Resources

Every week a student, athlete, or coach asks me about what websites, books, DVDs, etc. that I recommend. Below is a list of many of the resources that I have acquired over the years and some more unorthodox resources that I consider essential to success. Every one of them will not be appropriate for every person, so make sure you read the captions and do some research on your own before buying them. For your convenience, I added links to the purchase page of each product. If you have any questions about a specific resource, feel free to email me.

Ice Hockey Training Products

If you’re a hockey player or coach looking for training equipment geared toward improving your on-ice skill (opposed to those geared toward helping you develop your overall athleticism), I highly recommend going to Hockey Shot.com. They’ve got every on- and off-ice hockey skill training tool I’ve ever come across.


The ESSENTIALS

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Million Dollar Habits by Brian Tracy

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

The 8th Habit by Stephen Covey

Regardless of your background and profession, these are the first four books you should read. I recommend these books to EVERYONE I come across. If reading these books doesn’t change your life, open your mind and read them again. It doesn’t matter what you know or what you can offer. If you don’t know how to treat people, you won’t be successful.

Experience

Experience is by far your best teacher. You can read books on what to do, how to do it, when to do it, and why you should do it, but until you’ve done it, you won’t know if it works for you or your athletes. Before you recommend anything, try it yourself. If it works for you, don’t let other resources convince you it doesn’t. While I’m a believer in using research to guide my programs, research has its limitations.

Internships

Internships are a great way to get experience. If you’re a student, take the initiative to get in touch with people in your area that are doing things you think you’d like to do when you graduate. Volunteer your time and spend as much time working there as your schedule permits. Few internships are paid; don’t let that be an issue. The experience will pay for itself in the future. Find as many internships as you can while you’re young. Professionals will probably be less receptive to a 40-year old intern.

Websites

www.fitday.com

This is a great FREE website that allows you to track your daily food intake and calculate a general recommendation on how many calories you should be consuming everyday.

www.t-nation.com

Yes, this website is called Testosterone Nation. Don’t let the name trick you into thinking that it’s all meatheads talking about how big their biceps are. There are several great writers on that site providing free information on all areas of performance enhancement.

www.ericcressey.com

Eric Cressey is a sports performance coach and record holding powerlifter. His website is one of the best free resources I’ve come across. The 100+ articles that he’s written are all available through his site. I’ve learned as much from reading his articles as I have from any college class I’ve ever taken.

www.robertsontrainingsystems.com

Mike Robertson is another brilliant guy with lots of training experience. You would be foolish not to become familiar with his articles, which he provides in one convenient catalog on his website.

www.nicktumminello.com

Nick is known his innovative training techniques and willingness to call out poor industry trends.  Since first visiting Nick’s site, I’ve spent countless hours reading through his articles and watching his videos.  Regardless of your training experience and knowledge base, visiting Nick’s site will benefit you.

www.functionalmovement.com

Gray Cook and Lee Burton have a handful of articles available on this site that are worth checking out.

www.strengthcoach.com

Mike Boyle and Ryan Lee’s membership site includes at least two new articles every week, a bi-weekly podcast with tons of great information, and a member forum with some of the most brilliant people in the field consistently posting.

Strength and Conditioning

Human Anatomy and Physiology by Elaine Marieb

A good introductory anatomy and physiology text.

Arnheim’s Principles of Athletic Training by William Prentice

A good introductory athletic training text to have as a resource.

Physiology of Sport of Exercise by Jack Wilmore, David Costill & W. Larry Kenney

A good introductory physiology text.

Gray’s Anatomy by Henry Gray

The classic anatomy text with superfluous detail.

Kinesiology by Nancy Hamilton, Wendi Weimar & Kathryn Luttgens

A classic kinesiology text that helps you understand how the body works to produce movement.

Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning by Thomas Baechle & Roger Earle

A great introductory strength and conditioning text with information on everything from basic biomechanics to program design to facility design.

The Black Book of Training Secrets, Enhanced Edition by Christian Thibaudeau

Theory and Application of Modern Strength and Power Methods by Christian Thibaudeau

High-Threshold Muscle Building by Christian Thibaudeau

All of these Thibaudeau books are great. They’re an easy read and provide information you can apply immediately. If your programs are becoming boring or if your progress has plateaued, pick up these books and implement some of the included ideas.

