MARK WAHLBERG’S30-MINUTEBULK-UPPLAN 10

p48
OCT 2016 £3.99
OCT 2016

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BEST
Build Your THE

BODY ARMS
ADVENTURE CAPITAL: HOW TO SWAP THE OFFICE FOR THE OPEN ROAD P72

NOW! ABS ISSUE

Burn Fat Fast GET AN 8-PACK
Sculpt Hard IN JUST 1 MOVE
Lean Muscle ADD 15CM TO
Get Fit For Life YOURBICEPS
PO ST BR EX IT RE PO RT 9 FOODS THAT
MAN 3.0
THE STATE
MELT FLAB!
WE’RE IN p64
BOOST
BRAIN
60
SECONDS TO
BULLETPROOF
POWER
T THE GYM
43 BEST
YOUR HEART TOYS IN
MARK WAHLBERG, 45, HARDEST
WORKING MAN IN HOLLYWOOD
ITNESS
Retail Theerapy For Gearheads
10/16 THE ARMS & ABS ISSUE
MUSCLE
P41 THE REST IS HISTORY
Why alternating your workouts with lazy
sofa days hits snooze on your physique
P42 TRAIN LIKE A BEAST
MH visits Monster Gym, where Olympians
squat alongside Hollywood action heroes
P106 PLATE UP MORE MUSCLE
Shrug off complex fitness kit – a weight plate
is all you need for extra lashings of strength
WEIGHTLOSS
P33 SNACK BATTLE
Does fruit’s vitamin hit outplay nuts’ healthy
fats? It’s crunch time for your elevenses
P45 IS YOUR HOUSE A FAT TRAP?
Common chemicals in household items are
fattening you up. Oust them immediately
P61 HEAT UP YOUR METABOLISM
Altitude advocates – come back to earth!
Warm training is the way to burn calories
10 MEN’S HEALTH
FITNESS
P38 START PULLING YOUR WEIGHT
New gym classes are taking calisthenics off
the streets. Do structured lessons hold up?
P57 FIT IN 60 SECONDS
Lengthy cardio workouts burn more time
than they do calories. It’s time to HIIT back
P109 STRIPPED-BACK CARDIO
The barefoot trend is back. This is how to
enjoy the mobility gains without the pains
STYLE
P121 A FORMAL RE-EDUCATION
Dressing up has had a dressing down. Here
are the relaxed rules of modern tailoring
P130 BREAK THE LAWS OF TIME
Our watch expert tells you how to flaunt the
age-old timepiece tenets for an updated look
P133 NEW KIDS ON THE ROW
A fresh crop of British designers are giving
Savile Row a much-needed modern edge
HEALTH
P26 RUNNING MEMORY
How some well-timed exercise after a hard
9-5 will pump up your powers of recall
P37 THE CONS OF PROS
Overspending on ‘gut-friendly’ yoghurts?
This research may prove hard to swallow...
P64 WHO IS MAN IN 2016?
We took the pulse of your health, hopes and
happiness to help you achieve more of all
(MODEL COVER) MODEL: JACK JEFFERSON AT SVL | GROOMING: SUSANA MOTA | STYLING: ABENA OFEI | SWEATPANTS BURBERRY BRIT AT MRPORTER.COM
NUTRITION
P34 COOL YOUR BEANS
Cold-brew coffee boasts more than just
hipster-health kudos. Time to chill your buzz
P46 BUCKETS OF BENEFIT
Chuck excess body fat in the fryer with
our finger-lickin’ fried chicken upgrades
P86 THE SUPERMARKET SWINDLE
MH investigates the confusing business
of meat labelling. Stock up on knowledge
MENSHEALTH.CO.UK

TH£
£CONO MIC$
OF
ADV£ NTUR £
ON THE COVER
P25 THE ONE-MOVE 8-PACK
Our slo-mo calisthenics move
is simple to master but no less
ruthless for carving your core
P31 BULK UP YOUR BICEPS
Wring more muscle from
every rep with our expert
guide to the science of size
P48 WAHLBERG’S WORKOUT
How the actor, producer and
entrepreneur fits more into
every day than he has right to
P58 FOODS THAT MELT FAT
Cut excess weight – along
with your PB – with the new
standouts of clean nutrition
IN THIS ISSUE
SOLID INVESTMENTS FOR MORE HEALTH CAPITAL
P72 ADVENTURE ECONOMICS
Our guide to swapping the rat
race for an epic life, by three
men who prove it’s possible
P78 BEST TOYS IN FITNESS
All you need to build a dream
WAHLBERG COVER
home gym (whatever your PHOTOGRAPHY
budget) and start using it ART STREIBER
MODEL COVER
P110 GYM BRAIN-BOOSTERS PHOTOGRAPHY
Get big and clever with DAVID VENNI
a lunchtime workout that
sharpens body and mind
THE EXPERT PANEL TOBY WISEMAN
EDITOR

GET TIME FIRMLY ON YOUR SIDE THIS MONTH. HERE ARE DEPUTY EDITOR CREATIVE DIRECTOR PHOTO DIRECTOR
SOME OF THE SPECIALISTS MAXIMISING YOUR MINUTES DAVID MORTON DECLAN FAHY RACHAEL CLARK

STYLE DIRECTOR PRODUCTION EDITOR DIGITAL DIRECTOR

ERIC DOWN SCARLETT WRENCH ED VANSTONE

FEATURES EDITOR ART DIRECTOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR (STYLE)

TOM WARD TOM PLUMSTEAD MATT HAMBLY

COMMISSIONING EDITOR (PRINT & DIGITAL) SENIOR DESIGNER

TED LANE JESSICA WEBB

STYLE ASSISTANT JUNIOR FITNESS EDITOR SUBEDITOR

RICCARDO CHIUDIONI JACK HART AARON TOUMAZOU

BREAK FREE ON YOUR MARKS HOT OFF THE PRESS DIGITAL EDITOR ASSISTANT DIGITAL EDITOR
SEAN CONWAY BRIAN NGUYEN GREG WHYTE ROBERT HICKS MATT EVANS
Is a career in exploration Transform your body Exercise scientist Prof
viable in 2016? Adventurer with a leading man’s Whyte puts brain to
and ‘ultimate triathlete’ fitness plan, care of Mark brawn to demonstrate
Conway explains how to Wahlberg’s longtime how best to pump up your
make it work for you p72 personal trainer p48 w g g ggame p31
weightlifting p GROUP PUBLISHING DIRECTOR ALUN WILLIAMS
SALES DIRECTOR GEORGINA PARROTT
BRAND DIRECTOR TOM LAKE
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BUYER’S GUIDANCE LIQUID ASSETS A WOD TO THEE WISE HEAD OF MARKETING JANE SHACKLETON
LIZ TUCKER HENRY DUNMORE KEMOO MARRIOTT
O T MARKETING AND EVENTS EXECUTIVE MEG STEPHENSON
Leave spurious marketing Prep Natural Fitness Holistic Motions founder PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER MARK PEACOCK
buzzwords in the bargain Food founder Dunmore’s Marriott’s combination OFFICE MANAGER AND EVENTS EXECUTIVE MEGAN BLACKBURN
bin with advice from protein-packed recipe of compound lifts and DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS LISA QUINN
Select Food’s nutritional to raise the shakes on bodyweight moves trigger PR MANAGER BEN BOLTON
advisor, Tucker p86 your post-gym fuel p115 gains and brains p110 CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER DARREN GOLDSBY
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12 MEN’S HEALTH
 EDITOR’S LETTER
BUSY? DON’T COUNT THE HOURS – MAKE THEM COUNT

64

PAGE
PA
AGE
G
We surveyed our readers
Blitz your
to help you settle your
macros with
115
key concerns – fitness,
our precision-
family and financial –
engineered
at every stage of life
shake recipe

78

PAGE
Follow our buyer’s

92
guide to construct
your own gym on
PAGE

any budget. Fitness

starts at home...

Can two legs ever be better

PAGE
than four? MH tackles a Formalwear has
marathon unlike any other had a dressing

122
86
down. Here are
the new rules of
PAGE

looking smart,
but never stuffy

We dive into the murky

world of food regulation
to find out what’s really
in your shopping basket

A
s I write this, the day we go to
press, I am feeling tired. Pretty
damn knackered, truth be told.
The magazine and its myriad
offshoots have been working us
hard of late (I hope you appreciate the
effort), plus there’s the commute, my
insomnia, the forever vacillating mind…
Sorry, is my self-pity grating enough yet?
If your name is Mark Wahlberg then
SOLID ADVICE the answer to that is an incontrovertible
TO MARK YOU OUT ‘yes’. Reading his cover interview (p48),
FROM THE MASSES with notable reference to his tenacious
drive and work ethic, is – depending on
your demeanour at the time – either
awe-inspiring or downright exhausting.
For example, Wahlberg invariably
works long days, too. But he doesn’t let
that impede his work-life balance; he
simply crams more life around work.
So when you and I are in bed – a good
hour before the first shipping forecast –
Wahlberg is in the gym giving it both
barrels. He likes to get his workouts in
early because, naturally, it’s important
he can then enjoy a quick round of golf
before the kids go to school.
Next, there’s food prep to be done, as
well as catching up with the wife – these
things are also important – before his
focus is redirected on the busy day
ahead. This might include anything from
shooting a blockbuster, to overseeing
the expansion of his Wahlburgers chain
(yes, really), to staking a claim in a new
supps start-up. Sometimes it’s all of the
above. Evidently, this is not a man who
wastes much time watching catch-up.
On reflection, I’m going to choose
inspiration over exhaustion. At 45, Mark
Wahlberg is five years older than me but
makes me sound geriatric. By the time I
wake up he’s burned more calories than
I will have done by my day’s end. And yet,
crucially, he somehow manages to see
more of his family than I have managed
this past fortnight. When you look at it
like that, there’s really no choice to be
made. Exhaustion is for wimps.
TOBY WISEMAN
BSME EDITOR OF THE YEAR

MENSHEALTH.CO.UK MEN’S HEALTH 15


THE BIG
QUESTION
Q
EVERYONE IS
SAYING I SHOULD
STAND UP AT
WORK. ARE DESK
JOBS REALLY
THAT HARMFUL?
TOM, THEYDON BOIS
While the scientific forum
likes to plays musical chairs
with this debate, we’ll stand
firm. Yes, too long idling on
your rump could lead to a
discounted reservation at
the horizontal Hilton.
But “sitting is the new
smoking” is a glib phrase
that needs to stop now.
The truth of the matter is,
*TEXAS A&M HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER | WORDS: ALEX HARRIS
as ever, more nuanced.
Prolonged repose is
bad. But so is relentless
standing – just ask anyone with
one of those new-fangled Varidesks
how their knees are doing today.
MENSHEALTH.CO.UK
ASK MH
NAIL DOWN THE FACTS ON HEALTH STICKING POINTS
“If you’re standing still, that’s slightly
better than sitting – but you’re still
not moving,” says Dr Kelly Starrett,
author of Deskbound. So while we
wholeheartedly endorse the idea
of spending as much time on your
feet as your bottom (not least for the
reported 46% productivity boost*),
a more effective approach is to seek
regular movement. After all, much of
the trouble that comes with being
parked for too long manifests in the
form of cardiovascular and blood
sugar damage, which researchers in
Australia argue is easily combatted
with regular two-minute breaks. So sit
less, for sure. But more importantly,
move more – no matter your position.
ALTER YOUR STANCE
TO KEEP YOUR
MOBILITY ON POINT
STAND AND
DELIVER
Use Dr Starrett’s tips
for staying on your toes
without the pitfalls
1) TAKE A STEP DOWN
Flat shoes – meaning zero
differential between toe
and heel – make a huge
difference. A lot of foot
problems could easily be
remedied by this: bunions,
plantar fasciitis, the lot.
2) FIND YOUR FLOW
You should be able to go
from a walk to a run without
awkwardly waddling like
a duck. If you have to
‘correct’ your feet to run,
practise standing with
your feet straight all day.
3) RAISE THE BAR
You know that foot rail
under the bar at the pub?
Putting your foot up takes
the load out of your back,
so you stand straighter.
Try to put your foot up on
something at work, too.
MEN’S HEALTH 17
ASK MH
LET US FEED YOUR MIND

DOES IT
WORK?

Q I THINK I’M ADDICTED TO

VAPING. THAT’S FIN
PHIL, ESSEX
NE, RIGHT?
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire for your
there’ss vapour...
lungs. But where there vapo well, we
just don’t know yet. If you’ve made the
switch from cigarettes then, yes, your
lung health will improve. But if you’re
still struggling with cravings, things are
a little hazy: a recent study in The Lancet
suggests vaping could reduce smokers’
odds of quitting for good by 28%. It’s
likely you’ve just swapped one fixation for
another. Whether or not that’s a cause
for celebration, we’ll reserve judgement.

Q I’M STRONG, BUT RUBBISH AT

Q
IS SKIPPING
DON’T SETTLE FOR
CEREAL. START YOUR
DAY SUNNY-SIDE UP
OVERHEAD LIFTS. WHAT’S UP?
IAIN, PULBOROUGH
Repping out your T-shirt muscles is all
well and good , but without strong
shoulders you’re just adding masonry to
a sand castle. Weak shoulders are sadly
No. The idea that heading to work on an empty
BREAKFAST stomach is health hara-kiri is one hatched by cereal
common to office workers, with hunched
posture and repetitive strain leading to
ALWAYS A marketeers. “Your body should always have enough tenseness and poor mobility. The trick

PHOTOGRAPHY: JOBE LAWRENSON (PREVIOUS) MICHAEL HEDGE (THIS PAGE) | FOOD STYLIST: TAMARA VOS | CHAIR MADE.COM
is to introduce moves that employ a full
fuel in store to carry you through to lunch,” says
NUTRITIONAL nutritionist Dr Mike Roussell. “In fact, I encourage
range of motion to your workout. And
as an Olympic swimmer, Ryan Lochte
FAUX PAS? my clients to skip meals every so often, so they knows a fair bit about such moves: “To
strengthen my shoulders I do ‘I’, ‘Y’ and
KIERAN, SOUTHAMPTON learn to deal with hunger. Consider it a willpower ‘T’ raises: three sets of 10. Hold some
workout.” To be clear, a healthy breakfast is a very dumbbells, leaning forward slightly, back
good thing. But necking a bowl of Sucrose Puffs straight. Raise your arms straight up [I],
at 30 degrees [Y], then out to the sides
under duress is considerably worse than nothing. [T].” Shoulder the burden like a champ.

You don’t need to gen up on

AM I your Freud to know we’re all
NORMAL? products of our parents. But
with University of Maryland i/ READ LIKE ii/ NO SLEEP iii/ JUMP IN AT iv/ STACK THE
research suggesting that,

Q WILL I MAKE
A GOOD DAD?
SPENCER, BRISTOL
on average, new dads spend
a mere seven hours a week
with their offspring, your
window of influence is tight.
Perhaps you have designs
on siring a sporting dynasty
or child genius. Either way,
the secret isn’t finding more
time; it’s making better use
of the time you have. So…
YOU MEAN IT
You may be sick and
tired by your 297th
reading of The Very
Hungry Caterpillar,
UNTIL BEDTIME
Tucking in the kids at
inconsistent times
could hamper their
cognitive progress.
THE DEEP END
The shallow end of
life is brief; after that
things get deep really
fast. No wonder a
SHELVES
A crammed bookshelf
can translate to an
intellectual boost –
regardless of whether
but your kids aren’t. UK researchers study conducted by the books have been
And they’ll be better tracked nearly 10,000 Australian scientists read. Having 500 or
off if you suck it up children and linked found that children more books in the
and get into the story, irregular bedtimes at who learned to swim home has been found
suggests a Boston age three to lower at a younger age to be as great an
Uni study. Reading in scores in both maths tended to be more advantage for a kid as
an ‘engaging voice’ and reading tests physically and having university-
promotes literacy and by age seven. mentally advanced educated parents.
language development. than their peers.

18 MEN’S HEALTH MENSHEALTH.CO.UK

 EDITED BY TED LANE

4
BESPOKE
B E
C
CARDIO
O
P G 288
PAGE

15 SCRUB OUT YOUR

LOVE HANDLES
PAGE 45

10 WHAT’S REALLY
IN YOUR SUPPS?
PAGE 37

8
DRINKK
IT SLIM
M
PAGE
G 34

6 BULK SCIENCE
PAGE 31

IX-P AC
S ORTCUTSK
S
OCTOBER 2016 133 THE
E FINAL
BLOW FOR
REST
S DAYS
S
1 PAGE
G 41
HOLD ON
FOR AN
8-PACK
PAGE 25

MENSHEALTH
M S .CCCOO.
O..UK
UKK MEN’S
M ’S HEALTH 23
 01
STRIKE A
BAR-GAIN A
o paraphrase the Super Furry

GET NEGATIVE GAINS

Reverse the reps and pump the breaks on bad
T Animals, gravity has a knack of
holding you back. Even so, it’s
also your best gym-buddy for a
ripped torso. The eccentric muscle-
up – so-called because of the focus
form to send new muscle growth through the on the lowering phase – overloads
roof. The ECCENTRIC MUSCLE-UP lowers the your triceps, shoulders and core,
increasing their rate of protein
bar for achieving total calisthenics mastery synthesis. Which is a fancy way of
saying the longer you take over each
rep, the better for your body. WHAT
01
FROM THE TOP
02
KEEP IT TIGHT
Why so negative? Well, not only
does this muiti-stage move build
muscle, it strengthens the areas
YOU’LL
GAIN
Jump up above a As you lower into needed to perform the same move
straight bar with arms a dip, don’t let your in reverse: the revered muscle-up.
extended. Keep your elbows flare out. They “Eccentric moves are fundamental
core braced and your should remain close to learning the transition,” says y
legs straight out to your chest for calisthenics
alisthenics coach Darren
ca
alistheni a e
beneath yoyou as you
y growthh in your arms Onn j we. “It reinforces muscles
nyejekwe
G T
GYMNAST
prepare
p to slowly
l l and shoulders.
d shoulde s And
d tthrrroughouu
ut the entire range off A
ABS
lower
l down.. tidyy form, of course. moo
otion, off ff
ffering greater control.”
An nd that mmeans when you finally
ach h
hieve the full muscle-up, yyou’ll do
so w with moo
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grace. Aim to perform
eaccch rep
p ov
v five
ver fi seconds for f a true
muu
uscle hit. Just remember to hold
on ttight
g – tthis is falling with style.
V-SHAPED
S
BACK
CK

PARK WORKOUT
O O T
PARTY-PIECE
E, TRAINERS NEW BALANCE
WORDS: JACK HART | PHOTOGRAPHY: PHIL HAYNES | MODEL: JAMES STARK AT W MODELS STYLING:

03
KE,
DAISY DEANE | GROOMIING: SABINE CHAMMAS | JOGGING BOTTOMS NIKE,

HIT
HI
IT THE
TH
THE
BRAKES
B
Lean back and slowlyy
L
lift your legs parallel
tto the g ground. Aim to 4
THE BESST keep the back of your
hands facing
f g upward.
L W
LOW
D
WE
WER
DOW
ER
WN
N
E XERCISSEE
EX TThis ‘false grip’ will
iincrease theh pressure
Straigh
S g ten out

YO
YOU’RE on yyour fforearms.
y arm
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m to lower
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y booodyy down into
your
NOT DOINGG a dead hhang, with your
s ghtt legs
straight l g outut in
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i position.
p ii
F l g the
Feeling h strain?
Good. Now do it again.

MENSHEALTH.CO.UK MEN’S HEALTH 25

 A 10
THINK ON
YOUR FEET
11
MEMORY
GAINS

BRAIN TRAINING
W
aking up, lacing up
and pounding the
pavements before neural activity. It’s probably the

ON THE ROAD
For a sharper mind and increased
breakfast is a proven
way to jump-start your metabolism
for the day. But if your aspirations
are to stay mentally fit, then recent
mental performance, cardio is research suggests a judiciously
a proven benefactor. But for best timed post-work run fits the bill.
The connection between body
results, good timing is everything and brain is well established: when
you exercise, chemical compounds
like norepinephrine and dopamine
are released, stimulating the
hippocampus and enhancing your
MIND
NEWSFEED
10/16
reason you stumbled across your
last big idea while out running.
But now a Current Biology study
suggests that, if the time and
conditions are right, cardio can
help you set a new memory PB.
Wait four hours after a learning
task (such as a brainstorming
creative session at work) before
exercising and research shows
that your hippocampus will glow
white-hot with memory-boosting
activity. The applications of this
are two-fold. In the short term,
an evening run can help lock in
the main points of the next day’s
presentation. In the longer term,
regular post-work cardio can help
you outrun cognitive decline in
later life. Either way, it seems that
playing the exercise waiting game
is your wisest choice.

RECONSTRUCT YOUR
ROUTINE TO BUILD UP
NEW BRAINPOWER

THE MINUTE DETAILS

Maximise your memory in the time between lessons learned and calories burned

16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00

WORDS: TED LANE | PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

CAFE NEURO IN THE ZONE PHONE A FRIEND FIBRE UPTICKS MINT CONDITION
Regular joe Stress triggers A quick call to Eating a high- Chewing gum
boosts memory Alzheimer’s, so make plans with fibre diet rich in as you warm up
consolidation, take the sting pals saves grey nuts and beans raises your heart
but time it right. out of rush- matter. Men with reduces the risk rate, delivering
Drinking caffeine hour by wearing active social of mild cognitive more oxygen
much after 4pm headphones lives have the impairment to your brain
risks disrupting – it’s proven to slowest rate of that can lead and enhancing
brain-enhancing make crowds memory decline. to Alzheimer’s. cognitive power.
sleep. Nature less traumatic. Harvard School Rush University University of
Neuroscience Royal Holloway of Public Health Medical Center Northumbria

26 MEN’S HEALTH MENSHEALTH.CO.UK

 MH LAB
R
ROAD
THE BEST B S
BIKES
RIDES FOR
BESPOKE
FITNESS
Don’t let the rusty frame
in your shed slam the
brakes on your cardio
ambitions. Get a handle
on your goals with five
of the best road bikes

C
ycling is something we
Brits do pretty damn well.
Whether demolishing the
peloton en route to Paris,
or burning rubber in a Brazilian
velodrome, it has become a
modern national pastime – one
the old mountain bike in your
garage is excluding you from.
But there’s more to it than
simply pulling on a metaphorical WORK HORSE 8/10
maillot jaune. Regular cycling is
Genesis Croix de Fer 20 £1200
a speedy way to puncture health
risks and send your weightloss Speed •••••••
into freewheel. Not only did the Weight ••••• STREET CRED 7/10
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Style ••••••••• Condor Leggero £2500
Research find that pedal power Comfort ••••••••••
enhances cognitive performance Price ••••••••• Speed ••••••••
and sharpens memory, one study BEAT THE BUS A good commuter
Weight •••••••••
published in The Lancet also bike needs to get you from A to B Style •••••••••
found men who regularly cycle – via bus lanes and pedestrians – Comfort ••••••••
to work weigh an average of 5kg in one piece. Which means quality Price •••••
less than those who drive. brakes. The Croix’s combination YELLOW SUITS YOU Light and
And so, whether you’re looking of both high-end hydraulics fast, the Leggero’s droplet-
to join next year’s Étape du Tour, and cost-saving cables helps shaped tubes slice through
lose your spare tyre or simply you avoid careless drivers and wind, improving aerodynamic
can’t handle another commute crashing your bank account. flow and saving watts. The nano
on a crowded bus, it’s time for an EXPERT VERDICT A heavier steel carbon tech makes it super-
upgrade. Spokes-man Rob Hoyles frame dampens road buzz, which stiff for a responsive ride that
of Cycling Weekly gives you the makes this perfect for everyday jumps forward the second you
Grand Tour of new bikes that are riding. Stylish, skinnier tubes put power through the pedals.
HHY:
RAPPHY YY:

anything but middle-of-the-road. will deflect any ‘all the gear, no EXPERT VERDICT This is your
IOOSS
TUDIOS
WORDS: TED LANE | PHOTTOGGRA

idea’ jibes from colleagues that chance to build the perfect bike
AT HEARST STU

may be warranted if riding a from the ground up because

carbon bike in your brogues. – hold on to your wallet – the
CREDIT

price is for frame only. It’s bike

GUTTERPEC

nerd Nirvana, if you’re willing to

AGATA

risk it out on the roads, that is.

28 MEN’S HEALTH MENSHEALTH.CO.UK

 04
REINVENT
THE WHEEL
05
KING
COMMUTE A
TEAM PLAYER 9/10
Giant Propel Advanced £1600
Speed ••••••••• ALL-ROUNDER 8/10
Weight •••••••••
Style •••••••• Cannondale Slate £2500
Comfort ••••••• Speed •••••••
Price •••••••••• Weight ••••••••
LYCRA CALLING When advancing Style •••••••••
from Sunday rider to sportive Comfort ••••••••
regular, you need new tech. Price •••••••
Giant’s OverDrive steerer tube SUSPEND BELIEF This gravel
and Powercore bottom bracket bike is an on-trend mix of road
boost handling and pedaling and mountain bike, so you can
precision, to help you weave stay in the cycle lane mid-week,
through the
th race-day peloton. but venture off road at the
MH
WINNER
An ideal stiffness-to-weight
stiffne ratio
will spare your legs until you’ve
weekend – without the risk of
cracked forks. Short chainstays
built Giro-read
Giro-ready glutes. make it agile, but the longer
VERDICT These wheels
EXPERT VERD front-centre gives you stability
are quick,
k while
whi still being stiff to conquer more exciting terrain.
enough for a C Cavendish-style EXPERT VERDICT Don’t be
sprint to the
th line. At this fooled by the gimmicky façade:
price it’s a robbery. Good the mad-looking left suspension
thing you
yo can make a fork works exactly the same as
speedy getaway, then. a duo. This crossover can handle
anything you throw at it. It’s the
Bear Grylls of bikes, if you will.

GIVE IT A FRESH SPIN

MH’s Style Editor, Matt
Hambly, shares the cardio
commute apparel you’ll
actually want to be seen in

MINT POLOS
Rapha’s essential
polo shirts are made
from quick-drying
Japanese cotton
and polyester, and
are mercifully free
of livery. Too good
to save for cycling
alone. £80 rapha.cc

NO JUNK MALE
Levi’s commuter
range is far from
a gimmick. These
water-repellent
jeans have a U-Lock
holder and reflective
cuffs. And not a
lunchbox in sight.
£90 levi.com

PEDALO PUMPS
Waterproof shoes
with style cred?
Where do we sign?
At Geox, actually:
its Amphibiox
trainers use a rain-
GUTTER CREDIT

proof, breathable
membrane.
£120 geox.com

MENSHEALTH.CO.UK
A H.CO.UK
ALTH.CO.UK MEN’S HEALTH 29
 YOUR
06
10
BODY
VOCAL
SCIENCE
COACH A
WHAT
HAPPENS
WHEN… 01
IGood
PUMP IRON?
things come to those who lift
FIND YOUR FLOW
First set gone cold? You can’t
expect to hit PB-worthy reps
weights, but not all bench presses without some prep. “Warming
up redistributes blood flow to
are good presses. Use our guide to the working muscle, optimising
optimise your time under the barbell its function,” says Professor
Greg Whyte, director of the
Centre for Health and Human
Performance. But there’s no
use doing a treadmill warm-up
on chest day. Hit your target
muscle with low-weight,
high-rep versions of each
move you plan on crushing.

01 03

02
BURN OUT
It’s the age-old question: low
weight and high reps or high
weight and low reps? The
answer: whichever you prefer.
“It’s all about the mismatch
between energy demand and
availability,” says Whyte.
“What you’re trying to do is
overload the muscle to failure,
and in doing that you’ll trigger
growth.” If you want to win big,
first you have to fail hard.
03
LIFT THE TROPHY
Hypertrophy – the muscle
growth that occurs after your
02 session – is the ultimate prize.
“As soon as you put a load on
the muscle, you’re degrading
its protein structure,” says
Whyte. “This triggers the
05 hoovering up of cell debris
and eventually the release of
growth hormones.” So when
04 the muscle rebuilds, it does
so bigger and stronger, bro.

04
HEAVE HAPPY
It’s not just runners who revel
05
PUMP IT UP
WORDS: DANIEL MASOLIVER | ILLUSTRATION: PETER GRUNDY

in post-exercise elation; there

Whether or not you agree with
is such a thing as a ‘lifter’s
Arnie that the pump is akin to
high’, too. “When we exercise
la petite mort, those swollen
we send hormones to the
muscles are many a gym bro’s
brain’s reward centre, which
raison d’être. When you use
makes us feel good,” says
a muscle, it fills with blood. But
Whyte. You can release these
don’t mistake short-term swell
chemicals with as little as 10
for long-term gains. “In short
minutes’ work, but intensity
sessions, all you do is activate
is key – the harder you push,
a relaxed muscle,” says Whyte.
the bigger the hormonal rush.
For lasting change, you need
to leave it all on the gym floor.

MENSHEALTH.CO.UK MEN’S HEALTH 31

 VERSUS
FRUIT
07
CRUNCH
TIME A
VS NUTS
BATTLE SNACKS
Fruit has traditionally
tiiiona enjoyed the nutritional
limelight, with
ith
th nuts ts maligned
m by their association
ociatio
ciatio
with saltt and
an beer. Bu But co
could an upset
set
et be in orderr?

FRUIT NUTS
VSS
57
The nu
numb
mber
energy uni
er o
nits
kcal
kca
off
ts iin
n
34%
The
h reduction
r
your ri
in
risk of heart
eber
eb
100g blueb erri
ries
es.. disease
d e if you eat
They have a lolow
l w peanuts (o
(or peanut
GI profile, tooo b
butter)
) eve
ve
very day*

STAR PLAYER
Packed into whole frui
uit, fibre slows thee Poly- and monounsaturated fats award nuts
release of sugar into youur bloodstream
eam,
ea th
their position in the Mediterranean diet.
avoiding the spikes that are
ar asso
sso
ssociated FIBRE FAT
AT These reduce levels of bad cholesterol to
*BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL | †JO TRAVERS THELONDONNUTRITIONIST.CO.UK | WORDS: TED LANE | PHOTOGRAPHY: AGATA PEC AT HEARST STUDIOS

with an increased risk of diabetes† protect against heart disease and strokes

UPS & DOWNS

Lifts porridge Quick to perish Wide variety Stains clothes Protein source Can be pricey Great on toast Often salted

21g of sugar in a glass of orange juice SABOTEUR 580kcal in a 100g bag of almonds
Fibre in whole fruit is removed by juicing, That’s double the calories of a McDonald’s
intensifying the blood-sugar spikes that cheeseburger with roughly four times the
lead to insulin resistance or weight gain fat. You can have too much of a good thing

UNSUNG HERO

Combats Reduces heart Slows skin Supports Reduces bad LDL Improves
cancer disease risk ageing GRAPEFRUIT PISTACHIOS digestion cholesterol circulation

Fructose, the sugar in fruit, doesn’t raise HUNGER GAMES The act of unshelling disrupts mindless
levels of appetite-suppressing hormones, snacking, reducing calorie intake by 59%.
making second helpings hard to resist Shun salty bar snacks for raw varieties
University of Southern California Eastern Illinois University

THE MH VERDICT: NUTS WIN!

While the spectre of sugar has been overplayed with regard to whole fruit, they’re no
match for nuts’ healthy fats. Curbing cravings, supporting muscle growth and protecting
your heart, they’re the most rewarding snack to squirrel away in your desk drawer.

MENSHEALTH.CO.UK MEN’S HEALTH 33

 LT H S N O B ’ S G U I D E T O..
THE HE A .

C OF F E E
Not content with average joe? The
cool kids are chilling their beans and
serving cold-brew. It’s time to turn
down the temperature on your buzz

COOLER BEANS
The clue is in the name.
Still, cold-brew coffee is often
confused with the milky
confection that is iced coffee.
“It’s actually coffee brewed
using cold water,” clarifies
Hugh Duffie, co-founder of
UK brand Sandows, inspired
by Victorian bodybuilder
Eugen Sandow and carrying
old-school barbells on its
label. Cold-brew is huge in the
States and making gains over
States,
h
here. It’s
’ also
l easy to home-
h -
b
brew. First, though,
h gh y you needd
to give it the
h right
h beans.
b .

