Resources

Many people have asked me about resources that I like or recommend. While this is not a comprehensive list it does encompass a ton of awesome informations and resources. It will also be an ever evolving list, so check back on it every once and a while, see what new things I add.

Nutrition

Precision Nutrition – Dr. John Berardi. This is simply the most comprehensive resource on top notch nutrition ever written. Whether you are a beginner or a nutrition expert, this is a must-have resource. The 4th version is new and improved, with many of the revisions by yours truly, making maintaining a healthy lifestyle simple and effective.

The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth – Dr. Jonny Bowden. This is simply the single greatest resource I own on why food is so powerfully healthy. Dr. Bowden lays it all out, going into great detail into the awesomeness over 150 different and incredibly healthy foods.

The Omnivore’s Dilemma – Michael Pollan. In this unpretentious and clearheaded look at the way we eat and why, Michael Pollan lifts the curtain on our national eating disorder. If you eat meat, you have to read this book.

Nutrition & Physical Degeneration – Dr. Weston Price. Dr. Weston Price traveled the world in search of indigenous populations. He studied their diet and health, and discovered how far off modern nutrition advice really was, and still is. Worth it’s weight in gold.

Body By Eats – Leigh Peele. In this resource, it is so much more than a book, Leigh covers some of the myths and tricks of fat loss, which is her specialty. There aren’t many people, if any, who are better at getting people lean than Leigh. This book also covers the myths and methods to gaining muscle, and explores the truth behind many “healthy superfoods”. Check it out.

In Defense of Food – Michael Pollan. Pollan is at it again in this spectacular look at what we should eat. Now I don’t totally agree with his conclusions, but I applaud his work. His work is always a great read.

Food Politics – Marion Nestle. Nestle really explores the tangled politics of the food industry. She shows how misleading studies can be, who they are funded by, the lobby control of the FDA. It is all quite intruiging and is a great read.

The Protein Book – Lyle McDonald. Lyle has created the greatest resource on protein that there is. There are a lot of myths about the greatness of particular sources, and Lyle breaks it all down. It is a spectacular book and a must-have resource for the fitness professional.

Eating Animals – Jonathan Safran Foer. Foer continues down the path set by the likes of Michael Pollan in The Omnivore’s Dilemma. Eating Animals, more than any other book, takes a very deep look at the sad state of our food production and animal “farming” and slaughter. It is books like this that will hopefully change our food production for the better.

Alan Aragon’s Research Review. Alan is a no-nonsense guy who takes a very analytical look at the nutrition world. He does a fantastic job separating fact from fiction and really tells you how it is, not necessarily how we want it to be. One of the greatest works I have come across this year.

TNT Diet – Dr. Jeff Volek. Dr. Volek is one of the world’s leading low-carbohydrate researchers, and lays out in an awesome book the best methods to utilize this superior weight loss method. Written in conjunction with Adam Campbell, the top editor of Men’s Health, it is an easy read and helps to dispel many nutrition myths.

Perfect Body Diet – Cassandra Forsythe. Unlike most mainstream books written for a women, Cass wrote a book about solid nutritional choices, not gimmicks or fads. If you are a woman, or know one who would like this book, this is a great pick up.

The Whole Soy Story – Kaayla Daniel. If you think soy is a “health” food, Kaayla is here to tell you otherwise. Though she may go a little too far, addmitedly, this is a very eye-opening read.

Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism. If you want to know all about how your body actually converts food into energy, I mean the entire process, this is the best resource available.

Training

Show and Go: High Performance Training to Look, Feel and Move Better – Eric Cressey. This is an amazing training program that also provides info on proper soft-tissue work, warm-ups and gives you access to over 175 videos demonstrating every exercise in the entire program. Not only that, you also have the ability to purchase my Show and Go Nutrition Guide, which I must say is pretty awesome in and of itself! Eric provided a complete resource to help you maximize your potential.

Functional Strength Coach 3 – Mike Boyle. In this wonderful DVD set Mike gives a tremendous presentation explaining why he does what he does. He gives excellent and sound reason, provides tons of video examples, and basically sets the standard for the strength and conditioning community.

Maximum Strength – Eric Cressey. Had to start off this section with Maximum Strength. The style of training it represents is what I am all about. If you are an intermediate lifter, this book will make you stronger I have no doubt. At Cressey Peformance I saw many clients go through this program, and I went through part of it myself, it works. Period.

