I have quite a few that you guys should search out---
Serious Strength Training by Tudor Bompa - Prob next to Supertraining, if I could only have a handful of texts ever-this one would be in my list. Good, sound advice from a scientific and experience point of view. Covers everything from periodization to wellll...how to grill a steak in your back yard with rain and no grill (okay, so I made that last part up)
Beyond Brawn series by Stuart McRobert - Tremendous set of books. The original Beyond Brawn itself is fantastic and is virtually the bible for anyone looking to gain strength and size through weight training. The only negative would be the chest expansion garbage in the technique book – ignore! Aside from that, it also contains plenty of great information, and both books go perfectly with the log book that you can fill in as you go along.
Supertraining by Mel Siff - Simply THE text for anyone looking to become a coach, or for the very interested layman or trainee. It is very complex and scientific so if you find reading the newspaper or the Beano hard going, don’t bother. Very large book that is out of print in many places because Mel Siff sadly died a few years ago – get it while you can. It usually retails for about £40, which sounds expensive but it is worth it if you are a coach.
Science and practice of Strength Training by Vladimir Zatsiorsky – Another book that is essential for the coach, but too technical for most trainees. Not even close to the size of Supertraining but contains just as much valuable information.
Anatomy of Strength Training by Frederic Delavier – A great beginner book. This was actually one of my first books and it definitely set me in good stead for the future. It is based solely on the anatomy of all the major movements that you see in the gym and gives instruction on form.
Science of Martial Arts Training by Charles Staley – This book is pretty much essential for any martial artist, especially the one looking to implement weight training. It contains a plethora of information ranging from exercise form and selection to injury prevention and things to think about when creating a program. If I had to recommend one book to martial artists about training, this would be it.
Ross Enamait books – I might get some flak for this but I’m going to recommend his entire catalogue. I have his Underground Guide to Warrior Fitness, and I think it is the best book on bodyweight exercise out there by a mile. Listing hundreds of exercises to do and a ton of routines to have a go at, this book could last you a lifetime. Beware – the workouts are BRUTAL! Check out his website listed below to see the kind of shape Ross is in. I also have his Ultimate Fitness for the Ultimate Warrior book (cheesy titles, I know!) and this is also excellent. This delves more into the world of sandbag training, rope climbing and other effective exercises you can do with simple equipment. Again, this contains more routines for you to have a shot at. Ross has various other publications out there on punching, medicine ball training and other topics which I do not own, but I have only heard good things about them. I am due to get his latest book hot off the press very soon, and it sounds very exciting. Ross is a great guy who always responds to your emails and is very helpful.
Dinosaur Training by Brooks Kubik – Sick of training like a gym bunny and getting no results? Sick of muppets in the gym on their mobile phones while flexing their biceps in the mirror? Do you want to get as strong as a dinosaur? This book could be for you. I love the attitude of this book. The author constantly slags off commercial gym culture and weaklings who do the same routine every day for years without getting anything from it. It is aimed purely at getting big and strong so if this is your goal and you like a somewhat alternative writing style, give it a look. There are various chapters, always referring to strongmen of old and their techniques. Grip strength is heavily emphasised, as is piling on heavy weights in all movements. I will criticise this book for being a bit irritating by listing the same names over and over again in big paragraphs, always whining about chrome and fern land every two seconds and talking about how gym rats aren’t making progress – it made me want to scream “I GET THE MESSAGE!”, but aside from that it is an excellent, enjoyable book that includes some result-producing, intense routines.
Mastery of Hand Strength by John Brookfield – If you want to know about grip strength and performing strongman feats like nail bending, closing Captains of Crush grippers or ripping phone books then this is the book for you. His other book the Grip Masters Manual is also excellent for this, but Mastery of Hand Strength tends to focus more on the grip and hand development aspect.
Jump Rope Training by Buddy Lee – The best book out there for information on skipping, the benefits, how and when to do it and what to use. His ropes are a bit expensive in my opinion and ones of equal quality can be found out there for a bit less cash, but we are only talking a few pounds. Another excellent book for the general enthusiast.
From the Ground up by Dan John – Let me first of all start by saying that this book is not only fantastic, but it is FREE… that’s right, you read correctly, it is free. It can be found online at his website as an ebook for absolutely no charge. This simply confirms Dan John’s status as “complete and utter legend” in my book! Never mind the fact that it is free anyway, it is actually packed full of very well-written information mainly on Olympic lifts, technique, preparing for meets, good habits to get into and basic, down-to-earth advice from a humble expert.
Pavel Tsatsouline books - Now then, here’s a somewhat controversial one. Not only is this chap the annoying-marketing KING alongside Matt Furey, he also has a group of worshippers fully prepared to back up every word he says whether he is making comments on training or claiming that he is Jesus Christ himself. Despite this, he has a quality volume of work when you get down to it. He has some excellent training methods, although they do not always work for everyone. He has quite a few books on bodyweight exercise, lifting, stretching, joints and what he is most famous for: Kettlebells. Whilst his work is good, it is fairly expensive for what you get compared to some other books. However, having read them all now, I would recommend interested trainees to have a look, you will definitely find some stuff of interest in each book especially if you are lacking knowledge in that area… comrade.
Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Clair Davies - What a book. I can guarantee that every single person who reads this book and puts it into practice will see noticable improvements. If you have any kind of niggling or serious muscular problems or are vulnerable to them, or even if you just want to cure headaches then this book is for you! It's basically an in depth book on "trigger points" and very effective massage treatment for these problems. Have a look at the amazon reviews for some more details.
John Berardi books – Fancy some nutrition knowledge? Pick up his stuff. He has quite a few books ranging from a supposedly fantastic cook book to a lifestyle changes book which can correct your dietary bad habits.
Building an Olympic Body by Chris Sommer – FINISH THIS BOOK SOMMER! Everyone who is into gymnastics training for strength is sat waiting for this book because we all know it’s going to be fantastic. As soon as I know when it’s coming out, I will make a new topic on it and probably review it when I get it. This is a book that is truly taking a step forward in the world of physical conditioning.
7 Minute Rotator Cuff Solution by Joseph Horrigan and Jerry Robinson – I don’t even know why I don’t own this book. I’m a little wary that it contains information that I already know, but I bet there are some useful tips I could use. If you want healthy shoulders whether that be via pre-hab exercise or re-habilitation, check this book out. Availability is now pretty poor, but I’m sure some book stores will have copies lying about. The Amazon prices are RIDICULOUS!
Ripped by Clarence Bass – Okay, this is the only true bodybuilding book I am including here. Although performance is discussed, it mainly focuses on Clarence’s goals as a bodybuilder, mostly to remain as lean as possible whilst retaining and building muscle tissue. I have no doubt there are many excellent tips and theories on diet, especially for the beginner. There is a plethora of information on this subject and the foundations of his training and diet beliefs on his website, listed below.
Rock, Iron, Steel by Steve Justa – Much in the same vein and style of writing as Dinosaur Training, this book is taking it back to the old school and is all about getting silly strong – 2000 reps of 800lb quarter squats anyone? 1400lb barbell walk for 40 steps? 4500lb back lift? Drug free? I think I can speak for us all when I say OH MY GOD! The writer, just like Kubik, knows what he is talking about and takes you through his way of lifting things, mostly objects made out of rock, iron and steel obviously. Another one for my list of books to buy.