GE T ON YOUR GRIND
In coold-brewing, heat is Ashbeck,” says
repla
placed with an extended Duffie. “It has a good
brew wing time (12-24 hours) mineral content for brewing
so sta art the night before. and it’s super cheap.” (45p
i) ii) iii) T n your grinder – Hario
Turn for 2L) Duffie suggests a
LIGHT MEDIUM DARK make es a quality range punchy ratio of 100g coffee
The preference While coffee fans Big roast taste
SANDOWS.COM | WORDS: JAMIE MILLAR | PHOTOGRAPHY:

( 90 hario.co.uk) – to the
(£90 to a litre of water, leaving it
of those who take are blinded by replaces subtlety, coarsest setting, so your brew
coars for 16 hours on the counter
their americanos the light, health though some
CREDITI FOOD STYLIST: VAL MCARTHUR

isn’t cloudy when you filter (not in the fridge) before

black, letting you snobs may antioxidants are it. If you’re making the effort, plunging. Strain through
taste the coffee’s prefer turning to lost. The upside: you may as well prep your a filter paper, and repeat
delicate notes. the darker side: darker roasts coffee in bulk, necessitating until your cold-brew runs
Light roasts life-extending are less acidic a 750ml filter-in-a-bottle crystal-clear, then pour
also tend to be antioxidants – as are cold (£25 hario.co.uk). And it’s yourself a glass. Store the
naturally sweet, release as coffee brews – and so worth using decent water, rest in a sealed container
disinclining you beans roast. are kinder to
LOUISA PARRY

given it constitutes the vast in the fridge and… chill.

to add sugar. A happy medium your gut. majority of your drink. “Many
GUTTER

is best of both. aficionados favour Tesco

34 MEN’S HEALTH MENSHEALTH.CO.UK

 08
LICENCE TO
CHILL
09
BREW
SCIENCE A
MIX IT WITH THE BEST
Cold-brew
Co d b ew is more versatile
t
than Paul Pogba.
P Indeed,
it’s
t s known
ow as ‘cocktail coffee’
EXTRA COOL
Down Under, where it’s POINTS
p p
popular wiith bartenders, Frigid coffee still
especially y in
i concentrated leaving you cold? Here
form – and d not just because are some more USPs
off the
h late
l sshifts.
shif Says
S y Duffie:
D ffi of the new way to brew
“
“We’ve found it works with
v
vodka, gin,
g , whisky, y tequila, SWEET RELIEF
mezcal…” ((Talk about tough g The slow, heat-
jobs.) While a coffee cocktail free process
may y be a cllassy
l y brunch makes cold-brews
piiick-me-up pp, this beingg MH,
H taste smoother and less
w
we’ve also m mixed in a ffew bitter, obviating the
no o
on-alcoho o
olic blends ffor need for milk and sugar.
coo
old-brew v g
virgins.
WELL PRESERVED
Your
o coffe
o ee is
brewed prooperly,
rather thann simply
by
b pouring g hot espresso
over ice: a watery grave
f quality roasts.
for

INSTANT
S T FIX
OK,, so iit takes
time
t e to make.
But once prepped,
your
y b
batch will keep
for
f weeeks. Decent
joe,
j on o demand.

CO -SAVING
COST-
Cold coffee
c
is eassier to
carry around, so
you
y do don’t have to
resortt to pricey
re
hhiighh-sstreet chains.

i) ii) iii) iv))

SYRUP SHRUB
INGREDIENTS
• Cold-brew, 50ml
• Balsamic vinegar, 25ml
• Maple syrup, 12.5ml
• Top to the brim
with soda water
METHOD
Sprouting again in throwback
hipster bars after withering away
in the 18th century, shrubs are
vinegar-based (really) cocktails,
often enjoyed as an aperitif and
for their medicinal properties. It
isn’t a load of moonshine: balsamic
blunts blood sugar spikes after
GUTTER CREDIT
ESPRESSO MARTINI
INGREDIENTS
• Cold-brew, 25ml
• Tequila, 50ml
• Coffee liqueur, 10ml
• Maple syrup, 10ml
• Angostura bitters, dash
METHOD
Cold-brew is a boon to bartenders
for many reasons: it’s real coffee,
not flavoured syrup, and doesn’t
require dilution, unlike adding ice
to hot java. Plus they don’t have to
waste time making espressos –
well, you wouldn’t ask a barista for
a martini. Simply combine the
BLOKBUSTE R SHAKE
S E
INGREDIENTS
• Cold-brew, 200ml
• Protein, scoop
• A banana
• Oats, scoop
• Coconut milk, 100ml
METHOD
Providing an energy boost without
the sugar rush, cold-brew brands
such as Sandows are increasingly
being stocked at cool gyms and
CrossFit boxes. This is the
signature shake at tasteful east
London studio Blok (bloklondon.
com). Blend all the ingredients
COCONUT
O O ICE COFFEE
O E
INGREDIENTS
• Cold-brew, 100ml
• Pure coconut water,
200-300ml
• Large ice cubes
(for slower dilution)
METHOD
Cold-brew is considerably more
refreshing than gulping down
a piping americano on hot days.
Replace even more lost sweat by
adding electrolyte-rich coconut
water in a 1:2 or 1:3 ratio, depending
on your taste. Use concentrated
coffee, because taste dilutes as

meals, improves digestion and ingredients, shake well and enjoy together – adding an optional the ice melts. This is a godsend
promotes satiety. It’s even like a hopped-up James Bond. spoonful of nut butter – and neck after a big gym (or pub) session.
healthier if, as with the recipe it at least an hour before your
above, you lose the booze. workout, or immediately after.

MENSHEALTH.CO.UK MEN’S HEALTH 35


HEALTH
NEWSFEED
10/16
QUIT YOUR
BELLYACHING
OVER BACTERIA
Probiotic marketing sharks are
feeding on your wages. Go
natural for a (real) gut reaction
F
illing your fridge with
‘gut-friendly’ fromage
frais might please the
CGI bacteria seen during
ad breaks. But your biology
tells a different story. The science
stating that good gut health lowers
your cancer risk and speeds up
metabolism is sound. However,
WORDS: TOM LING | PHOTOGRAPHY: ROWAN FEE
yoghurt drinks aimed at mummies
and their tummies are bloated
with ersatz marketing spiel.
In a study from the University
of Copenhagen, scientists
trialled seven different probiotic
supplements and monitored the
bacteria found in the participant’s
entrails (presumably collected
by the lab intern) for changes.
MENSHEALTH.CO.UK
And they found none. Nada. Zip.
In fact, there’s no evidence these
supps are any more belly-friendly
than a glass of H2O. Which is
a real kick in the Yakults bearing
in mind the global probiotic
industry is worth £20 billion.
If you want to boost your
intestinal health, ignore the
misleading ads and return to
the scientifically backed basics.
Naturally fermented grub like
cheese and gherkins is packed
with the vitamins and enzymes
your belly needs for better
digestion. Get that right and
your immune response, hormone
regulation, protein absorption,
fat-burning rate and, according
to the University of Western
Ontario, overall mental health
will follow. Your stomach’s not
just the way to your heart, after all.
10
THE PRO’S
CONS
11
EDITOR’S
PICKLES A
THE BENEFITS OF
SHOP-BOUGHT PROBIOTICS
ARE THIN ON THE GROUND
GUT FEEDINGS
Pull the probios from your basket
and fill it with fermented superfoods
to top up your health pension
KIMCHI
Eating 100g per day
will beat off viruses by
boosting your immune
system activity by 75%, according
to Pusan National University.
SAUERKRAUT
The Journal of Science
found sauerkraut has all
the enzymes your intestines
need to absorb the muscle-building
nutrients in your next steak.
KVASS
By supercharging your
digestion, a glass of kvass
will speed up your post-gym
recovery, according to the University
of Michigan. Good riddance, DOMS.
GREEK YOGHURT
An animal study published
in the American Journal of
Clinical Nutrition found that
the bacteria in Greek yoghurt cuts
your risk of colon cancer.
MEN’S HEALTH 37

GET UP AND
START PULLING
YOUR BODYWEIGHT
Group classes are taking calisthenics off the
streets and into the gym. MH swings into
action to see if they’re they pulling a fast one
ver since you first laced
E up your plimsolls for PE
you’ve been unwittingly
doing calisthenics.
Press-ups, pull-ups and
crunches are the staple moves
of this old-school yet on-trend
training ideology that eschews
iron-age equipment in favour
of progressively difficult
bodyweight exercises.
At its rippling core,
calisthenics is inherently anti-
gym, and that’s always been
its appeal. Why spend £50
a month on a membership
when you can build a naturally
athletic physique for free?
It’s this democratic nature
that has made calisthenics
into the fitness phenomenon
it is, according to the American
College of Sports Medicine.
But as the number of men
aspiring to add muscle-ups
to their repertoire rises, the
fitness industry has finally
found a way to monetise their
efforts, with group calisthenics
classes popping up in gyms
all over. Hasn’t the appeal of
bodyweight training always
been the fact you can do it any
time, any place and, crucially,
for free? We got to grips with
a new class to find out.
38 MEN’S HEALTH
TREND
ON TRIAL
GROUP
CALISTHENICS
TEST METHODS
Other than a wall and a roof,
it’s hard to see what the
pared-back interior of this
trendy east London gym
studio offers that the park
around the corner does
not. I’m surprised that my
classmates – mostly men in
pretty good shape – have
handed over £14 to the
receptionist to be here.
Our instructor, Sam, whose
upper arm has more clearly
defined muscles than my
entire body, leads us through
a quick cardio warm-up and
some mobility exercises. So
far, so comfortable, until the
first timed triset: a side plank
CALISTHENICS
MH’S LAB RAT
DAN MASOLIVER
STATS 6FT 2IN, 82KG
FITNESS LEVEL HIGH
COST £14 PER SESSION
BLOKLONDON.COM
DISCIPLINE FULL-BODY
CALISTHENICS & CARDIO
TEST STATION
BLOK, CLAPTON, LONDON
followed by press-ups, into
the opposite side-plank. The
first 90-second set is tough.
By the end of the third, my
chest, arms and shoulders are
quaking in discomfort.
The focus shifts to lower
body, with sets of single-leg
squats. My legs are strong
from years of cycling, and so
Sam instructs me instead to
hold my foot against my glute
and sink my knee to the floor.
Too easy? Try pistol squats.
‘Progression’ is the buzzword
here – you won’t be able to
nail a muscle-up if you can’t
do a proper pull-up – which
means everyone can work
along at their own level.
Sam slows it down with
a brief front lever technique
tutorial, but there’s no
hanging around. We soon
move on to another full-body
triset, this time made up of
30-second bursts of chin-ups,
chair squats and leg raises.
My shoulders are on fire. At
the end of the hour, I go to
grab my water bottle, but
we’re not done. A double
Tabata finisher of travelling
burpees and high-knees is
a punishing end to an already
exhausting session.
A LITTLE EXTRA
SUPPORT CAN BUILD
YOU A NEW FRAME

USER FEEDBACK
MUSCLE UP
Whereas some classes can get
boring or even a little too easy
over time, you’re unlikely ever
to plateau with calisthenics.
Every exercise has a series of
progressions that can take
weeks (or months) to perfect.
BODY OF WORK
For many bodyweight warriors,
the beauty lies in building
a strong, muscular physique
without moving from the vicinity
of the pull-up bar – they may find
the abundance of high-intensity
cardio to be off-putting.
12
BEST BAR
NONE A
PRICED OUT
Unlike spinning or boxing, say,
there’s actually no specialist
equipment required, which
means there’s little reason for
anyone with even a moderate
experience of bodyweight
training to pay-as-they-grow.

HOLD YOUR OWN AT A GLANCE

Power up your bodyweight game with these moves from calisthenics coach Sam Burrows
NEGATIVE CHIN-UP
Don’t be fooled by the name
– the effect that this back-
strengthening move will have
on your muscles is entirely
positive. Leap up into
the top part of a chin-up (use
a box if you can’t reach the
bar), and lower to a dead
hang as slowly as you can.
SLOW PRESS-UP
Leave bashing out reps to
the gym bros; the key to
building real power lies in
slow, controlled movements.
Get in a press-up position
and drop down as per usual –
now count to five on your
way back up and you should
really start to feel the burn.
SHRIMP SQUAT
Standing in a reverse lunge,
raise your back leg off the
ground, keeping your shin
parallel to the floor. Slowly
lower your raised knee, tap it
on the floor and power back
up (without face-planting).
Aim for your knee to land just
behind your grounded heel.
PRICED BELOW £20
OFFERED NATIONWIDE
NO GYM MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED
FOR ALL FITNESS LEVELS
MOTIVATING MUSIC
ALLOWS PROGRESSION
NO EXTRA KIT NEEDED
HIGH CALORIE BURN
TECHNIQUE ADVICE
FULL-BODY CONDITIONING
SCORE
9/10
WORTH YOUR BODYWEIGHT

THE VERDICT The benefit is the tuition. going to teach you the
PHOTOGRAPHY: MICHAEL HEDGE

A calisthenics class is no In all likelihood, watching tekkers to do them yourself.

walk in the park. Yes, you
could do every single one of
these moves in your back
garden, but then the same
goes for most other classes.
bodyweight warriors like
Hannibal Lanham and Chris
‘Tatted Strength’ Luera
perform gravity-defying
moves on YouTube isn’t
If you want someone to
guide you through the
basics, this full-body,
DOMS-inducing workout
is a strong place to start.
 THE DEVIL’S
ADVOCATE
REST DAYS ARE
FOR THE WEAK robbed of the myriad benefits. Tired
muscles might thank you, but your heart
Alternating heavy lifting with lazy and brain chemistry certainly won’t. The
consequences of inactive rest days make
sofa days puts a damper on your gains for an uneasy read. Your metabolism
and health. Instead, a little action slows down and your brain produces
fewer endorphins.
every day is the easiest way to stay fit Muscle recovery is “You need low-impact
actually impaired, activity to flush out
not enhanced; your
the lactic acid from
W
hatever Jim Bro and his body needs activity
cronies may say, the ‘go to flush out the yesterday’s workout”
hard then go home’ lactic acid from
approach to training is yesterday’s workout, which is why even
dead weight. This old-school philosophy Tour de France cyclists do low-intensity
of pulverising your body then barely rides on rest days 1 . Separate studies in
lifting a cup of tea the day after might the International Journal of Sports
work for bodybuilders, who lift seriously Medicine have shown that athletes who
heavy weights to complete low-intensity exercise – such as
develop specific swimming or cycling – on their off days
SATAN’S LITTLE HELPER
Ollie Frost (olliefrost.com)
is a PT and former rugby
muscles, so require
periods of total rest
recover faster. Ask yourself: WWFD? (Or,
what would Froome do?)
pro who isn’t afraid to to recover. But But don’t think we’re devilishly
tackle accepted wisdom
unless you plan on advocating daily deadlifts. Three targeted
overdoing the fake weights sessions a week (chest and arms;
tan, lazy days are, well, just lazy. shoulders and back; and, yes, sorry, a legs
Let’s start with the broader health day) is sufficient to improve strength.
implications. Public Health England and However, if you also want to drop body fat
the British Heart Foundation advocate and boost your energy levels, you need to
daily activity to ward off diabetes, heart keep moving on the days in between.
disease, cancer and depression. Obliterate Start thinking about alternating
your muscles every Friday, only to follow between ‘gym days’ and ‘active days’. On
it with a sofa-bound Saturday, and you’re gym days, train hard. On active days, stick
to low-intensity stuff such as walking,
BURNING THE CANDLE
AT BOTH ENDS NEED tennis, cycling, swimming or golf.
NOT BE A BAD THING The steady-state cardio will stoke your
metabolism and enhance your
mood. In fact, aerobic exercise is
superior to resistance training
WORDS: MARK BAILEY | PHOTOGRAPHY: JOBE LAWRENSON
MENSHEALTH.CO.UK
13
THE REST IS
HISTORY A
for stimulating endorphins and boosting
your cognitive performance 2 . What the
stringer vest and baseball cap-wearers
don’t know is that swapping sofa for sport
can deliver benefits in the squat rack, too.
Swimming improves joint mobility by
producing synovial fluid, making it a
great complement to power cleans, while
yoga and Pilates will stabilise posture and
strengthen your posterior chain. A paper
in the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine
suggests regular
stretching improves
everything from
strength to speed.
If you think staying
active seven days
a week will leave you
drained, the opposite is true. Additional
low-intensity exercise will energise you,
not wear you down 3 . So give rest a break
and opt for a smarter everyday fitness
programme. A day off isn’t proof you’ve
been training hard. It’s a waste of time.
> DEALS WITH THE DEVIL
1 THE SPIN DOCTOR
The British Journal of Sports
Medicine concluded that low-
intensity cycling curbs muscle
damage better than pure rest.
2 SMART STEPS
A 40-minute walk is enough
to enhance connectivity in
your grey matter, according
to the University of Illinois.
3 FORCE OF NATURE
Experts at the University of
Georgia found regular activity
reduces fatigue more than
anti-narcolepsy drug modafinil.
MEN’S HEALTH 41
 THE BEST
GYMS IN
THE WORLD
TRAIN IN
BEAST MODE
You’ll find some seriously big
names – and frames – training
at Monster Gymnasium. But
don’t feel intimidated – they
welcome all shapes and sizes

365

Y
The number of days
ou know a gym means that Monster opens
business when members its doors each year.
of other establishments visit “It’s busy,” says Steve.
specifically to maximise their “Although we don’t
legs day. “A lot of other places have open up as early on
only got one leg press,” says Monster New Year’s Day, for
co-founder Steve Collins. “We’ve got obvious reasons...”
around 25. You don’t have to queue –
there’s always one going free.”
Located at the northernmost end
of the London Overground line in
Cheshunt, Monster is where the likes
of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and
eight-time Mr Olympia Ronnie Coleman
work out when they’re in town. That’s
partly because it boasts the breadth of
equipment they’re accustomed to in
supersized Stateside gyms: Monster
is like a working museum of esoteric
weightlifting paraphernalia. But it’s
also because they know they won’t
be hassled for ‘swolefies’.
Still, Monster is not your average
meathead gym where you have to
strenuously avoid eye contact. The
clientele is reassuringly diverse: from
BA pilots to MMA fighters, stand-up
comedians and even priests. (Insert
‘preacher curl’ joke here.) The rise in
teens and twentysomethings training
in the gym post-2012 Olympics helps, as 10
WORDS: JAMIE MILLAR | PHOTOGRAPHY: TOM WATKINS

does the fact that Monster isn’t run by

stereotypical bodybuilding folk: Steve 10 YEARS
used to supervise the staff gym at Great The anniversary
Ormond Street, where his co-founder Monster recently
and wife Angie was HR manager. celebrated. During that
“There’s an element of respect time, Steve and Angie
here – for us and the other members,” have seen a shift from
she says. Even The Rock, on the one mass to leanness, and
occasion a piece of equipment he lifting heavy (badly)
wanted to use was occupied, walked to proper form.
over and said, “Can I work in with
you?” We imagine the answer was yes.

42 MEN’S HEALTH MENSHEALTH.CO.UK

 14
BRUTE
STRENGTH A
22,000
The square footage of
the main gym floor – not
£6 including an upstairs
How much a drop-in heaving with cardio
session at Monster will gear, a full-size boxing
set you back. You can ring (where you might 3
purchase a month’s see a certain Anthony The number of qualified
membership for £50 Joshua) and an octagon. cooks at Monster’s
with no contract, on-site cafe, preparing
half a year for £225 nutritous post-workout
or a year for £350. meals like peri-peri
chicken and protein-
packed baked goods
to eat on repurposed
gym benches.

150
150KG
The weight of the
biggest set of dumbbells,
which were made
especially by Watson GYM
Gym Equipment and MONSTER GYM
required extra plates
shipped in from Japan. LOCATION
HERTFORDSHIRE, UK
They have their own
custom stand. WEBSITE
MONSTERGYM.CO.UK

MENSHEALTH.CO.UK MEN’S HEALTH 43

 15
CHEMICAL
REACTION
16
UNUSUAL
SUSPECTS A
CLEAN OUT HOUSE ARREST
Navigate these common domestic fat traps

YOUR FAT i) AIR

FRESHENERS
ii) YOUR
SHOWERHEAD

I
f you’re struggling to tidy up

RESERVES
Could it be your house
your physique, there may be
a culprit in your sink. And we
don’t mean the dishes from
These are known
to contain phthalates.
Switch chemical-heavy
supermarket brands for
The water you
bathe in drags chemicals
from PVC pipes with it.
Simply installing an
last night’s cheat meal. Brand new
is playing havoc with research published in the journal
a Moso air-purifying bag
(£7 luckyvitamin.com)
inexpensive water filter
(£25 aquatiere.co.uk)
your weight? Tackle the Toxicology in Vitro found soaps to banish bad smells in your shower should
and household cleaning products
waistline saboteur that carry chemicals called obesogens.
and health risks alike. douse your concerns.
lives too close to home That you don’t want these inside iii) POLYESTER iv) PLASTIC
your body should be obvious by RAINCOATS CONTAINERS
their name. Previous studies have Obesogens The leftover
cited phthalates in plastic food even find their way into takeaway boxes you tote
containers as a potential cause of your synthetic rainwear. to and from the office
disease, but this is the first piece of A waxed canvas jacket could transfer a payload
evidence directly linking those in (£450 belstaff.com) of BPA to your lunch.
soap to the way the body stores fat. is both chemical-free Opt for a smarter – in
Frequent exposure disrupts lipid and a far slicker way to all senses – steel box
metabolism, causing you to pile outwit British winters. (£25 elephantbox.co.uk).
on the pounds while exacerbating
issues such as fatty liver disease.
You can burst fat’s bubble by
ditching your chemical cleaner for
one made from natural ingredients.
Dudu-Osun African Black Soap*
is chemical-free, helping
you stay slim and squeaky-
clean. Now wash your
hands of those love
handles for good.
WEIGHTLOSS
NEWSFEED
10/16
WORDS: MATT EVANS | PHOTOGRAPHY: ROWAN FEE | *£.180 FOR 150G AMAZON.CO.UK

WASH YOUR HANDS

OF DOMESTIC
WEIGHT GAIN

MENSHEALTH.CO.UK MEN’S HEALTH 45

 BULK UP,
BECOME LORD SLIM DOWN
FRIED
OF THE FRIES
Ruffle the feathers of junk food
CHICKEN 50 g
CARBS

P
stereotypes – these finger-licking BULK U
chicken upgrades will fry excess 30g
FAT
body fat and add buckets of muscle
618 50g
PROTEIN
CALORIES

YOUR GYM-DAY WINGMAN

SEED NEW GROWTH WITH A MUSCLE-FOOD MASH-UP
The secret to this meal’s muscle-
building prowess lies in its seed INGREDIENTS
• Chicken breasts,
coating, made from a blend of 2, skinless
protein-dense chia, flaxseed • Smoked paprika,
(proven to ward off prostate ½tsp
cancer and depression) and • Garlic powder,
½tsp
eggs. Plus, by baking the bird
• Sea salt, ½tsp
in the oven instead of frying • Black pepper,
it in a vat of bubbling oil, you a few grinds
can savour that all-important • Cayenne, pinch
(optional)
crunch without any of the
gut-busting greasiness.
Sidestepping fries for a white
BULK-UP EXTRAS
bean mash provides another • Flaxseed, 40g
dose of protein, along with • Eggs, 2
bone-bolstering manganese • Chia seeds, 20g
and enough fibre to satisfy
rumblings without a trip to the
SIDE DISH
Colonel’s HQ. Pass the napkins. • White beans,
200g (dry weight)
• Olive oil, 1tbsp
• A garlic clove
• A lemon, zested
• Salt and pepper
• Chives, 1tsp,
sliced
> METHOD SERVES 2

1/ BIT ON THE SIDE 2/ BAKE OFF

WORDS: MARK BAILEY | PHOTOGRAPHY: AGATA PEC AT HEARST STUDIOS

Hold fire on the chicken and prep your While the beans cook, pre-heat the
bean mash first. Cook the beans on oven to 180°C with a wire rack above
a medium-high heat in a pan and leave a baking tray. Combine the spices with
to simmer with the lid on for an hour. the flaxseed then set aside in a bowl.

3/ DOUBLE DIP
Beat the eggs and add the chia seeds,
then dip each breast in the mix before
pressing into the flaxseed spice blend.
Bake on the rack for 20-25 minutes.
4/ MASH IT UP
Drain the beans and blitz with the
olive oil, garlic and lemon zest.
Season and garnish with chives,
then serve with your crispy chicken.
THE TASTEMAKER
Name: Adria Wu
Job: Chef & Author
Wu is the founder of mega-healthy
London restaurant Maple & Fitz.
Her smart recipe upgrades will keep
your body fit and tastebuds happy.

46 MEN’S HEALTH MENSHEALTH.CO.UK

 17
POULTRY
GAINS
18
GET HEN’S
HEALTH A
FEATHERWEIGHT FILLETS
A HOT TAKE ON FAST FOOD TO FIRE UP YOUR METABOLISM
Cast your mind back to the last
INGREDIENTS time you woke up next to a
• Chicken breasts,
soggy box of chicken bones on
2, skinless
• Smoked paprika, Sunday morning and it becomes
½tsp immediately clear that your
• Garlic powder, local Cluck Shack and fitness
½tsp
goals aren’t natural allies. But
• Sea salt, ½tsp
• Black pepper, with some clever twists, this
a few grinds late-night hunger-buster can
• Cayenne, pinch be transformed from dietary
(optional) deviation to lean, clean dinner.
Coating the chicken breasts in
high-protein, low-fat quinoa
SLIM-DOWN gives them crispy bite that will
EXTRAS satisfy your cravings, while
• Quinoa, 70g
(dry weight) the addition of mustard and
• Dijon mustard, smoked paprika will boost fat-
2tbsp burning and speed up digestion.
With a hunger-busting side
of fibre-rich coleslaw soaked
SIDE DISH in a cayenne chilli and tahini
• Tahini, 1tbsp
• Dijon mustard, sauce – which happens to be
1tsp packed with B vitamins –
• Lemon, ½, juice you will be properly wired for
and zest your next training session, too.
• Red cabbage,
Get ready to rule the roost.
sliced, 140g
• Carrot, 50g,
shredded
• Spring onion,
sliced, 1tbsp
• Cayenne chilli,
sliced, 1-2tsp
• Mint leaves,
torn, 2tbsp

> METHOD SERVES 2

1/ ON THE RACK 2/ GO WITH THE GRAIN

Pre-heat the oven to 180°C and Boil the quinoa then simmer for 12-15
position a wire rack above a rimmed minutes with the lid on until the water
baking tray. Combine the spices, salt absorbs. Place a cloth over the pot for
and pepper and set aside in a bowl. five minutes then fluff with a fork.
28g
CARBS
15
FAT
g
SLIM
37g
PROTEIN
DOWN

3/ GET YOUR COAT 4/ IT’S THE ’SLAW

Combine the quinoa and seasoning.
Coat the chicken in mustard and dip
403
CALORIES
it into the mix. Bake on the rack for 20-
25 minutes for maximum crisp factor.
Combine the tahini, mustard and lemon,
adding water for a creamy dressing.
Season and add the veg, then garnish
with spring onion, chilli and mint.

MENSHEALTH.CO.UK MEN’S HEALTH 47

COVE R M O D E L M U SC LE
M A R K WA H L B E R G

Pump
And
Grind
SEIZING THE DAY WHILE THE REST OF US SLEEP, MARK WAHLBERG IS THE
HARDEST GRAFTER IN HOLLYWOOD SHOW BUSINESS. BUT HIS BODY IS HIS
BUSINESS, TOO, ALONG WITH RUNNING MULTIPLE COMPANIES AND MAKING
TIME FOR A DAILY ROUND OF GOLF. SO HOW’S YOUR WORK/LIFE BALANCE?
WORDS BY JAMIE MILLAR - PHOTOGRAPHY BY ART STREIBER
MAKE YOUR OWN MARK WITH
WAHLBERG’S SOLID ADVICE
 Ma k
COVE R M O D E L M U SC LE

Wahlbe g
doesn’t phone anything in.
Well, OK, so the Boston-born actor is
phoning in this interview, specifically
from Detroit, Michigan, where he’s
filming Transformers: The Last Knight,
egg whites, sprouted-grain (and protein-
packed) Ezekiel bread, almond butter and
avocado before hitting the gym at 4am.
the fifth installment in the franchise, A quick shake, then he’s on the golf course
and the second in which he’s assumed for 6am, getting round in an hour or so.
leading man duties from baby-faced Shia (“We’re usually sprinting, pretty much.”)
MARK HIS
LeBeouf. But the point is he dedicates
himself totally to whatever lies in his path.
Somewhere in there, he’ll eat and prep
food for the day. Then, if he’s in LA, he’ll
WORDS
For example, Wahlberg is presently rush back home to Beverly Hills to see his How Wahlberg’s
taking advantage of a brief respite in wife, model Rhea Durham, after she drops fitness wisdom
his punishing shoot his four kids off at holds up against
schedule to supervise
construction of the “IF YOU’R
YOU’RE
RE school, before starting
work: “If you’re doing
the hard science
(spoiler: well)
Motor City outpost
of Wahlburgers, the DOING THTHEE the right things, then
there’s enough time
“I’d hit the

*JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF SPORTS NUTRITION, OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
heavy weights.
restaurant chain
that he runs with RIGHT THINGS in the day to get it all
done,” he says airily.
Then [have]
a protein shake.
his brothers Donnie
(of New Kids on the THERE WIL
WILL
ILLL The golf obsession
is indicative of how
Then chicken,
steak, fish and
Block fame) and Paul,
which just so happens BE ENOUGH
ENOUG
OUGHH Wahlberg does these
manifold things. He
pasta... really
overloading”
to be down the road
from the set. And TIMEE IN TH
THEE had zero interest
in the game until
Diets that are too
protein-centric can

DAY
AY TO GET
wedged in between he was introduced actually limit your
muscle growth. Add
these engagements, to it by his buddy
carbs to each meal
he’s simultaneously
conducting a cover
interview with the
IT ALL DONE”
ONE” Johnny ‘Drama’ Alves
and super-agent
Ari Emanuel – the
for gains without
the hunger pains.*
“When I don’t
world’s biggest men’s magazine, over real-life inspirations for the characters
exercise and
the recognisable sounds of construction on Entourage, the hit TV show Wahlberg
I’m not eating
in the background. produced and which was loosely based
clean, I feel
Acting, producing, hustling: Wahlberg on his own experience. At first, Wahlberg
sluggish. So it’s
does a lot of things at the same time, none couldn’t even hit the ball, but typically
good to get it
of them by half. To some, he’s almost he became fixated on improving. Now,
done, especially
more businessman than he is actor, he hits it 300 yards and wins long-drive
if you’re sore”
although he doesn’t completely agree. contests. He made time to work at it, Regular exercise
“Acting is my primary business,” he says. by saving time where most of us spend prevents soreness:
“But I’m 110% committed to both.” Now, it unproductively. “There’s no way I’m ‘exercise-induced
everyone with the exception of a few going out, eating dinner, drinking wine,” analgesia’ can dull
the pain of last
Premier League footballers will grasp that he says. “I literally go home and go to bed. night’s leg session.
these numbers do not add up. You can’t If I finish work at 8pm, I try to be
GROOMING: GEORGIE EISDELL/TOM FORD THE WALL GROUP

be 100% committed to more than one in bed by 9pm.” He doesn’t so much burn “I try to watch ab-verts for Calvin Klein underwear.
thing. You can’t be more than 100% the candle at both ends as blowtorch it what I eat, Now considerably older and wiser, his
STYLING: SAMANTHA MCMILLEN THE WALL GROUP

committed to anything. But if you’re
Wahlberg, somehow you can.
You and I, for instance, can’t train,
play golf and work a 12-hour job: there are
only 24 of them in the day, after all. Yet
Wahlberg can and does by making time
where for most of us there is none. He’ll
wake up at 3.30am and eat a breakfast of
from one: “You gotta put the work in. because my style of working out has changed from
Then you gotta get the rest and recovery.” metabolism has that enshrined in his 1993 exercise
slowed down video Form… Focus… Fitness. Bringing
FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION quite a bit”
Men aged 40-50
to mind Daniel Lugo, the meatheaded
This mantra neatly mirrors Wahlberg’s bodybuilder-turned-kidnapper who
burn, on average,
approach to training. Now 45, he’s been 10kcal less per hour he portrayed in 2013’s muscular satire
working out consistently since he first than those under Pain & Gain, the younger Wahlberg’s
burst onto the scene in 1991 as rapper 30. Exercise alone regimen – judging by the YouTube clips
Marky Mark, the prodigiously defined won’t quite cut it as
you get older. Sorry.
20-year-old who went on to star in iconic

50 MEN’S HEALTH MENSHEALTH.CO.UK


that survive – appears to have consisted
T-SHIRT JAMES PERSE, JEANS 7 FOR ALL MANKIND,
chiefly of “phat weights”, “macking
WATCH ROLEX | (THIS PAGE) T-SHIRT JAMES PERSE,
PRODUCTION: EMILY ROTH/PRODUCIT | (OPENER)
by the pool with some fly honeys” and
punctuating sentences with “Pow!”
SWEATPANTS ALTERNATIVE, SHOES NIKE
Contrast that with the rather more
recent exercise video on the website of
Performance Inspired, the all-natural
workout supplement business Wahlberg
somehow finds time to run. Recorded at
3.37am, it shows him doing kettlebells,
MENSHEALTH.CO.UK
ACTOR, PRODUCER, BURGER
MAGNATE – NOTHING PROVES
A STRETCH FOR WAHLBERG
TRX, battle ropes and various funky-
looking moves involving cables and
resistance bands – in other words, a far cry
from your typical gym-bro programme
of chest, arms and back to chest again.
“It depends what I’m doing for work, but
it’s mostly functional movement stuff,”
the actor says of his method nowadays. “I
always do full-body workouts, and I gotta
prevent myself from getting any more
injuries: I’ve got some herniated discs,
labrum tears in my shoulders, a couple
broken bones in my hands. And I don’t
want to just look like a bodybuilder. I’ve
done that before, with Pain & Gain.”
GROWING MARKETS
Wahlberg’s expansion into protein
shakes is characteristically shrewd. His
business partner is Tom Dowd, a 25-year
veteran of supplement giant GNC. “I’ve
always wanted to be in the health and
wellness business,” says Wahlberg in
fluent entrepreneur-speak. “The space
is growing at a rapid rate. But I also know
there’s a lot of junk out there, and guys
taking stuff that’s not good for them.” He’s
a fan of the Ripped whey protein, which
also contains muscle-building amino
acids and caffeine from green tea. “I don’t
drink coffee at all, but I’ve been taking
the latte flavour, and now I crave it after
a workout,” he says. “It gives me a boost
on the golf course, because I’m usually
pretty beat when I finish in the gym.”
Marketing aside, that shake is genuinely
one of the highlights of his day, a reward
MEN’S HEALTH 51
savoured. “It’s definitely something I look
forward to,” he says earnestly.
And if Wahlberg’s still feeling drained,
then there’s always his other health and
wellness company AquaHydrate, an
electrolyte-charged, alkalised water. His
business partner in this venture happens
to be one Sean ‘P Diddy’ Combs. Wahlberg
dipped his toe when he was immersed in
almost three years of training for 2010’s
The Fighter, the double Oscar-winning
film he both produced and starred in.
“Somebody asked me to hear a pitch,” he
recalls. “The next thing you know, some
guy’s sitting there talking about reversing
acidity and all this stuff. I’m like, ‘Dude,
I drink a gallon of water a day. Leave it.
I’ll try it.’ It was the only thing I changed WAHLBERG SEIZES
and my recovery time halved. I went from NEW OPPORTUNITIES
WITH BOTH HANDS
running six miles a day to running eight.”
Recovery, and health generally,
occupies more of Wahlberg’s busy mind,
both because of his business interests
and his advancing years. Training is no
longer about muscle size for its own sake.
“I want to be able to play with my kids,” he
says. “I want to run and play basketball.”
To that end, he has a full court at his
house – although he says he hasn’t played
for a while and is unconvinced of his
continued ability to dunk. (“I wouldn’t
even try,” he says wistfully.) But he did
shoot hoops to shed the weight amassed
for Pain & Gain: “It’s a great way to do
cardio, and make it fun and different,
as opposed to being on a stationary
machine.” Bulking up to 96kg from his
usual 84-ish was “restrictive”, not just
because of having to eat 10 times a day:
“You can’t move. You’re not as flexible.”

