Taking the number one spot on our list of the best strength training books is ‘Essentials’. Just as it did on our 10 most valuable academic sport science books rundown we put together in September 2017.

Strength Training Anatomy for Athletes guides you in analyzing the needs of your sport and identifying the most effective exercises for your body type, physical conditioning, and performance goals. You’ll enhance your strengths and minimize your weaknesses with programs for 43 sports and activities, including these: This is a very good reference book for people who want to know more about exercises and their target muscle groups. But what makes it different than googling an exercise or watching a video is that most of the search result content or video content do not show in detail why an exercise is better for strengthening a muscle group over another. This book shows that by depicting the targeted muscle groups in very detailed images. This book has many easy-to-follow scientifically proven research programmes. There are workouts for specific machines, free weights, body weight and other types of apparatus which provide the flexibility to tailor your training to personal preferences and needs. With over 600 full-color photos and 300 anatomical illustrations, you’ll be taken inside 46 exercises specifically selected for the demands of 43 sports and activities. You’ll see how muscles interact with surrounding joints and skeletal structures and how variations and sequencing can isolate specific muscles for more effective and efficient training. No other resource combines the visual detail of top anatomy texts with expert strength training advice. Over 700 anatomical illustrations, including 90 new to this edition, depict 231 exercises and variations to reveal the primary muscles involved as well as all the relevant surrounding structures, including bones, ligaments, tendons, and connective tissue.This 5th edition has been a major resource for sports science students, coaches and athletes from all over the world and has been translated into six languages. Periodisation is essential for athletes competing in any sport, whether you are wanting to peak for the Olympics once every four years or periodiseyour training so you still have something left in the tank at the end of a 9 month football season. This book is highly recommended if you want to know more about tapering, peaking, training cycles, programme planning, strength development and periodisation in general.

Delavier won the French powerlifting title in 1988 and gives worldwide presentations on the sport applications of biomechanics. His teaching efforts have earned him the Prix de Techniques et de Pédagogie Sportive. Delavier lives in Paris, France.The anatomical depictions show both superficial and deep layers. It also details how various setup positions affect muscle recruitment and emphasise underlying structures. What are the best strength training books? This definitive list holds all the answers. It goes without saying that these books are must-haves for any serious strengthcoach but many are also essential for athletes or anyone that’s interested in learning about strengthor getting stronger.