My UPDATED Book Recommendations (Flexibility, Bodyweight Strength, Calisthenics + More)

[@BodyweightWarrior]

Whilst making this video I thought, let’s start a book club! Maybe a monthly video, book voted for by you guys and a review livestream/video for feedback. What do you think?

[@hichemim2540]

Definitely 👌🏻

[@ploby]

I'd be so down for that

[@barismutlu9360]

Would be so cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@OttoVonBismark290]

Absolutely love the idea! I would be down for it

[@rafa_moves]

Yeess great idea :)

[@parthsetia2787]

I can't wait til Tom makes his own book!!!

[@breckflanagan-caldwell7311]

The Oxygem Advantage, by Patrick McKeown! Also, waiting to read Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, by James Nestor. Both these text explore the fundamental process of how we breathe, how we've lost track of our power to breath, and I found a lot of crossover into athletics and mindfulness practices!

[@howiseetheworld3581]

Oxygen Advantage was game changing for me. Was snoring and having terrible sleep, but after improving my BOLT score it went. Breath is on my list too, added after watching James Nestor on JRE

[@bekedaniel2412]

Supple Leopard - Kelly Starret Mark Rippetoe - Starting Strength Ross Edgley - The Words Strongest Book (Possibly his new book Resilience as well, but I haven't read it yet).

[@mrnaizguy]

My absolute favorite book of all time is Models by Mark Manson. The focus of the book is a no bullshit approach on how to become successful in dating and relationships as a man but in reality the book is much more than that. It's basically a guide on how to be an emotionally mature human being which basically almost nobody is today. There is no other book that can impact the quality of life as much as this one.

[@joshuadardashti8675]

Not really a training related book, but “Can’t Hurt Me” by David Goggins is on of my favorite books. Changed my view of the limits of a human potential and really inspirational

[@howiseetheworld3581]

Yess, great book. Also "The Fear Bubble" by Ant Middleton is great as well on this topic ^

[@kaianthony8077]

I was actually very divided on that book especially the audiobook version. I served and Goggin's approach to training on deployment was extremely toxic to his team at times.

[@varunmeena4739]

this single book is enough to make you worrier.☠☠

[@leehelppie4544]

i'm a beginner in calisthenics training and the book i recommend is convict conditioning. if you have no clue on how to get started this book simplifies the process. there are six basic moves to master with easy to difficult progressions from 1-10. the author emphasizes not skipping steps, but following the progressions methodically to avoid injury. so far, it's working for me.

[@NightTimeDay]

😮 did you stick with it?

[@manny769]

1)8 steps to pain free back by Esther Gokhale - best book for fixing posture. 2)Normal breathing the key to vital health by Arthur Rakimov - based on Dr Buteyko's work on breathing, far better than oxygen advantage which is based on buteyko it self. 3)The Peat Whisperer by Danny Roddy - good book to start with to learn about bioenergetic way of eating i.e. to maximize cellular oxygenation, ATP creation and steroidogenesis.

[@leonm7464]

Even though it can be a bit technical I loved reading Overcoming Gravity, the book got me into bodyweight training! I'm wondering what your major disagreements with the book are? because most of the knowledge and core ideas seem pretty straightforward & commonly accepted in the BWF community. Great video !

[@OttoVonBismark290]

Same here, would like to know what things tom doesn't agree with

[@thibautlarge853]

Same here too +1 to know more about this. One thing that I would say is that Tom dislikes doing C-shape core exercise as a warm up for bodyweight training because the movement is not that useful for bodyweight training but more for gymnast although it makes you feel the low back touching the ground.

[@captainalbert2143]

Tom replied to a similar question in another comment and he said that he thinks it favors frequency and full body splits too much, and that he's seen better results from others. Though he did say it boils down to personal preference.

[@norohruska]

Atomic habits from James Clear fantastic book!

[@MonteRoe-b1z]

The ultimate 2 or 3 books on flexibility for golfers. So many books out there but I don't have time to read several. Thanks

[@lesfeckingo]

I was going to add Overcoming Gravity Second Edition but as I was writing it, it came up in the video. This book is great for defining progressions for calisthenics movement both static holds and dynamic progression, I agree this is the most important part of the book.