WEIGHT OF EXPECTATION
Wahlberg recently bulked up to 96kg
again, albeit in rather more indulgent
fashion, for Deepwater Horizon, a film
about the BP oil rig disaster off the coast
of Louisiana, out this month. Playing
a real-life hero as opposed to one from
the pages of a comic book, Wahlberg ate
“a lot of fried food, subs, pasta; we were
in New Orleans so there was no shortage”
and drank a lot of red wine. “I got as heavy
as possible,” he says. “Which was fun,
for a while. Then it got a little tough in
the heat. And it gets harder to lose the
weight. Your metabolism slows down...”
Nevertheless, he lost it for another film
(which unfortunately fell apart), only to
regain it to play a cop with a bum knee
in Patriot’s Day, out January 2017, about
the Boston Marathon bombings.
Wahlberg then had little more than

52 MEN’S HEALTH MENSHEALTH.CO.UK


three weeks to transform himself once
more, this time down to a lean 77kg
for Transformers 5. Of course, getting
in shape is somewhat easier when, in
addition to a basketball court, you have
a huge home gym that makes most
commercial outfits look smalltime.
But what about when Wahlberg’s on
BODY OF WORK location and staying in hotels? Simple:
The zeniths and nadirs of Wahlberg’s physical career he takes it with him. “I get a room next
door to mine and take all the furniture
out,” he says. “It’s not the same level
that I’ve got at home but it’s a pretty
good set-up.” If the bedrooms aren’t
big enough, then he’ll commandeer a
conference room and set up in there. If
that sounds far-fetched, he claims that
The Fighter Deepwater Transformers: even corridors are sometimes co-opted.
(2010) – 65kg Horizon The Last Knight “I’ve got a sled, so I go up and down the
Three-plus years of (2016) – 96kg (2017) – 77kg hallways,” he says. “Hopefully without
boxing training kept A more enjoyable At age 45, Wahlberg disturbing guests…”
MW both lean and bulking phase, with has leaned down
strong for his shot
at the Oscar title
fried food and booze
back on his menu
again for his second
robot war epic
Because of
his line of work, “I’M ALWAYS
AYS
AY
Wahlberg has been
on a bodyweight WILLINGG TO
rollercoaster. “I need
to find that good WORK TWIC
TWICE
ICEE
balance,” he says.
“Eating right and AS HARD AS
exercising but also
enjoying yourself,
whether that’s
ANYONE ELSE”
LSE”
having a few beers, a burger or whatever.”
In his case, that’s the Mark-approved
Thanksgiving Sandwich at Wahlburgers:
“Turkey burger, mash potato, stuffing and
cranberry.” Or maybe the haddock burger:
“Beautiful piece of white fish, light
batter… That’ll definitely be popular in
the UK with people loving fish and chips
as much as they do.” Indeed, a London
branch is on the menu: “We’re in serious
discussions.” He’s also talking to friends
in the pizza business: ‘Markheritas’,
perhaps? “They have a name… But you’re
ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY: ALLSTAR, LANDMARK, REX FEATURES
making me hungry. I’ve been eating so
clean for the last two months. Although
I had one glass of wine on my birthday,
because my wife had a party for me.”
Although Wahlberg lives in LA, he
doesn’t subsist on kale juice and positive
energy: he’s still a regular guy from
Boston who eats burgers, at least when
he’s not under the gun for shooting. This
is a crucial part of his pan-regional appeal
and why he is drafted in to revitalise
flatlining franchises like Transformers.
Accordingly, he is paid Hollywood’s top
dollar for the privilege – an estimated
MENSHEALTH.CO.UK
COVE R M O D E L M U SC LE
M A R K WA H L B E R G
16-18 million of them for the fourth
instalment, which was critically mauled
but still made over a billion worldwide.
“It’s a relatability,” he says of his draw
for audiences. “I’ve got a lot of real-life
experience and hopefully that translates.
It’s difficult for me to talk about: I don’t
really analyse myself in that way. You can
find yourself chasing something that…
It’s either there organically or it’s not. But
I think they can tell how hard I work. . I’m
110% committed to everything I do.” That
familiar refrain again…
PLAYING THE LONG GAME
It’s this work ethic that has transformed
Wahlberg, improbably, from jail time-
serving teenage delinquent to risible
pop star to credible actor to incredibly
successful businessman. Though he can
all-too-convincingly portray a slacker
in Ted, behind the scenes he’s grinding
like his life depends
on it, even though
he probably doesn’t
need to work at all.
But he likens his
acting career to an
athlete’s: as long as
he’s still playing, he’s
determined to make
the most of it. “I’m
going to work harder
every day until I’m not
doing it anymore,” he says. “And while
I’m doing it, I have to be the best that I can
be. I feel like I’m always willing to work
twice as hard as everybody else.” Doesn’t
he ever stop? “Yep. When I go to bed, I’m
done for the day,” he says without irony.
That ultimate stopping point, though,
could be soon. “I can’t see myself doing
these physically demanding roles much
longer,” he admits. “I like the idea of
transitioning to playing the older guy.”
But he won’t be yelling cut on working
out. “I think after a while, if you don’t train,
you just start feeling like crap. I don’t want
to have to keep up this level of intensity,
but I feel better when I work out.”
Besides, maintaining is infinitely less
painful than gaining. “It’s easier to stay in
shape than to get in shape,” he says. “So if
you can get there, enjoy yourself and then
burn it off. It’s a good way to live.”
TURN FOR WAHLBERG’S
30-MINUTE BULK-UP PLAN
MEN’S HEALTH 53
COVE R M O D E L M U SC LE
M A R K WA H L B E R G

RETRAIN
1/ BRIDGE WITH BAND PULL-APART
& GAIN 10 X 10SEC HOLDS, 5SEC REST
This double-whammy drill wakes up your
Wahlberg
slumbering glutes and back muscles. Lie
spends 30min of
with your knees bent and feet planted,
every workout ut
hholding
g a resistance band. Squeeeze your
stretching – yes,
gglutes to raise your hips while sprreading
even at 4am..
yyour arms (and the band) wide.
But for the fiirst
st
few weeks off hiss A
latest regimee,
longtime trainer
Brian Nguyen
(brikfitness.
com) restricted
ted
him to mobility
work and
‘self-limiting’
B
exercises – ie
ones that are
“hard to fuck
up”. If you’ve 2/ BENT-KNEE T DRILL
had a lay-off, 5 X 10SEC HOLD PER SIDE, 5SEC REST
this is how to This restores movement to your upper
get back on it. and middle back, which seizes up when
you’re sitting all day. Lie on the ground
with your arms spread. Slowly lower your
kknees to either
i h side
id alternately,
l l ke
keeping
yyour shoulders
h ld glued l d to the
h grounnd.
A

3/ SKIPPING
KIPPING 4/ SSLED PULL 5/ FARMER’S WALK
1MIN 4 X 20M AS FAR AS POSSIBLE
Along with basketball, this is Wahlberg’s As it sounds: load up a sled, attach it Extended time under tension means this
preferred cardio. Keep your elbows to your waist with a belt and pull it to combines cardio and muscle-building.
behind your body, and rotate from your simultaneously bust your gut, lungs and Holding heavy dumbbells or kettlebells,
wrists for speed and efficiency. Don’t strength plateaus. Brace your core and simply walk with an upright posture.
tense up or yo
y u’re
’ likely
lik l to tire
i – and
d trip.
i don’t
on t be too ambitious with the weight.
w Your grip will tell you when to let up.

A A
A
CUT OUT AND KEEP

B
B

54 MEN’S HEALTH MENSHEALTH.CO.UK

 SWITCH
1/ KETTLEBELL FLOOR PRESS 2/ DEADLIFT 3/ SKIPPING
UP YOUR 2 X 30SEC, 30SEC REST 2 X 30SEC, 30SEC REST 1-2MIN
This is easier on your shoulders than the Using a barbell or two KBs, hinge at the
CARDIO bench, as it limits your range of motion hips with a flat back and drive through
Wahlberg and hits your triceps harder. It’s also your heels to raise the weights. Do as A
trains five days handy if the gym’s busy. Press; lower the many quality reps as you can in the time,
a week, resting KBs and pause for a beat at the bottom. tthen go
g back to floor press for set two.
Thursday and
Sunday. His A
A
‘cardio complex’
(right) alternatess
upper-body and d
lower-body,
pushes and
pulls. Perform
the first move,
rest for 30sec,
then superset B B
with the next.
Finish up with
skipping; repeat 4/ SUSPENSION TRAINER ROW 5/ WEIGHTED SQUAT 6/ SKIPPING
before moving 2 X 30SEC, 30SEC REST 2 X 30SEC, 30SEC REST 1-2MIN
on to the next As well as building your back, these Nguyen upgrades staple moves such as
pair of moves. shore up your shoulders. Set the handles squats, press-ups and lunges to increase
low and hang with arms straight, heels the demands and improve mobility. A
on the ground. Pull the handles to your Holding a heavy dumbbell, squat, then
sides, drawing your shoulder blades in. drive upp through
g yyour heels to stand.
A A

YOUR BIG
1/ TRX BICEPS CURL 2/ ALTERNATING DUMBBELL CURL 3/ CHEST AND BICEPS STRETCH
ARMS DEAL 6-10 REPS 6-10 REPS EACH SIDE 30 SECONDS
Position yourself in a more upright Grab two dumbbells and hold them by Drop the weights and place your forearm
The equivalent
stance than you would for an inverted your sides, palms in. Bend at the elbow along a wall, upper arm perpendicular to
of dessert after
row, with the suspension trainer handles to curl one of the weights up toward your it. Push your torso forward. Stretching
finishing all of
STICKMEN: AGATA PEC AT HEARST STUDIOS

slightly shorter. Curl them toward your shoulder, twisting it so your palm faces is vital for hypertrophy: “If the muscle’s
your greens:
forehead, then lower under control. your shoulder, then slowly lower. too tight, it won’t grow,” says Nguyen.
Wahlberg allows
himself a quick
A
biceps blast, but
only after his A B
functional work.
Nguyen makes
A
him stretch after
each round, for
less pain and
CUT OUT AND KEEP

enhanced gains.

MENSHEALTH.CO.UK MEN’S HEALTH 55

 TIME
WORDS BY DAVID MORTON / PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOBE LAWRENSON & MICHAEL HEDGE
MAXIMISING LIFE’S GREATEST LUXURYY
60
SECONDS A DAY TO
BULLETPROOF YOOURR
GS
HEART AND LUNGS
T
hat life is a marathonn andd not
ot
a sprint has never beeen truer,
with advances in thee science
of ‘healthspans’ stretching
the length of time you can expect to
live an active life to just a smidge
under a century. But such is the
pace of modern life, men often lack
the time to luxuriate in this longevity.
And that’s why new research into
high-intensity interval training offers
a welcome shortcut to prosperity.
Sports scientists at Canada’s
McMaster University found that
MENSHEALTH.CO.UK
Q: WHAT IS 3 X 20?
A YOUR
A: O KEYY TO A LONGER,
FASTER, HEAALTHIER LIFE
just three 20
20-second
second sprints at
maximum effort provides the same
improvement to your cardiorespiratory
system as 50 minutes of low-intensity
exercise. Those going all-out saw
swift boosts to their metabolic health
and muscular-skeletal strength, too.
Just three sessions a week was
enough to set new records in oxygen
uptake, despite a five-fold reduction
in time spent exercising. So, if you
want to get fit fast and die old, some
sprints on the way to the finish line
are your quickest route to victory.
MEN’S HEALTH 57
 TIME
09
WEEKS TO CONVERT
YOUR BODY INTO A
BELLY FAT BLENDER
E
arly morning cardio sessions
are all well and good at the
height of summer. But as the
window for getting your
body into seasonal shape narrows,
the idea of blasting through a few
fat-burning laps of the park before
work begins to look less than
bright. Shake up your pre-run
nutrition, however, and rising and
grinding for a leaner physique
should go a lot more smoothly.
Lutein – a carotenoid abundantly
found in green giants such as kale,
spinach and broccoli – has been
shown to trigger a huge increase
in levels of AMPK, dubbed the
‘marathon enzyme’ for its ability
to switch your cells’ mitochondria
from burning food to tapping your
58 MEN’S HEALTH
EAT THESE GREENS
ON THE GO TO WATCH
YOUR WAISTLINE WILT
fat stores for energy.
A nine-week study
published in the medical
journal PLoS One found
this not only improves
your rate of fat loss, but
also enhances stamina
during endurance exercise.
There is, however, a caveat
– but one we believe you’ll enjoy.
In their research, the scientists
discovered that adding fats to
lutein-containing foods spikes
uptake of the nutrient by three
times, so add almond milk, a
banana and a spoon of nut butter
to your greens before blitzing.
FOOD STYLIST: TAMARA VOS
That it will make your shake
a whole lot more palatable is,
of course, an extra boost.
MENSHEALTH.CO.UK
MH PROMOTION

PRECISION RUN JACKET £110,

PRECISION RUN TIGHT £70,
VAZEE PACE V2 £100,

TOUGH
AVAILABLE AT NEWBALANCE.CO.UK

RUNNER
NEW BALANCE ATHLETE ROSS MILLINGTOON
REVEALS THE STRENGTH MOVES YOU NEEED
DEVELOPING
POWER IN YOUR ARMS
WILL INCREASE YOUR
SPRINT PACE. THINK
PRESS-UPS, CURLS
AND FLIES.
TO UPGRADE YOUR RUNNING PERFORMANCE

W
 
e’ve all got weak spots. Even
elite middle-distance runners.
“My strength routine has been
developed around the injuries
and weak areas I’ve had,” says New
Balance athlete Ross Millington. “For
me, it’s all about glute strength –
making sure they’re firing well – and
working on my quads and core.”
When you’re building strength
for the road, bench-pressing heaving
barbells is surplus to requirement.
Classic bodyweight moves are the key
to developing the functional muscle
you need to excel as a runner. Ross’s
strength sessions focus on single-leg
moves like lunges and Bulgarian split
squats to boost his balance, alongside
PERFORM
classic glute moves like squats.
EVERY SQUAT AND
Yoga poses and planks, meanwhile, LUNGE AS SLOWLY AS
make up the foundation of Ross’ core YOU CAN – BUILDING
routine – so there’s no call for a gym STRENGTH IS A
membership. All you need is 6m of MARATHON NOT
space and a good reserve of willpower. A SPRINT.
Training is tough, but motivation is
the biggest obstacle – you are your
toughest opponent, after all.
Find more tips from Ross Millington at
menshealth.co.uk/toughestopponent

LEARN HOW TO TRAIN YOURSELF AT NEWBALANCE.CO.UK/TOUGHESTOPPONENT #IAMTHECOMPETITION

 TIME

01
HOUR TO TURN UP
THE HEAT ON YOUR
STAMINA LEVELS

C
ardio junkies getting high BLAST YOUR WAY TO
and mighty about the fitness THE FRONT OF THE
COMMUTER PELOTON
benefits of training at
altitude might want to come
back down to earth. New research
suggests a far more achievable
means of improved performance
is enjoying a very hot moment.
University of Coventry
researchers compared the
effectiveness of Le Tour’s
favoured ‘normobaric hypoxia’
with heat training for improving
the delivery of oxygen to
muscles during endurance
events. In the study, a group
of cyclists were tasked with
performing daily 60-minute
sessions in either low-oxygen
or hot conditions, before
completing a time trial at
artificially low-altitude. Those
who underwent the heat-
based course showed reduced
physical strain and improved
times in much the same way
that low-oxygen training affords.
So, while we’re not advocating
Rocky Balboa-esque levels of
WORDS: AARON TOUMAZOU | SADDLE SOHOBIKES.CO.UK

layering, this does mean that

opting for added warmth during
transitional weather can give your
cardio-commute the same fitness
benefits as a pricey sportive in
loftier, foreign climes. Zip up and
prepare to feel the burn.

MENSHEALTH.CO.UK MEN’S HEALTH 61


30
MINUTES TO FEED
YOUR BRAIN WITH
A CHICKEN BHUNA
I
f a Friday-night takeaway
after a long week at work feels
like a foolhardy indulgence,
we are about to serve you
some truly delicious science.
Because the combination of the
key ingredients in a stock curry
sauce can prevent your blood
pressure from boiling over and
spice up your working memory
in time for the week ahead.
Research into the psychological
effects of cinnamon published
in The Journal of Neuroimmune
Pharmacology found that oral
doses given to mice trigger a
higher concentration of a protein
involved in memory and learning
MIX THE RIGHT SPICES
AND THE BENEFITS
REALLY STACK UP
MENSHEALTH.CO.UK
TIME
in the hippocampus. This is your
brain’s ‘filing system’, responsible
for organising and recalling
information. Meanwhile, a separate
study in Planta Medica journal
found that the blood pressure-
reducing powers of turmeric can
be enhanced by 2000% when
paired with black pepper, thanks
to a significant increase in the
absorption of nutrients.
Regardless of whether you’re
a budding Karam Sethi in the
kitchen and a whizz with the spice
paste, or watching the clock after
ordering in a chicken bhuna, rest
assured that your next curry is the
thinking man’s cheat meal.
MEN’S HEALTH 63
 Brexit. Rising house prices. Boris Johnson’s international career.
Whatever your age, modern life has a lot of hurdles. But despite downbeat
prospects, the new man is striving to shatter outdated milestones of
masculinity. MH took the VO2 max of the nation by surveying you, the
reader, to unlock new prospects at every stage of life, starting today
WORDS: TOM WARD | PHOTOGRAPHY: AGATA PEC
 01\
How do you
measure success?
When it comes to aspirations,
modern man is more sangfroid
zen than Gordon Gekko greed

59%
Personal happiness

20%
Comparing salary
to friends’

6%
Cash in the bank
DDIIT
EDI
EERR CCRRED
UUTTTTER
GGUT

MEEN
M NSSHEEAALLTTHH.CCO
CO.
O.UK
UK MEEN’
M N’S HE
HEAALLTH
TH 6655
 02\
Keeping Mum

%
30
A housing market in decline
means you’re now more likely to
be living in your parent’s nest
You might not own that yacht yet, but than fretting about mortgages

%
fewer financial responsibilities give

20
you more freedom than your parents
have ever known. Make the most of it Men aged 20-34 living

%
10
with their parents

Men aged 20-24 who

DEFINITION own their homes

06
01

10

16
9 6

20

20

20

20
19
Adulescent
(noun)
05\ 06\
A man in his third decade of life who – largely down to University Challenge Stubbing It Out
the economic downswing and decline in jobs – displays the Despite rising tuition fees, university is The percentage of men puffing through
financial and family responsibilities of a teenager still the best way to fill your coffers a 20-a-day habit has gone up in smoke
See: Jon Favreau in Swingers

CASE STUDY

The Job-seeking Journalist

DAVEY BRETT, 23, LIVERPOOL
A
fter graduating in
2015, I interned
without pay for two
months in London,
then moved to a mate’s sofa
in Liverpool and signed on to
the dole. I now do freelance
journalism and supplement
this with a zero-hour
hospitality job. Being priced
out of London means I’m
away from the majority of jobs
within my field and I’m unable
to expand my network. The
upside to being up North is
that although I no longer have
the disposable income of a
student, it’s a lot cheaper here.
With a pint costing around
£2.50, I can socialise regularly
and manage to fit in about
10 beers a week. In London I
opted for coffee to save money.
Boozing aside, I could
definitely be healthier –
though I’ve never smoked.
The gym can be expensive,
so I cycle everywhere as it’s
a free and easy way to stay
fit. Plus I’d much rather
be outdoors. If I’m feeling
under the weather, I’m more
likely to wait it out than see
11%
a doctor. I do try to look after
1991
my mind using meditation,
though, but rarely have the
time to practise.
20%
Percentage
3%
Percentage of
Diet-wise, my youthful of university millionaires who
graduates who went the ‘Alan
metabolism is waning, but
go on to become Sugar’ route,
I still over-indulge in snacks an asset with no formal
and sugary foods, with my millionaire qualifications
bad eating habits defined by
convenience. For example,
I nearly always skip breakfast 07\
as I’m normally running late.
I don’t have the disposable
Taking Flight
With long-term options limited, young
income to eat out, but this is
men are investing in the there-and-now
a saving grace in terms of both
money and nutrition, as I cook
healthy big-batch meals like
27%
Will put their
chilli at home and heat it up savings toward
throughout the week. a mortgage
Settling down with a family
is a luxury that only the people
of my parent’s generation
were able to pursue in their
twenties. A mortgage to me
is an old-fashioned, near-
mythical luxury and saving
for one has never felt further
away. In the meantime, not
having to put aside money for
30%
Of men will
a house affords me a lot more choose to travel
on their savings
freedom. I’m not tied to living
in one area and I can freelance
for the places I really want to
work, and only take a full-time
job when it feels right for me.

66 MEN’S HEALTH MENSHEALTH.CO.UK

 Who Is Man 2016?

03\ 04\ ANALYSIS

Fitness Feast Mind Gains
Modern man is an adaptive creature
Silver Linings
when it comes to optimising wellbeing Playbook
45%
Have never
Some youthful creativity
can mean a budget boost
for both body and mind
meditated

42%
Have tried
I\ Act fast
Good news for the time-
strapped: an American Journal
27%
Spending on eating out rises
meditating
of Clinical Nutrition study
found skipping breakfast has
this much in the two months no impact on bodyweight or
prior to men joining a gym
resting metabolic rate, so don’t
sweat it. And if you’re worried
about over-compensating
at lunch, Cornell University

13%
Would be
found breakfast-skippers took
on fewer calories throughout
the day than the muesli crowd.
willing to try
II\ Hit the bar
If a gym membership

5%
2014
decimates your wage packet,
the humble pull-up is your
greatest weapon in the fight
for fitness. A study published
in Strength and Conditioning
Research found it activates
your lower trapezius (the key to
a V-shaped upper body) more
than any other movement –
meaning affordable fitness
needn’t be a pain in the neck.

III\ Park your fitness

08\ 09\ If you’re wisely investing in
mental wellbeing, choose
Retirement Pains Home & Loan
Dwindling disposable income sees
money spent in the short-term
Buying a home is bricks and mortar stuff,
but getting your foot in the door can hurt
22%
The average
outdoor workouts to open
your mind to maximum
benefits. A study in the journal
deposit for a first-
time buyer in 2014 Urban Forestry & Urban

13%
The average
Greening found exercising
outside helps you feel up to
40% more psychologically
deposit for a first- balanced, reducing stress by
02\ ONS | 05\ ONS WEALTH REPORT 2016 | 06\ HEALTH SURVEY FOR ENGLAND 2014

time buyer in 1991 an incredible 87%. And yes,

08\ THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE FOR SECURITIES AND INVESTMENTS | 09\ ONS

Pokémon Go sort of counts.

IV\ Invest in the ’rents

Being priced out isn’t unique
to the Big Smoke, with
homeownership across the UK
at its lowest point since 1986.
While not ideal, living with
mum and dad has long-term
benefits. Fewer overheads
and obligations (no mortgage,
family, kitchen overhaul) mean
you’re free to try out different
£800 p/m
The amount those in their
professions guilt-free, without
twenties would have to save worrying about tomorrow.
for 40 years to retire with an
annual income of £30,000

MENSHEALTH.CO.UK MEN’S HEALTH 67


Having worked full-pelt for a decade,
men in their thirties are earning a more
robust wage. As the urge to diversify rears
its head, it’s time to move up a level
DEFINITION
Professional Re-booter
(noun)
Having proved himself in his career to date, this man is
looking to add another string to his bow by pursuing passion
projects without compromising his position of power
See: Jamie Oliver
CASE STUDY
The Aspirational Homeowner
ADAM WILLIAMS, 32, KENT
A
fter graduating
with a fine art
degree, the plan
was to become an
art teacher. But, back at my
parent’s house and stuck with
a daunting amount of debt,
I realised I needed a job to
tide me over until I could start
a PGCE. I went to work for a
start-up company as I liked
the idea of working in ‘London
Town’ for a while. Eight years
and three companies later, I’m
still here, working an average
of 38-45 hours a week. I enjoy
my work and there’s a great
office culture, but long-term,
I’m inspired by my wife, who’s
just launched an online store
called The Modern Nursery,
selling fashionable baby
clothes. I’d love to start my
own socially-led business…
Outside of the office,
I spend the majority of my
spare cash on my family, food,
and the occasional holiday.
I don’t think about saving for
retirement everyday, but it is
in the back of my mind. I’ve
alleviated the pressure slightly
by working bloody hard to own
68 MEN’S HEALTH
10\
Downing Pints
18% – The number of men cutting
out the sauce all together
4%
Men averaging
more than four units
a day fell this much
from 2006-2014
10\ HEALTH SURVEY FOR ENGLAND 2014 | 11\ YOUGOV | 16\ THE CONDITION OF BRITAIN REPORT 2013
three properties, which will be
my daughter’s inheritance.
Even though I have a hectic
work and home life, I still
find time for the gym. It’s
important for me to maintain
13\
my fitness but my main Changing Coal Faces
motivation is to stay healthy
for my daughter. So far, I feel 61% Ofin their
men are unhappy
current job
in good health and if I am
feeling ill, I’m more likely
to rely on over-the-counter 56% Plan to find a new job
within the next year
drugs, although I do try to see
the doctor regularly. I am a
bit of a hypochondriac when
25% Plan to be working for
themselves in five years
it comes to cancer, as sadly
we have a family history.
In terms of my physique, 15\
I’m in fairly decent shape Losing Sleep
these days – my aim is to Though we have more options than ever,
get lean while developing the stresses on modern men are many
functional muscle, rather
than simply bulking. Because
of this, meals usually consist
of chicken, kale and sweet
potatoes. I’m into the ‘use
your brain’ diet. Having said
that, I drink a lot less than
I used to, after going teetotal
while training for a marathon
a few years back. I still eat out
and socialise with friends,
though. I think it’s important
to find time for things outside
of the office and home.
54%
Claim to be
suffering from
severe stress
MENSHEALTH.CO.UK
 Who Is Man 2016?

11\ 12\ ANALYSIS

Mate’s Rates Hooky Street Mid-career
When it comes to skiving off work, gender roles have
Consultation
25%
Of men are in
reversed, with men becoming the more consistent workers

20
touch with their The number of men who have called in ill when they weren’t
friends less than
once a month
11%
This many more women called in sick than men in 2015
14\
Ailing Approach
Modern man is clued-up, with his key
concerns breaking down as follows:
%
Your goals are in reach,
but friends and fitness
needn’t take a backseat
I\ Quit (temporarily)
Instead of jacking in the job,
think short-term. With 91%
of millennials choosing to
move careers every three
years, employers are becoming
increasingly savvy to the idea
of the sabbatical. Get the terms
of your break in writing first to
ensure there will still be a job
for you to return to – whether
or not you want to come
back is entirely up to you.

II\ Be the daddy

Alternatively, consider shared
parental leave. Together, you
and your partner are eligible for
a year off, with your employer
required by law to pay you
£139.58 p/w while you’re away.
Applying is as simple as filling
in a form (download from
gov.uk). If you can contend
with a new-born baby, it could
be the perfect time to get that
big idea off the ground.

III\ Save yourself

1% 2% 2%
Super
2Liver
% 10% 22% 61% If you do choose to go it alone,
consider that you’ll be forgoing
Zika virus HIV Heart Depression Cancer
gonorrhoea disease a company pension, with just
disease
31% of self-employed workers
saving for retirement, reports
the Federation of Small
16\ Businesses. Put aside £200
Personal Promotions per month in a standard, 5%
Men and women are working harder than ever, but a rise investment growth scheme
in female breadwinners means now could be the time to to see returns of over £70,000
consider joining the UK’s 4.7m-strong army of freelancers in 20 years’ time, according
to Hargreaves Lansdown.

IV\ Buddy up
With limited gym time, it’s
vital to get the most out of
every session – to whit, former
Olympian Professor Greg
Whyte recommends booking
yourself into a fitness class.
Plus, according to the WHO,
dragging a mate along carries

29%
Say financial 33% 52%
the significant benefit of
reducing your risk of early
death. Bagging a Class Pass
worries keep The number of female This many men
them up at night (classpass.com) is a good start.
breadwinners in couples work more than 41
with children hours per week

MENSHEALTH.CO.UK MEN’S HEALTH 69


Forty was a milestone, but you’re not
letting it curb your enthusiasm – fitness
or financial. And with older kids, you
have more time to dedicate to your goals
DEFINITION
Gym Daddy
(noun)
Having reached a certain age – and with ambition renewed
– the Gym Daddy is now pushing toward his physical prime,
proving that the rest of your life begins at 40
See: Hugh Jackman
CASE STUDY
The Enterprising Entrepreneur
DAVID ISON, 49, SOUTHAMPTON
I
’m a retired tennis player
and fulltime coach. On
average I work 40-50 hours
a week as I’m trying to
build two businesses: a local
performance centre and the
Bassett Lawn Tennis Club,
Southampton. I find my job
very rewarding – and having
played tennis professionally
for nearly a decade, it was
a natural progression – but
in five years I hope to be
spending less time coaching
and more time managing
both businesses.
I measure my happiness
in terms of how happy my
children are and whether or
not I feel I’m doing an effective
job at work. Day to day, I don’t
think about money – I own
my house and have a few years
left to pay on the mortgage –
but I have recently begun
the process of saving for the
future. All being well, I’d
like to retire by age 60.
For me, diet is the most
important factor in staying
fit. I always eat breakfast and
as I’ve got older I’ve tried
70 MEN’S HEALTH
17\ 18\
Mirror Image Your Body
Your shape matters to you, but staying in
it is a struggle. Here are your obstacles:
Icons 2016
Good news: up-start
spornosexuals
43%
Willpower
are out, well-aged
muscle is back
Thee best:
bes
Jason Statham
Hugh
g Jackman
David Beckham
43%
Free time
h rest::
The
to cut down on carbs and
Christiano Ronaldo
increase my protein intake.
I generally try to eat healthily,
but finding time for shopping
and meal preparation can be
an issue. I’ve never smoked
10%
The cost of
Zac Efron
and haven’t really drunk at healthy food
all over the last 10 years. I still
go on as many holidays as I
used to, but I find that I very
4%
The cost of gym
Ryan Reynolds
memberships
rarely have time to go out and
socialise, again, mostly due
to work commitments.
Chris Hemsworth
Fitness is more important
to me than ever and I’m lucky
that my daily workout routine 20\
revolves around my work. I Chicken Runs
spend an hour at the gym as Your renewed appetite for lean protein saw UK poultry
often as my coaching schedule production increase by 131,000 tonnes last year
allows, but when I was a tennis
player myself – between the
ages of 18 and 28 – I attended
the gym daily. The difference
between then and now is
that now work commonly
interferes with my plans. Most
of the time I focus on core
stability, bodyweight exercises
and flexibility. I can still touch
my toes and the feeling after a
39%
good session is what motivates
me to work out. Given more
leisure time, I’m sure I’d be Of men indulge
able to build the body I want. in a high-protein
meal plan
G
MENSHEALTH.CO.UK
 Who Is Man 2016?

