Mens health Magazine- Language and representation

Language

 1) Mens Health's colour scheme are very conventional to colours that represent masculinity in general these colours consist of black, white and blue. The mast head of this magazine is the only text that is placed in the serif font while the rest of the magazine is placed in sans serif. Its language used is very exclamatory with them using a lot of action verbs like "Blast, Demolish, Slay" . Vin Diesel is the central image with him representing the "peak of masculinity" in a way. The use of Vin Diesel as they're central image shows that they use celebrity endorsement/star power as a way to entice more readers.

2) Front Cover

• Cover lines: almost excessive amounts of cover lines surrounding the magazine (although this is normal for most magazines)
• Written in Sans serif mostly but mast head is in serif
• Image of Vin Diesel is a representation of hyper masculinity  

Editors letter and contents page

• Direct address and use of informal language- makes it seem like they're a friend giving you advice.
• Vin Diesel isn't the main focus/centre image instead the text is. Information is far more valuable on this page.
• Reference to Greek mythology (Sisyphus). Most of they're audience have a degree so they will most likely understand and recognise the story of Sisyphus.

Feature- True Grit - The marathon man

• Image of an old man - Juxtaposes with the front cover which was Vin Diesal who is widely known and they choose to give some spot light to an ordinary person.
• Audience pleasures- Personal identity since elderly people might be able to compare they're own lives to this man and decide to attempt the same feats as him
• Quote from the interview "Your only limit is your self-belief."

3) Applying Narrative theories to Mens health's

• Propps character theory: Vin Diesel could be seen as some sort of protagonist/hero thats goal is to help improve the audience lives.
• Barthes enigma and action codes: Using the magazines teaching will help achieve a higher quality of life.

4) I believe that Mens health seems to create male insecurities through its language itself. They act as if theres already a problem with the readers life and proceed to try and make reparations by giving them solutions that they've provided.

5) The marathon man page offers an example Steve Neale's genre theory of repetition and difference as they repeat the use of an Idol being the main focus but instead this time they use a more average person instead of a popular celebrity like Vin Diesel.

Representation

1) Gauntlett ideas on masculinity are challenged as Mens health could be an example of the masculine ideals of being absolute toughness and other attributes are still being promoted through the Mens Health magazines.

2) Mens health magazine seems to support Van Zoonen's theories on sex role stereotypes as they base Vin Diesel, whose on the front page, as the ideal representation of masculinity. This shows Mens health magazine's perception of strength and power.

3) Bell Hooks theory of normalised traumatisation is supported by Men's health magazine as they believe that media indoctrinates people from an early age making gender become a set of connotations that have become naturalised.

Representation Academic Analysis

1) Mens health is defined as a lifestyle magazine as it delves into several more topics concerning men that its become more of a "general interests magazine for men"

2) Advertising is significant when shaping masculine identity as its importance as a social discourse is shown by its influence in promoting new models and perpetuating specific identities. Christopher Lasch says "Advertisement serves not so much to advertise products as to promote consumption as a way of life. It educates the masses into an appeaseable appetite not only for goods but for new experiences and personal fulfilment"

3) The article suggests that the representation of masculinity is not fixed or natural and is subject to change which can be related to Gauntletts perspective on the decline of tradition.

4) The Mens health magazine encourages its audience to work for a more masculine appearance and then be proud of what they've earnt. They'll also achieve this goal if they do some of the instructions inside the magazine.

5) There are several representations of the male body within the Mens health magazine:

• Consumer bodies: The representation of men in particular is mostly linked to the consumption of another specific product that Mens health sells.
• Instrumental bodies: A perfect body being synonymous with accomplishment and control within society.

6) The article suggests that the objectification of men is becoming increasingly more apparent especially in ads. They are receiving the same treatment as women did in the past.

7) Metrosexuality is used when talking about the new depictions of men in mens magazines. It refers to a man who is extremely aware of his physical appearance is devoted to it by buying cosmetic and fashion products

8) Mens health seems to belong to the mainstream discourse which portrays the dominant depictions of maleness in physical terms linked to power, strength and youth.

9) The conclusions found by the article are that Mens health (the best selling mens lifestyle magazine) presents some similarities with other magazines concerning its representation of men. On one hand it has peculiarities that make it work inquiry but on the other hand it has other visions of masculinity (metrosexuality)

10) In my opinion that Mens health seems to be attempting to help men around the world by making they're lives a lot more healthy. However they're representation of masculinity in general is a bit hyper masculine as they're values seem to mainly focus on physical elements and barely touch onto mental ones. They also use inadequacy marketing as a manipulative tactic to get readers to become more insecure and believe that Mens health can solve the insecurity that they've created themselves.