Strength Training Anatomy, 2nd Edition by Frederic Delavier

This text outlines what muscles are worked by certain exercises. Each exercise comes with a full description and pictures highlighting the primary muscles used.

Women’s Strength Training Anatomy by Frederic Delavier

This books is the same as the above version, just more specific for females.

Strength Ball Training by Lorne Goldenberg & Peter Twist

A great book outlining a number of exercises to do using stability and medicine balls.

Functional Strength Coach DVDs by Mike Boyle

Functional Training for Sports by Mike Boyle

Designing Strength Programs and Facilities by Mike Boyle

Mike Boyle is one of the biggest names in the strength and conditioning field. These three products stick out as ‘must-haves.’ If you’re dedicated to becoming a great strength and conditioning coach, you would be wise to invest in his products.

Periodization Training for Sports, 2nd Edition by Tudor Bompa

An easy-to-understand text on periodization and how periodized programs can be utilized based on the demands of several different sports.

Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training, 2nd Edition by Mark Rippetoe & Lon Kilgore

This is a GREAT introductory text on the exercises that form the foundation of any resistance training program. To my knowledge, no other text breaks down the execution and form requirements of exercises to the extent of this book. This is a MUST READ for lifters and any coaches whose athletes are training with weights.

Low Back Disorders by Stuart McGill

Stuart McGill is arguably the leading low back researcher in the world. This text summarizes a lot of his research on low back pain and dysfunction.

Rolfing by Ida Rolf

Dr. Rolf presents a unique perspective on the wholistic functioning of the human body. This book presents the Structural Integration technique she developed to help correct structural myofascial abnormalities and maladaptations.

Anatomy Trains by Thomas Myers

An advanced text presenting how the entire body is intertwined by the fascial system. Curious how toe pain can affect your hip, opposite shoulder, and neck? You’ll look at the body in a whole new way after reading this book.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Movement Impairment Syndromes by Shirley Sahrmann

This is an advanced text from a brilliant physical therapist. It specifically outlines dysfunction and corrective exercises for the hip, lower back, and shoulder.

The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Clair Davies

This was one of the most interesting books I’ve ever read. Clair Davies explains the reasoning behind and necessity of trigger point therapy. The book isn’t so much an informational text as a step-by-step guide on how to trouble shoot your own pain. While you read through it, prod around the areas he describes, I guarantee you’ll find trigger points that you didn’t know existed, and working through them improves your healthy and overall happiness immensely. This is a prime illustration of a resource that I would describe as being an essential investment into yourself. If you feel better you perform better-in athletics, jobs, and relationships alike. This book teaches you how.

Inside-Out by Bill Harman & Mike Robertson

This is the best upper body warm-up product on the market today. I use the exercises I learned from this DVD in all my programming, both for myself and for my clients.

Bulletproof Knees by Mike Robertson

With knee injuries being one of the primary causes of time-missed in athletics and a major source of nagging discomfort in lifters, I can’t think of a single person that wouldn’t benefit from this manual.

Magnificent Mobility by Eric Cressey & Mike Robertson

An outline of the most effective mobility drills explained in simple terms. All athletic coaches would benefit from watching this. Invest in this product; invest in your athletes!

Building the Efficient Athlete DVD Set by Mike Robertson & Eric Cressey

This product is pretty expensive, which will probably deter some of you from purchasing it. In my opinion, you’re making a huge mistake. An 8-DVD set done by two bright, successful strength coaches is an invaluable product. Considering the costs associated with a college education, I think the section on functional anatomy MORE than justified the cost of the set. Both Mike and Eric take you through functional anatomy, static posture and dynamic movement analysis, program design, etc.

The Ultimate Off-Season Training Manual by Eric Cressey

This is the best resource I’ve come across for athletes that need to design their own off-season training programs. Eric explains the what, why, and how of off-season training.

The Art of the Deload by Eric Cressey

Eric walks you through why and how you should dial your training back occasionally to prepare yourself for peak performance.