ANALYSIS
The Longevity
Masterplan
Slow down and pick up the
slack outside of work to
ensure long-term gains

I\ Plan your escape

Before complaining that you
never have time to yourself, it’s
worth checking you’re actually
taking all of the annual leave
you’re entitled to. Jetting off
19\
Doubling Up
With 44% of men not monitoring
13%
in 1993
isn’t just about hitting the
refresh button – researchers
from the Finnish Institute of
what they eat, male obesity levels Occupational Health found
have gone up a notch or two that overworking more than
doubles your risk of suffering

24%
in 2014
a major depressive episode.

II\ Lose your looks

21\
Class Projects
Men are increasingly focusing
on maintainable stability over
instant aesthetic gains
With less than half of men
feeling content with their
bodies, it’s time to reverse your
goals. Rather than focusing
23\ on aesthetics alone, signing
Upping Leave up to an endurance event will
Modern man spends more time promote long-term, practical
doing coffee runs than school ones fitness. Get the approach
right, and the body will
follow. May we suggest Men’s
Health Survival of the Fittest?
(mhsurvival.co.uk)

38% Of men have upped

mobility through yoga III\ Lower the steaks
Defying a slowing metabolism
doesn’t mean living off greens
and lean meat. The American

50%
Of men took all
Journal of Clinical Nutrition
found wholegrains cut your
risk of hypertension by a
19\ HEALTH SURVEY FOR ENGLAND 2014 | 20\ DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD & RURAL AFFAIRS

of their holiday life-saving 19% – as well as

days last year powering your workouts.
Are now investing in
65%
BRICKS WICKES, WALLET PAUL SMITH, BELT RUSSELL & BROMLEY | ADDITIONAL IMAGES: GETTY

functional training And with recent research

suggesting protein overload
is as fattening as sugar, you’d
22\ best balance your macros.
Supp It Up
Supplements targeting toned IV\ Carry on deadlifting
arms and tuned-up immunity Reaching middle age doesn’t
are the nation’s favourite mean you have to cut out big

11%
Of men see their
lifts. Fast-twitch muscle fibres
waste quicker in your forties,
so they’re more essential than
children more than ever. Devote more time to
four hours a day protecting joints: the American
Journal of Physiology found
the inability to touch your
toes leads to arterial stiffening.
50%
Of men
50%
Regularly
Stay mobile and smash PBs
for years to come.
take a daily drink protein
multivit shakes

MENSHEALTH.CO.UK MEN’S HEALTH 71

THE
ECONOMIC$
OF
ADV£NTURE
As post-Brexit Britain continues
on its uncertain economic path,
the temptation to down tools
holds more appeal than ever.
But is jacking it in for a life of
exploration ever a viable option?
WORDS BY TOM WARD – ILLUSTRATIONS BY PETER CROWTHER
 32%
Men who travel reduce
their risk of heart disease
by this much† – a more
appealing tonic than
your GP has to offer
In 1961, Oxford graduate
Richard Mason set out
to become the first man
to chart the Iriri River,
an Amazon tributary located deep within
the rainforest. But after three months
hacking through dense jungle, Mason
and his companions had enjoyed little
success. It was then that Mason was
ambushed by a party of Parara tribesmen,
infamous as the most fearsome tribe in
the area, a people for whom the words
‘stranger’ and ‘enemy’ reportedly have
the same translation. When members of
his expedition found Mason later that day,
40 arrows and 15 clubs had been arranged
around his corpse, as per the tribe’s
ceremonial traditions. The expedition
had failed, but Richard Mason was to
go down in history as the last Briton to
be killed by an uncontacted indigenous
Amazonian tribe. He was 27-years-old.
Today – due in large part to multiple
technological advances from satellite
mapping to cheaper airfares – there
are few remaining unexplored lands
in which to plant one’s flag, or indeed,
remote rivers to be mapped. But these
same technologies have also served to
democratise adventure travel, with many
among Britain’s young and economically
dispossessed opting to take their chances
abroad, rather than waiting for austerity
politics to transform the nation into an
economic El Dorado. It’s a trend that has
seen the adventure travel industry grow
an incredible 65% year-on-year since
2009. Throw a stone in your office and
you’ll likely hit any number of junior
staff members eager to beguile you with
tales of their ‘gap year’ to Asia. But, for
those desiring more from their trip than
the perfect selfie outside Angkor Wat,
choosing a life of exploration is becoming
an increasingly viable career option,
albeit one fraught with uncertainties.
But before selling up and heading off,
a key question remains: must a life of
adventure negate the possibility of ever
owning a house, or having a family and
career? And does the freedom on offer
really outweigh these financial concerns?
CALL OF THE WILD
Ed Stafford, Ben Fogle, Sean Conway
and James Martyr are but four of a
handful of men still making their living
by pitting themselves against nature
74 MEN’S HEALTH
CASE STUDY
in the most hostile of environments.
01
THE ECCENTRIC
Unlike Mason and his contemporaries,
it isn’t hidden treasures or unearthed
ESCAPOLOGIST
cities these men seek, but the cachet of After quitting the rat race
STEPS TO becoming the first man to trek the South aged 30, Sean Conway sold his
FREEDOM Pole, climb the three major peaks of the photography business and
Sean Conway Himalayas in record time, or swim the set off to complete the first
plots your path length of a country. Today, the holy grail ‘Ultimate Triathlon’ over
to adventure of adventure is no longer knowledge, but the length of Great Britain
experiencing vistas only an elite will ever Age: 35
1\ Pick your
know. Crucially, they’re also reinforcing Based: The Cotswolds
destination,
the idea that a life spent travelling can Marital status: Single
do the research,
become a feasible career path. What are your monthly
then buy a map
It was a stint in the Scouts that instilled outgoings? £500. I’m not
and put it on
Stafford with a sense of wanderlust, carrying any debt and live
the wall next
while two years in the British Army a simple life, so I don’t have
to your bed.
compounded the practicalities required to budget. At present I live
2\ Go public. of an expedition leader. In 2008, after on a boat and getting on
Tell your scrabbling around for sponsors and the property ladder is low
friends and the putting in £13,000 of his own money, he on my list of priorities.
local radio and set off to walk the length of the Amazon. What do we overspend on
TV stations. A National Geographic cover boosted his that isn’t necessary?
It will stop you profile, catching the eye of The Discovery Electronics and gadgets –
backing out Channel, and an audacious idea for basically anything designed
and help with a television show was born in which to make our lives easier.
fundraising. Stafford was abandoned on desert islands What’s been your largest
*TRY THE SEAN CONWAY ADVENTURE SCHOLARSHIP | †SOURCES: US NATIONAL HEART, LUNG AND BLOOD INSTITUTE; ACADEMY OF MANAGEMENT
without even the clothes on his back. personal investment in an
3\ Calculate Unsurprisingly, the publicity around expedition? I had to move
your budget the show – titled Ed Stafford: Naked And in with my mum for a while,
then save up. Marooned – was enough to warrant a but money-wise, I have been
Sell your further Discovery Channel contract and lucky enough to work with
belongings, from there Stafford’s fame has grown. some fantastic sponsors who
move back In theory, a military background provided me with the kit and
home, crowd like Stafford’s should facilitate an easy equipment that I need.
fund, apply transition to fulltime adventurer – see What impact did your
for grants*. Grylls, Fiennes et al – yet, increasingly, first book deal have on
more and more men taking up the call your career? It helped
4\ Get fit. The
lack formal survival training, often me pay off a £10,000 debt
experience will
planning their first expeditions from that I had accrued from
be much more
Civvy Street. Having risen to prominence a previous adventure.
enjoyable if
on BBC reality show Castaway 2000, Ben Have sponsorships taken
you’re in shape,
Fogle made the jump from unknown the pressure off raising
which bolsters
to television presenter, before putting expedition funds? Yes.
your mental
his savings into a trans-Atlantic row in Books and talks have become
strength at the
2005. The trip was financially wounding my regular source of income,
same time.
but served to raise Fogle’s profile within but I have grown adept at
5\ When it’s the adventure community, facilitating spending less. If you really
time to go, further sponsorship for a second race, want to save money, living
remember that this time across the South Pole. By on £5 a day in the UK is
– even on the branching out into corporate speaking completely doable.
hardest trips – and expanding his television portfolio, Are you saving for
you need to Fogle has gradually been able to attract retirement? I’m hoping
take it one step increasingly substantial sponsors. to put away the income I
at a time. The get from my future books
world awaits. to use for when – and if –
I choose to retire.
MENSHEALTH.CO.UK
 THE
ECONOMIC$
OF
ADV£NTURE

03
People who have lived in
three or more countries
demonstrate improved CASE STUDY
DY
‘cognitive flexibility’ –
key to creativity†
02
THE EXPEDITION myself. By chance I met
the CEO of a recruitment
LEADER company who asked if he
TThhe Di
Disc
scov
sc over
ov eryy Ch
Chaan
annel’
anne l’ss Na
Nake
ked
ked could provide a portion of the
AAnnd
nd MMaaro
rooon
oned
oned
ed saw
a forrmem r ar army
my remaining balance. I learned
offfic
ficere Ed Staf
er Sttaf
a foord spepend 60 that when you relax and
daaysys aloone on a de dese
s rt
se r islslan
lan
a d engage people, things are far
w thou
wi thhoouut
ut a knniffe, sup
u pl
plie
iees or more likely to fall into place.
a sising
ngle
ng le pai
le airr of
o trous
roous
user
erss
er What impact did your first
Age: 40 book deal have on your
Based: Leicestershire career? There isn’t much
Marital status: Married money in publishing these
What are your monthly days unless you’re JK
outgoings? I have a Rowling. But it does give
mortgage and spend a lot on some weight to your stature
food – perhaps £250 a week. as an explorer.
What do we overspend on Have sponsorships taken
that isn’t necessary? the pressure off raising
I try not to be careless with expedition funds? Yes –
money. Waste revolts me – but buying a house and
thriftiness (weirdly) turns getting married put the
me on. I once made a single financial pressures back
disposable razor last for on. Long-term I’ll be
the entire length of a making my own money –
six-month military tour. not asking for handouts.
What’s been your largest Are you saving for
personal investment in an retirement? I’m buying
expedition? Walking the properties. That’s my
Amazon cost £103,000 – pension. But I won’t retire.
GUTTER CREDIT

£13,000 of which I’d saved It’s a sure way to accelerate

senility and decrease your
sense of purpose in life.

MENSHEALTH.CO.UK MEN’S HEALTH 75

CASE STUDY

03
THE OPEN-ROAD Age: 27 What do we overspend essential. A good one can
Based: Currently a 4x4 in on that isn’t necessary? cost around £100.
UPSTART the Australian outback. Clothes. When I left the Do you have any sponsors?
A foour
ur-d
-day
-d ay dririveve to RoRomeme Marital status: Travelling UK I got rid of 99% of my No, but the dream is to be
igni
ig nite
ni tedd fo
te form
rmer er mararkek ti
ke ting
ng with my girlfriend. possessions. I moved in sponsored in exploration
exec
ex ec Jam mese Mar arty
tyyr’
r’ss pa
pass
ssioi n
io What are your monthly with my mum and spent or travel photography.
for th
thee ex
exototic
ot icc. Af
Afte
terr se
te sell
lllin
ingg outgoings? Day to day I most of my time in the gym Are you saving for
hiis po
his p ss
sses
essi
es sion
si
ionns he hea e deed live cheaply: I don’t have as this was a relatively retirement?
to Sou
outhth Eas
astt As
Asia
ia,, fo
ia forg
rgoi
oing
oi ngg a phone contract and in cheap activity. No.
t e Lo
th Lone
nely
ne ly Pla
ly l nenett cro
r wd
w some countries you can get What’s been your largest Are you worried that
forr tr
fo trav
avel
av e and tra
el rava
v il
va ilss faar accommodation and food for personal investment in an adventuring has set you
from
fr om theh beaateen pa patht
th under a tenner. I don’t have expedition? Flights. I hunt back career-wise? Not at all.
a mortgage, but including around for deals and take Before I left I had a good job,
student loan, I’m in debt to circuitous routes to save an apartment, a car – the
the tune of £4000. money. Visas can also cost normal stuff. There’s no
a few hundred pounds. A reason I couldn’t come back
decent backpack is another and work for those things.

£4.7m
The estimated net
worth of adventurer and
author Bear Grylls.
Something to work
up to, then

GUTTER CREDIT
 THE
ECONOMIC$
OF
ADV£NTURE

Zimbabwean Sean Conway may not
have as recognisable a name, but he
prides himself on having carved out a
niche in the market without a military
or athletic background. Since selling his
photography business for £1 just after his
30th birthday, Conway has pursued cheap
but physically demanding challenges,
becoming the first man to swim, then
cycle, then run the length of the UK. To
fund his first trip, Conway sold off his
possessions, and now lives on a boat.
Until recently, 27-year-old James
Martyr shared Conway’s dissatisfaction,
eking out a humdrum
existence before deciding
there had to be more “INVESTMENT
to life than adjusting
spreadsheets. He moved
IN YOURSELF
in with his parents, sold WILL ALWAYS
his belongings and hit the
road. “From a very early
PROVIDE THE
age we’re taught to follow BEST RETURNS”
a predetermined path: go
to school, go to university, get a job, get
a house and plan for retirement. This
made me feel hugely discontented,” says
Martyr. “If you want to explore, go and do
it. If it doesn’t work out at least you tried.”
MEN WHO WOULD BE KING
Recent financial statistics offer a plausible
explanation for this growing disaffection.
A report by the Resolution Foundation
found millennials are likely to be the
first group to earn less than the previous
generation, with Britain’s current crop
taking home £8000 less than their
predecessors. “The median annual salary
for 18 to 29-year-olds has fallen 15% over
the last 12 years,” says Peter Bowman,
head of economics at London’s School of
Economic Science. “Younger generations
are being denied decent jobs and the
opportunity to own their own home,” he
continues. “And, as a result, they seem to
value experience over possessions.”
In actuality, the fundamentals of
scraping together an adventure kitty –
moving in with mum, jettisoning all of
your material possessions and ringing
round every company
in the area for
sponsorship – may
at present be the
most tenable option.
“Periods of lower
earnings are actually
the best time to take
time out to travel,
because financially
you are giving up less,” says Alexander
Joshi, an economic analyst at London
Economics. Which, in the post-Brexit
economy, could mean it’s a good time
to start shopping for a backpack.
But, as with any endeavour, when
it comes to adventure, accounting for
financial down periods is essential.
“I haven’t made the mistake many
adventurers have of being out of pocket
between trips – I plan ahead and make
sure there is money there,” Stafford
says. But even at the top of the ladder,
an intrepid career is rarely economically
stable, with funding far from guaranteed
and a large, unforeseen personal
expenditure or a sponsor suddenly
experiencing cold feet derailing the best-
laid plans. In short: it’s both a literal and
figurative jungle out there. “It’s important
to realise that any adventure always has
its costs but these costs never outweigh
the experience,” says Aldo Kane, a former
Royal Marine sniper who now works
providing security for TV and film crews
worldwide. “Making it work comes down
to planning, budget and execution.”
Ultimately, to agonise over money
is to somewhat miss the point. While
attracting sponsors and budgeting for
a trip are hugely important, an element
of risk is inherent. Otherwise, like the
backpacking crowd, you’re simply
travelling. As in work, as in life, to achieve
remarkable feats, one has to set aside
concerns and follow their instincts.
Ironically, it’s an economist who best
sums this up: “Investment in yourself is
the best investment that you can make,”
says Joshi. “Be it through education or
gaining life experience, an investment
into developing your own human capital
will always provide you with the largest
returns.” A tightening of the belt now
might not be an attractive prospect, but
a life of adventure is about combating
hardships on all fronts. Succeed in
conquering mountains, tracing rivers
and trekking into the unknown, and the
knowledge of your feats will stay with
you forever. And that, at least, has to be
better than another day in the office.

CASE STUDY

04
THE TV STAPLE
Home counties charm and
stints on Countryfilee may
have positioned Ben Fogle
as your mother’s favourite
outdoorsman, but rowing the
Atlantic, completing the
Marathon des Sables and
racing across the South Pole
have more than verified his
adventure credentials
Age: 42
Based: London
Marital status: Married
with two children.
What are your monthly
outgoings? A family
has a huge impact on
expenditure. I am terrible
with money and hand over
all finances to my wife.
What do we overspend on
that isn’t necessary?
Everything. On an expedition,
simple things such as food,
water, battery life and sleep
become valuable.
What’s been your largest
personal investment in
an expedition? Apart
from a few sponsors, James
[Cracknell, Fogle’s rowing
partner] and I had to use
our own savings to finance
the Atlantic race, including
spending a small fortune
on the boat we used.
What impact did your
first book deal have
on your career?
I used the advance to travel
to remote islands from
Pitcairn to St Helena. This
informed my next book,
The Teatime Islands.
Have sponsorships taken
the pressure off raising
expedition funds?
Sponsorship is still a struggle.
I just had to postpone a
planned expedition later this
year due to a lack of funding.
I would love to have one big
sponsor who helps me for
life, but 15 years in the
business have taught me
that is a little unlikely.
Are you saving for
retirement? I hope my
wife is. I do tend to live by
the seat of my pants but
adventure is a risky game,
so it always pays to have
a back-up plan.

MEN’S HEALTH 77
H O M E I M P R OV E M E N T

(GYM)
IMPROVEMENT
Constructing a comprehensive
home fitness set-up takes more than
installing a static bike in the spare room
and calling it a job well done. This
40-step instruction manual is designed
to optimise your floor space, whatever
form you wish to upgrade and
whatever your budget. All you need
to get started is the right equipment.
And a little elbow grease
WORDS: JACK HART | ILLUSTRATIONS: FLYING CHILLI

78 MEN’S HEALTH MENSHEALTH.CO.UK


FIG .0 1
LEVEL-UP YOUR STRENGTH
If you’re doing
press-ups at every
opportunity, these
rotating handles –
designed to engage
a wider range of
muscle than your
average set of
20 – are your new
best friends, and can
be stored neatly in your
bottom desk drawer.
Fitness Mad Rotating Push-Up
Handles £23.99 dolphinfitness.co.uk
FIG .04
THE ALL-BAR-ONE
This removable bar is all you
need for calisthenics holds
and progressions while
doubling as an incline stand
for press-ups and dips.
Men’s Health Door Trainer
£24.99 argos.co.uk/menshealth
THE HOME OFFICE
M O B I L I T Y S TAT I O N
Mix work with athleisure. This kit is fit for the most modern
of home office spaces, letting you work hard in both senses
FIG .07
GO RETRO
You’re unlikely to have room for
a bench in your oasis of calm,
but a chest expander will let
you flex without overloading
your muscles – or floorboards.
Lonsdale Chest Expander
£9.50 sportsdirect.com
MENSHEALTH.CO.UK
KIT GUIDE
FIG .02 FIG .03
UNSET TLE YOURSELF THE HOME STRETCH
The classic gym ball turns linear If you don’t dedicate time to
moves into cross-core sculpting recovery, your gains will fast
sessions. Plus, it makes a smug become knotted. This hand-held
hipster chair when you’re at stick loosens up hard to reach
risk of dropping off after lunch. places when stretching room
Men’s Health Gym Ball is tight. Trigger Point Grid
£12.99 argos.co.uk/menshealth STK Roller £25 wiggle.co.uk
FIG .06
THE STABILIT Y STEP-UP
FIG .05
For minimalist workouts
EXPANSION PLANS focusing on core strength and
This dumbbell holds between balance, a floor beam is a simple yet
5kg and 32.5kg, giving you
access to a whole range of
essential purchase. The innocuous
weights – and possibilities – in carpet finish won’t interfere with
a single piece of kit. Bodymax your office feng shui, either.
Selectabell Dumbbell £329.99 Niels Larsen Carpeted Floor
powerhouse-fitness.co.uk Beam £173.28 newitts.com
FIG .09
FIG .08
CORE EXPANSION
MUSCLE FIX AND CHILL Pushing your abs through their
Freezing this stainless steel roller
full range of motion is the only
creates a tool combining the way to achieve comprehensive
powers of self-myofascial release definition, and using an ab
with anti-inflammatory cooling. wheel negates the need to hook
DOMS has its work cut out. your feet under your desk for
Trigger Point Cold Roller awkward lunchtime sit-ups.
£78 thephysiotable.co.uk Apollo Ab Wheel £4.99 newitts.com
MEN’S HEALTH 79
H O M E I M P R OV E M E N T

FIG .10 FIG .11

VIVA LA REVOLUTION
A CrossFit favourite, this bike
comes with a sadistic caveat:
the more effort you put in, the
more resistance is generated.
Thankfully, it’s so good looking
you won’t mind leaving
the door open when
you're training. Note:
the fact no one’s
watching is not an
excuse to slow down.
Wolverson Fitness
Air Assault Bike £860
wolverson-fitness.co.uk
RACK UP
NEW MUSCLE
Another impressively
heavy hitter, this rig will
help you master calisthenic
muscle builders from
pull-ups to leg raises
in the privacy of your
garage. So turn the
stereo up loud and
prepare for a self-
administered beasting.
Bodymax CF360 VR Pull-Up
and Dip Tower, £104.99
powerhouse-fitness.co.uk

FIG .14
PAD UP
Pushing for PBs through injury
will have you spending more

T H E U LT I M AT E time on the sofa than doing

squats. This padded protector
keeps your spine, shoulders,

GAR AG E BOX and confidence intact.

Bodymax Barbell Pad
Neck Protector
Jettison your clutter and your garage becomes perfect for £9.99 powerhouse-
CrossFit-inspired sessions. Park the car elsewhere fitness.co.uk

FIG .18
DON YOUR RUNNING SHORTS
This isn’t Tony Soprano’s
basement, so trade in your run of
the mill machine for something
more modern (and punishing).
A curved track with varying
resistance levels
makes interval
training seem just
that bit better.
Technogym Skillmill
Console £8050
technogym.com

FIG .16 FIG .17

THE ELASTIC ASSET
Bring some life to your deadlifts
by looping one end of a
resistance band under your
feet and the other over each
end of your barbell. Jordan
Fitness Power Band £18.99
fitness-superstore.co.uk
THE CALL TO ARMS
Presses with a neutral
grip relieve shoulder stress,
ensuring that your garage
becomes ‘the pain cave’ in
the safest sense. Body Power
Olympic Tricep Bar £37.99
fitness-superstore.co.uk

80 MEN’S HEALTH MENSHEALTH.CO.UK

 KIT GUIDE

FIG .13
COMBAT STRESS
What’s a garage for if
not blowing off steam
after work? Both basic
and invaluable, this
punch bag narrows in
the middle, forming
a natural target
for perfecting your
uppercuts. We’ll let
your imagination
do the rest.
Body Power Punch Bag £79.99
fitness-superstore.co.uk

FIG .12
THE SHOWSTOPPER
If you have the room – not to mention the funds –
this multi-functional rig contains everything you
need for bodyweight and weighted workouts. With
a set-up like this at home, you’ll cash in the money
you’re saving on gym memberships. Beaverfit Wall
Mounted FTR Training Rig £3960 newitts.com

FIG .15
THE FULL PLATE
Adding weighted plates to
your workout is an easy way to
do more in small spaces, staving
off any plateaus, and keeping
your progression on an
upward trajectory (and we
don’t mean through the roof).
MyProtein Dipping Belt
£20.49 myprotein.com

FIG .19 FIG .20

TRI AND SUCCEED ROW IT ALONE
Another excuse to dig in Designed for cross-country
and shun life outside of your skiers, this static machine
mancave, this curl bench will forces you to employ your
help you foster growth where large muscle groups to row
it counts, without the need to the handles down. It's exactly
choose between an armchair as tough as it sounds, which
and your kitchen table. makes this a machine best
Powerline Preacher Curl Bench used with the garage door
WITH THANKS TO CROSSFITPERPETUA.COM AND POWERHOUSE-FITNESS.CO.UK

£129 fitness-superstore.co.uk fully closed. Concept2 SkiErg

£700 concept2.co.uk

FIG .2 1
THE OVER-ALL
OVERHAUL
With everything you need for
chest press, pull-ups, leg exercises
and more, this home gym set-up
is anything but basic. Remember,
you’ll need to leave the garage
eventually to eat, sleep and remind
your better half you still exist.
Men’s Health Home Gym
£249.99 argos.co.uk/menshealth

MENSHEALTH.CO.UK MEN’S HEALTH 81

H O M E I M P R OV E M E N T
FIG .22
PRESS YOUR CORE
Press-ups are the pro-grappler’s
staple, but to go up a class, get
hold of this curved bar to reduce
stability, forcing you to engage
your entire core to compensate.
ProForm Triceps and Push-Up
Stand £21.99 argos.co.uk
T H E S PA R E
R O O M O C TA G O N
With a little more space, the following forms your combat-ready
fitness retreat, for a spare room set-up not to be slept on
FIG .26
THE BIG DIPPER
Or actually, just about the
right size for the corner of
your spare room. Complete
with bars and de-stabilising
Olympic rings, this will
force your arms to rope
in a greater range of
muscle fibres, leading to
complex definition from
a simple piece of kit.
Pro Fitness Dip Station
£64.99 argos.co.uk/menshealth
FIG .29
GET STACKED
Plyometric boxes encourage
explosive power in your legs
and core, but as these are
vinyl-coated, you're unlikely
to go through the ceiling
should you get carried away.
Jordan Functional Training
Block £83.47 newitts.com
82 MEN’S HEALTH
FIG .23
PUT THE KET TLE ON
Gaining ground as a go-to
training tool for combat sports,
kettlebells promote ballistic
movements. This one lets you
swing between 1kg and 9kg.
PowerBlock KettleBlock
£99.65 newitts.com
FIG .30
DESIGN LIF T
Beloved of beginners and gym
vets, these rubber dumbbells
help perfect compound lifts
and isolation exercises, and are
designed to brush off floorboard
scuffs. Escape SBX Dumbbells
£126 newitts.com
FIG .24
HIT THE BENCH
Shift that wardrobe and you’ve
room for one of the most useful
kit investments around, with
flexible flat, incline and decline
settings. Bodymax CF328
Deluxe Bench £119.99
powerhouse-fitness.co.uk
FIG .25
WEIGH UP YOUR OPTIONS
You might have the space
for bodyweight movements,
but if you don’t keep pushing
yourself, your workouts
will quickly become by-the-
numbers. This 10kg resistance
vest will help you level up.
Men’s Health Weighted Vest
£54.99 argos.co.uk/menshealth
FIG .27
GET A JUMP START FIG .28
Crashing furniture and bruised THE TEA-TIME TOP UP
limbs do not make for a good Saving your attempts at a new
combination – or a happy PB for the gym is advisable.
girlfriend. Give the chest of This set is big enough to make
drawers a rest and practise your you sweat, but light enough
dips on these stackable boxes to get inside. Men’s Health
instead. Soft Plyo Boxes £91.99 Olympic Weight Set £149.99
gymequipment.co.uk argos.co.uk/menshealth
FIG .3 1
BE A BEDROOM BALBOA
For something a little
more rapid-fire, this
speedball requires
both coordination and
accuracy, but is difficult
to master for the amateur
pugilist, so resist the
urge to show off to the
extended family until
you’ve cracked it.
ProBox Club Speedball
£89.99 geezersboxing.co.uk
MENSHEALTH.CO.UK

FIG .32
THE REDGRAVE ULTIMATUM
Invoke House of Cards vibes with this beech
rower designed to increase resistance as
you up the pace. A word of warning: treat
this like your road bike – if you're going to
leave it outside, buy a good tarpaulin.
WaterRower Beech Rowing Machine
£949 powerhouse-
fitness.co.uk
FIG .35
BUILD SOME TIMBER
The ViPR is the best tool for
working on both full-body
strength and injury prevention,
with the added bonus of
making you feel just a little
bit like a lumberjack, too.
ViPR £132 originfitness
FIG .38
THE LAWN LASHER
*THE COMPENDIUM OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES
With a bit of room to fling
ropes around, you can really get
stuck in, fostering upper body
strength while supercharging
metabolism through high
intensity conditioning.
Just watch the washing line.
Body Solid Battle Rope £139.99
fitness-superstore.co.uk
MENSHEALTH.CO.UK
KIT GUIDE
FIG .33 FIG .34
THROW THE LINE BACK TO BASICS
A weighted ball will bring your Skipping burns up to 13kcal
ab-work full circle. But if you're a minute*, so hop to it. Grass is
using a neighbour’s wall for easier on the ankles than wood,
medicine ball throws, at least and you’re less likely to take
wait until they’re at work. SKLZ out a light fitting in the process.
Performance Medicine Ball SKLZ Weighted Jump Rope
£59.99 brandfusionltd.co.uk £19.99 brandfusionltd.co.uk
FIG .37
THROW YOUR WEIGHT
To save you lugging your
barbell outside, opt for
this 35kg sandbag for
a weight with added
instability, geared to the
FIG .36 same manoeuvres,
THE RING MASTER and with more
For a more complete range freedom to throw
of suspended movements, it about without
take your rings outside. All
you need is something to hang
breaking something.
Jordan Sandbag Pro 5
them from – a branch will do it.
£46.99 gymkituk.com
Men’s Health Gymnastic Rings
£19.99 argos.co.uk/menshealth
THE OUTDOOR
O LY M P I C A R E N A
Dynamic, athletic efforts demand space, so push the BBQ aside
and convert your garden into a medal-worthy training ground
FIG .39 FIG .40
THE CROWD PLEASER ROPE IN REWARDS
Weighing in at 12kg, this Focusing on strength rather
adapted sandbag is the than speed, this 30lb rope is
perfect tool for developing filled with sand, which shifts as
your fast-twitch muscle fibres. you lift to destabilise your centre
PowerWave 2.0 Spartan of gravity. Best avoid the patio.
Weighted Training Bag Hyperwear SandRope £213.99
£125 gripp.co.uk gymequipment.co.uk
MEN’S HEALTH 83
H O M E I M P R OV E M E N T

YO U R H O M E GY M
USER’S GUIDE
BUDGE T BUDGE T

£500 £1000
E N T RY- L E V E L U PWA R D
POSITIONS MOBILITY
With £500 to play with, strength coach Sam Pepys’ Limiting your kit might save space, but monotony
(sampepys.com) affordable selection combines a will hamper motivation. Given £1000, muay thai
heavy bar with dynamic tools for fast-but-effective pro David Tieu (alex-fitness.co.uk) opts for a smart
muscle-sculpting circuits. Best grab a towel... set-up, combining resistance training and recovery

THE KIT THE KIT

FIG .33 FIG .28 FIG .38

SKLZ Performance Men’s Health Olympic Body Solid FIG .38 FIG .3 1 FIG .23
Medicine Ball Weight Set w/ barbell Battle Rope Body Solid ProBox Club PowerBlock
£59.99 £ 14 9.99 £ 139.99 Battle Rope Speedball KettleBlock
£ 139.99 £89.99 £99.65

TOTAL ............................................................................... £349.97

THE MOVES

A A
B FIG .16 FIG .08
Jordan Fitness Trigger Point
Power Band Cold Roller
£ 18.99 £25

B
A
B

i/ DEADLIFT ii/ MB WALL THROW iii/ BATTLE ROPES

3 X 10 REPS, NO REST
Start each round with
the king of compound
moves, firing all of your
major muscle groups.
Keep your back straight
as you lift the bar from
the ground (A), pushing
your hips forward (B).
3 X 8 REPS, NO REST 3 X 30SEC, 2MIN REST
FIG .28 FIG .2 1 FIG .13
As soon as you're done Last up: alternate waves.
Men’s Health Men’s Health Body Power PU
with the deadlifts, stand With your knees bent,
Olympic Weight Gym Bench Punch Bag
side-on to a wall, a metre back straight, lift and
£ 149.99 £249.99 £ 79.99
away (A). Swing the med drop each end in turn –
ball across your body (B) right (A), then left (B).
and throw it, catching it Tense your core and aim
on the bounce. Complete for fast movements, not T OTAL ....................................................................... £853.59
four reps on each side. lunging, loping waves.

