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Written by Network and select guest authors, this blog is designed to keep you up to speed with everything fitness industry related. Contribute and help shape the industry.
Words of wisdom: essential books for Personal Trainer success
by Oliver Kitchingman | Friday, August 14, 2009
The following post is written by guest author Andrew Verdon.
I have been travelling a lot recently with my work with the Australian Institute of Sport as things speed up in the journey towards the London 2012 Olympic Games. It feels like I haven’t really been home since FILEX back in April!
As part of a deal I have made with myself, each time I fly I have a $50 book allowance – and with the air miles I’m clocking up I’m building a pretty big library! This week I picked up John Buchanan’s book If Better Is Possible and Michael Phelps’ No Limits. Some fascinating gems in both.
A few years ago I sat down with well known presenter and mentor Andrew May and we came up with our top books that every trainer should read outside of their technical development. We had three headings and we could pick nine books in total. The headings were Personal Development; Business Development; and Financial Development. I have read all of the books on our list twice, but must admit that the book that really impacted on me both professionally and personally was Jim Collins’ Good to Great. This to me is a must-read for every personal trainer (alternatively you could get the audio CD read by the author which is also outstanding).
My suggestion is to find the books in the list below (possibly bulk buying them online to get them more cheaply) and aim to read one per month over the next year and see how much your business, and your personal outlook, develop. I think trainers spend close to 100 per cent of their reading and learning time on technical content, leaving little space to develop the other areas that are vital in order to grow as a person, as a trainer and as a small business operator.
Personal Development
1. First Things First by Stephen Covey
2. You Inc by John McGrath
3. Good to Great by Jim Collins
Business Development
4. The E Myth by Michael Gerber
5. Purple Cow by Seth Godin
6. Selling the Invisible by Harry Beckwith
Financial Development
7. The Richest Man In Babylon by George S. Clason
8. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
9. Million Dollar Consulting by Allan Weiss
Which books have changed the way you do business and interact with clients? Have I missed any essential reads? If so, please share them, using the comments feature below.
Andrew Verdon, Dip. Ex Sci
Andrew owns a successful personal training studio in Sydney. He combines a business background with over a decade of hands-on experience in the fitness industry. He also held the position of strength and conditioning coordinator for the 2004 and 2008 Australian Olympic sailing teams. For more information, call 02 9908 2499 or visit www.beyondstudio.com.au
