Muscle and Fitness: May 2011 Edition - Review

The May 2011 Edition of Muscle and Fitness (M&F) Features Brock Lesnar, former WWE Superstar and UFC Heavyweight Champion on the cover. This issue is dubbed the Fighter Issue for much of the content being devoted to fighters of all types. A note on the cover, it was troublesome because of the open up in the middle feature to get to see an ad featuring Brock Lesnar. The editors may wish to reconsider not doing this again because I know it was a pain in my backside as it kept getting caught on things and folded backward. I noticed on the magazine racks where I shop it also caused more ripping and tearing than usual.

Best Quote: "My mom and dad understood that you don't get nothing in this world for free" - Brock Lesnar (P. 154)

Highlight Article: Yes, This Will Definitely Hurt: Close up look at Brock Lesnar's training. I am not a big Brock Lesnar fan but this guy's toughness in not in question. If he stays health I can definitely see him returning to be the UFC Heavyweight Champion. (p.142-154)

Best Regular Feature: Classic Muscle: This is definitely a surprise section as it is not just a bunch of photos of old guys posing but actual workout and nutrition stuff from back in the day that still works, interviews with some classic guys and a pic or two from back in the day. (p.213-224)

Notable Articles:
1. Caged Fury: This was a great look at how to dust off a classic old piece of equipment and give it some new life - the power rack. There is another thing about power racks you home gym people should know - they are cheap and they do a lot. (p.78-88)
2. Banging the Bag: Literally this is a whole body Heavy Bag workout - boxing/mma style. Idea is to build and strengthen the arms (p.96-109)
3. Lift to Get Lean: This approach is so interesting, I am doing the training part and nutrition (three day rotation - high, medium and low card days) myself for the rest of my cut. Unlike the program which says it is a no cardio program, I am going to add a little cardio. (p.126-138)

Duds: Regular Feature: The Edge - Wheels: This is the one feature that unfortunately survived the makeover. Cars are a form of muscle I do understand but I don't really get excited about it.

Graphics Content Review: Solid once again. Crisp and clean with good pictures and enough variety to keep you from getting board. Sometimes you think: 'there is a lot of white going on here' but other than that it is pretty good stuff. Photos are good and there are some good classic shots in this one too. Nothing screamed at me: 'hurray!' but still good.

Eye Candy:
1. Two pages of Katie Cleary best known for being voted off America's Next Top Model but bouncing back very well. (p50-51)
2. The photo spread goes to Playboy Playmate of the Year 2010 - Hope Dworaczyk. Hope is dressed in M&F from the waist down at least in these desert shots. It must be hot outside though, because the only thing from getting Hope arrested is her hair and well placed arms. This is two months in a row that M&F have featured a Playboy Playmate. My concerns from last month stand. (p.162-168)

Rating: Three and Three Quarter Stars. I like the changes and there are a number of other articles that are solid as well. They have really made the change over from a frat guy feel to an athlete feel very well. I like it.