[@bekedaniel2412]

I would really like to know what do you think about Supple Leopard from Kelly Starret. Honestly, I was surprised that it was not on the list, since you mention two stretching books, but that is kind of the ultimate mobility book, that does not only reduce mobility to stretching.

[@christianladegaard9217]

I asked if you had some book recommendations in one of your instagram post, and you said you might make a video on your channel, so I it was nice when you told what you are currently reading in one of your vlogs, but this is even better!

[@BodyweightWarrior]

I realised the last video I did was quite old and I had some new info to offer. Good suggestion

[@037cleverdal]

Art of resilience- Ross Edgley

[@danielericcadonna7265]

Hi Tom. Maybe not directly related to training, but one of my favorite book for fitness is "Essentials of kinesiology for the physical therapist assistant" (Mansfield and Neumann), very useful to have a clear picture of how the body function. It worths every penny even just for the beautiful drawings 👌🏻

[@miguelalonsogarcia9279]

Hi and thanks for your videos, they have helped me a lot since quarantine :) I saw you're growing a moustache for Movember and actually I've been wanting to ask for this for quite some time and I think this is the best moment to do so. Could you make a video with exercices for men who have or have had varicocele? It's not one of the main issues Movember is about, but certainly one that connects with mental health issues such as depression. I had surgery a couple of years ago and it would help me a lot, as well as many others who have it but feel ashamed to talk openly about these problems. Thanks again for your channel. You are really helping me change my habits and understand how my body works :)

[@HiImBQ]

I'd actually be interesting in what regard you don't agree with Overcoming Gravity's approach to programming. And what would you rather recommend?

[@BodyweightWarrior]

I just think it favours frequency and full body splits a little too much. I’ve seen better results from other options. A lot of this comes down to my personal preference and what suits people best (it changes per person)

[@maximofernandez196]

@@BodyweightWarrior I was thinking the same. Especially because of time efficiency, I feel it's probably better to divide the days in some way, like upper/lower (my favorite one, tbh)

[@PavelKrotovFit]

Great video and books recommendation. Really like how cool your videos look too, nice

[@lastnamebase]

Three books that I continuously recommend to others are Essentialism by Greg McKeown, David Goggin's autobiography and Mindset by Carol Dweck! All worth a re-read every so often!

[@BodyweightWarrior]

was a big fan of essentialism. Haven't read the others though

[@nathanaelduranthon3369]

Thibaudeau is pronunced "Teebodo", with no stress on any syllable (as often in French). "o", "au" and "eau" are pronunced the same : "o" About the books, I was most influenced by Pavel Tsatsouline's.

[@BodyweightWarrior]

thanks! Pavel was also in the mix but I sided for Kit instead

[@SanderJanssenBSc]

Thanks for these amazing book recommendations!

[@thewonkyone6868]

Nice. Id like to hear from you more on mindset + maybe some resourses that tought you about coaching

[@andrewtaylor9799]

If you want to understand yourself and others, look at "On Human Nature" by E.O. Wilson. For functional strength and endurance, I like "Simple and Sinister" by Pavel Tsatsouline. Pavel also recently had over an hour session on Joe Rogan that was incredibly informative; Pavel has digested decades of scientific literature on training and can very clearly and simply state the conclusions, which don't always coincide with common "wisdom".

[@EndlessCycleOfPride]

I didn't expect you to start with king warrior magician lover. I've found out about a few years ago while watching Elliot hulse. Great recommendation! EDIT: I spoke to soon. It seems you also found out about it via Elliot.

[@stefankrieken1908]

Read KWML for curiosity and I’m telling you guys this is the best book I’ve read in a long time, really thought provoking, ty Tom❤️

[@demetrismatsentides2758]

Love the psychology-philosophy videos!

[@firstgmattempt]

Hey Tom, do you have videos on the mental side of the fitness journey ?

[@jj900]

The art of resilience by Ross edgely is a must read. Sport science x psychology/resilience.

