100 Books Like Becoming a Supple Leopard

This book is one of the most effective guides to meaningful, lasting change.

James Clear explains how transformation happens through small adjustments practiced consistently over time. His philosophy aligns with a core belief in my own life and work: growth is created by what you do daily, not occasionally.

Clear breaks down the power of systems, discipline, and identity-based habit building. The book proves that success is rarely about dramatic breakthroughs. It is the result of steady, intentional actions that accumulate into extraordinary impact.

Mastering the next right step is the foundation of personal and professional excellence.

Practical programming is a very good introduction to programming and periodization methods that beginners and intermediates can easily implement to be effective in their own routines. Unlike some of the later recommended books, Practical Programming gives templates which the reader can use as their own program while explaining why they work which can eliminate some of the guesswork and confusion of trying to apply concepts to make their own routine. Only once it gets into the advanced section does it become more theoretical in nature and ask you to apply the concepts you learn to your own training. In conclusion, this book helps to bridge the gaps from using routines to making your own routines well. 

The Science and Practice of Strength Training is an intermediate to elite book aimed at understanding periodization concepts as how they best apply to specific tissues, adaptations, and populations. This deeper understanding will allow the reader to understand the reasons why they are implementing exercises, sets, repetitions, rest times, and so on into their routines and how that can play out with long-term progress. The specific populations mentioned are training for women, young adults, and seniors, so it's applicable to a broad range of people not just your regular athletes or recreational athletes wanting to know more. 

Periodization training for sports is one of the best books in terms of understanding how everything comes together into a full plan (“cycle”). Like some of the other books, it also delves into the anatomy and physiology of strength training and tissue adaptations, but where this book shines is the focus on understanding the various manipulation of training variables to progress. It covers short term, medium, and long term which are usually weekly, about 1-2 months, and yearly plans respectively. 

It seems I read either novels or scientific papers—page-turners or ‘can I get through this? ’ papers. Then, a book arrives that reads like a novel with the content any scientist would love.

Instantly applicable, it created questions where once I had only accepted norms. This book allowed me to question if I, too, was exercised about exercise. The militant and provocative nature of doing the ‘right’ thing without questioning the status quo. This book becomes a philosophical work that has driven my own understanding of the why that now underpins my own movement. 

Each time I read this book, I find new depths of understanding. I appreciate its readability while maintaining a stunning level of precision and accuracy. This book reflects my own clinical process and acts as a practical guide.

It is based upon working with real clients and is supported, not handcuffed, by research. I have often found anatomy books to be dry and singular in topic, whereas this book is rich and multilayered.

I now have a deeper understanding of the thorax through the lens of this cohesive, complex system view of the whole body.  

If Lao Tzu had written a book on anatomy in movement, this would be it. This book took me on a journey of a thousand steps from the first step.

I found the insights into the complexity of movement simple but not simplistic. Utilizing comparative anatomy gave me a new perspective and color to my understanding. Evolutionary anatomy allows a depth of comprehension of why humans have become such efficient walkers.

The construction of this book allowed me to see the four-dimensional puzzle of gait with clarity and curiosity I did not think possible. Using this book directly for my work as a bodyworker, going for a walk becomes ever more fascinating.

Sometimes, a book comes along at just the right moment to act as a catalyst for change. This book made fascia famous and fashionable.

The imaginative dissections and clear anatomical knowledge allow a significantly more connected view of the body. Now somewhat dated it is still a useful and necessary introductory text. For many years I taught these concepts, so this book was my ticket to traveling the world and meeting and teaching incredible people.

This book was the catalyst I needed to develop the Born to Move concept, which continues to develop the worldwide understanding of relational anatomy through movement. 

This book is aimed at sports coaches, with a general introduction and the first half of the book containing chapters on coaching theory and practice. These aspects are usually skimmed over in coaching courses, but the authors explain the theory and why it is important to understand before coaching. They write well, and each chapter is well laid out with graphics, photos, and sub-headings. I found it to be a useful reminder.

The second half contains chapters showing how this can be applied in different sports: striking, invasion games, racquet sports, and so on. I used a lot of their ideas, especially when designing sessions in sports in which I had less experience. The only frustration is watching my children being coached with mundane, poorly planned sessions, knowing that if the coaches read this book, things would improve!

The big yellow book on PE taught me so much about movement, lesson planning, and skill development. It was immaculately researched and dense with ideas, progressions, charts, and sample lesson plans. I have about fifty sections marked with sticky paper tabs. 

Coaches who want to develop their athletes/players/students rather than cherry-pick the big kids need to know how to teach rather than just what to teach. This book is invaluable as a teaching resource. 

I also loved the feel of the old hardback, brimming with knowledge.