Books That Really Helped Me
When I first started in strength and conditioning, I quickly realized that no book or course could fully prepare me for the real-world challenges of coaching athletes.
One of the biggest game-changers for me wasn’t just the resources I read—it was having a great mentor early on.
Someone who pushed me technically and taught me how to interact with athletes, build trust, and navigate the subtle dynamics in a training environment. I was lucky. Having someone who could break down complex ideas, challenge my thinking, and most importantly, teach me how to coach, not just program, made all the difference.
A good mentor helps you connect the dots between theory and practice, you need to be as my friend says a "pracademic". They show you how to read body language, adjust your approach based on an athlete’s mood or energy that day, and navigate the personalities that walk into the gym. It’s easy to get caught up in sets, reps, and periodisation, but ultimately, coaching is about people.
That said, self-education is still a massive part of growth in this field. While my mentor guided me through the interpersonal side of coaching, these key books helped shape the technical foundation of my approach. They weren’t just theory-heavy texts—they were practical, experience-based resources that allowed me to hit the ground running.
One of the first books that truly opened my eyes was Mike Boyle’s Functional Training for Sports. I remember reading it and having one of those “aha” moments, where it clicked that strength training wasn’t about just building isolated muscles—it was about improving movement patterns. Boyle’s emphasis on exercises that mimic real-world athletic movements (instead of the typical gym machines) was a game-changer for me. His approach to integrating strength with mobility and coordination helped me understand how these elements matter in preventing injuries and improving overall performance. It made me rethink every program I’d ever written. He has written a few updates since and they are also great.
Another big influence was Mark Verstagen’s Core Performance. His approach to holistic training, combining strength, flexibility, and recovery, helped me design programs that didn’t just make athletes stronger, but more agile and resilient, or at least it should have.
Then, there was Designing Strength Programs and Facilities by Mike Boyle. If Functional Training for Sports taught me the “what,” this book taught me the “how.” It dives deep into structuring programs and even the layout of training spaces for maximum efficiency and safety. Boyle’s practical wisdom on how to run sessions and set up spaces in a way that flows for both the coach and the athlete was something I could apply immediately. It made me think about logistics, not just theory. The book is now I think freely available on the internet (I think) but I can only tolerate physical copies.
Gray Cook’s Athletic Body in Balance was another eye-opener, especially around the idea of movement screening. Now, full transparency—
I’ve never been a die-hard fan of the FMS (Functional Movement Screen) and all the kit that comes with it. It always felt a bit too rigid for me. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that Cook’s core message—move well before you move often—
was a major wake-up call. It made me hyper-aware of dysfunctional movement patterns and the importance of addressing them before loading up an athlete with heavy lifts. Even if I didn’t fully buy into the FMS framework, the philosophy behind it left a lasting impact, especially when working with younger athletes or those coming off injuries. You have to remember when this book first came out this was a new enough concept.
One resource I still look back on fondly is the Functional Strength Coach DVD series (Volumes 1, 2, and 3). Back before everything was on YouTube or online platforms, these DVDs were pure gold. Watching Boyle coach in real time—seeing how he cued athletes, modified exercises on the fly, and structured entire sessions—was invaluable. I don’t even know if these DVDs are still floating around, but back in the day, they were like having Boyle as a second mentor. Gray Cook also did a DVD series around then called "The Secrets of" series, we used to watch these as staff in-services in the old Functional Training Ireland Days. Great stuff! I have no idea if these are still available but you should get them.
Juan Carlos Santana’s The Essence of Program Design was another one that shaped my early approach. I remember how hard it was to get my hands on it—had to order it straight from his site, and the shipping nearly cost me more than the book—but it was worth it. Santana dives deep into how to tailor programs to individual athletes, focusing not just on performance but on sustainability. It made me realize that not every program needs to be flashy or complicated; sometimes the most effective plans are the simplest, as long as they’re well thought out.
Lastly, JC Santana’s Functional Training became a go-to reference for me when working with athletes from different sports and levels. His approach to dynamic, full-body exercises that mirror real-life movements reinforced the importance of training athleticism over aesthetics. The book emphasizes mobility, strength, and endurance as a trio, and that mindset helped me create programs that not only boosted performance but also kept athletes injury-free.
What about nowadays? I think podcasts have taken over the educational space, some great content for FREE all over the place now. If you want to get a great real-world education online I highly recommend the EXOS courses that they put out. You get a certificate at the end too.
If you’re just starting in the S&C world, my biggest advice is this: find a great mentor—someone who can guide you through the real-world stuff books can’t teach—and dive deep into resources like these. The combination of practical experience and solid foundational knowledge will set you apart. I was lucky to have that blend early on, and it made all the difference.