As many of you already know, I work in the magazine field. I'm looking for feedback from women about fitness/lifestyle magazines geared toward women. What do you like? What don't you like? What would you like to see more of (stories, advice, etc)?
Thanks! This is just what I'm looking for and I really appreciate it (and feel the same way). More specifically, what would you like to see in these magazines that would make them more desireable?geargrrl said:I haven't ever seen one that remotely impressed me. I subscribed to Shape years ago, but I didn't' renew. That one and most others seem like they keep recycling the same ideas over and over again. I find I can read most of the things in these magazines that interest me in 15 minutes or less, hardly worth a subscription.
Now, Men's health has a lot of good information in it, I read it every chance I can get.
Is there a magazine out there that focuses more on sport, athletic aspects of fitness instead of better buns, amazing abs, spa food and skin care? Bleah.
just my two cents, as always
geargrrl
What about Women's Health, the Men's Health sister publication? I subscibe to Men's Health and enjoy reading it, so I imagine Women's Health would be similar. I can not find it online, but it should be at your newsstand.geargrrl said:Now, Men's health has a lot of good information in it, I read it every chance I can get.
I think that came out within the past year. I haven't given it a close read, but it looks a little more serious and less fluffy than other women's fitness mags.I Are Baboon said:What about Women's Health, the Men's Health sister publication? I subscibe to Men's Health and enjoy reading it, so I imagine Women's Health would be similar. I can not find it online, but it should be at your newsstand.
It is definitely a newer magazine.bluebug32 said:I think that came out within the past year. I haven't given it a close read, but it looks a little more serious and less fluffy than other women's fitness mags.
heh. yep. If I could have a nanny, a maid, a cook and a personal trainer I'd look like that too!laura said:i have to say, if i read one more headline or story on madonnas sexy arm tips or how jessica simpson gets those killer legs i am going to vomit. they get paid millions to look good. i'm sure if it was my job, i could look that good too. thats my main gripe, movie start fitness tips.
LOL! I'd love to have all that help around the house...I'd have SO much time for ridinggeargrrl said:heh. yep. If I could have a nanny, a maid, a cook and a personal trainer I'd look like that too!
Women's Health? I'll look for it.
What would I like to see? That's a tough order. Real world stuff, definately. Not just super star fitness but how real people do fitness, people I can relate to. I'm not talking about stories like the sucess stories in Shape.
But how real people that are not obsessive do fitness. Maybe real people that aren't gym rats, and that are ok with being "good enough". Women that aren't obsessed by the last 5 pounds?
I've btdt with being a gym rat ( used to competitively body build year ago, 3 hours a day in the gym) and now I just want to be healthy and fit enought to enjoy my sports, whether it be a couple of days ripping powder or 20-25 killer xc rides. I ride a lot, do stretching in front of the tube at night, try to do my errands on my bike, make good food choices...but not obsess? Would anyone want to read about people like me? Hehheh, probably not.
More annoying things - I remember one in Shape that in three pages of how to get going in XC skiing, made no mention of hypothermia. Or, bike articles that feature total dorkiness; toe clips and comfort bikes on a trail. I guess you could write that off to clueless editors.
ranting again, sorry.
geargrrl
I'd LOVE to see that as well!!! It certainly would be nice to be included in more MTB mags!!!Snacks said:I like to read some of the mtb. rags but none of them have anything to with women. There are only men in all of the articles and no comments from women on the test rides...am I asking too much to get some tips from women or see some shots of women taking demo bikes out for test rides?
That's the unfortunate thing about magazines. Subcriptions don't keep a magazine running, ads do. And the worst part, as an editor, is having to write about someone just because they advertise. That's why the advertising and editorial departments are often referred to as Church and State.TreeSaw said:I realize advertising sells, but I hate getting a magazine that's more than 50% ads.
Definitely...my guess is many of the people who are reading health magazines aren't smokers so why bother?bluebug32 said:I like how a few health magazines have taken the high road and refused to advertise cigarettes and some other choice products. We just need to see a lot more of this.
Check out Dirtrag. They often have women test riders writing reviews.Snacks said:I like to read some of the mtb. rags but none of them have anything to with women. There are only men in all of the articles and no comments from women on the test rides...am I asking too much to get some tips from women or see some shots of women taking demo bikes out for test rides?
I really like Dirtrag. I've thought about trying to do some freelancing for them.McGRP01 said:Check out Dirtrag. They often have women test riders writing reviews.
I used to like to read Decline and ???I can't remember the name of the other one right now and also read DirtRag sometimes.bluebug32 said:I really like Dirtrag. I've thought about trying to do some freelancing for them.
What bike mags. do you mud hunnies like to read?
if reading means spending more that 15 minutes flipping through it while I have a sandwich, my answer is "none".bluebug32 said:I really like Dirtrag. I've thought about trying to do some freelancing for them.
What bike mags. do you mud hunnies like to read?
LOL! Lately that's what I have been finding myself doinggeargrrl said:if reading means spending more that 15 minutes flipping through it while I have a sandwich, my answer is "none".
i really like dirtrag. it's my favorite.bluebug32 said:I really like Dirtrag. I've thought about trying to do some freelancing for them.
What bike mags. do you mud hunnies like to read?
it's a magazine.bluebug32 said:what is decline?
that is a brilliant idea. we should write a zine regarding women and biking.... that would be awesome. anyone have a good title suggestion???bluebug32 said:ahhh....I'll have to look for it
We need a magazine for women who mountain bike. It would be fun to start one.
LOL...she's right! It's usually a good read.amydalayna said:it's a magazine.
just kidding.
it's a mtn biking magazing that focuses on DH, DJ, Urban, etc....
It's kind of like the magazine FLOW, but not as trashy
Borders or any of the bigger book stores. I once saw it at Safeway, but haven't seen it there in awhile.bluebug32 said:cool, I'll have to look for it. Where have you found it?
I'lll write a column, like dumb things I have seen men do around women bikers...amydalayna said:that is a brilliant idea. we should write a zine regarding women and biking.... that would be awesome. anyone have a good title suggestion???
oh. you can't stop there. tell more!sanjuro said:I'lll write a column, like dumb things I have seen men do around women bikers...
I have found it at my LBS, Barnes & Nobel or Borders should also have it.bluebug32 said:cool, I'll have to look for it. Where have you found it?
Well, I remember the weasely guy I used to work with would knock down the other salesmen to talk with the attractive customers (and how he had to bite his tongue when a professional model who was a classmate came in to talk to me).amydalayna said:oh. you can't stop there. tell more!
Biking dates, huh? Interesting concept.sanjuro said:Or how my buddy's ex-girlfriend would go on 'biking' dates with new guys, and how she would ride them into the ground (one even puked).
I been on a few biking dates. One time I was going to do 20 miles on a rest day and she wanted to ride on the bike path (lasted one date). Another girl just started racing, and we would also ride on my rest days (lasted 6 months, I think to the end of racing season).bluebug32 said:Biking dates, huh? Interesting concept.