If you’re like me you want to know every single thing there is to know about training.  Unfortunately, as an up and coming trainer I was constantly referring to the resource lists on the sites of other coaches and trying to choose which of the many books and products to purchase.  With a list of over 50 books it was sometimes hard to decide where to spend my hard earned money.

So, I decided to create a list of my top three books to get you started.  If someone asked me to give up every book I’ve ever read and keep only three, the books below would be the ones I would choose.  While none of the ones I’m about to list aren’t specifically about training, they are the three that I can say without a doubt had the biggest influence on how I think about the body and human movement.

Here they are in no particular order:

Muscles: Testing and Function, with Posture and Pain

This book provided my first real taste of postural assessment.  The detail provided and the numerous pictures were an incredible resource.  More than that, the information on testing for muscle length and strength was awesome!  With charts provided for assessment this is easily one of the best resources I own.

Low Back Disorders: Evidence-Based Prevention and Rehabilitation

Without this book my programming would not be the same.  While a large part of this book was geared towards mechanisms of lower back injury, the power of understanding these mechanisms for exercise selection has been incredibly valuable to me.  I concretely believe that this is the single most important starting place for understanding core training and why to chose and why to avoid certain exercises.  Well worth every penny.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Movement Impairment Syndromes

Frankly, this book was probably the biggest eye opener for me in understanding normal human movement and the causes of dysfunction.  Dr Shirley Sahrmann is a legend and her ideas changed the way I think about training.  While I genuinely appreciate the ability to assess static posture, assessing and correcting movement itself is possibly the most valuable skill a trainer can have.  Personally, I found this a tough read because I was pouring over each page again and again to make sure I soaked up every ounce of information, but in the end I woud put this book at the top of my list.

If you have some money burning a hole in your pocket and you need a great book to read I’d highly suggest starting with one of the above.

Got a book that you think is better?  Drop me a comment below.

3 Things I’m Reading

Low Back Disorders: Evidence-Based Prevention and Rehabilitation – Dr Stuart McGill

I originally read this a long time ago, but after a recent discussion with Dr McGill I decided to pull it out and give it another read.  I’m blowing through it this time and am enjoying the refresher.  It is also helping to reaffirm some of my thoughts on training and challenge others.

I guess the take home message is that if you have a great book you haven’t referred to in a while, don’t be afraid to give it a read through again.  You’ll be surprized at what you may have missed the first time.  It is kinda like watching Fight Club the second time around.

So You’re Going to be a Dad – Peter Downey

Since I’ll becoming a proud father for the first time in about 8 weeks I figured I should brush up a little more on what to expect.  This book is a little basic and we’ve covered almost everything in there in our prenatal classes already.  I guess I know everything I’ll ever need to know about child rearing.  Whew…that was easy. 

The Myth of Core Stability – Eyal Lederman

This article was recommended to me by Aaron Schwenzfeier so I plan to give it a good read this week and report back.  I’m not sure I’m totally buying what Lederman is selling after my first read through, but it certainly provides an opportunity to challenge our current interpretation of core stability.

If you want to dig it out for yourself here’s the reference:

Lederman, E. The myth of core stability. Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies (2009).
doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2009.08.001.

3 People That Should Not Be Giving Weight Loss & Fitness Advice

Oprah - I’m going to go on the record and say that I really love Oprah.  I even enjoy her show sometimes despite the fact that it sucks all of the testosterone right out of my body.  But how is it that the queen of yo-yo dieting is responsible for identifying the next mass market nutrition gurus?

Jillian Michaels – I know that she has come under a lot of fire so I’m probably just echoing the sentiment of many of those in the fitness industry, but obviously this message isn’t reaching the masses.  The ratings for this show remain strong and people are still watching it.  I can’t for the life of me figure out why.

Tracy Anderson - Any “fitness expert” who states that women should not lift more than 3 pound weights deserves a dropkick.  Thanks for helping to propagate myths Tracy.  You’re doing health and wellness a real service.

3 Web Things from This Week

- DaveDraper.com

I’ve actually spent a fair amount of time here this past week and really enjoyed the content.  I especially enjoy the blog which appears to be maintained by Laree Draper so props to her for putting together the great stuff.

- Six Things You Need to Know About Protein

Chris Shugart interviews Dr Lonnie Lowery about protein.  This is some pretty good stuff.  From cooking protein to the amount of protein per meal he covers a lot of cool material.

- Bodyworlds.com

I went to see this a couple years ago and I’ll be doing so again this month.  I am so pumped!  If you’ve never had the opportunity to do cadaver work, this is a great way to see the human body.  Heck, even if you’ve done it I’d still recommend this exhibit.

- Honorable mention goes to Twitter.com/shitmydadsays

This is NOT for those who can’t handle several inappropriately placed curse words.  However, it is otherwise quite amusing and possibly innapropriate for me to post on this blog.  Still, it makes me laugh and it is my blog so I can do pretty much whatever I want.

3 Words That Will Make You Strong

- Combat Core Strength

Remember those words, because this book by Jim Smith is SICK!  Sorry Jim, but I’ve already punked a bunch of your exercises and am using them in my programs.  Get this ebook!

3 Things That Are Just Plain Funny

- Mentos

- Diet Coke

- My Brother in Law

What are 3 things that are on your mind this week?  Leave a comment and let me know.