Men's Health (1-year)

Alas, in each issue there is at least one article on 'how to drop five pounds this week' or 'how to lose 10 pounds by Easter' -- these look like they'll work and seem very reasonable, but I cannot comment on their effectiveness (would that I were able to!). I can comment on the effectiveness of time management, basic financial planning, and exercise routine advice -- these have worked for me. In fact, I credit many of the articles in this magazine with helping me to plan a graceful exit from my old job and into my new self-employment career and graduate school/seminary endeavour, by illustrating stories and giving useful advice.

There are also fun things, too, like a recent issue's back-page article on how to effectively tan, by the tan-master himself, George Hamilton. Do you know how to tie a bow-tie? This magazine had an article showing that, too.

This is not an 'in-depth' magazine, but then again, it doesn't pretend to be. Many of us work and live in a world that doesn't permit time-consuming research and consideration of essays on health and fitness, unless we are professional in that field. Thus, magazines like this fill a need. So far as health and fitness magazines are concerned, this one is a good one -- many magazines are veiled soft-core erotica. Men's Health does not avoid the topic of sex, but doesn't overplay it the way many do.

The magazine has a good graphic sense to it -- it illustrates the physical things discussed in photographs without as much embellishment as many other fitness magazines. Comparing this to several others on the magazine rack, it is understated, has less flash and more substance in the articles.

Definitely worth a look!


Be a man   November 4, 2005
Matt (NJ)
69 out of 81 found this review helpful

If you're looking for a men's magazine that will help to keep you informed on fitness, weight loss, nutrition, sex and style - then this is a magazine you will have an interest in.

The layout is simple, with the most important information highlighted to draw your attention. I have found this magazine to be extremely helpful in keeping myself fit. I find an abundance of useful material each week and there is always a recipe or something that I find myself trying out with each issue. Great stuff.


One Year is All You Need   December 27, 2002
Leslie Reissner (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
41 out of 43 found this review helpful

As a regular reader of "Men's Health," I have long enjoyed its articles for their entertaining style and the useful information contained in its pages. After several years, however, it has become obvious that there are only so many abs exercises, or amusing sex tips, or ways to portray men as charmingly stupid. I realize that I no longer need to buy the magazine as I can just look at the back issues I have instead. It covers the basics well, but does it over and over, so my advice is to enjoy it for a year and then go on to more advanced things on your own.


Was More Consistent A Couple Of Years Ago.   August 13, 2006
Steve Guardala (Long Island, NY.)
37 out of 41 found this review helpful

This magazine offers plenty for its readers. Various advice on career issues, fitness, financial planning, sex, nutrition, style, weight loss, time management, and even recipes. It is clearly accessible and brief in its execution. Which is fine, since life can get rather hectic nowadays. It is somewhat similar to "Mens Journal." But, with far more attention on health and fitness. I deduct 1 star because it was better written in the past. Still, it is the best mens magazine available today.


Sad demise   February 18, 2004
35 out of 40 found this review helpful

Men's Health used to be a top-notch magazine with great writers and helpful and innovative articles for all men. Writers like Greg Gutfeld and Denis Boyles gave the magazine a sharp wit and truly made the magazine a stand-out. They turned up their noses at political correctness and wrote what most others wouldn't dare. The writers were real men (and women) who weren't afraid of putting their reputations on the line. They told it like it was, not how the advertisers wanted you to hear it.

However, they're all gone and all that's left is an emaciated skeleton of articles that are not interesting, innovative, or remotely intelligent. In fact, the only men I know who look at it now are my gay friends, for the great pictures of muscles on the cover and inside. But they, also, are too smart and savvy to waste their time on the lame articles. I don't know what happened to the management of that magazine, but somebody made some devastating decisions. I've never seen a magazine go from being truly one-of-a-kind to just a faceless jumble of paper and staples among the crowd. If you want articles on fitness, almost any other magazine will be better than Men's Health. The newest teeny bopper rag will have deeper articles on relationship than Men's Health. They assume the average guy is extremely insecure and has a sub-standard IQ. This magazine had a great thing going, and they blew it. Big time. Don't waste your time or money.