Men's Health Magazine; Falling in Line?

Men’s Health is a magazine known mostly for its pages filled with sex/health advice and glossy photographs of half-naked men with washboard abs and tight pectoral muscles. However, in this month’s issue men aren’t the only ones getting naked. Dania Ramirez, a television actress who is most recently known for her work on NBC’s “Heroes,” is featured in December’s issue wearing nothing but a Fender Stratocaster guitar slung over her shoulder. Nude women are somewhat of a departure from the Men’s Health norm. It’s no surprise that a beautiful woman would grace the pages of a men’s magazine; what man doesn’t want to look at a pretty girl. It’s the nudity that seems out of place. In previous years, the women of Men’s Health are scantily clad at most (or least), but their photos still remain somewhat modest by modern standards. The sexuality portrayed in Men’s Health is usually not so over the top compared to more risqué men’s titles such as Maxim, Double XL, FHM, Esquire or Stuff magazine; just to name a few. But December’s issue, which features an ultimate gift guide where Ramirez is shown in her birthday suit, is definitely much more daring than what Men’s Health readers are used to. Though popular men’s lifestyle titles claim to have a unique formula, it seems as though their formulas are somewhat formulaic. Each title has it’s own specialized depending on who their target demographic is, but the topics often remain the same. Generally men read about sex and relationship tips, how to stay in shape, beautiful female celebrities, as well as handsome male celebrities, style, and what high-tech or grooming products are popular at the time. What is supposed to differentiate each title from the next is the type of content/ advice offered in the magazine. Maxim is known for half-naked women on their covers and everything else comes second, their main focus is men’s culture with an emphasis on sports. Men’s Health is known for incredibly fit men on their covers and everything else comes second, their main focus is men’s health and fitness. Stuff magazine is also known to feature sexually posed women on their covers, but their content, while still maintaining their general interest status, is geared more toward the video gaming male reader. With their new cheeky photography does Men’s Health seek to expand their brand and perhaps their readership? Or do they seek to change their brand all together in order to compete with magazines like Maxim, FHM, and Stuff? Only time will tell.