Muscle and Fitness: March 2011 - Review

The March 2011 Issue of Muscle and Fitness (M&F) features strongman Derek Poundstone on the cover. I got very excited about this issue when I read the letter from the editor Seth Kelly who promises a 'new, revamped magazine'. Over the years, if I have a complaint about M&F it has been that it stays on the beginner side of things and as a person gets more experienced it loses its appeal. So when I heard this I was excited to see what the actual changes were.

The theme of this magazine is strength and size and that is keeping with the March/Spring part of the training cycle. The springtime being the last moments of mass gain right before the cutting season of Summer. The second month of the Rock Hard Challenge is in here as well with new routines and nutrition.

Best Quote: "I wanted to put things in perspective. An injury is an injury. Death is final." - Derek Poundstone p. 125.

Highlight Article: "Juggernaut Jacked" - This article highlights Chad Smith's Juggernaut method of training. The article promises massive gains in strength. It is a very different approach and based on the gains possible, it is a good one. It is also backed up by Chad's strength gains in real life. (p. 74-84)

Best Regular Feature: Got to give it to Diet 911 again because it addresses a common problem: what to eat pre and post workout if you do not have supplements? A note on all the features in "The Edge" they have been revamped and as such they look better. One of them is new -- "Workout Overhaul" which does the same thing fora guys workout as Diet 911 does for nutrition. I will be watching this one in the future.

Notable Articles:
1. 'Drop the Weight, Turn Up the Volume': This is an excellent article on using the various drop sets techniques in a workout. (p.92-100)
2. 'The Agony of Victory': A very inspiring view of strongman Derek Poundstone (p.122-131)
3. "Hard Case": Chronicles the current training regimen of Matt Kroczaleski. Hard Core would be more like it. (p.192-198)

Article Changes:
No duds this time because the only one would be the vehicle article that remained. What I do want to note is what is out and in. Out: no watches, silly articles about farting, etc. In: Classic Muscle, Workout Overhaul, exercise equipment reviews and a good many more varied articles that hit all abilities. Well Done.

Graphics Content Review:
One of the first things I noticed was the more get down to basics, hardcore feel to the magazine's graphics. The photos are solid and realistic as well. The editors make up for last months lack of eye candy by giving us both Samantha Seubert and fitness model Jamie Eason. Jamie's star has been on the rise for at least a couple years now as she has done a photo spread in all the magazines I review. She also looks like she could catch anything she wants in the fishnet she is wearing, seeing it is the only thing she is wearing.

Rating: 4 stars. This is the best I have felt about M&F in a long time. Good article switches and graphics upgrades.