As a personal trainer, you always want to keep yourself ahead of the pack, right?
That means staying ahead of the curve when it comes to the latest information in the world of fitness, especially from a personal training standpoint.
You are reading: Personal training certification books
That way you can not only increase your knowledge, but it will seep into the techniques and ways you deal with each and every client as you help them on their own personal journey.
It’s something you’ll use on a daily basis and expanding your general knowledge is totally under your control.
and one of the best ways to do that is by reading books.
So, in this blog, we’re going to take a look at a variety of essential reading material for personal trainers, perfect whether you’re just starting out or have been in the industry for years.
the essentials… books you must have
Starting at the beginning, for those personal trainers who are not certified, the books you should first consider are those that will be part of the certification course you plan to take.
And here, you can’t go wrong with the textbooks offered by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), the American Council on Exercise (ACE), and the International Association of Sports Sciences (ISA).
Of course, you will own these if you decide to take any of these three certification courses. and if you need more information about these courses, be sure to click on this link.
Now let’s look at a couple of books in more detail.
1: Light the Fire: The Secrets to Building a Successful Personal Training Career
When starting out as a personal trainer, things can be a bit daunting. Not only are you a little wet behind the ears and new to the game, but the prospect of building a career can weigh heavily on your psyche.
Fortunately, many experienced personal trainers have already been in their position and some have even helped those just starting out with a variety of guides to help them plan and develop their careers.
If you’re looking for a guide to help you start your career off on the right foot, then Jonathan Goodman’s Start the Fire: Secrets to Building a Successful Personal Training Career is one of the best guides out there!
in fact, muscle & fitness call it “a look at personal training that goes beyond the textbooks.”
and start your journey early with tips on getting certified, getting started in the industry, and more.
Other highlights of this must-have book include finding the right job for you, help building your client base, training, how to deal with difficult clients, and perhaps most importantly, how to diversify to generate multiple streams of income.
the author jonathan goodman is a respected figure in the world of fitness and has written numerous books over the years. his online coaching academy was the first web portal to offer certification for online training. calling him an expert would certainly be an understatement.
Light the Fire: Secrets to Building a Successful Personal Training Career costs about $23.
check out ignite the fire here on amazon.
2: nasm fundamentals of personal fitness training: 6th edition
Another excellent textbook from one of the top fitness certification organizations on the planet, the nasm Personal Fitness Training Workbook is currently in its 6th edition.
if you want to earn your personal trainer certification through nasm, this textbook will be the foundation of your studies, but in an online format. Of course, it’s an amazing reference book to add to your collection, even if it’s already certified.
Packed with lots of information you can use throughout your career, nasm’s Personal Fitness Trainer Workbook also includes a discount for the final certification exam and costs around $60.
3: american council on exercise personal trainer manual
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As one of the world’s most respected authorities on fitness and everything that comes with it, the Ace Personal Trainer Manual is a must-have, even if you’ve received your certification from another organization.
Of course, it’s aimed at those who want to pass the ace personal trainer qualification, but it’s packed with a wealth of information that will come in handy throughout your career.
and if you intend to pass the ace personal trainer certification course, this book, along with the ace personal trainer study guide, will be of great help.
The Ace Personal Trainer Manual is currently in its fifth edition and is part of the Personal Trainer Certification. if you want your own copy, it can be purchased for around $130.
4: international sport science association fitness: the complete guide
Issa’s Master Workbook, Fitness: The Complete Guide provides all the information you need to pass the organization’s certification exam.
is a great resource to have on hand, especially if you’re looking to build a library of information related to the world of personal training.
This detailed workbook covers a variety of topics including various training techniques, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, nutritional aspects, and even first aid.
5: fundamentals of strength and conditioning training
This is an essential workbook for a personal trainer who wants to add Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification to their knowledge base.
Produced by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), this reference guide was put together by 30 fitness industry experts and contains a wealth of information to help you pass certification.
can also be used as a resource for personal trainers and includes resistance training techniques, information on newer training techniques such as high-intensity interval training, and more.
strength and conditioning training essentials retail for $110.
6: Anatomy of Strength Training (3rd Edition)
The first thing you’ll immediately notice about Frédéric Delavier’s Strength Training Anatomy are the illustrations drawn by the author himself.
they are just awesome!
The book itself is packed with information related to the functioning of the body and muscles in particular while performing strength training.
but it goes beyond that. in fact, it includes those sections of the body that surround muscles, such as tendons, ligaments, connective tissues, and even bones.
The Anatomy of Strength Training is packed with over 600 illustrations, all in the most incredible detail. For these alone, the book should be a part of your personal trainer’s library.
and the author?
well, frédéric delavier is a famous name in the world of fitness. In addition to being the editor of the French magazine Powermag, he is the author of many other best-selling fitness books.
The perfect book to help you learn about anatomy, The Anatomy of Strength Training retails for about $20 in paperback.
7: personal fitness training: beyond the basics
Personal Fitness Training: Beyond the Basics is an excellent resource that explains the science behind exercise. Not only that, it helps you apply that science to your clients.
written by joe cannon, offers information and ideas honed over years of helping people change their lives through exercise.
but it goes further.
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This is a great resource for personal trainers just starting out in their careers with information on building a client base, securing the perfect workout, various workout routines, and more.
cannon, a certified strength and conditioning specialist and personal trainer, has also included a chapter on rhabdomyolysis, a condition caused by overtraining, something not many others cover.
Personal Fitness Training: Beyond the Basics is a great addition to your library, just as a resource or for additional information for those looking to become certified as a personal trainer.
costs around $25
8: start your own personal training business
for those personal trainers who want to succeed on their own, start your own personal training business by ciree linsenman is packed with information to help you on your way.
This amazing resource is also perfect for established personal trainers looking for other sources of income and provides great examples of how they can grow their business into new areas.
but that’s not all.
Start Your Own Personal Training Business also includes valuable information from today’s personal trainers regarding building client relationships, how to avoid burnout, making effective marketing plans, and much more.
This excellent resource retails for around $20.
9: improvement
sometimes you might get a client whose only intention is to get fucked! you know, polished, like in the biggest muscles possible.
get buffed is a four-part book series by ian king that covers nearly every aspect of muscle development. Aimed at bodybuilders, the get buffed series is also an excellent resource for personal trainers.
and the author? Well, Ian King has worked with elite athletes around the world, helping them improve their overall muscular strength. he has more than four decades of experience.
get enhanced retail sales of around $100 for all four parts.
10: Good Calories, Bad Calories: Fats, Carbs, and the Controversial Science of Diet and Health
While personal trainers aren’t nutrition coaches (although you might consider adding that to your skill set at some point), knowing a thing or two about nutrition doesn’t hurt.
And while somewhat controversial in some circles, Good Calories, Bad Calories: Fats, Carbs, and the Controversial Science of Diet and Health by Gary Taubes is a good place to start.
While focusing on the entire carb vs. fat debate, taubes shows us that sometimes it’s good to look beyond calories and focus more on improving the variety of foods that should be part of our nutritional intake.
last words…
Knowledge is power and in the world of personal training, that statement certainly rings true. To stay ahead, keep up with the latest trends, tips and techniques, or to build your overall knowledge of marketing and business, reading is essential.
And while you can find a lot of information online, creating your own library of personal trainer resources makes a lot of sense.
so take the time to find a couple of these books, especially the ones that can help you from the start.
If you’re unsure and don’t already have copies of the ace and nasm workbooks, they’re a great place to start your own personal trainer collection.
and then don’t be afraid to add something to it. All of the above are amazing resources to help you on your journey into the exciting world of personal training.
good luck!