84 MEN’S HEALTH MENSHEALTH.CO.UK

 KIT GUIDE

W your DIY training set-up complete and

With
motivation renewed, this is how to put your
new installation to good use. Cut out and keep
these budget-friendly workouts and bring
physical transformation back home

T MOVES
THE O S BUDGE T

B
A

B
£1500
i/ JAB-CROSS
B CROSS ii/ SPEEDBALL
WEIGHTED
3 X 2MIN, 30SEC REST
Side-on to a punch bag,
3 X 2MIN, 30SEC REST
Now to condition your
A S P I R AT I O N S
hands raised (A), jab shoulder and arms. Keep
with your right hand your hands high, close
With a generous £1500 at his disposal, Charlie Hagan,
(B) then swing a hook to the speedball. Punch head PT at Hagan & Pappin (haganandpappin.com),
with your left. Repeat with your left hand (A), selects high-end gear for a functional workout that
this combo for 90sec drawing it back slightly guarantees strength and fitness. Time for a clear out
before switching sides. to hit with your right (B).

THE KIT
A

A
B

B
FIG .11 FIG .28 FIG .2 1 FIG .30 FIG .10
Pull-Up and Olympic Weight Men’s Health Escape SBX Wolverson
iii/ LANDMINE
DMINE iv/ BATTLEE ROPES Dip Tower Set w/ barbell Home Gym Dumbbells Assault Bike
3 X 12 REPS, 30SEC REST 3 X 30SEC, 30SEC REST £ 104.99 £ 149.99 £249.99 £ 126 £860
Wedge a weighted bar These will spike your
into a corner. With knees metabolism to shred T OTAL ......................................................................................................... £ 14 90.97
slightly bent, push the fat and build a fight-
end overhead with your ready physique. Lift
THE MOVES
lleft
f arm ((A)) then loower both ropes at once (A),
((B). Repeat, switch hing lashing down in a single
sides halff way throough. p
powerful movement ((B).) i/ LEG RAISE A ii/ SUMO DEADLIFT
4 X 8 REPS, 15SEC REST 4 X 8 REPS, 15SEC REST
From a dead hang The sumo lift decreases
B
position (A), contract thhe move’s range of
B
your abs so your legs motion, putting less
A rise up until parallel B prressure on your lower
B A with the floor, toes baack. In a wide stance
flexed (B). Hold firm (A), hinge at the hips to
(A
A for as long as you can, grab the bar and lift it
gr
then lower slowly. too waist height (B).

A iv/ INCLINE PRESS i/ AIR ASSAULT BIKE

v/ KB SHOULDER PRESS vi/ COOL-DO
COOL DOWN
WN 4 X 8 REPS, 15SEC REST 2MIN WORK, 2MIN REST
3 X 12 REPS, 1MIN REST All done? Stretch your Lie back on a 45-degree A spin on the bike is
Sit on a bench holding a shoulders by hooking a bench, a DB in each perfect for developing
heavy kettlebell by your band under your feet (A) hand, arms extended. your aerobic capacity
shoulder. Tensing your and raising it overhead B Slowly lower each without losing muscle
core (A), press it to full (B). Roll out your back, dumbbell to the sides mass. Grab the forward
extension (B), then lower. legs and arms with the of your chest (A); tense handles and pedal with
Change hands; repeat to Trigger Point to stay your core and glutes. your hands and feet at
carve high definition. in fighting shape. Press back up (B). around 70% max HR.

MENSHEALTH.CO.UK MEN’S HEALTH 85

 SPECIAL REP O RT

10/2016

THE GREAT
SUPERMARKET
SWINDLE
WORDS OLIVER THRING PHOTOGRAPHY SUN LEE
 IS THERE SOMETHING FISHY
ABOUT SUPERMARKET
LABELLING PRACTICES?

li n g s u bte r fu g e selling our

Is food-label o n s s h or t ? W ith widespread
nutritional am bi ti
e e n w h at w e p ut in our bodies
disconnect betw ribed on the packet, MH
and what is prescsmall print
investigates the
 HOW MUCH BANGER ARE
YOU REALLY GETTING
FOR YOUR BUCK?
ry rolling these names across
your tongue like fine single malt:
Woodside, Boswell, Redmere,
Rosedene. Aren’t they British
and beautiful? Don’t they evoke
the landscape our grandfathers
fought for? A rustic Albion of
sward, clover and dung, of hay-
stuffed barns, busty milkmaids
and a belching sorority of cows.
And as you trudge down the
chilly Tesco aisle – looking,
perhaps, for a pork steak
containing just the right combination of
nutrients, at an acceptable price and for
which the animal didn’t suffer too
much – a serving of Woodside Farm pork,
with the quaint associations of its name,
might look and sound ideal.
But there’s a problem. Woodside Farm
does not exist. Not only that – there is no
guarantee that the pork in the Woodside
packet is even British. It may just as
easily be Danish or Polish, or come from
elsewhere in Europe entirely. Or possibly
from Westeros. Woodside Farm – like the
other designations listed above – is little
more than a controversial and, some may
argue, sinister branding exercise focused
more on linguistic muscle flexing and
loophole exploitation than
any environmental or
animal welfare concerns.
“FALSE FARMS
Of course, Tesco is ARE A RUSE SHOPS
not the only company
employing such tactics. PULL TO GET US
Aldi’s ‘Ashfield Farm’
is not a real place, but a
TO SPEND MORE”
brand-name slapped onto chicken and
beef. Even upscale Marks & Spencer
places its salmon under the evocative
‘Lochmuir’ brand, though you’d be hard
pushed to find it on a map. Meanwhile,
you’d be forgiven for thinking its chickens
have been hand-reared on its middle
England-baiting Oakham™ farms –
though, according to its website, this
just equates to “specially selected, known
and audited farms in the UK”. In short,
across almost all supermarket branding,
the reality of such places is often far
removed from these broadly painted
invocations of pastoral idylls.
False farms, or “brands of convenience”,
as labelled by Helen Browning, chief
88 MEN’S HEALTH
SPECIAL
10/2016
BIRCH BROOK
SAUSAGES
PRODUCT OF POLAND
executive of the Soil Association, are just
one ruse supermarkets pull to persuade
us to spend more. As consumers become
increasingly aware of the ethical and
health implications of what we put in our
baskets, bamboozling
us into believing we are
making nutritiously
sound choices becomes
an increasingly savvy
marketing ploy. The
question, then, is how
can we arm ourselves to
navigate the supermarket aisles without
falling prey to such emotive traps? If
you care about what you put into your
body, if price matters and you are not
unconcerned about the life of what you
eat before it died, then what are you to do?
MADE IN BRITAIN
Meat labelling in the UK is now only
slightly less confusing than it was
when the horsemeat scandal bolted
the stable doors in 2013, horrifying
tabloids and broadsheets alike. Eleven
firms – including Tesco and Asda –
were found to have been unknowingly
selling horsemeat in burgers and other
products. At the time, 30% of some Tesco
burgers contained equine DNA, with the
market value of Britain’s largest retailer
REP O RT
collapsing by €360 million in
the aftermath. It was a sorry farrago
that highlighted both the opacity of the
food chain and the ineffectiveness of
labelling practices.
Since then, some things have changed.
Supermarkets are now required by
law to include the country of origin on
fresh meat labels, as well as where the
animal was fattened and slaughtered
(for cheaper meats, this may well be up
to three different countries). Yet even
a cursory glance at the UK government’s
labelling guidelines suggests legislation
around food packaging remains open
to interpretation. According to the
literature, food sold in the UK must
show “any necessary warnings” and also
include information on the product’s GM
ingredient profile “unless their presence
is accidental and 0.9% or less”. But who
defines what an accidental amount of GM
FOOD STYLIST: LUCY-RUTH HATHAWAY
ingredients are in an otherwise GM-free
product? And what sort of warnings are
necessary to the average consumer?
As an award-winning investigative
journalist and the author of Swallow
This, Joanna Blythman has made it
her business to explore the obscure
and technical language of the modern
MENSHEALTH.CO.UK
 THE GREAT SUPERMARKET SWINDLE

HARVEST REWARDS
“Cheaper ranges often food industry. “Meat labelling in the
boast the same benefits UK still leaves far too many questions
as premium ones,” says unanswered,” she says over the phone. 15%, the label reveals, is water, salt and
nutritionist Jo Travers. “Although fresh meat sold in Britain has dextrose. So, anyone who buys this
Use her guide to know when to carry the country of origin on its label, chicken breast believing it a source of lean
to pay less or play safe processed meat does not: it just needs protein should also know that a portion of
to say, for example, ‘pork’.” Blythman what they are consuming is fattening and
points out that if you buy a ready meal addictive. MH asked Iceland to comment
containing chicken, the meat will on this. They responded via email,
SAVE invariably – though not always – have explaining that the water content was
been imported, frozen, from Thailand simply added to “maintain succulence”.
or Brazil. All of this raises important Liz Tucker, health and nutritional advisor
questions about its nutritional profile. at Select Food (selectfood.co.uk), thinks
Lamb
(It is worth noting, for the record, that otherwise. “Meat already contains fat
It’s impossible to
Men’s Health’s frozen meal range is to keep it succulent,” she says. “Plus,
intensively farm
made with British chicken and beef.) all food contains water, so adding more
lamb, as the animals
There’s more to this close reading means the food is not just 15% overall
need space and
than pedantry. By diving into a label’s water as suggested, but sometimes up to
grass – great news
small print we can arm ourselves to make 50%.” As well as leeching out and likely
for you both, then.
the best possible nutritional choices. shrinking the meat during cooking, this
Consider chicken breasts. If you were to go water content is doubly problematic,
to Iceland this afternoon and spend a fiver necessitating the addition of the salt and
Frozen veg
on a frozen 1.5kg bag of ‘The Butcher’s dextrose to hold the water in in the first
Freezing vegetables
Market Chicken Breasts’, you might place. “Typically, there’ll be 0.6g of salt
after picking is
be surprised to discover that what lies per chicken breast, compared to 0.2g in
an excellent way
inside is just 85% chicken. The remaining one without additives,” says Jo Travers,
to lock in crucial
the nutritional expert behind The London
micronutrients, so THERE’S MORE THAN JUST
don’t sniff at the MEAT BEING USED TO
freezer aisle. BEEF UP YOUR BURGERS

Pasta
Organic pasta is
made with fewer
pesticides and
chemicals, but
high-end Italian
brands remain
non-organic and
still taste great.

Milk
A Newcastle
University study
found that organic
milk is 50% higher
in omega-3 fats
than traditional
alternatives.

SPECIAL REP O RT

Sausages 10/2016
A lean banger is
solid fitness fuel but
skimping on price
ORGANIC
means your meat will
include more bulking
ingredients – and
PATTIES
not the good sort.
ALMOST 65% BEEF

PAY

MENSHEALTH.CO.UK MEN’S HEALTH 89


Nutritionist (thelondonnutritionist.
co.uk). This equates to a tenth of your
RDA – a significant amount from a
supposedly innocuous food source.
Processed beef products are another
common offender. The ‘Everyday Value
Beef Burgers’ currently for sale in your
local Tesco contain just 63% beef – the
label says so. This is because, by law, you
can only call something a ‘beef burger’ if it
contains at least 62% beef. Over a third of
this product is therefore something other
than cow – and here, that ‘something’ is
mostly onion as well as flour mixed with
calcium carbonate, which acts as a dough
conditioner. After salt and dextrose comes
a synthetically derived flavour enhancer
described simply as ‘yeast extract’.
“Anyone buying these burgers for all the
nutritional benefits of lean beef may
be disappointed,” explains Travers. As
always, she advises, it’s worth casting an
eye over the small print before buying.
ASSURED EATS
The minutiae of meat labelling does
not stop there. In Britain, many packets
of fresh meat arrive emblazoned with
a little badge featuring a red tractor
SUPERMARKET
SWEEP
Next time you fill up
a basket, tick these terms
off your list in your hunt
to find a healthier dinner
Sodium
Multiply this number
by 2.5 to find the salt
content of the product
Total fat
To protect your heart, this
should be at least 70%
mono or polyunsaturated
Slow-grown
A hipster chicken that beats
organic and free-range in
both nutrition and flavour
Farm-fresh
A marketing illusion. Dismiss
90 MEN’S HEALTH
DON’T PLAY CHICKEN
WITH YOUR NUTRITION
superimposed onto a Union Jack, with
the oddly opaque words: ‘Assured Food
Standards’. Look around the supermarket
and you might spot that the same
ubiquitous vehicle has chugged its way
onto cereal packets, even lager. The Red
Tractor scheme – which the National
Farmers’ Union launched in 2000 – aims to
reassure consumers that any food bearing
its stamp is safe to eat and produced in
this country. But things are a little more
complicated than that.
A couple of years ago, Red Tractor
launched a multimillion pound
advertising campaign seeking to convince
Britain that meat carrying the label was
‘high-welfare’. It contacted me, as a food
journalist, to see for myself the luxurious
conditions of a Red-Tractor pork farm. In
Wiltshire I saw a farm in which adorable
piglets skittered in open, straw-filled
outdoor spaces, their mothers grunting
protectively nearby, before they were
moved to concrete pens indoors. I saw
signs of stress – the pigs were biting each
other’s tails and ears, for example – but
all things considered, it seemed a pretty
good life to lead before being turned
into a sausage.
There was one catch. Red Tractor either SPECIAL REP O RT
deliberately ignored or – if you’re feeling 10/2016
charitable – quietly forgot to heed my
request to visit a standard Red Tractor
farm. Instead, it sent me to an RSPCA
FARM-FRESH
Freedom Food farm – where the welfare
standards are considerably higher. It was
a revealing omission that said much about
CHICKEN
Red Tractor’s own belief in its claims
to be ‘high-welfare’. The reality is that a NO WELFARE GUARANTEES
Red Tractor on the label tells you almost
nothing about animal welfare and little
about quality. A chicken raised in a Red
Tractor chicken farm likely spent its entire
life in a space no bigger than the page
you are holding now. The adverts were that such wording must be cleared up. “We
eventually banned by the Advertising will always need mass-produced food, but
Standards Authority after complaints from if the consumer knew how it was produced
animal welfare charity Compassion in they would demand higher standards.”
World Farming along with
hundreds of members of
the public.
“LABELS SUCH AS NATURE VS NURTURE
For many concerned about
Red Tractor declined ‘ORGANIC’ HAVE both nutrition and animal
to comment on the
specifics of this trip when LITTLE TO DO WITH welfare, organic is the
farming process of choice
contacted by MH, but
did offer some general
HEALTH CLAIMS” – indeed the British Soil
Association sets stringent
commentary on its overall practices, rules for anything so labelled. But as
namely that “food bearing the Red Tractor Tucker explains, even this tag isn’t
logo has been produced to some of the clear cut. In actuality, many farms that
most comprehensive and respected are operating to organic standards
standards in the world,” adding that a cannot afford to be registered organic,
team of experts constantly reviews these allowing bigger producers to corner
standards to ensure they “reflect the best
new thinking”. Tucker is of the opinion
MENSHEALTH.CO.UK

the market. And the bigger the outfit,
the greater the opportunity to bend the
rules. “I would not get too obsessed with
organic,” says Tucker. “It’s becoming more
common for large-scale factory farms to
add an organic range because they can just
use the same sheds and change the feed
and pens.” Essentially, without constant
observation, it’s almost impossible to see
which farms adhere to the rules, and which
are simply playing the system.
An additional problem for consumers
is that food labels rarely appear in
isolation, with false farm labels often
appearing beside ‘organic’ or ‘free-
range’ designations. This only serves to
muddy matters further. “Where a false
farm is involved, it’s difficult to compare
nutritional content even among meat
with the same branding,” says Travers.
MENSHEALTH.CO.UK
THE GREAT SUPERMARKET SWINDLE
GROWTH ECONOMY
£92bn
The value of the entire food
and drink industry in the UK
£1.79bn
The value of the organic food
and drink market in the UK
“One week the meat might come from
a farm in Spain, the next from a farm in
Denmark, where conditions could vary.”
Nutritionist Dr Laura Thomas explains
via email that the general consensus
among nutritional scientists is that labels
such as organic, free-range and Red
Tractor are but another layer of marketing
bluster to be peeled away, and “have little
to do with the nutrition or health claims
that can be made about a food.” But
Tucker disagrees, positing free-range as
the most nourishing option for both man
and animal. The idea that ‘you are what
you eat’ applies to our food as much as it
does us. “The key macro-nutritional issue
is what an animal is fed on, as this will
determine what nutrients will be found in
its meat,” says Tucker.
In 2012, Compassion in World Farming
– a charity set up to end factory farming
– analysed over 200 independent studies
into whether improved animal welfare
provides an increased nutritional profile.
It found clear links in three key areas.
Firstly, higher animal welfare equates to
a lower fat content, with pasture-reared
beef containing 50% less saturated fat
than its intensively reared brethren.
Meanwhile, slower-growing chickens are
up to 15% leaner than both free-range and
organic alternatives. Secondly, the CWF
report found that although the fat content
of higher welfare meat is lower, it contains
a drastically increased percentage of
heart and brain-protecting omega-3. For
higher welfare chicken this was up to
565% greater than the cheaper alternative,
with the same quality of beef showing an
average 430% increase in the nutrient.
Free-range and pasture-produced meat
and dairy were also demonstrated to
have a far superior antioxidant profile:
for instance, higher welfare beef packs
an astonishing 700% more beta-
carotene– an essential antioxidant found
to reduce risk of heart disease and some
cancers – than budget options.
WHOLE FOODS
Whether you opt for free-range or not,
Ffinlo Costain, the European project
manager for a campaign called Labelling
Matters, believes that supermarkets must
be more active in ensuring that the labels
in their stores better reflect the realities
behind production. “The supermarkets
claim that it’s all up to the retailers.
My view is that they should take some
responsibility for the brands they stock.”
MH asked key supermarkets to
comment on their false farm ranges and
plans to clear up food labelling. Tesco,
Lidl and Marks & Spencer all stressed that
the country of origin for their respective
false farm products is clearly labelled
on the packaging, while Aldi outlined
a commitment to ensure all produce
sold under its Wood Farm brand would
be 100% British by March 2017. Despite
this, supermarket food labelling proves
to be almost exhaustingly dubious, with
variable interpretations extending to even
the most rudimentary of definitions, all
of which continues to be problematic for
your nutritional health. Unless the label
specifically tells you otherwise, the meat
will be factory-farmed. Doubtless your
‘farm-fresh’ eggs came from some kind
of farm, though it’s unlikely to be of the
nursery rhyme variety. And when a label
boasts that “no artificial preservatives,
flavours or colours” have been added, the
key word is not “no” but “artificial”.
To read a food label in a supermarket
is to stumble into a world that might be
regulated, yet is far from transparent. Until
legislation changes, both supermarkets
and suppliers are free to continue
making the most of our romantic rural
associations, with a corresponding impact
on our health. Many of us never quite move
past our fuzzy understanding of a farm
as an idyl resembling Old MacDonald’s.
The reality – as scandal after scandal has
shown – is very different.
MEN’S HEALTH 91
MAN
V
BEASTS OF
BURDEN
01\ Horses might
win at a canter,
but humans are
purpose-built for
endurance, requiring
fewer rest stops
than their equine
opponents
VS In a tiny town in mid-Wales, just north of the
Brecon Beacons, there takes place one of the most
peculiar events in the endurance race calendar:
the Man Vs Horse Marathon. MH travels to Powys
to find out whether two legs can ever match four
WORDS BY MATT BLAKE – PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICHIE HOPSON
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 IT IS 45 MINUTES INTO
THE RACE WHEN THE
FRONT-RUNNERS FIRST
HEAR THE RUMBLE
OF HORSES’ HOOVES
BEHIND THEM.
02
A woman’s voice rises above the tumult –
“Coming through! Woah, girl, woah!” –
followed by a high-pitched whinny. The
men at the back of the column turn to
find a horse rearing above them, legs
prancing and nostrils flared. As the
nearest runners dive off the path into
a nearby bog, the rider falls to the ground,
landing on her shoulder and rolling
away. For a second, runners and riders
alike hold their breaths. When horses
and people collide, the results can be
fatal. But moments later, the apparently
unharmed rider leaps to her feet,
grabs the reins and expertly brings her
steed under control. “Sorry about that,
everyone OK?” she smiles. “Lovely day.
See you at the finish line!” And with
94 MEN’S HEALTH
that, she remounts and gallops off
through the stream, disappearing
over the crest of a hill.
The scene is Llanwrtyd Wells, a small
town in mid-Wales on the River Irfon.
With a population of just 850, it is
officially the second smallest town in
the UK. Historically known as a spa
town, today it’s perhaps more renowned
for two of Britain’s most unorthodox
sporting events: the World Bog Snorkeling
Championship and the annual Whole
Earth Man Vs Horse Marathon. While
both events hold a certain oddball
intrigue, it is the latter MH has come to
observe. The event – which at 22 miles
long is technically not quite a marathon
– starts in the town centre before looping
through hilly farm tracks, worn footpaths,
free-flowing brooks, emerald dales and
ROUGH RIDE
02\ The bond
between rider
and horse leads
to an instinctive
feel for their
terrain. For the
human competitors,
it’s every man
for himself
open moorland. It is against this arcadian
backdrop that humans pit their wits
against horses, and sometimes – against
all odds – finish the victors.
UP AND OVER
Vying man against beast is as old as sport
itself. Roman gladiators fought lions.
Matadors take on bulls. The American
sprinter Jesse Owens once raced a horse
over 100m (and won). Today’s event
seeks to keep the eccentric tradition
alive. The idea came about late one
November night in 1979, at The Neuadd
Arms, when landlord Gordon Green
found himself in an argument with a
local champion huntsman. “I contended
a man would win over a long-enough
MENSHEALTH.CO.UK
 MAN VS HORSE
03

MOUNTING
TENSION
03-05\ Competitors
wait at the startline,
as fun-runners and
para-athletes queue
up alongside pro
Ironmen. Even the
Royal Marines field
two relay teams
(above) – which is
appropriate given
that this year’s
marathon took place
on the Queen’s
birthday weekend

04 05

MEN’S HEALTH 95
 06

HORSES FOR
COURSES
06\ The 22-mile route
is a hodgepodge of
distance,” Green recalls. “But the other grassy fells, deep
bogs, craggy valleys
chap wasn’t having any of it. So I said to
and rushing rivers –
him, ‘Well, there’s only one way to settle which gives the more
this: a race!’” The first contest took place agile two-legged
seven months later. competitors a narrow
shot at victory
How can a man outrun a horse?
Well, horses may be larger, stronger 07-09\ Humid
conditions favour
and faster in a sprint, but it turns out those without coats
humans are not as inferior as you might and the humans
think. “We are the tortoises, not the take the advantage,
hares, of the animal kingdom,” says lowering their body
temperature
Dan Lieberman, professor of evolutionary through sweating
biology at Harvard University. “We have
all kinds of evolutionary adaptations,
from our heads to our toes, that make
us superlative runners – abilities our
ancestors developed two million years
ago through persistence hunting when
they chased animals down until they
dropped dead.”
Indeed, our propensity for long-
distance running has given us our springy
Achilles tendons, short toes, arched feet
and a nuchal ligament at the back of
our necks (to keep our heads still as we
run). Then there’s the way we keep cool.
“Millions of years ago, we swapped our
fur for sweat glands, allowing us to dump
heat while we run,” Lieberman says.
“Horses can’t do that. They need to pant
to cool down, which is impossible to do at
a gallop.” This is why race officials insist
on a 15-minute ‘vet break’ 11 miles into
the race to make sure the horses’ body
temperatures stay within safe levels.
It also means hot weather favours the
runners. Accordingly, it was sweltering
when Huw Lobb became the first human
to win the race in 2004, and again when
German Florian Holzinger became the
second to do so in 2007. But so far, that’s

08

07

96 MEN’S HEALTH

“The terrain is
scary. It can be
wet, hot. You
can slip or get
trampled on”
it. As of 2015, 34 out of a total 36 races
had been won by horse power.
STRIDES AHEAD
In Llanwrtyd Wells this race is serious
business. But preparation differs
markedly across the field of competitors.
Geoff Allen, 64, has won the race four
times, twice on his Egyptian Arab
stallion, Leo. He prepares the night
before competitions with a few pints
of cider. “I don’t have to do any work,”
he muses in the local pub, “just hold
on tight and tell the horse where to go.
It’s the runners that do the hard graft.
And some of them are pretty quick.”
09
MENSHEALTH.CO.UK
MAN VS HORSE
Early next morning, 600 runners
and 50 horses and riders mill about
outside the same pub, where the race
traditionally starts. Like their two-legged
competitors, the horses come in myriad
shapes and sizes. Some are elegant and
thin like Leo; others look like they might
be better-suited to pulling a cart in a
Constable painting. Most of the runners
are experienced amateurs or semi-pros
for whom Man Vs Horse is just another
race in their summer schedule. Welshman
Hywel Davies is a 41-year-old running
coach, Iron Man triathlete and one of the
favourites to win on two feet. “I’ve just
got back from two weeks in the Alps
where I did a lot of fatigued off-road
running,” he says. “That’s key for an
event like this because the downhills
are what really kill you. I’ve also been
running a lot of steep alpine cols so my
legs don’t give in at the bottom.”
Davies loves the “purity” of Man Vs
Horse. “It’s not like other marathons with
water stations every two miles and people
throwing gels at you. You don’t need any
of that. I ate a quarter of a jar of peanut
butter and a banana this morning. That’s
it. A high-fat diet fuels you to run at an
even pace for a long time. And if I need
a drink, I’ll stop at a stream.”
Brothers Gary and Ashley Buckle
have taken part in Man Vs Horse every
year for the last 19. Experience has taught
them that training is not as vital as luck.
“This is pure sport,” Gary contends,
running through his warm-up lunges.
“For one thing, the terrain is scary. It can
be wet, hot, muddy. You can slip, slide,
fall down a hill, not to mention get
trampled by a horse.”
“I nearly got swept away in a river
once,” his brother Ashley cheerily affirms.
“We do it for the kick,” Gary adds. “By
which I mean the adrenaline, of course,
not a boot from a horse.” In actual fact,
over the race’s 37-year history, apart
from the odd broken collarbone endured
by fallen runners, there have been
miraculously few injuries.
HUNTING PARTY
The runners set off to a cheer at 11am,
spectators lining the course. The horses
set off 15 minutes later – a tactic to avoid
scaring the animals in a melee of humans
jostling to take an early lead. The runners
will have 15 minutes subtracted from
their time at the finish to make up for this
additional quarter of an hour’s toil.
MEN’S HEALTH 97
10

“It sounds
ridiculous
doesn’t it?
I run faster
than horses”
TRI HARD
10\ Hywel Davies,
an Ironman triathlon
veteran, is no
stranger to extreme
tests of fortitude.
But being chased by
a one-tonne horse
stands alone

ANIMAL
INSTINCTS
11-13\ It’s easy to
get lost in the wilds
of the course, and
neither riders nor
runners are immune
to wrong turns. But
after a near-collision
with a horse, Ross
Macdonald (below)
went on to find his
way to victory in
the human race
11
At the eight-mile mark, the first horses
have begun to overtake the runners on
a fell. Hooves pound the muddy grass
as legs wobble and people stumble.
Bewildered sheep scatter as horses and
runners pass in an amorphous, muddled
mass. Davies passes along with a Buckle
brother. But there’s still no sign of Allen,
or his mount, Leo. Finally, man and horse
reappear, Allen shouting to his waiting
son, “I took a wrong turn, didn’t I? I had
my head down galloping and suddenly
sheep started scrambling away from me.
I thought, ‘This isn’t right’ and looked
back to see nobody there. I can’t believe
it.” As Allen Jr spurs his father on, one
suspects that pre-race inebriation might
not have been the wisest tactic.
A horse named Deliva Crianza, ridden
by Lindsey Walters, ultimately wins the
race in two hours 17 minutes (Allen and
Leo will come 10th). Twenty minutes
later, the fastest man crosses the line. It
isn’t race-favourite Hywel Davies – who
will finish in 11th place – but 28 year-
old Londoner, Ross Macdonald, who
incidentally works at an anti-doping
agency. A regular triathlete and sub-10
hour Ironman athlete, Macdonald has
long dreamed of besting a horse in a
square go, until he found himself one
MENSHEALTH.CO.UK
MAN VS HORSE
of the unlucky runners to be almost
trampled some two hours earlier.
“I actually caught that rider up on
a more technical section later on, which
is the first time I’ve ever overtaken a
horse,” he laughs. “I repeated ‘Lovely day.
See you at the finish!’ back to the rider,
a bit full of myself, but she sped past me
five minutes later!”
“It’s funny when they catch you,” he
continues, his breath just about regained.
“Your instinct is to run faster, but I was
stupid to think I could ever outrun a
horse.” Yet, in coming sixth overall, Ross
has indeed managed to beat 45 out of 50
horses. “It sounds ridiculous, doesn’t
12 it?” he reflects. “I run faster than horses.
Well, some,” he says shaking his head
as though the reality of what he’s just
achieved doesn’t yet compute.
Despite Macdonald’s efforts, today
marks yet another equestrian win. But
with just five horses standing in the
way of a third human victory, next year
could very well be a different story.
In rural mid-Wales, the competitive
balance between man and beast will
continue for some time yet.
13 Enter for 2017 at green-events.co.uk
MEN’S HEALTH 99
 MH EVENT

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MENSHEALTH.CO.UK MEN’S HEALTH 103

 PT / 10.2016
16 FASST FOOD FIXES

MICROWAVE MUSCLE
M #188 50%
SHIITAKE SHROOMS

OODL S O DISH UP HALF YOUR

RDA OF COPPER, WHICH
STUDIES SHOW AIDS

GROW
Our orientall fusion of low-GII
FAT METABOLISM*

carbs and prrotein will help

p
you slurp up
p nutrients for
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p p

TIME TO MAKE CALORIES

10MIN 550
PROTEIN CARBS
51G 53G
YOU WILL NEED...
..
• Noodles, 60g (dry
(d weight) h)
• A chicken stockck cube be
• Soy sauce, 1tbssp
• Ginger, 1tsp, grratedd
• A garlic clove, cruusheed
• Shiitakes, handdfuul,, sliic
iced
ed
• Smoked bacon, n, ra
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8 g
• Baby spinach, handfuul DELIVERANCE FROM
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0 0 0
21

21

21
3

3
18

18

18
6

6
15

15

15
9

12 12 12

0-2MIN 2-5MIN 5-10MIN

Put your post-gym recovery on the bullet
train with this recipe from Kaori Simpson
of Harajuku Kitchen. In a bowl, cover the
noodles with boiling water. Add a stock
cube, soy, ginger, garlic and mushrooms.
Chop up your bacon, pop it on top and
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Ginger is proven to ease muscle aches,
while a dash of salt in the soy sauce and
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Remove and stir. Add your chicken along
with sprouts and spinach. Blast for five
more minutes, then serve with a glug of
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gg
for a souped-up serving ng of muscle
mus l fuel.
f .

POWER SAUCE #16

SPREADING
THE LOVE
Grass-fed butter is rich
in insulin-balancing
butyrate. Blend it with In a bowwl,l mix 250g
0g salted
s butter Finely chop
hop a handful of coriander
coriander’s vit-K to + the zest aand juice of a lime + a small red chilli + 1tbsp red FA
AT-MELTING
G BUTTER
U R
blunt any sugar spikes + 2 crushed garlic cloves onion. Add and mix well Upg
grade your next ffiishh sup
pper
peer

MENSHEALTH.CO.UK MEN’S HEALTH 105

PT / 10.2016

1 BIT OF KIT, 10 WAYS #13

Gym so ramm med you couldn’t
SERVE UP A fit a squat in siideways? Forgo
the queue for the racks and grab
FULL PLATE a weight plate. It’s all you need
for a dynamic workout that will
OF MUSCLE broaden your shoulders and
chest. So platee up and dig inn

01
SQUAT REACH
02
THRUSTER
3 SETS OF 8-10 REPS 3 SETS OF 8-10 REPSS
Compound movements are a great way The next course? More squuats.
to warm up your entire body, though this As you stand, press the weight
h
weighted reach is still testing. Begin with above your head to work
the plate by your chest (A) and sink into your shoulders (A), then
a squat, pushing the plate out in front (B). sink back down low (B).

