11 of the Best Fitness Business Books for Fitness Entrepreneurs

Dec 5, 2022 - 9 min read
woman reading one of the best fitness business books

If you’re thinking of starting a fitness business, or are already in the thick of things, you’ll find no shortage of books to help you on your way to creating a fitness business successfully.

But which ones should you read?

To save you some time (and potential frustration), we’ve put together a list of our favorites.

Whether you’re looking for advice on marketing and branding, creating irresistible offers, or building a community around your business, there’s something for everyone here.

So get ready to start taking your fitness venture up a notch!

1. The Soul of a Trainer: You Were Born to Change the World By Thomas Plummer

The Soul of a Trainer fitness book

This book is all about helping others reach their potential.

Plummer himself is a successful life coach and motivator, and in his book, he shares his secrets for assisting others to reach their goals.

One of the key themes of the book is the importance of positive thinking.

Plummer believes that we all can achieve our dreams, but we often hold ourselves back with negative thoughts.

He shows readers how to reframe their thinking and believe in themselves so that they can overcome any obstacle.

The book also includes advice on setting goals and developing a plan to achieve them in the fitness industry.

Overall, The Soul of a Trainer is an inspiring and practical guide to any fitness business owner to reach their full potential.

2. Conscious Coaching by Brett Bartholomew’s

Conscious Coaching by Brett Bartholomews

This book is all about helping coaches create buy-in with their athletes.

Bartholomew believes that the key to being a successful coach is creating an environment in which athletes feel invested in their own success.

To achieve this goal, coaches need to be conscious of the language they use, the way they interact with their athletes, and the overall culture of their program.

By creating a positive and supportive environment, coaches can help their athletes reach their full potential.

Conscious coaching is not only about winning, it’s about helping athletes find meaning and purpose in what they do.

It’s a must-read for any coach who wants to create a positive and successful program for athletes.

3. Day by Day: The Personal Trainer’s Blueprint to Achieving Ultimate Success By Kevin Mullins

Day by Day book cover

This is a book that promises to help its readers achieve success in their personal training businesses.

The author of this book Kevin Mullins is a successful personal trainer who has built a career around helping others achieve their fitness goals.

In the book, Mullins outlines his system for success, which he has used to help hundreds of clients reach their fitness goals.

He covers topics such as setting realistic goals, creating a positive mindset, and developing a winning attitude.

Day by Day is an essential read for anyone who is serious about making their personal training business a success.

4. Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High

Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High

The book provides readers with tools and techniques for handling difficult conversations in a way that leads to positive outcomes.

Crucial Conversations is relevant for anyone who wants to learn how to better handle tough conversations, but it is especially useful for aspiring fitness entrepreneurs.

In the world of fitness, it is often necessary to have tough conversations with clients, employees, and others.

These conversations can be about anything from setting expectations to addressing problem behavior.

Having the skills to navigate these conversations effectively is crucial for anyone in the fitness industry.

Crucial Conversations provides readers with the tools they need to do just that. As a result, it is an essential book for anyone who wants to be successful in the fitness industry.

5. Secrets of Successful Program Design by Alwyn Cosgrove and Craig Rasmussen

Secrets of Successful Program Design

The book covers everything from setting goals to designing workout challenges to troubleshooting common problems.

Cosgrove and Rasmussen share their extensive knowledge of exercise science and explain how to use it to create programs that are safe, effective, and efficient.

The book also includes case studies about successful fitness business owners and tips for dealing with difficult clients.

Whether you’re a new trainer or a successful gym owner , Secrets of Successful Program Design will give you insights to take your fitness studio to the next level.

6. The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business By Charles Duhigg

The Power of Habit book cover

This is a book about how habits are formed and why they’re so difficult to break. The book outlines the Three R’s of Habit Change: reminder, routine, and reward.

The reminder is what triggers the habit, the routine is the actual habit itself, and the reward is what reinforces the behavior.

According to Duhigg, understanding this process is essential for changing any habit.

Overall, The Power of Habit is an excellent book for anyone interested in changing their own habits or those of an organization. It provides useful insights into how habits are formed and why they are so difficult to break.

Additionally, the book offers plenty of real-world examples of businesses and individuals who have used habit change to improve their lives.

Aspiring fitness entrepreneurs can definitely benefit from reading this book as it will teach them how to create good habits and break bad ones.

7. Ignite the Fire: The Secrets to Building a Successful Personal Training Career By Jonathan Goodman

Ignite the Fire book cover

This book is a comprehensive guide to launching and growing a successful personal training business.

In it, Goodman provides readers with insider tips and advice on everything from marketing and sales to building a strong brand.