The Single Leg Solution – Mike Robertson. In this 60-minute DVD, along with the 96-page manual that accompanies it, Mike explains which exercises work best for certain people/populations, shows how to execute each exercise with flawless technique, explains how to progress each exercise appropriately, and how to place these exercises in your training.

The Ultimate Off-Season Training Manual – Eric Cressey. If only I had had this resource when I was in high school or college. Eric does a great job presenting time tested methods to make you a significantly better athlete in just one off-season.

The Truth About Unstable Surface Training – Eric Cressey. How many times have you walked into a gym and seen someone doing a strength exercise while standing on a BOSU ball? Too many is probably my guess. It is a gimmick that has hardly any real world application, and Eric shows you why. For all you Personal Trainers out there, this is a mandatory read.

Functional Training for Sports – Mike Boyle. Mike Boyle sits atop the strength and conditioning world for a reason, he is that good. Mike works his ass off getting results from a plethora of clients, knows his stuff, and is a great writer. This is an absolute must-read.

Advances in Functional Training- Mike Boyle. Boyle picks up where the original Functional Training left off. He discusses why their program has changed, the programming, the reasoning, pretty much everything you could ask for from one of the greatest strength coaches ever.

Designing Strength Training Programs and Facilities – Mike Boyle. For those of you in the industry looking how to improve your program design ability, or to start your own facility, or both, this is the book for you. Mike Boyle is always a good read.

Starting Strength – Mark Rippletoe. If you are a beginner wondering where to actually begin, this is the book for you. The basics are covered beautifully, teaching you solid training form and giving excellent exercise recommendations.

The New Rules of Lifting for Women – Alwyn Cosgrove & Cassandra Forsythe. If you are a woman, or know one who likes the gym or is interested, you need to read this book. Alwyn creates some fantastic programming that will get you more fit than you have ever been in your life. Cassandra lays out some excellent dietary strategies written specifically for women. It is really the best of both worlds!

Vertical Jump Bible – Kelly Baggett. Kelly is a really bright guy who truly understands what it takes to get your training to the next level. This is a book that anyone looking to improve their athletic performance, from beginner to advanced, should pick up a copy.

Science and Practice of Strength Training – Vladimir Zatsiorsky. Probably the most referenced book of all and strength and conditioning. That should tell you all you need to know.

Supertraining – Mel Siff. Mel Siff was one of the brightest, if not the very brightest guy to ever work in the strength and conditioning industry. He simply helped shape the world of fitness that I work in today. Amazing stuff.

Fat Loss

Warp Speed Fat Loss 2.0 – Alwyn Cosgrove & Mike Roussell. This is a new and improved version! Warp Speed is a combined training and nutrition package designed to get you lean and fit, fast! I have personally done this program and can vouch for its unparalleled efficacy. If you want to lose some serious weight, this is the product to try.

Fat Loss Troubleshoot – Leigh Peele. Leigh is a fantastic nutrition resource and really knows her stuff. This book is a great resource to have whether you are a fitness professional, a hard training athlete, or a stay-at-home mom. Leigh is able to speak to everyone and provide content that can help people at any level.

Guide to Flexible Dieting – Lyle McDonald. Lyle has created another great product. He goes into great detail showing people how to create simple yet flexible (obviously) diet strategies. He has a no-nonsense approach that people would do well to listen to.

Rapid Fat Loss Handbook – Lyle McDonald. Basically Lyle is a really smart guy and knows how to get people lean. If you are looking to lose weight fast, this is one of the best resources available.

Stubborn Fat Solution – Lyle McDonald. This is a very specific book that goes into great detail on how to lose those last few pounds. If you are that trainee with only a few pounds to lose and just can’t seem to get them off, then this is the book for you.

Girth Control – Alan Aragon. This is one of the most well-researched books on nutrition you will ever find. Alan leaves no stone unturned, and in his very scientific yet clearheaded and easily understood prose, provides top-notch advice on how to get lean, and stay there.

Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle – Tom Venuto. In this book Venuto shows you scientific and time proven methods on body composition change, and how to permanently maintain that weight. This is not a quick fix gimmick, it is the real deal.

The Body Fat Solution – Tom Venuto. Venuto’s second book on this list attacks fat loss from a different angle. He has already covered the physiology, here he goes into the psychological and emotional reasons people eat, don’t train, and just generally struggle with their weight. For all you emotional eaters out there, this is the perfect book for you.