Maximum Strength by Eric Cressey

When people begin training, everything works. Significant gains in strength come relatively easily, regardless of the type of training. Then they stop, and frustration sets in. Eric not only explains why “stronger is better”, but he walks you through a 4-month program that is guaranteed to make you stronger. I assure you that the cost of this book is MUCH less than getting 4 months of programming from Eric. If you’re skeptical of one-size-fits-all programming (you should be), I assure you that this 4-month program has been tested on many athletes of different athletic and training backgrounds, with EVERYONE experiences significant strength gains.

These products by Eric Cressey and Mike Robertson are incredible resources. Words couldn’t really do them justice. If you’re interested in creating effective programs to improve the health and performance of yourself and/or your athletes, then invest in these products. If you are interested in creating mediocre programs that won’t benefit your athletes at all, then don’t buy them.

Turbulence Training by Craig Ballantyne

Craig does a great job of using simple training methods to stimulate fat loss. He provides programs catered to a wide variety of clients from well-trained athletes to completely untrained individuals.

Escalating Density Training by Charles Staley

This is a relatively unique look at a type of training guaranteed to build muscle and stimulate fat loss.

Coaching

Successful Coaching, 3rd Edition by Rainer Martens

Sport Psychology, 4th Edition by Mark H. Anshel

Coaching Mental Excellence by Ralph Vernacchia, Rick McGuire, & David Cook

I had these three books as an undergraduate for two classes “Principles of Successful Coaching” and “Mental Aspects of Peak Performance.” If you’re an athletics coach, these may be worth investing in.

Nutrition

Precision Nutrition 2.0 by John Berardi

The Precision Nutrition package is unbelievable. Not only does it include a great text on why this nutrition system works, but it provides a cookbook and an online membership for you to discuss everything from training to new recipes to supplement use with other members and professionals.

Gourmet Nutrition E-Book by John Berardi

Metabolism Advantage by John Berardi

This text challenges the fact that your metabolism slows with age. Don’t read this book unless you’re ready to stop making excuses for your out-of-shape physique and ready to change it!

Self-Improvement

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Million Dollar Habits by Brian Tracy

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

The 8th Habit by Stephen R. Covey

I’m listing these four again just so you get the point. ORDER THEM NOW!

Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill

This is a classic. Invest in your mind, put money in your bank. Don’t think about it-just buy it.

Becoming a Leader the Annapolis Way by W. Brad Johnson & Gregory P. Harper

The Navy is infamous for producing world-class leaders. This book details the state of mind necessary to achieve that position. I found it was a great reminder of what it takes to be the best at what you do, and of what hard work and dedication really means.

Business

The Richest Man in Babylon by George Clason

George Clason uses a series of stories to present different ways on accumulating wealth.

Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki

This is a great text discussing the mindstate differences between those that make money and those that don’t. Love it or hate it, a lot of what is presented in this book is true!

Investing for Dummies, 4th Edition by Eric Tyson

An introductory investment book. If you’re storing your money in a shoe box, you’re missing several money making opportunities. Eric Tyson describes the pros and cons of many different investment choices, showing you how to make your money work for you.

The 16% Solution by Joel S. Moskowitz

An interesting look at tax lien certificates as an investment option

INC and Grow Rich by C.W. Allen, Cheri Hill, Diana Kennedy, & Garrett Sutton

A must-read for anyone looking to start their own business. Incorporating provides a number of tax benefits. This book presents these benefits in an easy-to-understand manner. It may give you some ideas on the appropriate path to structure your business endeavors.

The Millionaire Workout by Ryan Lee

This is a great resource for anyone looking to maximize their efficiency in terms of health and professional development. Ryan takes you through a 21-day process of getting in shape and developing an information product. While Ryan’s background is primarily in the fitness industry, the information in this book is applicable to people in every field.

Sports Training Profits by Ryan Lee

Fitness Info Products by Ryan Lee

Ryan Lee is the fitness marketing guru. If you’re looking to make a name for yourself in the fitness industry, INVEST in his products and they’ll pay for themselves many times over.

Ultimate Sales Kit by Jim Labadie

Jim Labadie has positioned himself as the sales expert in the fitness industry. This product details the sales process and how to turn prospective clients into happy, long-term customers.