There are thousands of fitness books on the market! Walk into any bookstore or do a cursory search online and you will find innumerable books written on fitness topics far and wide. I have read a ton of books along my own fitness journey and there are a few that I keep coming back to. I gift these to my girlfriends and recommend them to my female clients again and again. I am going to summarize the 5 best fitness books for women and why I put them on the list! Hope it helps you find some good ideas for yourself or gift ideas for your fitness loving ladies! 

Book # 1 – The Women’s Health Big Book of Exercises, by Adam Campbell 

This book. It’s a ride or die. I bought my first copy of this book somewhere around the time I was in between my first and second babies. This was also right around the time I decided to become a personal trainer, so about 15 years ago. 

I remember flipping through this book and thinking ooooh, I need to try that. And that. And also that. Their pictures are great. The instructions and cues are easy to follow. This book also provides some sample workouts to get you started, so this is an especially great book for beginners. Written by Adam Campbell, of Women’s Health Magazine

Book # 2 – Glute Lab, The Art and Science of Strength and Physique Training, by Bret Contreras

I absolutely adore this book and recommend it everywhere. It is the magnum opus of THE Glute Guy himself, Bret Contreras. If you don’t know who that is, get yourself to Instagram right this minute and follow him. This guy is not only obsessed with the science of training glutes, he also cares about empowering women to be strong and confident through weight training. 

This book is so thorough and easy to follow! I was introduced to hip thrusts by learning from Bret and this book helps provide a very well rounded understanding of thrusts plus many other ways to shape a strong body and backside! The workouts are accessible to beginners and will also challenge the seasoned lifter as well! 

Book # 3 – Starting Strength, Basic Barbell Training, by Mark Rippetoe 

Starting Strength is one of the weightlifting classics. Every lifter should definitely check this book out at some point in their journey.

Rippetoe provides loads of science, and also practical easy steps to follow to build a lifting program. I referenced this book regularly when I was a new trainer putting together programs for different people or groups and still pull it off the shelf once in a while to brush up. 

Book # 4 – The Abs Diet for Women, by David Zinczenko

Again, like the others above, I just totally love this book. Practical. Easy to follow. Great advice for beginners who want to build a stronger fitness lifestyle. My only complaint about this book is that the title has the word “diet” in it! The advice given in this book is not at all about a diet, but all about how to build a lifestyle and habits that will stick for years and decades. One of my favorite takeaways from this book is learning about smoothies! 

I read this book back in the day, before social media and smartphones allowed you to see what everybody else eats all day every day! This book inspired me to buy my first blender not long after I had bought my first house when I was in the Army in my early 20s. I experimented with smoothies for months before I came up with the texture and flavors that I liked. This got me into a habit that I still use today! I often still make a protein smoothie most mornings to take with me to work and I have this book to thank for sure. 

Book # 5 – Thinner, Leaner, Stronger, The Simple Science of Building the Ultimate Female Body, By Michael Matthews 

What a great, well rounded book! Matthews covers a wide range of topics at great depth including exercise, nutrition, mindset, making meal plans, and much much more. I really like this book.

I find it accessible to beginners and useful to veteran lifters as well. This is one of my favorite books to recommend to clients and friends. 

Conclusion 

I hope at least one of these 5 best fitness books for women works for you and helps you continue moving forward on your fitness journey. Never stop learning! Our understanding of fitness science continues to evolve and grow and so should we! Reading books written by knowledgeable practitioners and lifters can really help you speed up your learning curve, especially if you’re a beginner. Thank you for stopping by and reading about my favorite 5 fitness books for women!

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