Yooo Books about the disciplines 💯✊✨🙏

[@gwennhadu906]

It was a really great video ! Interesting to see your favourite books, thank's. I'll buy overcoming gravity with your link 🙂

[@jothidas369]

Please make a video on knock knees fix or knee valgus fix. It's been a long time since l have been requesting for it. Please please please. 🙏

[@chriswatts9227]

world's fittest book by Ross Edgley was full of great stuff and I liked the overall idea of teaching principles rather than specific workouts etc. General mindset wise Extreme Ownership is a must read.

[@barismutlu9360]

I recommend Why we Sleep by Matthew Walker and Exercised by Prof. Daniel Lieberman ,who also studied the "barefoot" running

[@markosekulic]

Thanks for recommending these books! I must recommend Pavel Tsatsouline (all his videos & books), Loui Simmons (all his videos & books), and for bodyweight training specifically, Building The Gymnastic Bodies by Coach Sommer. This is only for a strart...from here you will find many more.

[@BodyweightWarrior]

Got many of those on the shelf. Relax into stretch almost made the list

[@zorro8997]

could you please share a link of your shirt "skilfull, mobile, mindful" love that, its awesome. Want to buy this.

[@jeremyparrish7939]

Thanks for recommendations and thanks to other subscribers for recommendations. I have a basic stretching book by Joe Yoon, called Better Stretching, and find it pretty good, to follow some stretching. Another basic bodyweight training book I like is the Esquire guide to bodyweight training, by Adam Schersten. I am looking to add books and my knowledge base , so I will try some of these books. thanks again!

[@MrA2145]

Merrick looks like he's straight out of the battle of the Somme.

[@davieboy8276]

Do you have a weighted dip/pull up strength program? Or can anyone recommended a decent strength program?

[@kurtkrienke2956]

The prio system by Kristoffer Lidengren is a great program for upper body calisthenics, very underappreciated

[@andrewbarnes5802]

Hi Tom, Any recommendations on food or nutrition that you recommend at all?

[@tobiaskre7415]

Mornin'. The all mighty joey d led me to your channel and I really enjoy the vids so far, but I do have some questions. How do I pick the right stretching routine for me? I'm in a uni now and I always sat a lot in general, never been really able to touch my toes for the past five to ten years. Kind of lost when it comes to picking which routine to go for in your playlist, should I just go with a full body stretching routine?

[@BodyweightWarrior]

this video hopefully lays out where to start :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXXIaGqXrbtlbpo

[@tobiaskre7415]

@@BodyweightWarrior Appreciate it a lot, thanks king

[@TrainInspired]

Very interesting! I love books!

[@MantisCalisthenicsTraining]

Scientific principles of strength training

[@zenlifestyleandmannersshow6892]

If you could, what specifically do you not agree with in OG?

[@rsshieldsii]

You can't stop me from complimenting your 'tache, brother.

[@lorenzoribecca1469]

Stretching scientifically seems like it might need to be my next book to read! thank you for the recommendations!

[@Yojax]

What don't you agree with in Overcoming Gravity?

[@stephenfarrell3142]

Fear and loathing in Las Vegas, Hunter S Thompson. Very funny book.

[@badorx]

Hi Tom I've recently start reading "Becoming a supple leopard" by Kelly Starret, have you ever read it? I was curious and since it was translated in italian ( I'm Italian) I took advantage of it. Till now, seems interesting, another point of view about trainig safely.

[@BodyweightWarrior]

Was in my original book video. Some good points but I wouldn’t recommend it over the ones in this video anymore

[@badorx]

@@BodyweightWarrior ok, I will see...

[@manny769]

Gokhale method (8 steps to pain free back, book) by Esther Gokhale is far better than becoming a supple leopard book. Way less rambling and focuses on traditional posture.

[@Shinobi.Alexander]

Hey Tom, what do you hang your rings from?

[@MsBaldSoprano]

You should keep the stache it makes you look more british.