B
B

03
REVERSE LUNGE AND TWIST
04
HALO
3 SETS OF 5 REPS ON EACH LEG DS EACH SSIDE
3 SETS OF 30 SECONDS

STYLING: DAISY DEANE | GROOMING: SABINE CHAMMAS | SHORTS TOPMAN, TRAINERS NIKE
WORDS: JACK HART | PHOTOGRAPHY: PHIL HAYNES | MODEL: JAMES STARK AT W MODELS
From a standing position, lunge back with Functional muscle requiress dynamic
your left leg and twist to your right (A). motion and these halos aree devilish ffor HOT
OT
The added screw will tighten up your core your shoulders. Hold the pllate withh bbent
and sculpt V-cut definition. Push up to arms (A), and lift it around your head (B).
(B)
stand and repeat on the other side (B). After 30 seconds of hell, swwitch direction. TS
UL
ES
TR

A STEP UP TO
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B THE PLATE
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106 MEN’S HEALTH

 MOVE UP A WEIGHT CLASS

WEIGHTE
G ED PRESS-UP
06
OVERHEAD SQUAT
3 SETS O 10-12 REPS
S S OF 3 SETS OF 8-10 REPS
Take the wweight off your feet and drop Legs recovered? Let’s try again. With the
into a presss-up with the plate on your plate overhead, squat too 90 degrees, arms
back (A).
(A) Bracing your core, lower your straight, torso upright (A)
(A).
chest until just off the ground (B). Push back up to stand (B).

A
B

0
A
ALEKNAS
S
08
FRONT SHOULDER RAISE
S S OF
3 SETS O 6-8 REPS 3 SETS OF 8-10 REPS
No time to ffeel floored. Lie down with your
N Hold the plate at your waist, core locked
k
knees tuckked and the plate on your shins (A). Moving only your straight arms, lift
( ) Extend
(A). d your legs forward and your it up (B). Keep your torsoo still
ill
10 NEW MOVES
WORTH GETTING
arms back to finish in a hollow hold (B). to isolate your shoulders.s.
SPEC
TO GRIPS WITH
B MUSCLES
A USED

A
B
WORKOUT

20
9
TRUCK
U DRIVER
10 MIN

BRIDGE PULL-OVER RESULTS IN

3 SSETSS OF
O 30 SECONDS 3 SETS OF 6-8 REPS
Drive thinggs home on your last shoulder
rraise by pauusing with the weight halfway.
Afters come courtesy of your chest and
lats. With your shoulders on the floor in WEEKS
3
RRotatingg the plate right (A) then 180 a bridge position (A), tense your abs to
ddegrees
g to tthe left (B) for 30 seconds. bring the weight toward your quads (B).
LEVEL
A
A
MED

MEN’S HEALTH 107

 PT / 10.2016 TRADE SECRETS

The barefoot revolution limped off track,

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But now it’s back, steeped in science and
YOUR RUNNING? extremely Instagrammable. To go farther
and faster, here’s how to run au naturel

GO
…GO
SHOES OFF AT THE DOOR
If your office allows it, walk around without shoes as often as
you can. If not, shunning the slippers at home will reconnect
your brain with the myriad sensory input coming from your feet.
This is a great way to strengthen your ankles and relax the
muscles across your back and shoulders that rely on podal
reassurance of your stability. Maybe upgrade your socks first.

A SURPRISE
PACKAGE
Gift wrapping your feet in fully
padded, air-pumped trainers can
disrupt the natural biomechanics
of your run. Take a step toward
proper alignment by putting more
weight on the outside of your
KEEP
YOUR KICKS TOE THE LINE
Minimalist footwear is not a fulltime
commitment. While barefoot training is
great for building ankle strength, there’s no
Before you sprint to catch the barefoot
revolution, you need to focus on form
need to throw your flyknits out for good. They
accentuate performance, so wear them when
– during minimalist running your stride
should be shorter and faster, with your
feet landing directly underneath your
crushing PBs. Basically, new Nikes are great
body. Imagine a line through your head,
for showing off, but limiting their use will
hips and the balls of your feet – deviate
build strength overall. And help
too far and you might damage something.
you keep them clean.

BACK TO
feet, pressing your big toe down
to avoid over-supination. You
should feel your muscles engage
– if it aches, your footwear could
be causing lasting damage.

TREAT
UNDO THE 9-5 DAMAGE YOUR FEET
Lying back on your heels increases plantar flexion Ready to abandon all footwear?
(stretching the front of your ankles and foot). Lean as far Well, don’t – just as there’s no need to
as you can, supporting yourself with your hands if you chuck out your grooming products or live
can’t get all the way down. This will loosen your quads and in the garden. Your feet are still highly
hip flexors, which tighten after hours of sitting and can sensitive and need protection, which is
cause back pain. Do this every day after work to release where minimalist shoes come in. Look for
the muscles and fix any desk-bound stiffness. flexible soles – you should be able to fold
them in half – which let your feet read the
ground without being dissected by
urban detritus. The Vivobarefoot
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and gym-friendly.
EXPERT Lee Rogers
WORDS: JACK HART | ILLUSTRATIONS: ALCONIC
NAIL TOE
LIFTS
Modern shoes can restrict
your toe alignment, which
a Taiwanese study in the
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Research confirmed can impact
balance, strength and motor
skills. Relearn and boost your
flexibility by rooting your big
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other digits up and outward.
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at first, so try pulsing the move

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MENSHEALTH.CO.UK MEN’S HEALTH 109

PT
T / 10.2016
0 20 6

T BIG WORKOUT
THE

T OUR BRAIN
O
Who says brains and braw
W
GYM FLOOR
wn must be built separately?
B up your productivity
Bulk y and add strength over the
c
course of a lunchbreak by following our formula, then
r
return to your desk pump ped for the afternoon grind

01A
01
1A 02
02A

01B

02
02B

T
F 01
BENT-OVER ROW
If no amount off coffee ff can
brreakk your 3pm lethargy,
l h 3 SETS OF 10 REPS
th k
his workout h at
is your shot Welcome to your first set.
reejuvenation. Combining
b Perform these four moves in
order, resting for 10 seconds
coompound lifts f with high-
after each, and for 90 seconds
inte s ty body
ntensity e ght patterns,
bodyweight p tte s, at the end. Hinge forward at
it’ll stimulate your spine and the hips to lift the bar with an
hips for better neural function. underhand grip, knees bent
Move through each set in turn, and back straight (A). Pull the
taking a short rest in between. bar to your stomach (B). Don’t
Train hard, train smart and make let your back round; you need
the rest of your working day to isolate the effort in your lats
a personal best, not a forced rep. and shoulders. Lower slowly.

1 MENSHEALTH.CO.UK
 THINKING MAN’S MUSCLE

THE SPEC
MUSCLES
TARGETED

WORKOUT
25
MIN
RESULTS IN
03B
3B 3
WEEKS
LEVEL
0
04A MED
03A
3A

0
04B
WORDS: JACK HART | PHOTOGRAPHER: PHIL HAYNES | MODEL: JAMES STARK AT W MODELS
STYLIST: DAISY DEANE | GROOMING: SABINE CHAMMAS | SHORTS AND TRAINERS ASICS

GIANTSET

02
DEADLIFT
3 SETS OF 10 REPS
You’ll want to add a plate or two
for this one, but be sure to pick
a weight you can comfortably
hit 10 reps with; pulling a muscle
is not exactly clever. With the
bar in front of you, bend at the
knees and sink down to take an
overhand grip (A). Tighten your
core and squeeze your glutes
to keep your back straight as
you stand, driving your hips
forward to lift the barbell (B).
03
INCLINE DB PRESS
3 SETS OF 10 REPS
Set a bench to a 45-degree
angle and grab a dumbbell in
each hand. As with the deadlift,
aim for comfortable weights –
your muscles will be fatigued
already. Begin with the weights
by your shoulders, elbows wide
and pointing down (A). Raise
the weights until your arms are
extended (B), then lower slowly
to the start. Take a 10-second
breather. Now for your finisher...
04
SPLIT JUMPS
3 SETS OF 30 SECONDS
Sometimes the simplest moves
are the smartest. Employing the
largest muscles in your body,
this jump provides a respite for
your upper half but is far from
a breather. Begin in a lunge with
your right leg forward (A), then
press the balls of your feet into
the ground and drive your left
leg forward, landing in a lunge
(B). Alternate. Take 90 seconds’
rest, then go back to the rows.

MENSHEALTH.CO.UK MEN’S HEAALTH 111

PT / 10.2016

EXPERT Kemo Marriott

EXPERIENCE Founder of
exclusive training facility
Holistic Motions, Marriott
06B
6B
focuses his research on
the link between physical
training protocols and
mental performance.
SEE holisticmotions.com

05B

07A

0
05A
06A

SUPERSET

05
CORKSCREW
3 SETS OF 30 SECONDS
Next up is your bodyweight
superset. This first move keeps
the pace high while shifting
focus to your obliques for sharp
definition. From a press-up
position, jump your feet forward
and to the left, hands fixed (A).
Both feet should land tucked
under your chest. Kick back to
the start and repeat to the right
(B). No rest this time – move
straight into the burpees.
06
BURPEE
3 SETS OF 30 SECONDS
Proper form is key here. For
burpees, that means ensuring
that both your chest and thighs
touch the ground when you
drop down (A). Jump your feet
back into a tuck position, then
leap up as high as you can (B).
These fast-paced exercises will
send your heart rate soaring,
forcing the body to tap into fat
stores. Take 60 seconds’ rest,
then go back to the corkscrew.
07
FRONT KICKTHROUGH
3 SETS OF 30 SECONDS
Finish up with this triset. The
following moves are likely to
be new to you, but that’s the
point – developing new skills
releases dopamine, a chemical
responsible for motivation. With
your arms outstretched and
weight on the balls of your feet
(A), drive your left arm and leg
forward, and kick through
with your right leg (B). Reverse
and repeat on the other side.

112 MEN’S HEALTH MENSHEALTH.CO.UK

 THINKING MAN’S MUSCLE

THE SPEC
MUSCLES
TARGETED

WORKOUT
25
MIN
RESULTS IN

WEEKS
3
LEVEL
0
07B 09
09B MED

08A
0 A
09A

08B

TRISET

08
SIDE KICKTHROUGH
3 SETS OF 30 SECONDS
No rest yet. Stay on the floor,
but this time place your weight
centrally, knees off the ground
(A). Keeping your left hand and
right foot fixed, spin around
to your right, lifting your right
arm and kicking your left leg
through (B). Reverse, fluidly
kicking to the other side. That
complex spinal movement aids
neuromuscular communication,
improving balance and control.
09
CRAB REACH
3 SETS OF 30 SECONDS
This back and hip-extending
move will straighten out desk-
bound bodies. From a crab (A),
reach your right hand over to
your left shoulder (B). Repeat
to the right. Take things slowly,
flowing through positions to
extend the range in your spine
and hips. Rest 60 seconds and
return to the front kickthrough.
The mid-afternoon email influx
won’t know what hit it.

MENSHEALTH.CO.UK MEN’S HEALTH 113

 PT / 10.2016 LLIQUID
IQUID ASSETS
A

MACRO ECONOMICS #05

A BLEND
WITH BENEFITS
Protein shakes make hitting
your macros a cinch, but too often 08
lack flavour. Our DIY recipe turns EESSENTIAL
S AMINO
ACIDS IN MACA
the screw on lumpy liquid diets

PREP TIME
2MIN
CALORIES
312
PROTEIN NUTS AND BULK
30G MAKES 5
• Almond milk, 1.25L
CARBS • Almond/peanut butter, 25g

33G • Banana, 2½
• Blueberries, 100g
• Oats, 75g
FAT • Maca powder, 50g
7G • Protein powder, 5 servings

METHOD
Step 1 Achieving the perfect
consistency is the first step
to elevating your shake from
a standard mix. Pour in the
liquids first, followed by the
whole ingredients, leaving
the protein powder until last.
“This means the protein
has the least possible time
to absorb any liquid residue
WORDS: JACK HART | PHOTOGRAOPHY: JOBE LAWRENSON | BLENDER BY LAKELAND

and clog up,” says recipe

1.45 creator Henry Dunmore,
founder of Natural Fitness
PRICE
R PER Food at the Third Space gym.
PPORTION! Step 2 Once combined, blast
in a high-powered blender
until smooth. You can mix up
the ingredients depending on
your preference, but Dunmore
recommends keeping it
sweet for a post-workout
insulin spike. Bottle each
THROW A SPANNER IN serving separately and drink
THE WORKS OF DULL
POST-GYM NUTRITION
within 48 hours; any longer
and the protein will denature.
That’s your raw material
sorted – now start building.

MENSHEALTH.CO.UK MEN’S HEALTH 115

 TOUGH
O G IT OUT
O T
Local league players don’t shy away
L
FIRST
S GGEAR #166 from the odd two-footer, so quality
q y
shinguards
g are a sound investment.

P G E Nike’s
N latest mould to your leg,
you won’t know you’re wearing
them until ‘Chopper’
pp steams in.
g so
g

Nike Mercurial Flylite Shinguards

g

O O O N
With the new season really kicking off, our
£288 sstore.nike.com
oe e com

premier kit will help you go the extra yard on

S
Sunday mornings. We can’t promise the scouts
w turn up. But you’ll be too busy with your
will
d
dazzling strength, speed and agility to care

SUPP YOUR PERFORMANCE THINK ON YOUR FEET

Half-time oranges have had their
day. New studies show that gels
using multiple sources of energy
best recharge flagging muscles,
maltodextrin and fructose being
the most effective combo*.
Science in Sport GO Isotonic Gels
£21 for 30 scienceinsport.com
Quick reactions are essential
in any sport and practice makes
perfect – or pretty good, at least.
The curvatures on this ball give it
an unpredictable bounce, improving
your neural-muscular connections.
Reaction Ball £2.95
thesoccerstore.com

HIT THE SPOT

Hook this target sheet over the
front of the local rec goal for your
own personal St George’s Park
training centre. Fourteen tricky
targets help develop pinpoint
accuracy from set pieces.
Football Goal Target Sheet
£29 networld-sports.co.uk
 PICK YOUR
O FEET
ETT UP
Rapid
p bur ursts
sts of acce
celeeratio
t n make
ff renc
the differ e e betweenn hanging
around up fr f ont and actu
front c ally
posing a threat at. Quickk ffeet
e over a
speedd lladder
dd develops
d l responsive
f
fibres
s in yo
y ur money-makers.
Zi and Ag
Zil giili
i y Spe
ility Sp ed d Lad
Ladderder
i ts.com
£1 newitts.
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TRAIN IN STYLE
Precise upper-body tailoring forf
football trainingg might
g seem a
s
stretch,, but research has found
f
clothes can boost confidence†,,
helping you train harder and look
good
g doing g it. Just ask Ronaldo……
Nike Strike Aeroswift
£85 store.nike.com

A SWEETER STRIKE
*SPORTS MEDICINE JOURNAL | †UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE | WORDS: JACK HART | PHOTOGRAPHY: AGATA PEC AT HEARST STUDIOS

No boots will automatically grant

you the finesse of a pro striker,
despite what the ads say. But
this Adidas pair will at least offer
greater control at speed. If
nothing else, you’ll look better.
Adidas X 16+ Purechaos FG
£230 adidas.co.uk

KING OF THE DRILL

You might never reach Messi levels
of ambipedal dribbling, but shifting
the ball through slalom poles will
make you the star of the office
squad. Drills at the end of a session
will help you maintain control in
the final minutes of a match.
Ziland Slalom Poles
£30 newitts.com

FAST BREAK
With a flexible cord you can anchor
to a sturdy base – or have someone
hold – this waist belt increases
resistance for sprinting. The score?
Accelerated speed when you’re
released from its clutches.
SKLZ Recoil £55
brandfusionltd.com
CROWN 62%
+GLORY
COMBAT A THINNING THATCH AND
OF MEN AGREED THAT HAIR
LOSS WOULD AFFECT
SELF-ESTEEM*

KEEP YOUR HAIR LOOKING GOOD

WITH A GROOMING PRODUCT THAT
WORKS AS HARD AS YOU DO

F 
act: early signs of hair loss can feel like
a threat, but rather than covering up
thinning hair – or thinking the answer
lies in a new cut and questionable
styling products – ditch that notion and face the
problem head on. With Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo,
you can approach your day with confidence. The
shampoo is designed to energise hair at the root,
to help reduce and prevent hair loss.
In much the same way caffeine operates in your
diet – as a stimulant to keep you turbocharged at
the office and all the way to the gym floor –
Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo
works in a similarly effective
way. Keep the bottle with
your gym kit or in your
bathroom cabinet to
seamlessly incorporate it
into your grooming regimen
early, before hair loss
develops. Since a lot of men
begin to notice hair thinning
in their early twenties, this
key preventative product is
worth the investment.
Harnessing the power of
caffeine, Alpecin Caffeine
Shampoo transports the
special active ingredient to
the scalp. Apply in the
shower, and after just two
minutes the active ingredient
forms a depot and what’s
more it keeps working long
after you have rinsed the shampoo out and
headed home or to the office.
With stronger hair and enhanced grip, you’ll
feel more confident. It’s a win-win.
To find out more visit alpecin.co.uk

START EARLY
Improve the structure of your hair
with the Alpecin Caffeine Complex
CAFFEINE SHAMPOO C1
Now you can transport the special
active ingredient to the hair roots
during washing. Alpecin Caffeine
works for up to 24 hours even
when the shampoo has been
rinsed out. In just 120
seconds the active
ingredient travels along
the hair shaft directly
to your scalp. Based
on the intentional
omission of softeners
(silicone), the hair
structure improves
with enhanced grip
after just a few washes.
MH PROMOTION
TAKE CHARGE OF
THINNING HAIR
As with all aspects of your life,
from your career to workouts, the
key to success is to be prepared,
tackle challenges early and win.
Here’s what you need to do:
STEP ONE:
Apply Alpecin
Caffeine Shampoo
in the shower and
leave on for two minutes.
STEP TWO:
Take those two minutes
in the shower to
massage the shampoo
into your hair and scalp. This helps
*THE PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACT OF HAIR LOSS AMONG MEN: A MULTINATIONAL EUROPEAN STUDY, NOVEMBER 2005,
the product work effectively and
a head massage can relieve stress.
STEP THREE:
Confidence is key.
Since thinning hair can
affect your confidence,
combat this feeling with an extra
NUMBER OF PEOPLE SURVEYED - 729 MEN FROM 18 TO 45 YEARS OLD.
workout to pump out endorphins,
and rest safe in the knowledge
that Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo is
working just as hard as you.
TO FIND OUT MORE GO TO
ALPECIN.CO.UK
 EDITED BY ERIC DOWN & MATT HAMBLY

IL O RIN
TA

G
SPE
C I AL

Something is happening to formalwear. It has become

less decorous, more daring and, well, less formal. In
fact, the whole business of suiting up is dressing
down, with stiff conventions softening and prices
PHOTOGRAPHY: TAL SILVERMAN

more approachable. Diversity is greater than ever

before but with that comes bewildering choice.
Luckily, our tailor-made guide has things sewn up

MENSHEALTH.CO.UK MEN’S HEALTH 121

 COAT £595
HARDY AMIES
SUIT £795
POLO RALPH LAUREN
ROLLNECK £120
TOMMY HILFIGER TAILORED
GLASSES £125 CUBITTS
WATCH £2850 ORIS
DOCUMENT HOLDER £775
PASSAVANT AND LEE

A Suit
For
All Seasons
A good suit is one of the most crucial style
investments a man can make, so it pays to do
your research. And with more shapes and shades
in vogue than ever in the last 30 years, to know
your type is as important as your budget
 THE PORTFOLIO

BIKER £1195
MATTHEW MILLER
SUIT £160 AND SHIRT
£18 BOTH TOPMAN
SHOES £215 BEYENE
CAP £23 NEW ERA
DOCUMENT HOLDER COAT £3600 DIOR HOMME
£95 REISS SUIT £3090
BRUNELLO CUCINELLI
SHIRT £115 NUDIE JEANS
SHOES £460 JOHN LOBB
SUNGLASSES £177 PRADA
WATCH £8650 PIAGET
BAG £1210 TOD’S
STYLIST’S ASSISTANT: RICCARDO CHIUDIONI | PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANT: CHRIS BROMLEY | MODEL: MAC AT AMCK | GROOMING: CAROL MORLEY AT CAROL HAYES USING CLINIQUE FOR MEN | SET DESIGN: EAST PRODUCTIONS

The Classic DB
Double Down Style
JACKET £395
AND TROUSERS Despite its formal
£150 HARDY AMIES
SHIRT £260,
overtones, the double-
COAT £1100 AND breasted suit has emerged
SHOES £240 ALL
EMPORIO ARMANI as a secret smart-casual
GLASSES £295 weapon, says James Jee,
CUTLER AND GROSS
ROUGE ET NOIR head of menswear at luxury
£470 AND Brit brand Jaeger. “There has
MEISTERSTUCK PENS
£570 BOTH MONTBLANC been a definite shift toward
WATCH £3500
BAUME & MERCIER a slimmer double-breasted
silhouette over the last few
seasons that has more in
common proportionally with
single-breasters than ’80s
power suits.”
In practice, this means less
padding in the shoulders,
allowing the fabric to ‘drape’
more easily. “We tend to talk
about the drape of suits a lot,
explains Jee. “A good drape
makes the fabric look light,
with more movement in the
bottom half of your jacket.”
When the pricetag starts
to increase, this movement
may well be something that
only you will notice, but it
will nonetheless be evident
in how comfortable you feel
and how naturally you hold
yourself when it’s on.
In terms of quality and fit,
Jee suggests folding your
prospective DB in half before
securing your purchase,
“because with a well-cut suit,
the lapels – invariably peaked
on a double-breasted jacket
– should be identically
symmetrical.” Lastly, while
a slim, hour-glass cut will
lose you a few pounds, if the
lapels pull when you button
up, you’re kidding no one.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY PHILIP SINDEN

STYLING BY ERIC DOWN / WORDS BY MATT HAMBLY

MENSHEALTH.CO.UK MEN’S HEALTH 123

 THE PORTFOLIO

SUIT JACKET £1695

AND TROUSERS £395 BALLY
HENLEY £55 SCHIESSER
SHOES £130 NIKE
WATCH £2155 MONTBLANC

SUIT JACKET £645

AND TROUSERS £395
MATTHEW MILLER
HOODIE £115 RON DORFF
BOOTS £230 GRENSON
SUNGLASSES £395
YOHJI YAMAMOTO
WATCH £2155 MONTBLANC

Avant-Garde
Statement Of Intent
If you subscribe to Hardy
Amies’ famous maxim that
a man should look as if he has
put on his clothes with care
and then promptly forgotten
all about them, you may well
be sceptical of the statement
suit. But with careful planning
and precise attention to
details, it can pay to be bold.
“When wearing strong
colours and patterns, having
your suit altered to fit is vital,”
says Jee. “If you’re going to
draw attention, the basics
need to be right: trousers
that don’t pool at the ankle,
sleeves cut to allow your shirt
COAT £950 AND T-SHIRT
cuffs to show, and so on.”
£105 BOTH BOSS Find a good alterations tailor
SUIT JACKET £100 AND and remember to buy them
TROUSERS £50 FARAH
SHOES £75 ADIDAS a Christmas card. Buying off
AT JD SPORTS
the peg and then shaping to
fit is much more affordable
than made to measure.
Of course, the more you
understand what kind of
proportions flatter, the better:
“To calculate the right jacket
length for your shape, let your
arms hang by your side,” says
Jee. “As you curl your fingers
up, they should reach inside
your jacket hem.” Once you
have a suit that fits like a
glove, you’re on safer ground
when trying more outlandish
trick shots, such as wearing
trainers or a hoodie in place
of brogues and a shirt.

124 MEN’S HEALTH MENSHEALTH.CO.UK

 COAT £5645 SALVATORE
FERRAGAMO
SUIT £795 RICHARD JAMES
JUMPER £220 AMI
SHOES £250 CHURCH’S
DOCUMENT HOLDER
£995 SMYTHSON
 COAT £325 JAEGER
SUIT £264 MARKS &
SPENCER AUTOGRAPH
SHIRT £55 COS
JUMPER £45
MASSIMO DUTTI
BOOTS £425 WANT LES
ESSENTIELS DE LA VIE
WATCH £3490
MAURICE LACROIX
 THE PORTFOLIO

COAT £1237 PORTS 1961

SUIT £530 HUGO BOSS
SCARF £210 DSQUARED2
POLO SHIRT £40
MASSIMO DUTTI
COAT £2345 SHOES £395
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN ALEXANDER MCQUEEN
SUIT £1190 BROOKS SOCKS £10 FALKE
BROTHERS PEN £505 ST DUPONT
ROLLNECK £259
JOHNSTONS
OF ELGIN
SHIRT £95
HACKETT
CARDIGAN £90
J CREW
BAG £995
SMYTHSON
CHURCH-FOOTWEAR.COM, CITIZENWATCH.COM, CUBITTS.CO.UK, CUTLERANDGROSS.COM, DAKS.COM, DIOR.COM, DSQUARED2.COM, DUNELONDON.COM, FARAH.CO.UK, FERRAGAMO.COM, FRENCHCONNECTION.COM, GIEVESANDHAWKES.COM,
ADIDAS AT JDSPORTS.CO.UK, ALLSAINTS.COM, ALPHA INDUSTRIES AT MA-1.COM, AMIPARIS.COM, ARMANI.COM, BALLY.COM, BAUME-ET-MERCIER.CO.UK, BEYENECLASSIC.COM, BROOKSBROTHERS.COM, BRUNELLOCUCINELLI.COM,

GRESON.COM, HACKETT.COM, HARDYAMIES.COM, HUGOBOSS.COM, JAEGER.CO.UK, JMWESTON.COM, LARSSONANDJENNINGS.COM, LOCAL AT BROWNSFASHION.COM, JOHNLOBB.COM, JOHNSTONSCASHMERE.COM

The Pinstripe
Business Unusual
COAT £987 ROLLNECK
£299 AND BOOTS £430 This trad City fabric has a stiff tradition lets you
ALL MICHAEL KORS
SUIT £1975 THOM SWEENEY
been making a comeback of benefit from all the slimming
SUNGLASSES £375 late, emerging from the fusty effects of stripes without
MAX PITTION atmosphere of the corner looking like you’ve gone
WATCH £15,600
PARMIGIANI FLEURIER office and finding a new shopping with Nigel Farage.
DOCUMENT HOLDER
£495 PAUL SMITH
audience at menswear trade Jee also points out that,
shows – typically a good as you move up through
barometer of future trends. the price brackets, you’ll
The difference this time be buying both an increase
around is that designers in skill and improved raw
aren’t taking such a hard line, materials. “With this sort of
literally-speaking. stripe, the better (or finer) the
“It’s a subtler affair,” says fabric, the more precise and
Jee. “Bold pinstripes and flattering it will look,” he says.
chalk stripes are being Just think of it as paying a
replaced by tone-on-tone premium for high-definition.
stripes, or even just lines
created by a contrast in the
fabric.” Crucially, this more
nuanced reinvention of

MENSHEALTH.CO.UK MEN’S HEALTH 127

 THE PORTFOLIO

BOMBER £150
ALPHA INDUSTRIES
SUIT £475 TOMMY HILFIGER
SHIRT £95 AND ROLLNECK
£225 BOTH DAKS
SUNGLASSES £65 COAT £2795
LOCAL SUPPLY GIEVES & HAWKES
BAG £1395 SMYTHSON SUIT £695 DAKS
WATCH £1195 SHIRT £18 TOPMAN
RAYMOND WEIL SHOES £960 JOHN LOBB
WATCH £139 CITIZEN
DOCUMENT HOLDER
£380 BOSS

The Chequered
SUIT JACKET £90 AND
TROUSERS £50 NEXT
Boxing Clever
HOODIE £88 ALLSAINTS
WATCH £325 “A good chequerwork
LARSSON &
JENNINGS pattern allows you to inject
RUCKSACK £450 some personality into your
WANT LES ESSENTIELS
DE LA VIE outfit without shouting too
loudly,” says Jee. And he’s
right, of course. Except
what constitutes ‘good’ very
much depends on both the
wearer and the maker.
A tight template of squares
“of around 2in” will work for
most body shapes, while
larger grids flatter few. In
fact, “a good suit-maker will
pore over the pattern at the
design stage because it
significantly affects the
wearer’s proportions,” says
Jee. “A vertical or horizontal
stripe that’s too heavy, for
instance, will warp your body
shape.” When shopping
around, look for accurate
alignment of the pattern
ST DUPONT AT STONEGIFT.COM, SCHIESSERAG.COM, SMYTHSON.COM, SUNGLASSHUT.COM, THOMSWEENEY.CO.UK, TODS.COM, WANTLESESSENTIELS.COM/UK_EN, YOHJI YAMAMOTO AT MATCHESFASHION.COM, ZEGNA.COM
MARKSANDSPENCER.COM, MASSIMODUTTI.COM, MATTHEWMILLERMENSWEAR.COM, MAURICELACROIX.COM, MAXPITTION.COM, MICHAELKORS.COM, NEWERACAP.CO.UK, NEXT.CO.UK, STORE.NIKE.COM, NUDIEJEANS.COM,
ORIS.CH/EN, PARMIGIANI.CH, PASSAVANTANDLEE.COM, PAULSMITH.CO.UK, EN.PIAGET.COM, RALPHLAUREN.CO.UK, PORTS 1961 AT FARFETCH.COM, RONDORFF.COM, REDWINGHERITAGE.COM, RICHARDJAMES.CO.UK,
across the lapels, which is
a hallmark of quality.
Lastly, a word on price:
like shoes, tailoring really
is an area where you get
what you pay for. “In terms
of construction, a good
mid-priced suit should have
a chest piece made from
horsehair: a breathable fabric
which gives the jacket
stability and moulds to your
shape over time,” says Jee.
“As you move up in price, this
lining will be used for the
whole suit. And cheaper rags
tend to just use glue.” Our
advice? Economise on the
basics and cough up as much
as you can afford on your
whistle. It’ll repay you in kind.

128 MEN’S HEALTH MENSHEALTH.CO.UK

 SUIT JACKET £660 AND
TROUSERS £300
BOTH PAUL SMITH
JUMPER £90 FRENCH
CONNECTION
SHOES £695 JM WESTON
SOCKS £20 SCOTT NICHOL
WATCH £2255 MONT BLANC
SUNGLASSES £65
LOCAL SUPPLY
 WRIST ASSESSMENT

since its 1917 debut. So no one

will ever question your choice
of timepiece if the dial bears
the name of Paris’s grande
maison – even if it happens to
be a diving watch. Calibre de
Cartier Diver Blue (£6350) 1
may be a bona fide waterbaby,
but such slender elegance
works perfectly with tailoring.
While its calfskin and
rubber strap makes the Cartier
a stealth imposter at formal
01 02 functions, the non-diver Bell
& Ross BR 03-92 Black Matte
(£2700) 2 goes all-out with
04 03 a massive polymer cuff and
unabashedly square case.
Still, the result is undeniably
chic and will sit comfortably
– in terms of fit and look –
beneath a crisp white shirt.
Don’t let all that bulk put you
off either; its ceramic case is
surprisingly light.
But why stop at the strap
when it comes to plastic?

