I am massive geek when it comes to exercise, training, strength & conditioning, leading, teamwork, coaching etc. – anything that will make me better. Since embarking on my career in sport, exercise, fitness and health, I have prioritised continued professional development (CPD). For me it isn’t a chore at all – I love reading, listening and watching anything that I think will improve me as a Personal Trainer. I am still relatively early on in my career (18 months), but even I still have some top tips I think it would be beneficial to share…
…Lets start with the top books I would tell ‘me’ to read 18 months ago:
- Black Box Thinking – Matthew Syed.
This isn’t a Strength and Conditioning/Exercise book as such, but I think for any practitioner it is a great read and gets you thinking – it certainly did me.
- High-Performance for Sport – Joyce & Lewindon.
In my opinion the best thing about this book is how versatile it is. A coach or personal trainer working with any athlete or client, at any age or in any setting could pick this book up and read certain chapters from it and find it useful.
- Becoming a Supple Leopard – Starrett.
If you weight-train or are training an athlete in the gym at any stage, I would call this book essential. If you are going to lift, or your clients lift and lift heavy, you need to understand how the body works and moves.
- The Chimp Paradox – Peters.
Again, a little like Black Box Thinking this isn’t to do with training, sets, and reps. But more to do with you and potentially understanding your personal training clients. Remember being a good personal trainer isn’t just about the practical stuff you have learned and teach your clients but it’s also about how you understand your clients and what motivates them. Each person is different too so it’s important to get an understanding of how to understand different personalities.
- Sacred Hoops – Phil Jackson.
Possibly saving the best until last. Why possibly? Well truthfully, because I haven’t finished it yet, but I am only a couple of chapters in and I am already hooked. All about a successful coach and how he breeds success and his philosophies around leadership and teamwork. Loving it…
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