He also covers essential topics such as goal setting, time management, and preventing member retention problems .

Throughout the book, Goodman shares real-life examples and case studies from his own successful career as a personal trainer .

This makes Ignite the Fire an essential read for anyone from small business owners to fitness professionals aspiring to start an established fitness business.

8. Science and Development of Muscle Hypertrophy by Brad Schoenfeld

Science And Development Of Muscle Hypertrophy book cover

This book is all about how to build muscle and strength effectively.

It’s packed with research-backed information on exercise selection, volume and intensity, periodization, and more.

But that’s not all. The book also provides practical advice on setting up your own training program, choosing the right supplements, and even starting your own fitness business.

As a result, this book is an essential resource for fitness entrepreneurs who want to create programs that help their clients achieve their hypertrophy goals.

9. The Hungry Brain by Stephan Guyenet

The Hungry Brain by Stephan Guyenet

Stephan Guyenet’s book “The Hungry Brain” explores the scientific reasons behind why we eat too much.

By understanding the factors that influence our food choices, we can learn to make better choices for our health.

For fitness entrepreneurs, this book is a valuable resource for developing programs and products that help people to lose weight and keep it off.

By understanding the science behind why we overeat, we can create more effective strategies for weight loss.

In addition, “The Hungry Brain” provides insights into the potential causes of obesity, which can help us to develop more targeted interventions.

Overall, this book is a valuable tool for anyone interested in developing programs or products to promote healthy weight loss.

10. Two Brain Business: Grow Your Gym by Chris Cooper

Two Brain Business: Grow Your Gym by Chris Cooper

This book is written specifically for fitness entrepreneurs . In it, he explains how to build and grow a successful fitness business.

He covers topics such as marketing, branding, sales, customer service, and financial management.

Cooper draws on his own experience as a fitness entrepreneur to provide readers with practical advice that they can use to improve their businesses.

He also includes case studies of successful fitness businesses to show what works and what doesn’t.

This book provides practical advice that can help entrepreneurs avoid common mistakes and increase their chances of success.

11. The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing by Al Ries and Jack Trout

The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing by Al Ries and Jack Trout

In this book, the authors discuss the importance of focus, simplicity, and differentiation in marketing.

They also talk about the need to create a Unique Selling Proposition and establish a powerful brand.

In addition, they provide insights on how to reach potential customers through targeted advertising and public relations.

For fitness entrepreneurs who want to learn the in and outs of marketing their brand, The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing is a must-read.

By understanding the basic principles of marketing, you can develop a more effective marketing plan and reach a wider audience of potential customers.

Why Fitness Entrepreneurs Should Read Books?

If you’re an aspiring fitness entrepreneur wanting to run a successful business, reading fitness books can help you learn from the best in the business and give you the edge you need to succeed.

Here are a few reasons why you should make reading fitness books a priority:

You’ll Learn From The Best

When you read fitness books, you’re learning from some of the most successful gym owners in the industry.

These authors have already achieved what you’re working towards, so they know what it takes to be successful.

By reading their books, you can learn from their mistakes and maximize your chances for success.

You’ll Gain a New Perspective

It’s easy to get caught up in your own bubble and only see things from your own perspective.

When you read fitness books, you’ll gain a new perspective on the fitness industry and on success.

This can help you develop innovative ideas and think outside the box to achieve your goals.

You’ll Stay Motivated

As an entrepreneur, it’s easy to get bogged down by the day-to-day grind and lose sight of your ultimate goals.

Reading books can help keep you motivated and remind you why you’re working so hard in the first place.

When you feel like giving up, pick up a book and remember why you started down this path in the first place.

You’ll Find New Role Models

Everyone needs a good role model to look up to, and when you read inspiring books, you’ll find plenty of them.

These authors have already achieved what you’re working towards, so they can show you what’s possible if you’re willing to put in the work.

If you need some inspiration, pick up a book and let yourself be motivated by someone who’s already been there and done that.

You’ll be Entertained While You Learn

Fitness books don’t have to be dry or boring—some of them are actually quite entertaining!

If you want to learn while being entertained, pick up a book that’s both informative and enjoyable to read.

This way, you won’t even realize how much valuable information you’re taking in while you’re reading it!

Summary

If you’re an aspiring fitness entrepreneur, reading the above-mentioned books is a great way to learn from the best in the business, gain a new perspective, stay motivated, find new role models, and be entertained while you learn valuable information.

So what are you waiting for? Pick up a book today!

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Eduardo Carreras

SEO Manager

Eduardo Carreras is Virtuagym's SEO Manager. With a background in sports & fitness and over a decade of Digital Marketing experience, he approaches the health-tech industry with passion and structure alike.