30 Years of Life-Changing Advice From Men's Health
A look back at the three decades since our first issue.
In the three decades since our first issue, we've stuck to one mission: to provide you with the smartest expert-backed, evidence-supported strategies to improve how you live and enjoy every aspect of your life. But don't take our word for it. See for yourself.
Our First Issue!
After a couple years of testing, Men's Health was launched in winter 1988. Randy Travis, the country-music legend, graced the cover. The issue had 96 pages, cost $2.95, and offered these tips:
• Travis stocked his tour bus with fresh vegetables. He trained every day, alternating running with upper and lower-body lifting. His goal: benching 250!
• The secret? Exercise, which can improve your memory, likely by increasing oxygen levels in your gray matter.
• Feel the beat when you work out and you'll feel less beat after it's over. Our picks: Chuck Berry, Bruce Springsteen
• Wash your face with a cleansing lotion, use a toner, and then always finish with a moisturizer that has SPF.
• A big one: the rowing machine. It's safe, weatherproof, and great for working your largest muscle groups.
Testing, Testing
In the spring of 1986, Rodale ran "Prevention Magazine's Guide to Men's Health." Top test-issue stories: "The Healthy Man's Guide to Beer" (our favorites: Anchor Steam, Blatz, Guinness Stout, Heileman's Old Style, O'Keefe Ale) and "Do You Have Any Real Friend?" (two-thirds of men named their wife as their best friend, but only 40 percent of women reciprocated).
Our First Recipe: Chili
What You'll Need:
• 1/2 lb lean ground turkey or chicken breast*
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Generous dash ground cumin
• 1 (16 oz) can kidney beans
• 4 oz tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup canned tomatoes and green chiles
—
Make It:
- In a medium saucepan, cook poultry with onion, garlic, and cumin over medium hear until browned, stirring to break up the meat
- Add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to better blend the flavors.
*Update: Feel free to double the protein, and a little hot sauce never hurts, either.
The D-Word Rears Its Ugly Head
We called our first major article on depression "Don't Feel Bad" and stated, "Depression is often chemical, not emotional, the experts say." A few tips that hold true:
- Treating depression can help lessen the odds of dying from heart disease
- Taking medication works best in conjunction with some form of talk therapy
- Too many men decide to self-treat their symptoms when they should see a doctor. (March 1994)
Timeless Tip: Laugh
One immune-system booster: humor! Students had higher antibody levels when watching Richard Pryor Live! compared with when they watched an educational video.
First Abs-Tastic Cover
In October 1996, Men's Health took a cue from its German edition and started shooting its cover subjects in black and white and often showing washboard abs. That year, model Gregg Avedon posed for his first cover, eventually appearing on 16 of them. Also handy in the kitchen, Avedon wrote the popular "Muscle Chow" column (protein powder in everything!).
Style Fouls
We are sorry for recommending the following sartorial blunders.
Casio Wrist Controller: A $90 watch/remote for your TV and VCR.
Adidas Tubular 2: Running shoes that let you pump air into the bottom chambers for better "support."
Purple fleece-lined jeans: Oops.
Workout Trend
In September 1994, we rated the Marky Mark Workout five (out of five) dumbbells for difficulty and three for "host unbearability." Marky's moves included pullups, triceps pulldowns, and triceps extensions.
Timeless Tip: Posture Pose
To ensure good posture, you need strong back, abdominal, and glute muscles. Work them all: Start by lying facedown, hands at shoulder level,, as you would for a pushup. Keeping your hips against the floor, straighten your arms to lift your upper body. Return slowly to the start. Repeat for 1 minute.
First Poster Workout
January/February 1997: The muscle plan debuted with "Unbelievable Abs." MH said: Do 1 set of each of the following exercises - daily.
- Seated knee raise (!5 to 20 reps)
- Side bend with a 20- to 30-pound dumbbell (8 to 12 reps)
- Trunk curl with a twist (8 to 12 reps)
- Trunk curl with a 5-pound plate (8 to 12 reps)
- Bicycle crunch (10 to 15 reps)
- Negative chinup (8 to 12 reps)
- Reverse trunk curl (8 to 12 reps)
- Seated curl (8 to 12 reps)
Introducing: Jimmy's First Column
We hired James P. Kennedy in January 1998. The guy originally didn't want to write a column for us. "I deal with my customers' problems all day," he said. "Why would I want to deal with yours?" But he did it for us anyway (After insisting we pay him only in cash). From that issue, "Jimmy the Bartender" became a reader favorite. His first question dealt with an age-old problem: a happily married man who was strongly attracted to other women - mainly blondes - asking if it was okay to have an affair, just once. The answer (condensed): Enjoy those raging hormones. They mean you're alive, son. Let them loose. Just do it at home.
Nothing's Changed
Red Bull hits the market. We reported that it taste like "a liquid cold lozenge." October 1998
Stress Buster
"Stop the Madness!" addressed the issue of men and rage in October 1998. Someone pissing you off in the grocery checkout? Pretend that person lives solely to upset you. Make up a story about how they're part of a larger conspiracy meant to take you down. By the time you're finished creating the plot, the other person will be gone. Dealing with an annoying coworker? Ask, "How can I help you?" If they do want something, they'll ask. If not, they'll likely leave.
Crea-What?
Creatine, a natural substance found in raw meat and fisih, became a hot supplement among athletes because of its potential to enhance stamina and recovery. (April 1995)
Inject Where?
Men's Health named Caverject, a self-injection treatment for erectile dysfuntion, the next big thing in E.D. Wisely, many men didn't want to stick a needle into their penis and waited a few more years for Viagra.
Style Foul
Horizontal-fly boxers. Because, for far too long, men suffered through the turmoil, anguish, and frustration of removing themselves from vertically positioned underpants flies.
Timeless Tip: Scrub Away Cravings
Brush your teeth when you're hungry. The flavor of the toothpaste can take the edge off a sugar craving, and even if it doesn't, at least you'll have a dazzling smile.
Introducing: A Man, A Can, And a Plan
Debuting in June 2000, A Man, A Can, A Plan, which eventually became a best-selling cookbook series, taught men how to turn canned beans into palatable chili, among other tin-based creations. A decade later, the franchise transformed into A Man, A Pan, A Plans. Staff favorite: 2 (6 oz) cans low-sodium chunk white tuna + 16 oz box ziti, cooked + 15 oz jar spaghetti sauce with mushrooms + 1 cup shredded low-fat mozarella cheese = June 2002's Tuna Roma.
Nothing's Changed
In July 2000, we named the squat the best strength exercise of all time. Get more out of it: Focus on squatting deeper rather than heavier. The Key is to descend until your thighs are parallel to the floor while still keeping your heels on the floor and maintaining the natural arch in your lower back. This deeper squat builds muscle faster and is safer on your knees.
The Girl Next Door #1
Nicole Beland, our first (of six!) GND columnists, offered her initial answers to readers in November 2002. Beland on pickup lines: "Anything you say to a woman as she's strolling by is categorized as a catcall. And any guy who catcalls women is immediately categorized as a meathead."
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