The fitness and nutrition industry is a multi-billion dollar per year juggernaut.  With a seemingly unending supply of information in print and on the internet, it has become increasingly difficult to determine who is trustworthy and who is out to just make a quick buck.

There are books and internet sites out there that pump out information from very confident sources with a litany of credentials after their name like MA, IFAA, CSCS, ATC, AFAA, NCSF, and a ton more.  If you’re new to fitness and nutrition, and are looking for a place to start, who do you trust to give you good, solid information that will help you in your weight loss efforts?

Here are five of some of the best books written specifically for the fitness and nutrition industry by a few of the most well respected trainers and nutritionists in the business.

1.  New Rules of Lifting - Lou Schuler and Alwyn Cosgrove

Lou Schuler mixes just the right amount of humor, real-life stories, nutritional information, fat loss and muscle building theories into the meat of the book and Alwyn Cosgrove creates some fantastic workouts.  There are enough workouts in this book alone to keep you busy for a year and put you in the best shape of your life.  Alwyn breaks the workouts down to three sections: Fat Loss, Hypertrophy, and Strength.  Each workout is meticulously designed to produce these results.  This book is great for both beginners and the experienced.  Oh, and it comes in a version for women as well!

2.  Power Training - Robert dos Remedios

Coach Robert dos Remedios is one of the elite strength and conditioning coaches in the country.  In Power Training, Coach Dos doesn’t just give you the workouts but he explains, in detail, what you are doing every step of the way.  This book is geared a little more to the exprienced fitness enthusiast but the science of his workouts are a great foundation for anyone interested in getting stronger and leaner.

3.  Metabolism Advantage - Dr. John Berardi

Dr. Berardi is one of, if not the leading authority on sports and fitness nutrition.  Metabolism advantage doesn’t just tell you what you should eat.  It gives you all of the science behind it as well as some great workouts to complement the meal plans.  This book focuses on speeding up your metabolism through proper nutrition and exercise.  If you are just starting out, this is a great book to add to your collection.

4.  Starting Strength - Mark Rippetoe and Lon Kilgore

This book has been called “the best and most useful of fitness books”. Mark Rippetoe is a certified strength and conditioning coach, powerlifter, and one of the foremost fitness authorities in the industry.  Starting strength covers the “5 big lifts” in unbelievable detail and is a great starting point for those looking to start training as well as a great resource for the advanced lifter.

5.  The Zone - Dr. Barry Sears

Looking for a book that will give you a dietary roadmap for long-term weight loss success?  Check out The Zone.  If you’re looking for a fad diet, don’t buy this book.  Dr. Sears teaches you how to eat right by eating an insulin-resistant diet with the right protein/carbohydrate/fat balance.

These are but a few of the great books on the market today in the fitness and nutrition industry.  All of these books are well reviewed, well tested, and written by industry leading experts.  They are a great place to start and are great resources for even the most seasons fitness enthusiast.

Do you have any reading suggestions?  Just leave them in the comments below!