Muscle and Fitness: February 2011 - Review

The February 2011 issue of Muscle and Fitness(M&F) has the return of the Rock Hard Challenge an annual (or had been) twelve week contest put on by the magazine. Goal get as fit as possible in twelve weeks using the workouts and nutrition guide provided. I did the Rock Hard Challenge about three years ago. It had great results but did not get me to place of long term commitment. This year there is real cash money involved.

The theme this month seems to be 'getting shredded'. in short, to loos fat to the point where people can see your muscles. This is a little early in the bodybuilding cycle to be doing this so I assume they are getting us ready ahead of time. Or they are just being what they are, a magazine about getting fit and following good nutrition for men (they have M&F Hers) for the guy who just wants to get in shape.

Best Quote: 'Anyone who tells you that transforming you physique will be easy is not really being honest with you' -- Julien Greaux p.98

Highlight Article: 'Go Hard at Home' -- This is not a great article because it is in depth or anything spectacularly new. It is a great article because it shows what a guy and a basic set of weights (without a bench) can do at home to get started. Olympic barbell set and an open space and you are there.

Best Regular Feature: Diet 911 -- I want to give props to this regular feature. I love how they take some one's diet and show how it can be improved. This month was a high school athlete, trying to gain weight -- the basic advice -- get more fat in your diet to increase testosterone production.

Notable Articles:
1. Rock Hard Challenge: Looking it over it would be tough and produce some decent results. If you are looking to get in shape, this would do it provided you follow the nutrition plan and the training.
2. Squat 2.0: Another great article that focuses on the squat which is the king of all exercises.
3. 2011 -New Years Revolution: This is a very sound article about getting the most out of the new year.

Duds:
1. I know this is a magazine for men and perhaps articles on watches and vehicles make sense, but they never do it for me.

Graphics Content Review:
M&F is still pretty basic for graphic content this month but they do seem to be trying to add some elements with dark training rooms and variety. Much crisper and cleaner this month than last month. Photos are clean and bright except in a few spots.
No girls this week but this is pretty much a mag for men alone with all the articles that reference male behavior (Jerk Off - about various kinds of jerky, How's it Hanging - about hanging leg raises, along with all the other references to HARD outside the Rock Hard Challenge) so perhaps it is best that they are out of it.

Rating: 3 stars - good for the beginner and the guy trying to get in shape. The Rock Hard Challenge is a good blueprint for anyone who has been lifting for a little while and wants to kick it up a notch or so. Nutrition articles are solid and focus on balance with carb control.