly inspiring and have already read/listened to it multiple times.

Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System

Foundations for Rehabilitation

Must have for learning anatomy. The second step after you finish the coloring book. Take your time through this one, it’s dense.

The Physiology of the Joints, Volume 3

The Spinal Column, Pelvic Girdle and Head

Essential to take your musculoskeletal anatomy to the advanced level.

The Physiology of the Joints, Volume 2

The Lower Limb

Essential to take your musculoskeletal anatomy to the advanced level.

The Physiology of the Joints, Volume 1

The Upper Limb

Essential to take your musculoskeletal anatomy to the advanced level.

The Physiology Coloring Book

Step one for learning physiology.

The Anatomy Coloring Book

Step one for learning anatomy.

Anatomy Trains

Myofascial Meridians for Manual and Movement Therapists

I like this book not for the bulk of the content, which is indeed helpful, but for the anatomy detailed in it.

Make It Stick

The Science of Successful Learning

Learning how to learn is one of the best investments you can make. Do it sooner rather than later.

Recognizing and Treating Breathing Disorders

A Multidisciplinary Approach

This is best broad overview of breathing I’ve found. I have an older edition. The biochemical chapter was my favorite.

Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers

The Acclaimed Guide to Stress, Stress-Related Diseases, and Coping

Probably my favorite book. Sapolsky’s writing and work serves as an at-least-weekly source of inspiration for me. You’ll laugh, cry, and learn something new.

Thinking in Bets

Making Smarter Decisions When You Don't Have All the Facts

I found this book very motivating and easy to listen to. Annie Duke gives you plenty of help with logical decision making. She’s a poker player and research savant.

Decisive

How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work

These brothers have some of the best non-fiction writing out there for retention. In this one, they help you make decisions.

Essentialism

The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

An important message. McKeown makes his point thoroughly. Focus on what is important. Figure out what is unnecessary and eliminate it. This is one of the books that I own both the audio and hardcover versions. And it’s one of the even fewer that I’ve actually read and listened to multiple times.

A Beautiful Constraint

How To Transform Your Limitations Into Advantages, and Why It's Everyone's Business

Constraints are everywhere. Instead of resisting them, start asking, “How can I make this constraint beautiful?” If a client has a fake hip, consider his or her limitations a gift and flex your creative muscle.

So Good They Can’t Ignore You

Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love

As a serial student, this book hit me close to home. Encourages you to act rather than waiting for the answer to the question “What are you passionate about?” Get better every day.

Tools of Titans

The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers

My favorite of Tim Ferriss’s books. An amalgamation of a ton of smart people. Don’t expect everything to resonate with you, but something will surely shatter your worldview.

Anything You Want

40 Lessons for a New Kind of Entrepreneur

Derek Sivers is just a likeable dude. Take his experiences running a business and try avoiding some of his mistakes.

Keep Going

10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad

Kleon’s books are super short, super cheap, and I’ve found them all inspiring. Such a great value.

Steal Like an Artist

10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative

A quick read. Here’s some tips on how to create great art (and all your work is art).

Show Your Work

10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered

This one might inspire you to finally publish your own website 🙂

Why Do I Hurt?

Adriaan Louw writes this book for physical therapists to give to patients, but it also works as a good, short introduction to pain science for personal trainers and strength coaches.

Biochemistry

If you need facts, here they are.

Flow

The Psychology of Optimal Experience

Everyone is striving for flow. Learn what it is. This author also has the best name of any author.

Fundamentals of Human Neuropsychology

Much more dense than Medical Neurobiology. It’s also beautifully written.

Medical Neurobiology

Well-designed and, though thick, much less daunting than traditional textbooks.

Predictably Irrational

The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions

Dan Ariely takes behavioral economics and elucidates some of our biases. Easy to read. Understanding human quirks will help you deal with them (and we all deal with people).

Motivational Interviewing

Helping People Change

Must read for behavior change.

Made to Stick

Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die

Chip and Dan Heath are great writers. This one is an easy read and good for getting you thinking about teaching.

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