Cookbooks

The Healthiest Meals on Earth – Dr. Jonny Bowden. Dr. Bowden comes through again with a great cookbook using only the world’s healthiest ingredients. Top notch not only for the recipes, but for the little nuggets of great info sprinkled in.

Gourmet Nutrition V2 – Dr. John Berardi. Dr. Berardi came through big time with his second volume of Gourmet Nutrition. Beautfiully photographed with over 120 different incredibly healthy meals and completely delicious meals. My favorite part is the nutritional facts breakdown of every meal, making knowing exactly what and how much you are eating a snap.

Gourmet Nutrition V1 – Dr. John Berardi. The original Gourmet Nutrition is a fantastic cookbook that comes with the Precision Nutrition package. It used to be available as a stand alone PDF, but now it comes freshly bound with a beautiful new cover giving you 100 more physique and health friendly recipes to help fuel your body. Enjoy.

General Health

The Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth – Dr. Jonny Bowden. If you read my blog you will know my stance on pharmaceuticals. Dr. Bowden opens up a whole new world of incredibly effective options, that do not come from Big Pharma.

The 150 Most Effective Ways to Boost Your Energy – Dr. Jonny Bowden. I got this book for Christmas and my mom actually read it before I did! It is another top notch entry from one of my favorite nutritionists. Dr. Bowden shows you tons of ways to organize your life and crank up your energy.

Corrective

Building the Efficient Athlete – Eric Cressey & Mike Robertson. A huge 8 DVD set that will truly teach you not only how the body truly moves and functions, but how to assess people based on their movement, and steps to correct it. This is an absolutely amazing resource.

Assess & Correct – Eric Cressey, Mike Robertson, & Bill Hartman. Hands down the best resource for assessing yourself and clients, teaching you what the results mean, and the proper exercises and training modalities to improve your movement patterns and make you healthy once and for all!

I-FAST Performance Enhancement Seminar – Bill Hartman & Mike Robertson. I struggled with what section to put this one in, because it covers so much ground. Basically this seminar DVD set is just a series of knowledge bombs unleashed by the combined brilliance of Bill Hartman and Mike Robertson. Plus I make a cameo appearance demonstrating the Pallof Press!

Optimal Shoulder Performance – Eric Cressey & Mike Reinold. Eric and Mike held an incredible seminar at Cressey Performance a few months ago that I had the pleasure of not only being at, but being in. Yes, yours truly was the model for many of the exercise demonstrations at the seminar. It was an incredible learning experience for all. Fortunately for those of you not in attendance, Eric and Mike recorded the entire event. As an added bonus, my beautiful mug graces the cover!

Magnificent Mobility – Eric Cressey & Mike Robertson. If you ever wanted to know what moves to do for a proper dynamic warmup, this is the only resource I recommend.

Bulletproof Knees – Mike Robertson. I blogged about this great resource HERE. Mike goes into great detail on the proper training methods and corrective methods to keep your knees healthy and you functioning.

Inside-Out – Mike Robertson & Bill Hartman. The best upper body warmup and corrective resoure available. Period. Mike is obviously smart, Bill Hartman is nothing shy of genius. When he speaks or writes, listen, read and learn.

Athletic Body in Balance – Gray Cook. Gray Cook is another guy that is nothing short of genius. Read anything and everything he writes, you will learn more than you could possibly imagine.

Low Back Disorders – Dr. Stuart McGill. I am on a roll with the super-bright guys. Stu McGill is the world’s leading low back researcher and spine biomechanist. He is simply amazing how much he knows.

Ultimate Back Fitness & Performance – Dr. Stuart McGill. Do I really have to say it again?

Diagnosis and Treatment of Movement Impairment Syndromes – Shirley Sahrmann. Sahrmann has created one of the most influential books in the entire realm of strength and conditioning, along with physical therapy, manual therapy, etc. It is that good, and that important.

General Books

Outliers – Malcolm Gladwell. Malcolm Gladwell goes into great detail in discovering what makes great people so great. This is a wonderful book, and truly makes you appreciate hard work.

Blink – Malcolm Gladwell. In Blink Gladwell goes into detail on “thin slicing”, essentially first impressions, and how they are so poorly utilized. It is a fascinating look at how we really think.

Born to Run – Christopher McDougall. A phenomenal book about a tribe of superhuman runners, the greatest race in the world, and why the modern running shoe is responsible for so much pain.