[@corinnerapson4271]

Tom Merrick, you should write a book! 2 books that complement the physical are: Sleep Smarter and Eat Smarter both by Shawn Stevenson of TMHS. www.eatsmarterbook.com

[@simplediy3466]

Have you had online training from Emmet Louis before? Also curious to know who is your current coach? Thanks for putting out great content, Tom!

[@BodyweightWarrior]

he is my current coach :)

[@garrydavey7849]

Hey the guy from strength side recommended you

[@swimmersavina2477]

Any books about nutrition?

[@BodyweightWarrior]

sometimes this topic is a little too controversial. I'm gonna start with some simpler ones...

[@swimmersavina2477]

@@BodyweightWarrior honestly, that makes sense. i look forward to your next book video! (and your next video in general)

[@manny769]

The Peat whisperer by Danny Roddy. Just download it from the forum of the link below. raypeatforum.com/community/threads/the-peat-whisperer-by-danny-roddy.6635/ How to heal your metabolism by Kate deering.

[@ガブリエル17]

When I squatting my knees is hurting what do I do

[@oussverde]

consult a physicals therapist

[@danielnickerson5561]

That mustache is top notch

[@Alacrityness]

When elliot hulse was more sane? Since when was the man crazy?

[@BodyweightWarrior]

more recently he's taken a direction that I personally don't connect with mainly involving posing with guns on instagram. It's an odd one

[@iTomAnks]

@@BodyweightWarrior Agree, he's taken a very strange direction - shame, he was one of the people who first got me interested in seriously looking after my body while training Edit: Just checked out his channel for the first time in a while... didn't realise he'd gone that crazy

[@basasjulius662]

He has mustache now😇

[@louis_7118]

Why we sleep!!! Dope book

[@SurjeetKandasiFitness]

"How not to Die" by Dr.Michael gregor but you might not like it as it focusses heavily on plant based diet😀

[@mattanstead4717]

Mo Bro 💪

[@steve00alt70]

I thought it was mr beast from the thumbnail lol

[@Ajay054]

You starting to look like Benedict cumberbatch!

[@thethoughtchapter]

Dat moustache!

[@guilhermesampaio5318]

"[...] when he was more sane." Why's the need to say something like that about a person with whom you apparently learned a lot of things?

[@jeibi6483]

What are the odds that this guy's name sounds like Turmeric.

[@ficolas2]

I don't wanna talk shit, but I'm glad you took becoming a suple leopard from the list. I really disliked that book, it gives itself way too much credit, and has some almost cult like pseudoscience stuff.

[@anejaG55]

stoner by james williams

[@NealPunjabi]

The Naked Warrior. Thank me later.

[@beorn_hamza7575]

Bıyık yakışmış

[@mahmoudshalaby6140]

You look like Otis from sex education but fitter and cooler

[@1Strawbz1]

Its easy to feel unmotivated by wellness, strength, flexibility & health bc it is only accessible by the bourgeois middle class. I prefer to train with a gym trainer when i do train bc i don't have skills to motivate or push myself in strength. But it is a choice between mortgage deposit or keeping well for the majority of us 🤣

[@anthonyc.lloydsr3896]

Helloo

[@philonhands5126]

More philosophy stuff pls!

[@captainofthewhitetower]

Bro brother advice cut the moustache not the time.

[@DidierPilon]

I have not read it, but isn’t the author of the first book a misogynist that murdered his wife and killed himself? Am I thinking of the wrong dude?

[@BodyweightWarrior]

Not that I’m aware of...😂

[@DidierPilon]

@@BodyweightWarrior he did kill his wife in a murder suicide. I can’t say if he’s really a misogynist, but when a guy write about how to be a man and kills a woman, it doesn’t look good.

[@Francesco_Di_Pereira]

@@DidierPilon Oh my... He did :/

[@BodyweightWarrior]

it's a shame but I don't personally think it takes away from the message of the book which is a collection of philosophical ideas. But that is a sad thing

[@DidierPilon]

@@BodyweightWarrior you read the book, so you know better than me. Maybe I’ll read it. I kinda wrote him off because its easy to jump to the conclusion that he’s some sort of women-hating masculinist. But that might be completely untrue. Thank you for replying. :)