Book List
“What book would you recommend?”
It’s the most common question Jon Goodman, Founder of the Personal Trainer Development Centre, receives.
Jon writes:
Thanks for asking. What follows is a list of my favourite books.
Every single one of these books has had played a huge role in my personal and professional development..
I’ve split the list up into four sections. The first is business development, as I find that’s where most trainers are weakest. The remaining sections focus on training, personal development, and books that have challenged my thinking.
Please note that the Personal Trainer Development Center gets a small commission for books bought through the links provided. It’s how we fund the site. So please use our link if you do decide to buy one of these books.
My top 5 business development books
ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income
I still remember reading this book while lying upside down on a park bench in Central Park in New York City. I’d already started the Personal Trainer Development Center. But I didn’t know much about blogging. Where should I start? What should I do? This book taught me the tricks of the trade. It’s a must have for any new blogger.
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich - Tim Ferris
It’s amazing how simple Tim makes life sound in this book. The nicest part about this book is that each chapter is an entity unto itself. That makes it a great reference book. This book opened my eyes to the need for outsourcing. And it taught me how to do it.
SPIN Selling
Everybody lives by selling. You can be the best trainer in the world. But if you can’t sell, you won’t be successful. I was scared of selling early in my career. But after reading this book, I realized that the goal of selling is not to dupe. It is to believe in your service and make you client understand its benefits. Both parties should walk away smiling after the sale. This book shows you how.
The Ultimate Sales Letter: Attract New Customers. Boost your Sales.
Writing sales materials: in my opinion, it’s the most overlooked aspect of personal training. It’s rare that I see effectively sales letters from trainers, But it’s something that can really set your business apart. The biggest take home is to know your potential customers inside and out. Understand what makes them tick. The goal isn’t to tell them what they think they need. Instead, the goal is to figure out what they need and mold your marketing materials around it. You’d do well to read anything by Dan Kennedy you can get your hands on. I also really enjoyed a number of titles from the No B.S. series, No B.S. Direct Marketing in particular.
Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?
I don’t worship idols. Bt if I did, I’d kneel to a golden statue of Seth Godin every morning. I soak up everything he writes and recommend you do the same. I’ve bought and gifted 6 copies of Linchpin to date. In the current economic climate, the only way to succeed is to stand out, be different, and make yourself indispensable. Linchpin shows you how. I also loved Purple Cow
My Top five training books
Movement: Functional Movement Systems
Gray Cook’s FMS has taken over and is quickly becoming the gold standard. Movement is an advanced of text that will give you a great understanding of movement patterns. Athletic Body in Balance
Starting Strength - Mark Rippetoe
Interestingly enough, this was one of the first books I read about strength training… even though it’s quite advanced. If you’re looking for a book that delves into more advanced protocols for building strength, this is a great addition to your library.
Anatomy Trains: Myofascial Meridians for Manual and Movement Therapists
The knee bone’s connected to the… neck bone. Well, not quite. But Myers beautifully illustrates the myofascial lines (trains) that run throughout our body. You’ll learn how adhesion in the foot can cause neck pain. Often, when I’m working with a client who’s in pain I’ll work down the whole line and voila — pains gone. If you ever work with people in pain (which 100% of trainers do) then this is a must-have for your library.
Low Back Disorders - Dr. Stuart McGill
I credit this book with turning my business around. When I first read it, I was living at my parents’ house and second-guessing my personal training career. I wasn’t making enough to move away from home and continually deal with client-retention issues. After reading it, I decided to make myself an expert in chronic low-back pain. It’s still a primary driver for my business. If you want to get more into performance, I also highly recommend Dr. McGill’s other text Ultimate Back Fitness & Performance
Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning - Thomas Baechle and Roger Earle
I first read this while studying for my CSCS exam. In my opinion, it’s the best primer to use on your quest for knowledge. My suggestion is to buy this book and use it as an all-encompassing bible. If a section piques your interest, take it as a cue to pursue more knowledge in that area.
My top 5 personal development books
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari: A Fable About Fulfilling Your Dreams & Reaching Your Destiny
I first heard of Robin Sharma when he gave the keynote address at a conference I attended years ago. Since then, I’ve read a couple of his books and have found that he has the ability to seamlessly make a connection with the reader. My only issue with his writing is that it’s not always actionable. Nevertheless, I recommend this book if you find that you’re stuck in a rut.
Gandhi An Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments With Truth
This monster of an autobiography, took me four months to get through. I had heard of Ghandi before, but didn’t even know why he went on his hunger strike. The book was worth every second. Ghandi is, in my opinion, the most inspirational human being ever to walk this earth. He accomplished great things despite huge odds. This book will put your life into perspective and motivate you to “be the difference you wish to see in the world” – Ghandi.
Think and Grow Rich
This epic will beat you down and force you to challenge every aspect of what you do professionally. It’s a tough read, but when you finish it you might just think it’s the most important book you’ve ever read.
Your Erroneous Zones
What makes you tick? This book will force you to take an inquisitive look into the most important person on this planet. Yourself. Once your done, you’ll have a full understanding of what makes you tick and how to take control of your life.
The Prophet
The most beautiful piece of writing ever assembled. For four years, this book permanently lived on my bedside table. Whenever I felt stressed, angry, or frustrated I would open to a random page and read a one of the short poetry segments. Do yourself a favour. Read it.
5 books that made me think
Never Let Go: A Philosophy of Lifting, Living and Learning
I’ve been known to philosophize about weightlifting to anybody who will listen. Dan beautifully meshes weightlifting, life, and love in this book.
Multiple Streams of Income: How to Generate a Lifetime of Unlimited Wealth!
The book that started it all! I remember reading this book on my parents’ couch starting at 7:00 PM on a winter night, not looking forward to my 6:00 AM client the nest morning — and the 14 hour day that would follow. I had spent two years working 12-14 hour days. I desperately needed a change, but felt trapped. Once Robert mentioned infopreneuring, I knew I had found my answer. I was going to write a book, assemble the best coaches in the world and start a website. I stayed up until 4:00 AM that night writing out my idea in full before falling asleep in front of my computer. This book was my inspiration.
The Power of Full Engagement - Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz
This gem was given to me by a client. I wasn’t sleeping well and found I never had time for myself. I loved how the authors applied periodization principles from sport to business. The carryover is uncanny. I credit this book with teaching me the time-management techniques I use to this day.
The Education of Millionaires: It’s Not What You Think and It’s Not Too Late - Michael Ellsberg
If there was ever a book that I wish I had written, this is the one. Ellsberg makes a strong case for a change in our education system and lays out what you need to do to be successful in today’s society. (Spoiler alert: It’s to get real world education.)
The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
If you haven’t read this yet, stop what you’re doing right now and order it. It’s amazing how simple Malcom Gladwell is able to make business seem but I’ve seen this book work in the real world over and over again. I also highly recommend Blink
and Outliers.
Recent posts
-
Yeah, I'm in a chair, but y... -
-
