RECOMMENDED PERSONAL TRAINING BOOKS AND VIDEOS
• Baechle, T.R. (2000). Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning,2nd
edt: National Strength and Conditioning Association. Human Kinetics. http://www.humankinetics.com/
Price ~$48.00 This is the "bible" of the National Strength and Conditioning
Association (NSCA). Great Reference book.
• Howley, E.T., Franks, D.B. (1997). ACSM's Health Fitness Instructor's
Handbook, 3rd ed. Human Kinetics Publishers. Price: $49.00. Over 500 pages!
This is the book one uses if you study for the ACSM "HFI" certification.
The book covers everything. It is easy to read and covers more clinical stuff
not found in the NSCA book above. Makes a great reference book.
• Aaberg, Everett. (1998). Muscle Mechanics. Human Kinetics publishers.
Price. $19.95. a good review of the proper way to do 73 different free weight
/ machine exercises. His other book: "Resistance Training Instruction is
essentially the same book but it incorporates tips for personal trainers (Price:
~$25).
• ACSM's Exercise Management for Persons with Chronic Diseases and Disabilities
(1998). Human Kinetics. Provides ACSM guidelines for exercise training and testing
for a wide variety of special populations. A MUST if you will be working with
people who have special needs. HumanKinetics.com. Price: ~$45
• Melvin, Williams, (1998). The Ergogenics Edge. 316 pages. Price: $17.95. A Review of over 60 of the most popular ergogenic substances today. It's totally honest and cuts through the hype!. The only book I have ever found which covers this many ergogenic substances. A must if this is your interest. HumanKinetics.com
• Fleck, S.J., Kraemer, W.J. (1997). Designing Resistance Training Programs, 2nd edition. Human Kinetics Publishers. Price: about $40. This is a good complementary book to Essentials of Strength and Conditioning. It contains chapters on women, children and older people and strength training as well as a myriad of topics related to weight training. HumanKinetics.com
• Weight Training for Dummies, Fitness for Dummies. Nutrition for Dummies.
IDG Books, Inc. Price: $20-$25 There is nothing dumb about these books! They're
very comprehensive and informative. Very Easy to read. Any one of them makes
a good first book to get! (Borders has them). I do not recommend Herbs for dummies
however because I do not feel it gives enough information on side effects and
I am not convinced all information is backed up by peer reviewed scientific
evidence.
• Douglas Brooks Video Tape Series: Strength Training for the Upper Body/
Lower Body / Abdominals & Lower Back ( 3 tape series). Very informative,
easy to understand series of tapes about the does and don'ts of strength training.
He advertises these tapes in IDEA magazines as well as at fitness conferences
(he regularly shows up at AAAI conferences). You won't be disappointed by the
information he presents in these lectures! Price: ~ $20/tape.
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• Juan Carlos Santana Video Tape Series: The Essence of Stability Ball
Training for upper body (Vol 1), lower body (Vol 2), Band and Pulley Training
and Functional Training. All video tapes allow you see a variety of challenging
exercises and progressions using some of the most popular tools in fitness today
- stability balls, functional training and elastic bands. Price: Each video
is ~$45. All can be ordered from PerformBetter.com
• Scott O. Roberts. The Business of Personal Training (1996). Price: about
$20. Human Kinetics Publishers. This is only one of a bunch of different books
which cover a myriad to topics on how to market yourself as a personal trainer.
It's probably in the best interest of every personal trainer to have some similar
book in his or her reference library.
• ACSM's Heath & Fitness Journal. Price: $35/yr. Easy to understand,
up to date practical information on fitness/health/nutrition from the one of
the foremost leaders in exercise information. 1 800 638 6423.
• Varro E. Tyler. The Honest Herbal: A Sensible Guide to the Use of Herbs
and Related Remedies. Pharmaceutical Products Press, 1993. Price-$17.95. The
late Tyler was the author of over 250 scientific and educational publications.
He was a professor at Purdue Univ. and a respected name in the field of herb
research. This book cuts through the folklore and presents the real evidence
on herbs and their uses and misuses. Over 350 pages! All herbs are listed alphabetically
for easy reference. Think of this book as the PDR of Herbs!
• Neiman, David, C. (1998) The Exercise Health Connection. Human Kinetics.
Price:~ $20. Contains very good, easy to understand overviews on exercise and
how it can help the body. Has many chapters reviewing some of today's most prevalent
diseases ranging from cancer to diabetes and more. HumanKinetic.com
• Any Exercise Physiology text book. You can pick up a good new or used
exercise physiology text book at college book stores. This will help you tremendously!
Price $40-70