Books and Resources to Start Strong
Before you invest in equipment, invest in your knowledge. These books will give you the foundation to deliver results to clients and build a sustainable coaching business. They cover nutrition science, client psychology, and the business side of coaching.
The Nutrition Bible by Jean-Marie Bourre
This book provides evidence-based nutrition information you’ll reference constantly when answering client questions. You need to understand macronutrients, micronutrients, and how different foods affect performance and body composition. Bourre’s approach is practical and grounded in research, not trendy marketing.
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Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certification Handbook
If you’re starting without formal credentials, this handbook teaches behavior change coaching, which is what actually works with clients. Most people know what to eat—they need help actually doing it. This resource bridges that gap and gives you methods to assess client readiness and overcome obstacles.
Shop Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certification on Amazon →
Never Binge Again by Glenn Livingston
Your clients will struggle with emotional eating, food rules, and compulsive eating patterns. This book teaches you how to identify the psychological blocks that sabotage nutrition goals and coach clients through them. It’s practical and directly applicable in coaching sessions.
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The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier
This book teaches you how to ask better questions and listen more effectively—core skills for coaching. It’s short, practical, and will immediately improve your client interactions. Good coaching is about discovery, not telling clients what to do.
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Equipment You Need
Nutrition coaching requires surprisingly little equipment compared to many businesses. Most of your tools are software and assessment items, not physical gear. Start with the essentials and add as your client base grows.
Assessment and Measurement Tools
- Food scale: A digital kitchen scale lets you and your clients understand portion sizes accurately. Many nutrition mistakes stem from underestimating quantities. This is essential for clients following specific macronutrient targets.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Cheaper than a scale for some foods and necessary for clients who prefer volume measurements. Get a set with clear markings.
- Body composition scale: A scale that measures weight and estimates body fat percentage helps track progress beyond just the number on a traditional scale. Results vary, but consistency matters for your clients.
- Tape measure: For tracking body measurements when weight plateaus. Inexpensive and useful for all clients.
Shop digital kitchen scales on Amazon →
Shop body composition scales on Amazon →
Nutrition Reference Materials
- Food composition database access: You need a reliable way to look up calories, macros, and micronutrients. MyFitnessPal, Cronometer, or USDA FoodData Central provide this. Some require subscriptions.
- Printed nutrition charts: Have laminated macro and micronutrient reference charts available during consultations. Helps visualize concepts for visual learners.
- Sample meal plans and templates: Create your own or buy templates to customize for clients. Having pre-built frameworks saves time.
Client Communication and Tracking
- Reliable computer or laptop: You’ll use this for client consultations, meal plan development, tracking progress, and running your business. Don’t skimp here—crashes lose client data and damage trust.
- Professional camera or smartphone: For taking progress photos, creating content, and documenting client transformations (with permission). Modern phones are adequate if you have good lighting.
- Lighting equipment: If you do video coaching or take progress photos, simple ring lights or softboxes improve professionalism and consistency.
Client Workspace Setup
- Comfortable seating: Whether you meet clients in person or host from home, a professional workspace matters. Clients notice your environment.
- Notebook and pen: For taking notes during consultations. Some clients find this more trustworthy than typing on a computer.
- Whiteboard or flip chart: For explaining nutrition concepts, macronutrient ratios, or meal planning strategies during in-person sessions.
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What to Buy First vs Later
Start lean. You don’t need everything at once, and buying equipment you don’t use yet wastes money you could spend on marketing or certification.
- Month 1: Computer, assessment books, food scale, tape measure, client management software subscription. These enable you to deliver the actual service.
- Month 2-3: Body composition scale, nutrition reference charts, lighting for photos. These enhance your ability to track results and present yourself professionally.
- Month 4+: Advanced software tools, video equipment, printed materials for clients. Add these based on what your specific clients need.
New vs Used Equipment
Where you buy matters less than reliability and hygiene. A used food scale works fine. A used body composition scale is risky—calibration varies, and you don’t know its history.
Buy new: Anything that touches clients (scales, measuring equipment), anything that stores sensitive data (computer), and anything that must be calibrated accurately (body composition scales). Used equipment here creates liability and loses client trust. Buy used or budget: Books, furniture, reference materials, and decorative items. Check Facebook Marketplace, estate sales, and thrift stores. Many nutrition coaches sell certification materials and books after completing training—these are perfectly fine secondhand.
Where to Buy
- Amazon: Convenient for most equipment, fast shipping, easy returns. Use the links above.
- Target or Walmart: Food scales, measuring tools, and office supplies often cost less than Amazon and you can see them in person.
- Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist: Used books, furniture, and equipment. Meet locally to inspect condition first.
- eBay: Specific nutrition textbooks and out-of-print resources sometimes appear here cheaper than elsewhere.
- Direct from software companies: Nutrition tracking and client management platforms sometimes offer discounts if you buy annual subscriptions directly rather than through resellers.
- Certification organizations: Precision Nutrition, ISSN, and other credentialing bodies often sell reference materials and handbooks directly at discounts.