As the year comes to a close we count down the top twenty best books published in 2016 as picked by Human Kinetics customers.
It’s often said that our readers are a breed apart. And it’s true.
Something intangible and that defies easy explanation seems to unite our vast, diverse audiences. For our readership, buying one of our books is more than a mere transaction: it’s a statement of intent.
That’s why we go to great lengths to ensure each book we make is the best it can be. But we realise that ultimately it’s not what information resides within the covers that’s important. It’s what you choose to do with it that counts.
If you bought one of our books this year you likely had a reason: a goal. So perhaps what binds us can be called a sense of purpose. And whether or not you’ve achieved your goal yet, here at Human Kinetics we feel grateful to be a part of it.
As we count down the top twenty best books as chosen by you in 2016 we thank you for that privilege and for your custom. Keep reading, keep achieving and bring on 2017!
20.
19.
18.
17.
16.
15.
14.
Practical Guide to Exercise Physiology
Bob Murray, W. Larry Kenney
Normal Price: £29.99 / €36.00
HK Rewards Price: £32.99 / €28.80
Health and fitness professionals welcomed a concise, highly visual resource that gave them the tools to design physiologically sound programmes and the confidence to explain them to their clients.
13.
Triathlon 2.0
Jim Vance
Cycling power meters, GPS trackers and heart rate monitors, oh my! Triathlon 2.0 took the guesswork out of the plethora of devices and data available to the modern triathlete. It gave them back the ability to take their performances to the next level.
12.
Dance Anatomy and Kinesiology, 2nd Edition
Karen Clippinger
Karen Clippinger’s first edition was hailed as the definitive work on the subject. Her latest edition reinvented a classic by retaining its scientific perspective while making the material more accessible to students and teachers alike.
11.
Functional Training
Juan Carlos Santana
‘Functional Training’ was everywhere in 2016. The word ‘functional’ itself was so overused and abused that for some it had all but lost any real meaning. Fortunate then that one of the masters of the training method Juan Carlos “JC” Santana came back to set the record straight.
10.
Applying Music in Exercise and Sport
Costas Karageorghis
Ever in demand expert author Costas Karageorghis spent much of 2016 giving interviews to the likes of the BBC, Vice and every media outlet in between. But this year was also significant for him because of the release of his second book.
Applying Music in Exercise and Sport was the culmination of a life spent in study and in search of the transformative effects of music on the human body.
9.
Instructing Hatha Yoga, 2nd Edition
Diane Ambrosini
In a world saturated with many different styles of yoga and as many more books on their teaching, Instructing Hatha Yoga stands out. In 2016 practitioners everywhere began to see the increased demand for educated and qualified yoga teachers amidst a backdrop of ‘youtube gurus’.
The updated edition of Ambrosini’s classic book included revised poses complete with instructions, a web resource and sample children’s and prenatal classes.
8.
Building Muscle and Performance
Nick Tumminello
Professionally, 2016 was a great year for Nick Tumminello. Not only did he bring out the much lauded Building Muscle and Performance, he was also named Personal Trainer of the Year by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
With his latest book, Coach Nick T destroyed the myth that one must choose between a chiselled physique and athletic performance. Combining strength training, power training, cardio and more, Tumminello’s unique approach delivered real results.
7.
Exercise Technique Manual for Resistance Training, 3rd Edition
NSCA
As the world’s leading organisation in the field of sports conditioning, anything the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) puts their name to tends to quickly amass a huge following of devoted advocates.
The success of Exercise Technique Manual for Resistance Training, 3rd Edition then, should not have come as a surprise to anyone. Like many NSCA titles that have gone before it, the new edition of ‘Exercise Technique’ has quickly found its place in the canon of S&C.
6.
Soccer Science
Tony Strudwick
How do you describe such a deep volume of knowledge in just a few short words? “Great insight” is how England legend Wayne Rooney summed up the work of Manchester United’s Tony Strudwick and his who’s who list of expert contributors.
Soccer Science draws from the world’s of history, biomechanics, physiology, psychology, skill acquisition, coaching, tactics and performance and match analysis to deliver the definitive work on the science behind winning football matches.
5.
Strong and Sculpted
Brad Schoenfeld
As one of, if not the world’s leading authority on muscle hypertrophy Brad Schoenfeld has been affectionally dubbed “Doctor Bro-enfeld” by some members of the male weightlifting fraternity.
In Strong and Sculpted, however, Schoenfeld’s sole concern was that of the female form. In 2016 women everywhere were skipping aerobic classes and hitting the weight room. Strong, not skinny was the mantra and early proponents of female weightlifting like Schoenfeld found themselves riding high on a wave that had been a long time coming.
4.
Therapeutic Exercise for Musculoskeletal Injuries, 4th Edition
Peggy Houglum
By the time a book reaches its 4th edition, you can be assured that you’re onto a winner. Therapeutic Exercise for Musculoskeletal Injuries is certainly proof of that.
Updated with the latest in contemporary science and peer-reviewed data, the book prepares students for real-world applications while serving as a referential cornerstone for experienced rehabilitation clinicians.
3.
ACSM’s Exercise Management for Persons With Chronic Diseases and Disabilities, 4th Edition
ACSM
Exercise is medicine is the basic tenet of this influential work now in its 4th Edition. Developed by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), this text presents a framework for optimising patients’ and clients’ functionality by keeping them physically active. It provides evidence-informed guidance on devising individualised exercise programmes for persons with chronic and comorbid conditions.
2.
New Functional Training for Sports, 2nd Edition
Michael Boyle
If it hadn’t already, strength and conditioning truly came of age in 2016. Its popularity has never been broader and functional training, in particular, has been seen by many as the holy grail of S&C.
Little wonder then that Michael Boyle’s New Functional Training for Sports should occupy one of the top spots on our countdown. Boyle’s name has become synonymous with the method and for good reason. As one of the world’s leading sport performance coaches, Boyle is uniquely skilled at sharing the secrets of the elites with the rest of us mere mortals.
1.
Science and Development of Muscle Hypertrophy
Brad Schoenfeld
The second book by author Brad Schoenfeld to make it into our top twenty is Science and Development of Muscle Hypertrophy.
This brand new book has seen off competition from well established and returning editions as well as new titles alike. No mean feat considering the quality of the competition.
So why has this title proved such an instant success? One could argue that in our increasingly visual world of Instagram posts and gym selfies, a muscular physique has become the must-have lifestyle accessory. But there are plenty of ‘lighter’ reads out there for people purely interested in pure aesthetics and followers.
Schoenfeld’s disciples engage with the subject on a deeper level. Simply put, they’re interested in the science and the research as well as the results. And few people are pushing the boundaries of science or doing as interesting work in the field as Schoenfeld.