Men

Each issue is distributed to over a 1.5 million readers all over the world. Being the largest men’s magazine brand, Men's Health has 38 editions around the world with a monthly circulation of over 1.8 million and 12 million monthly readers. It is the best-selling magazine on U.S. newsstands. The articles cover fitness, nutrition, sexuality, lifestyle and other aspects of a man’s life and health. The website alone, MensHealth.com averages 40 million page views a month.

So, there we have a magazine that every man desires to get a hold of, but why is it that many men want to read it. Well, more times than often, when you want to get to know the story behind any success, it is always good to go back into history. Men's Health was launched 1987 as a health oriented service magazine by founding Editor Mark Bricklin. It has since evolved into more of a lifestyle magazine for men, covering all aspects of a guy’s life: health, fitness, fashion, nutrition, relationships, travel, technology, fashion and finance.

About the Editor-in-Chief

Since 2000, the Men's Health magazine has experience a remarkable growth and expansion under the editorial expertise of , born in 1969 and raised in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. David attended Liberty High School in Bethlehem. He entered the military after high school, serving in the Naval Reserve while he attended Moravian College, also in Bethlehem, for his undergraduate degree. There, he served as editor-in-chief of the student newspaper, The Comenian.

In 2000, he was named editor-in-chief of Men's Health, and in that role he oversees the editorial content of its international editions as well as the U.S. edition. He also serves as editorial director of Best Life, and was named editorial director of Women's Health magazine, which was spun off from Men's Health in 2005. He served as Chairman of the 2007 American Magazine Conference and is credited with coining the phrase "magabrand”, to describe magazines that expand beyond their regular formats into a variety of media and businesses.

In 2004, Zinczenko began putting celebrities and athletes on the cover exclusively, and with their shirts on—a big departure from the cover look of the 1990s.

For its 20th Anniversary issue in November 2008, Men's Health scored its biggest cover get ever with their exclusive interview and photo shoot with, the then, future President-elect Barack Obama.

In fall 2007, Men's Health launched the FitSchools initiative to combat childhood obesity. In their efforts, the magazine sends health, fitness, and nutrition experts to selected schools each year to remake the physical education programs and school lunch offerings. Gettys Middle School, in Easley, South Carolina, was the first FitSchool. In spring 2008, the magazine launched The FitSchools Foundation, a nonprofit organization with the mission to help end childhood obesity and get America’s kids interested in healthy, active living.

In 2009, Men's Health published the Belly Off! Diet book, based on the popular weight loss testimonial column in the magazine

Under Zinczenko’s leadership, Men's Health has been nominated for eight National Magazine Awards. It won in the category of personal service in 2004, the first for the magazine, and for parent company Rodale.

So here is a magazine that has not only revolutionized its intended market but has transcended to influencing diverse spheres of life.

Men’s Health South Africa also enjoys a firm establishment which can be noted on magazine shelves of many bookshops. The South African edition is one of 38 that exist all around the world

THE EDITOR

Ridwaan Bawa took the position of editor of the most popular men’s lifestyle magazine in South Africa in February 2008, as announced by Touchline Media. He replaced Andy Ellis, who had resigned from the post to form an agency with another associate who had also been working for Men's Health.

Bawa, previously a visiting media fellow at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, worked in newspapers for over nine years, having started his career as a sports writer at the Cape Times. Later, as a sub-editor, he worked on the Cape Times, the Cape Argus and the Weekend Argus.

After moving to The Star in 2003, he had graduated through the ranks until he became night editor, tasked with the responsibility of putting to bed one of South Africa's biggest and busiest daily newspapers.

On his move to the Men’s Health family, he was welcome by good comments and confidence by those who assured the audiences that they had made a good choice and were looking forward to the growth of the publications under his leadership. On appointment, these were his words,

“It's a privilege to be at the helm of such a prestigious title, one of the world's leading brands, we have a vibrant, dynamic team eager to build on the magazine's enormous successes.”

In the SA issue of Men's Health, you will find articles relating to healthy living, that is, diets and foods to eat; how to build certain muscles on your body; there’s always something on building the Perfect Abs; and more.

Recently introduced at the back end of the magazine, is the Men’s Wealth, a career and finance guide. The section gives you advice on financial management skills, how to manage time optimally, planning ahead of the retrenchment game, and how to manage oneself in a working environment.

Here at Tuks Student Gym, even though we may not have a direct relationship with the editor, we are surely experiencing the benefits of the successes of his editorial leadership. The gym currently has a sponsorship contract with Men's Health magazine and receives magazines on a monthly basis. The magazine’s popularity with the students, ladies at times, sees the stocked magazines enjoying a very short shelf life due to the high demand. We have gone to the extent of allocating distribution to benefit only Year Members. We also have given hundreds of free 6 months subscription to the monthly to our loyal members.

Some of the exercise pictures that are published in the editions are posted on our notice boards to educate gym members on exercise techniques.

So there you have a magazine that people like, and is making big money. The future can only get brighter, and one can be sure more and more sections will be added to the editions – Teen’s health maybe. The sky is surely the limit.