PHOTOGRAPHY: TAL SILVERMAN | STYLING: RICCARDO CHIUDIONI | CARTIER.CO.UK, BELLROSS.COM, SHOP.SWATCH.COM, MICHAEL KORS AT ERNESTJONES.CO.UK
Swatch has switched itself up
with the ingenious Swatch
Sistem51 (£108) 3 . Yes, it’s
still polyurethane, but the
styling is elegant, and most
importantly, the battery-
powered quartz mechanics
inside have been replaced
with proper mechanical
mechanics, assembled entirely
by robots. And just like the
1983 original, it comprises
and second hands only just 51 parts. So there’s plenty
Breaking The (chronographs are for sports);
a round case (to soften boxy
cuffs); leather straps that
of factual ammo to fire back
at any fustian snobs sat
across the boardroom table.
Laws Of Time ALEX DOAK
Make the dress
chime with your derbys
(invariably black, then); and as
expensive as you can afford.
If your cultural references
are more millennial than that,
you’ll probably have grown up
watch rules work for
In the same way For a supposedly creative But rules are made to be with Michael Kors. In which
you with a formal
that the rules mode of expression, the education from our broken. Just as crewnecks case, you too are well served,
of tailoring are business of dressing up sure horology expert are finding their way under since the label’s previously
being softened likes a rulebook. Whether suit jackets, so the notion of unloved and showy (some
and democratised, it’s fabrics that should never a formal watch has become might dare say tawdry) watch
so too has the be seen together, or colours more playful. That’s not to range has matured with its
sometimes turgid that just don’t go, ceremonial condone an Apple Watch with customers. Still, there’s no
world of fine style can seem no fun at all. black-tie; but chichi evening need to be afraid of retaining
watches. Learn But if formalwear is beset by events now offer wiggle room a touch of oil-tycoon bling
why a formal edicts, the watch world is to the fun-loving connoisseur. – so long as your outfit has
occasion needn’t a totalitarian state. The Perhaps the ultimate a largely neutral palette,
handcuff you to time-honoured guidelines traditional dress watch is the the Michael Kors Lexington
convention for what constitutes a dress Cartier Tank, barely changed Chronograph (£259) 4 is
watch are as clear as they certain to ping and punch
are prohibitive: hour, minute well above its weight.

130 MEN’S HEALTH MENSHEALTH.CO.UK

 MH PROMOTION
FRESHEN UP
YOUR STYLE
FED UP WITH THE FUZZ? GET A CLOSE SHAVE WITH
THE NEW WILKINSON SWORD HYDRO 5 SENSITIVE
G 
ents, it’s the end of an era. The
beardidemic that has ravaged the
faces of British men is nearing
its zenith. We have reached
peak beard. But to avoid looking like
the stubborn relic of a bygone trend,
you’ve come to expect that aggravated
flush caused by regular close shaves.
Sensitive skin be damned, right?
Well, not quite. Wilkinson Sword’s
latest razor, the Hydro 5 Sensitive,
helps to reduce irritation from a close
shave. Its water-activated hydrating gel
reservoir is formulated with aloe vera
and hydrates up to one hour after
shaving. Along with five ultra-glide
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT FACEBOOK.COM/WILKINSONSWORDMENUK
THE
PERFECT SHAVE
Grab your Hydro 5 Sensitive,
follow Gregory’s tips and
consign post-shave redness
to the bearded past
PROPER PREP
Always shower
before shaving
– the combination
of warm water and steam
softens the hair on your
face, reducing the amount
of force you need to apply.
“THE HYDRO GO WITH THE GRAIN
Using the Wilkinson
5 SENSITIVE Sword Hydro 5
HELPS TO Sensitive, shave
in the direction of your beard
REDUCE
growth. If you want to achieve
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New
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The Row
For two centuries
Savile Row has been
the spiritual home
of British tailoring.
But it’s a new crop
of designers who are
staking its place in
the future of style
Hard as it might be to
imagine for fresh-faced
men about town, it wasn’t
so long ago that Savile Row
looked to be breathing its
last. As ’80s rents rocketed,
its stuffy appeal waned.
And with off-the-peg suiting
improving immeasurably,
the Row seemed something
of an anachronism to many.
Fortunately, over the next
20 years bespoke was to
receive a shot in the arm from
the likes of Timothy Everest,
Richard James and Kilgour’s
Carlo Brandelli. These are
tailors with a respect for
craft and tradition but who
possessed the drive to
reimagine classical suiting.
That tailoring regained its
allure is in no small part due
to these modernists. But
with traditional distinctions
between smart and casual
being broken down like
never before, it has now
fallen to a second wave of
WORDS: JOSH SIMS | IMAGE: CAD & THE DANDY
tailors to keep Savile Row
feeling fresh and relevant.
In April this year, Kathryn
Sargent became the first
MENSHEALTH.CO.UK
woman to open a tailoring
house on the famous street,
declaring that she wanted
to create a place that values
craft with a contemporary
accessibility. “We try not
to impose a house style
on the client – as many of
the traditional tailors do –
being fixated on doing ‘their
“Savile Row needs
to focus on the
craft and less on
whether it once made
a suit for some HRH”
thing’,” says the former head
cutter for Gieves & Hawkes.
“All of our clients are different
so it’s about working with
them to give them what
they want – that’s really
what bespoke tailoring
should be about.”
This more collaborative,
serviceable attitude is at the
heart of what Cad & The
Dandy offers, too. Having
opened on Savile Row in 2013,
this independent tailoring
SAVILE ROW
A DESIGN
FOR LIFE
Bespoke is an
investment, so it THE SAVILE ROW TAILORS
pays to speculate GIVING A TRADITIONAL
STREET ITS MODERN PLEAT
wisely. Tailor
Kathryn Sargent
lays down the rules business has pitched itself
on price point, claiming that
BE OPEN-
MINDED bespoke needn’t break the radical relaunch of the
Don’t be bank. But even at the higher company’s dormant
awed by tradition; end, there is a refreshing subsidiary brand, E Tautz,
back streets can modernity making its has become a favourite ticket
hide great tailors,
too. Choose your influence felt. Thom Whiddett on the London Collections
price, shop around – who, along with Luke Men calendar. Likewise,
and ask questions. Sweeney, makes up one half British heritage brand
of revered Mayfair tailors Hardy Amies has recently
PICK OUT
DETAILS
Thom Sweeney – thinks that employed the former Reiss
Consider the newer, younger designers are designer Darren Barrowcliff
minutiae, down to more likely to adopt attitudes to continue the recent
buttons, lining and
that echo more progressive modernisation of its image.
extra pockets. The
trends in menswear at large. “There is certainly something
tailor will guide
While they will happily beautiful about knowing who
you, but it’s good
to have a vision. produce you the finest three- you are and what you do and
piece suit that money can sticking with it,” he says of
ADD SOME buy, Thom Sweeney is also the traditional business.
WEIGHT known for pushing flexible “But the way the world is
Fine fabrics
look great but separates and contrasting now, upping the profile and
deteriorate faster. patterns and fabrics. attitude of any business
If your suit will Indeed, there is growing on Savile Row is important.
get regular wear, evidence of the old guard and People want luxury but
10-12oz flannel or
mohair are good.
new minds coming together. they’re less tolerant of that
Established in 1821, the old elitism. Savile Row needs
DON’T bespoke Savile Row tailor to be part of a new London,
SUCK IN Norton & Sons is now owned to focus on the clothes and
Relax when by Patrick Grant, whose the craft and less on whether,
being measured.
A good tailor will for example, it once made
assess your build a suit for some HRH.” It’s an
and posture, then attitude that suits us fine.
cut the suit to
flatter your shape.
MEN’S HEALTH 133
EDITED BY SCARLETT WRENCH

MH QUIZ
DANGER
NO.29

ARE YOU GAMBLING

WITH YOUR HEALTH?
Fortune may favour the brave, but not all
prospects pay off. Take our test to ensure
the risks you take are met with reward
OCTOBER 2016 MH QUIZ: DANGER

Q1 \
Which of the following hazards poses the
Q4\
greatest threat to city-dwellers? Can a hot-sauce habitit
do seerious
i damage??

A B C
Knife crime Air pollution Slow tourists
A
B Though less likely to jump out from your Twitter
feed than other urban threats, air pollution could
be implicated in 40,000 UK deaths a year, claims
Yes
es
an RCP report. As well as traffic, overuse of fly-killer
and cleaning products also contributes. We guess
those ‘green’ alternatives have a purpose after all.

Q2 \
What’s the most dangerous form of transport? B
Noo
A B C
Air Rail Road
C You can stop digging your nails into the B A little Tabasco
b won’t kkillll you. According
d g to
armrest during take-off. Cambridge University spice exp perts at New Mexico i State University,
i i
studies concluded that air and rail are the safest it would ttake 3lb off extreme ppowdered chilli –
ways to go. Best make use of those £29.99 eaten in a single
gl sittingg – to kkillll a grown
g man.
European flights while you still have the chance. At worst,, you’re looking at an inflamed gut or
stomach. Only l you can d decide d whether
h h thath
bhut jolok
okia-eating contest is really ll worthh it..
Q3\
Is vaping safer than smoking Q5 \
‘proper’ cigarettes? You’ve dropped your lunch. Is there
Q6\
For skydivers, the risk of
any merit to the five-second rule? harm per jump is one in…

A B
Yes No
A As with love, germs won’t wait. Still,
this rule does have some truth. After
30 seconds, food can harbour 10 times
B more bacteria than it picked up on first
Noo contact. Recently mopped the kitchen
floor? Go for it. Dropped your kebab
A stepping out of a taxi? Cut your losses.
Yees
Q7\
Arrange the following drugs in order of danger...
A B C
100 1300 2000
B Statistically speaking, skydiving is
pretty safe, according to the British
Parachute Association (though we
guess they would say that). For men, your
chance of harm – anything from a sprained
wrist to, well, death – is one in 1300 for a
tandem dive, rising to one in 200 if you fly solo.

A Butut safer doesn’t

doesn t mean safe.
safe To quote vape
vape-
studying scientists at Lawrence Berkeley Lab:
A B C D E F
“Regular cigarettes are super unhealthy. E-cigs are Cocaine Tobacco Steroids Cannabis Alcohol Ketamine
just unhealthy.” Vapour contains toxic aldehydes,
the effects of which are unestablished. Besides, A,E,F,B,D,C When a Lancet study rated drugs based on net harm caused, weed and steroids
smoking what smells like strawberry laces through were judged less of a concern than alcohol. Of course, this is largely because alcohol abuse is more
a light-up pipe never looks cool. Just give up, OK? prevalent. Swapping your after-work pint for a cheeky shot of ketamine is still not advisable.

MENSHEALTH.CO.UK MEN’S HEALTH 139

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in surveys with a chance to win great prizes. Your
feedback will help influence our articles and you
could be invited to test new products for free:
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*Terms and conditions apply. See menshealth.co.uk for full details
 OCTOBER 2016
Q8\
What are the odds that
you’ll contract prostate
cancer in your lifetime?
A B C B
10% 50% 75%
B But don’t panic: prostate cancer
is so slow to develop, the majority of
men die from other causes before it
becomes invasive (that’s supposed
to be a good thing). Signs it’s worth
speaking to a GP include difficulty
passing urine and back pain. Check
yourself before you wreck yourself.
Q10\
What effect does obesity have on
your risk of early death?
WORDS: NICKY WILLIAMS | PHOTOGRAPHY: JOBE LAWRENSON, ROWAN FEE, SUN LEE, HEARST STUDIOS, GETTY | ILLUSTRATIONS: ALCONIC, DENNIS CARRIER
B
Doubles it
C A heavy statistic indeed. Monash University researchers found that obesity
can triple your risk of early death. However, it’s never too late to reverse these
risks, particularly if you’ve been obese (25% body fat or more) for fewer than
15 years. May we suggest menshealth.co.uk/workout as a good place to start?
MENSHEALTH.CO.UK
MH QUIZ: DANGER
Q9 \ Q11\
Which of the following activities is Which of
o thee
proven to be the most dangerous?
followin
ng is more
A dangerrous??
Riding a motorbike
A
B Overtraining
i i
Running a marathon
C
Tackling a ski slope Underttrainingg
A Read this before embarking on your A&B Actuaally, they’re on a par.
mid-life crisis. Stanford Uni awarded Danish scieentists studied committed
‘micromort’ points for risky activities, joggers and their sedentary peers, and found
based on participants’ chance of that long-tterm strenuous endurance training g can damageg the
dying. Riding a motorbike for 100km heart as much as excess sofa time. Their advised sweet spot: p
clocks up 10, a marathon run carries three runs a week for 2.5 hours total,, at a 12min/mile ppace.
seven, and each ski-day averages 0.7.
Best suffer the helmet hair, then.
Q12\
In which part of the gym are you most at risk?
A B C
A Weights Cardio Steam
room room room
No change
A A review in Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport
studied A&E admissions, and found that – while women
are more likely to sustain injuries during cardio – men are
more often admitted after strength training. Accidents
involving “being hit by weights or fellow exercisers” were
cited. Well, at least it’ll make a great YouTube video.
Q13\
Which of the following
should you never mix
with energy drinks?
C
A B C
Triples it
Water Salt Alcohol
C While we’re certain you’re far too debonair for
jägerbombs (stag dos excepted), it’s worth noting
that an Advances in Nutrition paper found pumping
your body full of caffeine not only places a strain
on your heart, but makes “the desire to drink more
pronounced”. Plus, 2am energy bursts aside, caning
energy drinks can overload your body with B vits.
You can have too much of a good thing.
MEN’S HEALTH 141
OCTOBER 2016
Q14\
How long does each cigarette
take off your life?
A Nothing
B 11 minutes
C 35 minutes
B Or, put another way, you lose a day for every 130 you smoke,
reports the BMJ. OK, the effects aren’t directly accumulative.
But that’s still a lot of Game of Thrones you stand to miss.
Q15\
Rugby carries a high risk
Q16\
How does sex
of concussion… affect your risk
of a heart attack?
A B A It doesn’t
True False
B Doubles it
A About 13% of players C Triples it
suffer from concussion
each year. Want to play it B The Karolinska Institute
safer? Counterintuitively, found that men are twice as
protective shoulder pads likely to have a heart attack
could put you at greater in the hour after sex than at
risk. According to EIS other times. Men with poor
physicians, the false sense fitness are most at risk: we’d
of security this affords advise getting your pump
causes players to tackle on in the gym if you want to
harder. Maybe try tennis? break a sweat elsewhere.
Q17\
One in 10 British
men will die from
heart disease…
A B
True False
B Not even close – cardiovascular
disease accounts for 27% of all UK
deaths. As well as inactivity (and
the invention of the hotdog-stuffed-
crust) recent Norwegian research
points to lie-ins as a culprit, with
those who regularly exceed eight
hours’ sleep at a 35% higher risk.
Consider this your early alarm bell.
How 0-6
did you GAMBLIN’ MAN
All these ‘facts’ spoiling your fun? Well,
score? some gambles are smarter than others.
Columbia Uni found that, while men are
greater chancers overall, women are
more likely to take ‘social risks’ such as
initiating a difficult conversation. We
imagine you’d rather stick to cave-diving.
MENSHEALTH.CO.UK
Q18\
What are your odds of being
killed in a car crash?
B
1 in 560
0 1 in 240
C That’s assuming you’re reading this magazine in the UK (though hopefully
not while driving). According to Oxford University, your odds rise to a worrying
one-in-82 in the US. Best reroute next year’s road trip to Cornwall, then.
Q19\
Which of these animals
is the biggest killer?
A B C
Cow Mosquito Shark
B More than 820,000 people die from
diseases caused by mosquito bites
each year, says the WHO, with Sub-
Saharan Africa the most affected area.
In the UK, cows are man’s main enemy,
killing 74 people in the last 15 years.
7-13
CALCULATED RISKER
A little danger can do you a lot of good.
According to sociologist Dr Margee Kerr,
fear releases mood-improving hormone
oxytocin. We’d suggest volunteering
for a challenging work project, rather
than chancing it on the unlabelled meat
produce in the bottom of your freezer.
MH QUIZ: DANGER
A
1 in 830
0
C
0
Q20 \
If you ‘forget’ to use protection in the
heat of passion, what are the odds
you’ll get a father’s day card next year?
A 20%
B 50%
C 70%
A Even if you hook up during her most
fertile period, the odds are against
pregnancy, reports the National Center
for Health Statistics. Hoping for a
positive outcome? An Andrologia study
found 200mg of coenzyme-Q10 a day
boosts male fertility. It’s worth a pop.
14-20
MR SAFE SIDE
You’re so far from the edge you’re fully
land-locked. But don’t think swapping
real-world thrills for virtual fun can
make you bulletproof. A study by the
London School of Hygiene found 16% of
smartphones harbour e.coli. Best add
some antibac wipes to your arsenal.
MEN’S HEALTH 143
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 ONE WORD
ANSWER #29
QUESTION
Which notorious
white powdered
crystals could
actually improve
heart health?
A s a mover and shaker on the
seasoning scene, salt has long
been the subject of opprobrium.
Health policy makers have been urging
us to reduce our intake since the ’70s,
linking the crystals to heart attacks and
high blood pressure. However, surprising
new research claims that we should
now take such suggestions with a big
ol’ pinch of sodium chloride.
According to McMaster University,
low-salt diets could increase the risk of
heart disease in healthy men. And while
those with hypertension would do well to
keep tabs on their habit, for the general
population a lower intake was correlated
with a greater risk of early death.
ANSWER
Salt
Of course, a diet of chips, dips and
cured meats will serve up problems
beyond mere sodium overload. But it’s
nevertheless worth reminding yourself
that salt has functions beyond making
WORDS: SCARLETT WRENCH | PHOTOGRAPHY: JOBE LAWRENSON
your Meat Feast so moreish – namely,
regulating fluid balance and nerve
impulses, while assisting with the
absorption of glucose and amino acids.
If you really want to earn your salt, we
suggest a bacon sandwich as a weekend
treat and an electrolyte supplement
(such as eletewater.co.uk) immediately
after training. As well as assisting with
recovery, sodium draws fluid into your
muscles, boosting your post-gym pump.
It is the season of the harvest, after all.
 S O
SPORT + FASHION

AUTUMN / WINTER 2016

BRAND FAMOUS
Overpriced and overhyped: five
labels redefining men’s fashion

STYLE SHORTCUTS
Meet the main players behind
the UK barbershop renaissance

ARCTIC JUNKIES
From ice cap to street, technical
outerwear has never been so cool

THIS IS MARO ITOJE. HE IS ENGLISH RUGBY’S CHOSEN ONE

IN
PARTNERSHIP
WITH
ON THE COVER

CONTENTS
Our guide to having the perfect season, be it sporting or sartorial

15 18
SADDLE UP PRIME WATCH
If you thought the Ultra-light, super
trade-off for the strong and scratch
PHOTOGRAPHER environmental and resistant, a DLC
ANDREW WOFFINDEN physical benefits coating is the
–
STYLIST of cycling to work way to keep your
ERIC DOWN was the sacrifice watch looking
–
GROOMING of style, think again. slick for all time.
ERNESTO MONTENOVO AT Here’s how to ride Choose from our
DAVID ARTISTS USING
BUMBLE & BUMBLE
hard and look cool pick of the best
–
MARO ITOJE WEARS
JACKET £320 DIESEL AT
HARRODS, JUMPER £210
ACNE STUDIOS AT HARRODS,
T-SHIRT £60 SUNSPEL,
27 28
WATCH £5100 ZENITH
SURE THINGS OUTER LIMITS
Fashion is a The new union
EDITOR mercurial entity between specialised
TOBY WISEMAN
– and trends move mountaineering
CREATIVE DIRECTOR apace, but to get the manufacturers
DECLAN FAHY most bang for your and cutting-edge
– buck this autumn, streetwear means
STYLE DIRECTOR invest in an item your winter coat
ERIC DOWN from this quintet can be hot in more
–
ASSOCIATE EDITOR of future classics ways than one
MATT HAMBLY
–
ART DIRECTOR
TOM PLUMSTEAD
–
38 48
SENIOR DESIGNER
JESSICA WEBB LOCK & LOAD HAIR APPARENT
– Looking to repeat From cut-throat
PRODUCTION EDITOR his unbeaten season shaves to afro fades,
SCARLETT WRENCH for both Saracens men’s barbering’s
– and England last growth shows little
STYLE ASSISTANT year, Maro Itoje talks sign of slowing. We
RICCARDO CHIUDIONI
– to UA about his meet the capital’s
GROUP PUBLISHING meteo
eoricc rise
se ffrom
o to so l tra
tonsorial t ilblazers
DIRECTOR skinny
ny schoolboyy to a their verry
and
ALUN WILLIAMS rugbby’s shining
h g star s t s ed customers
satisfied cus
–
SALES DIRECTOR
GEORGINA PARROTT
–
PRODUCTION MANAGER
ROGER BILSLAND
67 74
– TALLK SHOP BIT PARTTS
BRAND DIRECTOR Freezze-proof
p f youry The Swiss Army
T A
TOM LAKE warddrobeb whatever
h knife has served
–
SENIOR FASHION EXECUTIVE your bbudget:
dg our edit d e l
explorers, sooldiers
TOM SPRATT of thee best bombers, a even thee odd
and
– puffaas, hikers and s
space man. WWe
STYLE ASSISTANT hood dies ffor AW16 op it up
open p annd
LAUREN MITCHELL has yyour searchh sh you ho
show how the
–
for colder-climate u
ultimate multi-tasker
STYLE INTERN
CAROLINE ARSENIO gear wrapped
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 | 10/2016
56
BELIEVE THE HYPE
How 2016’s most hyped
brands made people want 09
to want them so much
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |
 LOOK GOOD PERFORM BETTER

I-1 CAMERA £297

IMPOSSIBLE PROJECT

| 10/2016
WORDS: MATT HAMBLY

011
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |

INSTANT W
hen, in 2008, Polaroid declared it would cease
production of the film used by its instant
cameras, the shutters appeared to close
on a photographic era. However, soon after,

KARMA
Accommodating the millennial need for speed
while delivering the nostalgia of printed film,
this throwback gadget is worth snapping up
Photography TAL SILVERMAN
three plucky Europeans founded Impossible Project to rescue
the format in its death throes. The dismantled machines they
inherited meant learning to make film from scratch, but today
Impossible finally has its own point-and-shooter: the I-1.
So why, in 2016, would you want one? Well, what an iPhone
delivers in immediacy, it lacks in permanence. And if the point
of taking a photo is about keeping rather than sharing then we
might see a welcome slowdown in the selfie phenomenon. But
the I-1 is no atavism. It still lets you connect to your smartphone
and experiment with filters. This is an analogue instant camera
for the Instagram generation. We unashamedly love it.
TRAIN
AND GAIN
Investing in collectible sneakers can be
a financial shoo-in. Learn how to shop in order
to reap dividends for you and your wardrobe
T rainers enjoyed their
first heyday in the
’80s and early ’90s,
a period of fervid sportswear
fetishism. From Nike Airs to
Reebok Pumps via Troop and
British Knights, this was the
first era of soft-soled fashion.
Then it died a death, with
leather uppers and chunky
treads taking the front foot.
But you’d have to have your
head buried in a Grenson
shoebox to miss the fact that
the tables have turned once
more. Trends move apace.
Sneakers are back. And this
time they look set to endure.
“Comfort is the new
luxury,” says Pete Williams,
Highsnobiety’s managing
editor. “Individuals with no
obvious interest in sports
footwear now want a pair
of Yeezy Boosts. And with a
wider audience comes greater
scarcity and demand.” Indeed,
so revered are some trainers
nowadays that it’s a smart
01
STEP INTO THE BREACH BAG A FUTURE VINTAGE
Staying true to your personal
taste is a sine qua non of
sneaker shopping. “Footwear is
a product that, unlike a stock or
mutual fund, still has a function
if your investment goes sour.
But if you aren’t interested in
wearing the product to begin
with, then you may simply
end up with a very expensive
paperweight.” You can’t wear
an investment bond, after all.
move to approach them
as pieces with cultural
collateral as well as wearable
assets. In other words, it’s
footwear not so much for
athletes as aesthetes. “It
pays to take a vested interest
because the value of rare
styles continue to increase.”
Of course, no investment
is without risk. A burgeoning
market also attracts a dearth
of low-quality products
on which money is easily
squandered. So we asked
Williams to cast a
well-trainered eye over
our portfolio and
offer tips on how
to speculate to
accumulate.
02
Get to know the market if you
want something that’ll mature
well. “Nike and Jordan have
historically held the most
value. However, Adidas is
having an extremely strong
moment thanks to Kanye
ERIC DOWN | ILLUSTRATIONS: ALCONIC
West. With changing taste
WORDS: ALEX HARRIS | STYLING:
PHOTOGRAPHY: TAL SILVERMAN
and tech, the value of Adidas
models is skyrocketing. But
Jordan has proven to have
the most longevity, especially
the 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 11.” It pays
to play the numbers.

GET ON THE CASE
FOR SMART SNEAKER
INVESTMENTS
03
THINK INSIDE THE BOX
“If buying from a reseller,
make sure it’s on an official
channel, with all paperwork in
tact. Receipts and feedback
from the likes of eBay, Grailed
or StockX are key.” And treat
them like you wish you’d done
your original Star Wars figures:
“Keep the box!” Thinking of
ARMOUR BRIEFCASE £450
them like a vintage wine helps.
Though laying them down in a
SHOES £110 UNDER
ZERO HALLIBURTON
cellar is perhaps a step too far.
TRAINER TRIAGE
Whether they’re an investment piece or everyday kicks, it pays to keep
your trainers box fresh. The experts at Crep Protect can show you how
A) Stand guard
You should always
cover your shoes
with a protective
barrier, no matter
the material. Not that
we want to just say,
“Use Crep Protect,”
but, yeah, at this
stage, you need to
spray your shoes
with Crep Protect.
04
MAKE A RARE FIND
Love him or loathe him,
Kanye West’s line will likely
become the highest-yielding
investment due to demand.
“Yeezy aside, the most
coveted styles of all time are
the Nike Mag (from Back to
the Future II), the Staple x
Nike SB Dunk ‘Pigeon’ and the
Nike Air Max 1 ‘Patta x Parra’.”
Catchy names they ain’t. But
find a pair and you could resell
for hundreds. Some ultra-rare
samples go for thousands.
B) Your kick fix C) Scuff luck
Throw them in the If your shoes are
machine on 60 and beyond mere soiling,
premium materials a specific cleaning
will be ruined solution will remove
instantly. Instead, embedded dirt from
use a brush with soft, hard to reach areas.
short bristles (ours Let the shoes dry
are hog hair) so as then give them a
not to scuff leather final buffing with
or suede. If you want a cloth. Still filthy?
to go even deeper, a It’s time to reinvest.
microfibre cloth will
give a nice shine.
05 | 10/2016
013
BARGAINING TIPS
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |
“Despite a frosty reception to
start with, the smart money
suggests that the current
Under Armour Curry models
may be a strong investment
in years down the line. Not
since the launch of the Air
Jordan has one player, shoe
or brand held such cultural
significance. The question is
whether Stephen Curry can
shine a light on MJ’s legacy.”
WORK/LIFE
BALANCE
Ever since Sir Wiggo’s rapid ascension, cycling
to work has become de rigueur for the nation’s
commuters. Andy McGrath of Rouleur magazine
outlines your rules for life in the bike lane
Photography MAX OPPENHEIM
Styling RICCARDO CHIUDIONI
01
MADE TO MEASURE
Before debating the merits
of merino and cotton, the
most important fit you need
to consider is that between
you and your bike. Just
because you’re not racing,
doesn’t mean you can avoid
a custom set-up: “Having
your bike fitted to you will
give you a more aerodynamic
and comfortable ride,” says
McGrath. “You see newbies
with their saddle whacked
up, all thinking they’re Mark
Cavendish, but it’s rarely the
best position for what they
are doing.” McGrath advises
consulting with experts at
a reputable bike shop, then
adjusting your position
accordingly: “It may feel
strange at first, but you’ll
02
BEST IN CLASS
If you’re considering
splashing out on new wheels
there are three universal
considerations, whether
you’re after a fixed-gear,
single-speed or proper road
bike: purpose, comfort and
budget. If that sounds rather
too sensible, you’ve clearly
never tried to ride a fixie up
a 5% gradient. “It’s important
to get the best bike for the
job at hand,” says McGrath.
“So if you have a long trek
into work, you should look
at a decent road bike. But
if that means parting with
more money than you’d like,
as long as you don’t have to
ride much more than 15 miles
then a single-speed is fine.
Fixies come into their own on
flat, urban terrain – the lack
of moving parts makes them
easy to maintain.” The fixed
cog means that technically
you don’t even need brakes.
Our advice? Get brakes.

| 10/2016
reap rewards soon enough.” PUFFA £250
PENFIELD
–
JACKET £145
KIT AND ACE
–
ZIP UP JUMPER
£150 AND
RUCKSACK £150 015
BOTH RAPHA
–
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |
T-SHIRT £29
CADENCE
–
CHINOS £100
HUEZ*
–
TRAINERS £105
NIKE
–
HELMET £199
HEDON
–
WATCH £360
TISSOT
–
SUNGLASSES £95
OAKLEY AT
HARRODS
–
BIKE £1299
CANYON

03
YELLOW JERSEY
“Your commute isn’t a race,”
says McGrath, “despite an
irritating minority that treat
it like one.” This applies to
your choice of clothing, too.
What might look pretty fly
on Mont Ventoux won’t do
you any favours on the canal
towpath. “Think practically,”
says McGrath. “On a short
ride to work, wear something
that wicks sweat and won’t
look out of place at the pub;
merino wool fits the bill. You
should have cooled off by the
time you reach the office – or
bar.” And while fluorescents
tend not to pass muster in
either scenario, reflective
strips on lapels and cuffs will
keep you safe on the road.
“It’s all very well looking like
a ninja,” says McGrath, “but
come winter you’ll be invisible
riding home in the dark.”
04 THE UA
TRAVELLING IN STYLE HIGHWAY
If looking sharp on the job
CODE
is non-negotiable, careful
planning will save your McGrath lays
blushes. Keeping fresh down the law on
clothes in your office isn’t urban etiquette
always practical, so invest
in a ‘technical blazer’, which
is cut like an unstructured
formal jacket, but made
from light, weather-proof
nylon or polyester. Paired
with Levi’s Commuter jeans, Use Your Head
you’ll have performance Wear a helmet.
smart-casual down to a tee. By all means pop
Not sharp enough? Check a cool casquette
out Paul Smith’s A Suit To cap underneath
Travel In line: tailoring with to absorb sweat
flexibility and breathability. and look good in
It’s crease-resistant, too, so cafes. But wear
you can make your 8.30am a frickin’ helmet.
meeting while disguising
the fact you’ve just ridden
a time trial to get there.
See Red
Drivers stop at
red lights. This is
BLAZER £530 AND
TROUSERS £215 BOTH to prevent them
PAUL SMITH AT
HARRODS from getting hit.
– Cyclists should
CARDIGAN £345
PAUL SMITH stop too. ‘Saving

AND CAROLINE ARSENIO | HAIR & GROOMING: OSCAR ALEXANDER AT ERA MANAGEMENT USING FUDGE AND L’OCCITANE | ILLUSTRATIONS: JAMES GRAHAM
– time’ isn’t worth
SHIRT £199 Z ZEGNA
risking death.

PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANT: LOUISE ROLLEY | MODEL: JACK HOLLAND AT NEXT MODEL MANAGEMENT | STYLIST’S ASSISTANTS: LAUREN MITCHELL
AT HARRODS
–
TRAINERS £120 GEOX
–
RUCKSACK £220 AND
HELMET £120 BOTH
BROOKS ENGLAND
–
BIKE £799
FREDDIE GRUBB
Be Knot Afraid
If you’re cycling
| 10/2016

in trainers, tuck
your laces in. If
they get caught
on the pedals, it
will at best end in
an ugly dismount.
016 Or a painful one.
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |

Think Of Others
Look over your
shoulder, indicate
early, don’t make
any unexpected
moves. Not all
motorists are
fascist pigs –
they’ve just had
to pass a test.
 01

FULL
CARBON
JACKET For active sorts who like their
02

timepieces none more black, hard

or durable, diamond-like carbon
coating lends a hint of Gotham
City to luxury watch engineering
Photography TAL SILVERMAN
Words ALEX DOAK
| 10/2016
O ld fans of satirical
website The Onion
might recall a classic
story lampooning the razor
industry’s habit of squeezing
additional blades into their
razor heads. (“What part of
this don’t you understand? If
two blades is good and three
is better, five would make us
the best fucking razor that
ever existed!”) It was funny
because it was almost true.
Some atoms crystallise into
the cubic lattice that we know
to be diamond, and some into
hexagonal layers, which – as
we’re sure you’ll remember
from chemistry lessons – is
graphite. But before either
structure can dominate, the
steel is frozen, meaning both
solidify into a rock-hard

Thinner blades made from ‘amorphous’ state without

tougher steel meant models
like the Gillette Mach3
changed the shaving game.
Now the same technology
is being applied to an exclusive
018 branch of watchmaking. A
thin layer of DLC – or diamond-
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |
brittle fracture planes.
Of course, the black-on-
black Batman aesthetic
has prevailed in the watch
world ever since Ferdinand
Alexander Porsche left the
family sports-car business

like carbon coating – is applied in 1972, producing a matte-

to steel sports watches to
make them incredibly tough,
while remaining light and
03 – much like diamonds –
impervious to scratches.
It’s a complicated business:
in a heated vacuum chamber,
an ionized plasma of carbon
atoms is attracted to the
surface of the steel casing,
forming a beautiful black
layer just a few microns thick.
black chronograph using
a process called physical
vapour deposition, or PVD.
But this thin titanium
nitride coating is notoriously
flaky and cheaper, which
is why DLC-coated watches
remain rare and more
desirable. Here, UA rounds
up the wristpieces that’ll stay
as fresh as the day they were
coated. At the very least,
when you strap one on you’ll
remember you need a shave.
 04

01/MONTBLANC
TIMEWALKER
EXTREME DLC 02/ORIS AQUIS
The TimeWalker DEPTH GAUGE
collection from The contrast of
Montblanc’s yellow rubber and
03/BREITLING
cutting-edge Swiss steely black on this FOR BENTLEY GMT
watchmaking division Oris timepiece is as MIDNIGHT CARBON
is all about clean, fierce as a wasp’s One of the longest-
architectural lines abdomen, not to running car/watch
with a contemporary mention practical: brand tie-ups is that
edge – all of which as a diving watch, shared by the two
are heightened by it’s intended to be so-called ‘winged Bs’. 05
the application of thrashed about the And just as luxury
DLC. Before coating, murky depths by watchmaking is no
the steel case and Scuba fanatics. An longer about yellow-
its chronograph air channel has been gold bling, limousines
pushbuttons are milled around the are certainly not all
blasted with glass circumference so British racing green
microspheres to that, as you make and maroon leather
give them a finer your descent, the upholstery – a fact
texture, meaning increasing pressure underlined by this
the finish is matte- will force the water- racy Breitling watch,
black rather than air interface around inspired by the edgy
shiny. £4300 a calibration, acting carbon-trimmed
elegantly as a depth V8-powered models
gauge. £2250 of Bentley’s
Continental GT
coupé. £10,900

04/BREMONT
U-2/DLC
The most literal 05/HYT TITANIUM
application of DLC BLACK DLC
is without doubt This is the watch 06/CITIZEN
Bremont’s tribute Robocop would wear, PROMASTER DIVER
to the fearless pilots assuming future Just half a grand
who continue to police salaries are for a DLC-coated
police the skies of 10 times their current professional-spec
06 the world’s shadier amount. The hefty diving watch seems
nations at altitudes pricetag is down to too good to be true,
of over 70,000ft, mechanics bordering especially when you
wearing their own on nanotechnology, consider what else
exclusive Bremont quite literally pumping is thrown into the
‘squadron’ edition. new life into the staid bargain. As well as
The Lockheed U-2 world of watchmaking. light-powered Eco-
reconnaissance The two bellows at Drive technology, it
aircraft, much like its six o’clock suck and boasts a unidirectional
now-decommissioned squeeze a mixture of rotating bezel (so
sister the Blackbird, green fluorescein and that if you knock it,
is painted in anti- a clear, viscous liquid your recorded dive
radar paint, and its around a circular time can only be
STYLING: RICCARDO CHIUDIONI

deadly shade has tube, kept separate lengthened, and you

been perfectly by the molecules in won’t risk running out
reproduced in watch- each. As time goes by, of oxygen). It even has
form here. £3595 the fluorescent liquid a helium escape valve,
advances around should you ever be
the dial. £42,000 working in a deep-sea
diving bell. £499
 A LIFE OF
GRIME
Arnold Oceng, star of Noel Clarke’s Brotherhood, talks to UA about training hard,
eating dirty, acting with Stormzy and feeling like Beyoncé (in a good way)
UA: Hi Arnold. You’re currently
shooting a Danish boxing film.
Can you tell us about it?
AO: It’s a true story about a boxer called
Ayub Kalule. He’s from Uganda but
comes to Denmark in the ’70s. where
he’s been offered a title shot. Because
of the time, he’s like the only black guy
there, so he goes through a lot of racism.
Have you had to train much to
get in shape for the film?
It’s next level. It has been months of no
drinking, no smoking, eating healthily,
training and learning how to box (1). So
it’s been hard, but a great experience.
I’m in Croatia now; it’s 38 degrees here
and we’re fighting in this boxing gym
where they choose not to put the air
conditioning on to make it look more
authentic. You get the gist.
What food are you missing the most?
Brother! Takeaway, pizzas, KFC,
I’m talking everything. Chocolate – I’m
a proper sweet tooth guy. And I love
beer, I can’t even lie. I’m missing all
of it, but I feel like Beyoncé. I feel like
if I went to the toilet, glitter would
come out. I feel so pure.
You grew up in Brixton. We have
a piece on the resurgence of
authentic barbershops in this issue
(see p48). Can you recommend
somewhere good for a trim?
Oh yeah man, there’s Ruff Cut in
Brixton Hill. I used to go there all the
time. My cut of choice was short back
and sides, maybe a Nike tick at the
back. Now I have low fade at the side
and slightly longer on top.
We also have a suit buyer’s guide
in the main issue. Can you tell us
about your first good suit?
My first decent suit would have to be
for the Adulthood premiere. It was an
all-white one… I know bruv, so African.
And it was by Juicy Couture. Oh man.
PHOTOGRAPHY: LEO CACKETT | PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANT: WILL MARSDEN | STYLIST: RICCARDO CHIUDIONI | HAIR & GROOMING: ERNESTO MONTENOVO AT DAVID ARTISTS USING BUMBLE & BUMBLE | ADDITIONAL IMAGES: GETTY, ALLSTAR, NIKOLA PREDOVIC
In Brotherhood your character
Henry is the comedic and emotional
crux of the film. He’s come a long
you up in a Mercedes, you’re in a big
way since Adulthood (2)…
penthouse, it’s like everything you’ve
I said to Noel Clarke, if I come back I
dreamed of Hollywood being (4). Really
can’t still be robbing. It’s got to show
and truthfully though, when I found out
some progression. Henry comes
how much first class flights were…
back older and more mature. He has
mate! I thought, “You can just put that
a wife, kids, everything.
in my pocket and I’ll take a normal
And [rapper] Stormzy makes flight.” It’s crazy man. But it’s an
an appearance, too… experience I’ll never forget.
Yeah. I knew him from the ends, anyway. You’ve worked with some big names
He’s a cool guy. We had a big scene now, but can you remember the first
together in the film and I think he rose time you were star struck?
to the occasion. I’m a bit wary when it
That would be when I was filming
comes to rappers and people from other
Grange Hill (5) at Elstree studios, the
genres who come and have a go at
same place where EastEnders and Top
acting, but he really did well.
of the Pops were shot. You’d go and get
Did you hear about his birthday lunch in the canteen and bump into
party at Thorpe Park? Missy Elliot or Destiny’s Child. I’ll forever
Ah yeah, of course! I was meant to be have love for Dot Cotton as well. Once,
there but I was out of the country I was lining up to pay for lunch and I
filming. I’m not sure how I’d top it. realised I’d left my money in my costume.
He had Nando’s there, you know (3). She said, “No love, I’ll pay for you.”
The US doesn’t really get Nando’s, Lastly, elsewhere this month we’ve
does it? How much of a difference compiled some tips on investing in
have you noticed between working rare trainers (see p12). Do you have
in Hollywood and the UK? a favourite brand?
You know, the first thing you realise is I’m loyal to Nike. You’ve got to have a pair
that the levels are just sky high. Take of Air Max 90. All day long, 100%.
the flights: all first class. Then they pick ‘Brotherhood’ is in cinemas now
FOOTNOTES
01 02 03 04 05
Kalule won the WBA Oceng’s Brotherhood For his 23rd birthday, In 2014’s The Good Lie, Oceng played Calvin
Super Welterweight character, Henry, was Thorpe Park gave Oceng took on the role Braithwaite in the
title in 1979 before last seen in Adulthood, Stormzy the run of the of a Sudanese refugee now decommissioned
losing it to Sugar Ray left for dead after place for him and 200 alongside Reese kids’ drama for five
Leonard. He’s also being hit with a brick. fans. Adidas gave out Witherspoon. He was years. He was rated
a southpaw, which He returns as the goodie bags and originally passed 47th in a fan poll
made it more difficult proud owner of a hybrid Nando’s catered with over for the role on of the top 50 Grange
for Oceng, a righty. car among other such a #Merky burger. account of being too Hill characters.
domesticities. short. He is 5ft 10in.
 “Once, I was lining
up to pay for my
lunch and Dot Cotton
said, ‘No love,
I’ll pay for you’”

| 10/2016
021
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |

BLAZER £399
TIGER OF SWEDEN
AT HARRODS
–
JUMPER £270 SOLID
HOMME AT HARRODS
–
JEANS £230 KSUBI
AT HARRODS
–
SHOES £95 CONVERSE
JACK PURCELL
–
SOCKS £15.50
PANTHERELLA
 THREE’S A ny man who has found himself
without a washbag post-gym will
know body wash can stand in for
shampoo. Likewise, a generously applied
washes but there is a lot of crossover,”
says cosmetic dermatologist Dr David

A TREND
Are shower/shave products a time-
saving tonic, or a concoction of
marketing meetings gone mad?
The truth will come out in the wash
face wash will allow for a passable shave.
Eager to capitalise on the sink-side
MacGyvers among us, new products
are being developed to streamline your
morning routine. But can something
claiming to clean your hair, face and
body and provide suitable lubrication
for a shave really excel on all counts?
The secret to the new wave of unguent
alchemy is dilution. “Shampoos have
stronger oil-stripping agents than face
Colbert. “You can water down a shampoo
to cleanse your face quite effectively.”
When it comes to shaving, however,
it pays to read the small print. “Natural
moisturising elements like aloe combat
drying effects of chemicals in shampoos,”
says Colbert. “For skin conditions – even
mild eczema – I would always suggest
using a properly targeted product.”
But for those short on time and hot
on performance, this triple-threat trio will
provide head, face and body with all they
need. Multitasking is the future, after all.

01

02

03
| 10/2016

022
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |

01
FULL-BODY
03
LABORATORY
02
WORDS: MATT HAMBLY | PHOTOGRAPHY: TAL SILVERMAN

WORKOUT FORMULA
This crossover shower MORNING Lab Series’ facial, hair
gel is surprisingly PICK-ME-UP and body cleanser
effective as a shampoo, Packed with caffeine, has a super smart
while its ingredients and vitamins C and E, ‘non-drip’ formula,
and scent are gentle Kiehl’s all-in-one wash which allows it to act
enough to wash has an invigorating as a just-thick-enough
both face and body. after-effect to banish shave cream as well.
– fatigue on even the –
£18 MOLTON BROWN £19 LAB SERIES
most rushed morning.
–
£18.50 KIEHL’S
 OCTOBER STYLE DIGESTUA’s Style Council reviews the breakout stories of the cooler season
MH ASSOCIATE STYLE STYLE & GROOMING PEOPLE EDITOR, THE
EDITOR BLOGGER INDEPENDENT
MATT HAMBLY THE CHIC GGEEK JESSICA BARRETTT

01/ Action Hero

In ‘The Mission’, California-
based watch brand Nixon
has created the world’s first 03/ Cool
action sportswatch-cum-
smartwatch. Using Android
Points
technology, it features a host
You might not be
of handy applications
ready to get on
designed to be used by
the piste just yet,
surfers, snowboarders
MH: Considering the JB: Nixon has found but Harrods –
and anyone in between, explosion of smart CG: My issue with its niche in the upper whose ski room
tracking your performance tech in recent years, smart watches is that echelons of street- opens this month
and vital signs along the way. it’s amazing that no often they’re let down and sportswear. But
one has produced an by their interface. what’s really smart – knows it’s as
For such a functional piece
intelligent watch you Nixon’s looks simple is that skaters and much about the
of kit, it looks pretty fly, too.
can swim with until to use, which is a businessmen alike lifestyle as the
now. Props to Nixon massive plus. Best can pull it off. This is sport itself.
NIXON MISSION
M WATCH £350 for the design as well. of all, its looks make easily cool enough to
it a smart watch you ttranscend
sce d the
t e extreme
e te e
ll can wear any
really ssports market. MH: It would be easy
time,, anywhere.
y for a skiwear shop in
Harrods to focus on
ludicrous couture
snow-suits. Instead,
02/ Trend
d It Likke Beckham
ec m J : Speakingg objectively,
JB: j D
David it’s mixed old-school
kh llooks
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H&M has a history of slick collaaborations
a (just
j ask sarong,
g so perhaps it’s unfair to and Bogner) with ice
d clothes
judge l h based
b d on how
h they h cold design (Fendi
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g and Canada Goose).
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t David Beckham in collection off well-designed bbasics,
recent years has beeen a masterstroke.k The h joint and indicative of how the hig gh
g CG: Harrods brand
Modern Essentials co collection
ect onn returns
etu s tthiss month
o t street has upped its game off late.. mix demonstrates
it’s not just about
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shirts and red nylon bbombers
b – made d allll the
h more stocks brands like
modelled by the man himself.
desirable for being m ff.. Neil Barrett (whose
designer is a keen
skier), adding a
relevant style edge.
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me bin bags woorn b kh
by Beckkham JB: The fetishisation
and I’d probaablyy still takke
k an of jackets that keep
interest, simply b because hee can you warm in sub-zero
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i that even if you don’t
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t e plan to set foot on
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the horses, but then that’ss the winter can muster.
point. You coulld do a lot worse
w
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Really, whhat’s not to like??

H&M MODERN ESSENTI

SS IALS
I S
FROM
O £155

SKI TOP £505

FENDI AT HARRODS

M S
MENSHEALTH.CO.UK
CO K
 05/ Carry
TRAINERS £195, On In Style
APL EXCLUSIVE
AT HARRODS
Harrys of London
makes shoes that
appear traditional, 06/ A Man Of The World
but use innovative
design for comfort Harrods’ motto is Omnia Omnibus Ubique, which is
and performance. Latin for ‘All things for all people, everywhere’. Lions,
Now its attention BB King’s guitar and £18,000 bottles of champagne
has been turned to aside, this October ‘all things’ applies best to menswear.
luggage, packing The store will stock exclusives from Balmain to Lanvin,
intuitive tech. and Coach and Ami. Something for everyone, then.

04/ Unfair MH: I don’t normally MH: There is a CG: When a store JB: If you’re badly
Advantage advise matching sense of occasion with the influence of dressed in London,
your luggage to your to shopping at Harrods announces you certainly can’t
Footwear brand shoes, but Harrys’ Harrods. You’re it’s focusing on use a lack of good
design tenets transfer there as much menswear it’s worth clothes as a get-out.
Athletic Propulsion well. The gel padding, for the gilding as going to investigate. Harrods isn’t cheap
Labs (APL) is best borrowed from its the garms. Still, A one-off in terms but that’s because
known for making footwear, makes these Harrods’ brand of its ability to sell you’re buying the
shoes so good the comfortable to carry. selection is the rarest and most coolest brands in
peerless. Plus, its expensive items from the world. I would
NBA banned them. name commands around the world, the advise investing
CG: It’s not easy to
(The Concept 1 make luggage sexy, collaborations store’s menswear in a versatile Ami
was said to give but look what Harrys from the designers buyers have selected sweater, wearing
“undue competitive achieved with ‘comfy they stock that some of the coolest it on hard rotation
shoes’. The aesthetics you won’t get gear on offer and until it earns its
advantage”.) But anywhere else. brought it to London. money back.
are understated
notoriety creates and the neat design Essential, even if just
demand, and APL lets you slot for window shopping.
now has a line of the case and
gold Techlooms, carry bag
made exclusively together.
for Harrods. JB: Investing in
expensive
MH: Breaking the luggage makes
competitive trainer more sense than
HARRYS you’d think.
market is a tall order LUGGAGE
but APL seems to be FROM £1395 Extra padding
on its way. The clever and quality
mix of modish design stitching defend
and high performance your belongings against
is making them highly the rigours of travel,
LEFT TO RIGHT: BALMAIN £550, PUBLIC SCHOOL
sought after. This saving you ironing time, £1295, COACH £195 ALL AT HARRODS
Harrods exclusive will and potential repair bills.
only add to the allure.

| 10/2016
CG: These are ones
for the sneaker geeks. DMs LITE
FROM £95
07/ Join The Boot Camp
For what is still a fairly
young brand – it was After almost 70 years of producing the archetypal industrial
founded in 2009 –
APL has established boot, Dr Martens is launching three shoes with flexible,
itself as a cult label featherweight outsoles, based on its classic designs. The
remarkably quickly. 8-eye boot, 3-eye shoe and tasselled loafer are also gaining
025
With the gold Harrods a moisture-wicking insole. It’s less bovver, more hover.
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |
finish, these will sell
out double-quick.
MH: The classic DM CG: I’ve always liked JB: Dr Martens can
JB: If APL was just hasn’t changed since the burly aesthetic, look a bit This Is
another gimmicky first designed, which but my dainty ankles England on a man in
brand looking to cash is a major part of its aren’t strong enough jeans. Some might
in on a trend I’d be appeal, and attracting to break in a pair of like that – though the
inclined to dismiss it. new customers at the traditional DMs. So dysfunctional racist
But its design is expense of alienating to me these are the shtick tends not to
scientifically sound, loyal ones isn’t good perfect compromise, do it for me. While I
using cushioning to business sense. not least for their appreciate that these
transfer energy back Thankfully, these versatility. It means designs look less
into your run. You’re lites are comfortable you can wear them clompy, I’m still not
on solid ground. from the first wear more regularly and sold. Though if you’re
while still looking like not just in conditions into Brit subcultural,
a mean pair of boots. that demand heavy- I can see the appeal.
duty footwear – such
as a Slaves gig.

PHOTOGRAPHY: LUKE KIRWAN | STYLING: ERIC DOWN | SET DESIGN: EAST PRODUCTIONS
SCORE A
PERFECT 10
Lanvin’s smart sweat marks
a decade of style. And gets
full marks from us, too
In 2006, Lucas Ossendrijver took over
menswear at French label Lanvin, having
previously worked for Hedi Slimane at
Dior Homme. Ten years is a long time in
fashion, where creative directors move
faster than Premiership managers. But
such has been his success that the
Dutch designer chose to commemorate
his decade with a collection called,
FUTURE CLASSICS #01
| 10/2016
027
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |
rather prosaically, 10 Years. But that’s
where any accusations of drabness end:
this sweatshirt is less conspicuous than
other pieces (some of which feature
billiard balls and playing cards), and it is
embroidered rather than printed – which
may explain the price tag. An investment,
sure, but it’ll still look sharp come 2026.
£590 Lanvin at Harrods
High-concept, performance outerwear has found itself
a new home: the city. Urban Active takes a look at
how technical clothing designed to withstand the cold
has become urban streetwear’s hottest property
Photography LARS BORGES – Styling ERIC DOWN – Words MATT HAMBLY
DEEP IMPACT In testing,
this Nobis parka was
able to withstand 10m
of water before soaking. COAT £995 NOBIS
–
Just don’t swim in it GILET £245 PORSCHE
– DESIGN SPORT BY
ADIDAS AT HARRODS
–
SWEATSHIRT £185
JW ANDERSON AT
0m HARRODS
–
JOGGERS £195
BELSTAFF AT
HARRODS
–
SHOES £285 MONCLER
5m –
Nobis SOCKS STYLIST’S
OWN
parka

10m

| 10/2016
029
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |
TEAM STRATEGY
–The ‘street meets summit’ DARK MAGIC Stone Island’s ‘thermo
chromatic’ coating means the coat
gets darker as the air cools COAT £1195
look is rooted in North England STONE ISLAND
– –
football culture. “That fans HOODIE £415
started wearing tech outdoor BALENCIAGA AT
gear with sportswear was as HARRODS
+ 37ºC –
much due to circumstance JOGGERS £485
Body temp BALENCIAGA AT
as style,” says Mark Smith of HARRODS
Stockport-based magazine –
Proper. “It’s cold out on the RUCKSACK £170
CÔTE & CIEL
terraces.” This led outerwear –
and streetwear brands to find BOOTS £300
Y-3
common ground – think
Supreme collaborating with + 12ºC
The North Face or Stone + 4ºC
UK Avg Fridge
Island. “Mixing up styles,
brands and heritage is de temp
rigueur,” says Smith – “so
long as there’s cohesion in
fabric or shape.” A down gilet 0ºC
with Nike SBs? Fine. A DB Freezing
blazer with trackies? Not yet.
 – Outer Wear

GOLDEN GOOSE It gets chilly north of the

ALL RAPPED UP border, so Canada Goose coats are seriously
–Any spectator of a Merseyside warm. You might even call them over-engineered
– COAT £1050
derby in the past 30 years CANADA GOOSE
BLACK LABEL
will testify to the long- Manchester’s –
0ºC
standing link between coldest record JACKET £425
(January 2013) CP COMPANY
outdoor brands and terrace –
fashion. But it’s Canada T-SHIRT £350
that kick-started the recent -17.6ºC VALENTINO
AT HARRODS
trend of technical gear as Coldest temp in
streetwear. Specifically, Toronto, Canada
(January 1859)
Canadian rapper Drake: “His
look – Moncler parka, tracksuit -33ºC
and Timberlands – was a new
take on something familiar,”
says Smith. “He’s taken
a British working class lad’s -70ºC
sensibility and twisted it.”
That Canada is also home –80ºC
to the world’s biggest and Canada Goose’s
Jan Snow Mantra is Dec
best cold-weather brands
(Nobis, Canada Goose and tested to -70ºC
Arc’teryx...) may also help.

| 10/2016
031
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |
DOWN-GRADED
–Down is fetishised by men
BOMBER JACKET GET DOWN Feathery ‘down fill’ is expressed
who take performance-wear £295 in cubic inches per ounce. The higher the
PEAK PERFORMANCE
seriously. This fine layer of – fill, the warmer your jacket will be
feathers beneath birds’ outer TROUSERS £260 –
NEIL BARRETT AT
plumage is ultra light and HARRODS
warm. But, says Smith, these –
BOOTS £300 Y-3 750+
days it’s largely a matter of – 550-
heritage: “Details such as WATCH £1130 BALL
– 750
down fill [the amount a jacket RUCKSACK £320
PIQUADRO 500-
contains per square inch] are 550
traditionally seen as signs of in3/oz
400-
quality,” he says. “However, 450
improvements in synthetic
linings mean these can be
even lighter and just as warm.”
It’s a personal preference: if
you want to go classic, think Medium Good V good Excellent
Peak Performance or Woolrich;
if you’re more contemporary
try 7L or Arc’teryx. On today’s
street, both looks are solid.
 – Outer Wear

MH | URBAN ACTIVE | 033 | 10/2016

FROZEN ASSET SEAL OF APPROVAL For the Ramche 2.0 jacket, Berghaus
–Quality technical wear teamed up with Nikwax to develop a down that won’t
clump when wet. Here’s their not-so-secret formula:
JACKET £350
doesn’t come cheap for good – – – BERGHAUS
reason. “Expedition parkas 1 Water beads up 2 Force from rain 3 Water repellent –
HOODIE £130
are expensive due to the time on contact with or snowfall fibres resist and EMPORIO ARMANI
and ingenuity that goes into Nikwax material distorts beads repel the water AT HARRODS
–
making them,” says Smith. T-SHIRT £300 Y-3
“You may not plan to trek the –
JOGGERS £69.95
Arctic in yours, but the point Water NIKE AT HARRODS
is you could. It’s the same –
BASEBALL CAP
reason the design of classic £25 STARTER
coats has changed so little;
they got it right first time.”
Still, tech advances from the
likes of Berghaus iterate
perfection. But a good piece Forced
water Nikwax
will more than hold its value: surface
“There’s a healthy resale
market for vintage coats from
the likes of Stone Island and
CP Company.” Think of it as
a good down payment.
 – Outer Wear

COOL CUSTOMER LOCKDOWN Moncler’s parka was designed

| 10/2016
with Off-White, the brand belonging
–When buying a coat, focus to longtime Kanye collaborator Virgil
Abloh. Here’s his polymathic pie chart:
– PUFFA JACKET
on finding a match for your £1450 MONCLER O
PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANT: JAMES RAWLING | MODEL: AARON MILLER AT AMCK MODELS
HAIR & GROOMING: OSCAR ALEXANDER AT ERA MANAGEMENT USING CLINIQUE | STYLIST’S

lifestyle. “If you plan to spend –

Being Kanye’s GREY COAT £670
time in potentially severe creative Y-3
035
ASSISTANTS: LAUREN MITCHELL, CAROLINE ARSENIO AND RICCARDO CHIUDIONI

conditions, go for something –

director SWEATER £975
waterproof with good down Collaborating VERSACE AT
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |

fill,” says Smith. If looking fly with Moncler HARRODS

Designing –
is on the agenda try Moncler’s Off-White TROUSERS
collaboration with Off White. £70 FILA
–
And if the harshest elements WATCH £1130
to which you’ll be exposed BALL
feature on the daily commute,
consider a vest: “Many men
have an adverse reaction to
gilets, but they shouldn’t. A 350
vest from Patagonia will have flights Vegas DJ
years of expedition expertise a year residency
behind it, keeping you warm
without bulk.” Thermals may Cleaning Directing
be having a moment, but the his Yeezys Kimye selfies
idea is still to look your coolest.
 FUTURE CLASSICS #02
| 10/2016
036
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |
RIDE IN
COACH CLASS
An American brand with a
British idea: a jacket that
will make you pray for rain
If US brand Coach doesn’t mean much
to you at the moment, now is the time to
get on board. Established 75 years ago in
Manhattan, primarily as a purveyor of
accessories, it recently appointed highly
regarded British designer Stuart Vevers
(formerly of Mulberry and Louis Vuitton)
as its creative director. The positive
effect on its ready-to-wear offering has
PHOTOGRAPHY: LUKE KIRWAN | STYLING: ERIC DOWN | SET DESIGN: EAST PRODUCTIONS
been swift, as this asymmetric biker
jacket shows. It’s slim-cut yet shearling
lined, keeping you warm should the
weather turn ugly. True, this being quality
leather, it’ll cost you. But the old adage
of ‘buy right, buy once’ couldn’t be more
apt. Expect an item that will improve with
age – and envy from savvy acquaintances.
£1750 Coach at Harrods
MH | URBAN ACTIVE | | 10/2016

038
Super
 LEFT PAGE
JACKET £320 DIESEL
AT HARRODS
–
JUMPER £210 ACNE
STUDIOS AT HARRODS
–
T-SHIRT £60
SUNSPEL
–

THIS PAGE
BOMBER JACKET £150
ALPHA INDUSTRIES
–
SHIRT £30 TOPMAN
–
TROUSERS £295
BURBERRY PRORSUM
–
SHOES £75 ADIDAS
ORIGINALS
–
SUNGLASSES £285
OLIVER GOLDSMITH
–
WATCH £8650
OFFICINE PANERAI

Maro
Photography ANDREW WOFFINDEN – Styling ERIC DOWN – Words MATT HAMBLY

At the tender age of 21, the not-so-tender specimen that

is Maro Itoje has already been dubbed ‘The Chosen One’ of
English rugby. He also happens to be a politics student
with an appreciation of style and poetry. UA tackled the
rising Saracens star to find out what makes him stand apart
 aro Itoje is feeling relaxed. This morning
he returned from a week in Marbella and
tomorrow night he’s flying out to LA,
having recently sewn up one of the most
remarkable rugby seasons in modern
sporting history. Over the course of the
2015/16 campaign, Itoje won – deep
breath now – the Premiership and
European cup double with Saracens, the
Premiership Young Player of the Year
award and the European Player of the
Year award. He also made his international
debut, won every game he started for
both club and country and was part of
the first ever England side to whitewash
Australia down under in June.
Perhaps it’s too early for reflections,
or maybe he’s just spoilt for choice, but
Itoje struggles to pick a highlight from
such a momentous year. “Winning the
Premiership back-to-back, winning
Europe for the first time, that was pretty
special for all of us,” he says coolly. “But
winning my first cap for England and being
part of the first team in 13 years to win a
grand slam… I was pretty happy with that.”
Thirteen years is a long time in rugby,
not least when you’re only 21 years old.
Aged just eight when England won their
only World Cup final in Sydney, Itoje
showed little interest in the sport as
a youngster. Instead, his first sporting
idol was Muhammad Ali, a figure with
whom he fell in love after listening to
his father regale him with tales of the
boxer’s heroic exploits. Rugby would not
come for a few years yet and, when it did,
Itoje claims it was not the most auspicious
of beginnings.
| 10/2016
“If you were to ask any of my academy
coaches they’d tell you that I was one of
the least natural players they’d seen,” he
040
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |
“Being part of the first team in 13 years to win a grand slam...
I was pretty happy with that”
laughs. It’s possible he is being modest.
Born in Camden, north London, Itoje
enjoyed a privileged education at the
illustrious public school Harrow, thanks
to a sports scholarship. There he showed
prowess in a number of sports, from
basketball to shot-put (he’s represented
England in that, too). But when the rugby
did come, it came quickly. The more he
played, the more he improved. Five years
after taking the sport up he was playing
for England U17s. “The more I got into it,
the more I grew,” he says. And grow he
did. Itoje is a sculpted leviathan, standing
at 6ft 4in and weighing over 110kg.
Rise From The Flanks
It’s not easy dressing well when you’re
that big, which is perhaps why rugby
players tend not to be the slickest of
men. But Itoje is sharper than most.
“I have to shop around to find stuff that
fits,” he says. “I buy a bit on the high
street and I go to underground stores
like Dying Breed and Culture Kings. But
I also like a good suit. My size is a bit
unorthodox, so I get my suits made to
measure.” His dress sense, he says, is
classic, unfussy, with a modern twist. Itoje
favours plain, well-fitting T-shirts, pressed
white oxford shirts and sharp black
tailoring. The rail on our shoot is, he
admits, more colourful than what he’d
usually wear, but he’s nevertheless calm
and comfortable in front of the camera.
Rather less so is MH style director Eric
Down, who hovers anxiously lest a
17-stone lock hulk out of a Burberry
bomber jacket.
It wasn’t always this way. “At school
I was very lanky,” he says with a soft
voice at odds with his newfound size.
Keen to bulk up, Itoje was put on a diet
of 5000 calories a day – not uncommon
for a fully-grown prop forward, but a
formidable amount for a 16-year-old
schoolboy. It paid off. Itoje is now a key
figure in one of the heaviest packs in
rugby union, standing tall in the England
second row but with the athleticism to
play back row if required. Find yourself
next to him in the gym and he can, if
asked, complete a pull-up with a 70kg
weight hanging from his waist. Drop it to
50 and he’ll give you five. Flat on his back
he’ll bench 165kg, but, in his own words,
“I don’t squat.” And that’s fine with us.
He is also earning a reputation as a
brick-wall tackler. Sir Clive Woodward
refers to his defensive abilities as
“devastating”. An ESPN writer once
described the 19-year-old Itoje as “a
thinking man’s enforcer”. Google “Julien
Bardy Bump Off” and you’ll find a clip of
the Clermont flanker being bulldozed by
a rampant Itoje. In other words, if his rapid
ascent into top-tier rugby has been too
fast, he’s certainly not letting it show.
“There was a big step up in physicality,”
he admits. “The guys I’m playing with
now are a lot bigger. So the kind of things
you can get away with at schoolboy level,
I can’t get away with now. But I’m happy
the chance came sooner rather than later.”
In The Big Leagues
The focus now appears to be stopping
success going to his head. Earlier this
year, England coach Eddie Jones had
a twinkle in his eye as he talked about
transforming Itoje from a Vauxhall Viva
into a BMW. Would Itoje agree with the
workaday family hatchback comparison?
Only half-chuckling, he says, “I think I’m
 – Maro Itoje

JACKET £395
BURBURRY PRORSUM
–
WATCH £3020 TUDOR
 “As a citizen of this country I think
| 10/2016

you should be able to express your views as you see fit”

042
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |

DENIM JACKET £85

LEVI’S
–
JACKET £550
MONCLER AT HARRODS
–
SWEATER £115 STONE
ISLAND AT HARRODS
–
JEANS £160
7 FOR ALL MANKIND
AT HARRODS
–
BOOTS £185
TIMBERLAND
–
WATCH £5100
ZENITH
 – Maro Itoje

SHIRT £355 LANVIN

AT HARRODS
–
JEANS £485
VALENTINO AT
HARRODS
–
WATCH £16,400 IWC
 MH | URBAN ACTIVE | | 10/2016

044
–
–
–

BULGARI
SHIRT £150

AT HARRODS

WATCH £9550
TRUE RELIGION
ASTRID ANDERSON

JEANS £110 EDWIN

BOMBER JACKET £500

“When I was younger I wrote a few poems

and people started saying I was the new Shakespeare”
SHOT AT SPRING STUDIOS | PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANT: WILL RICHARDS | STYLIST ASSISTANTS:
LAUREN MITCHELL, CAROLINE ARSENIO, RICCARDO CHIUDIONI | HAIR & GROOMING: ERNESTO
GU
MONTENOVO
C AT DAVID ARTISTS USING BUMBLE & BUMBLE | ILLUSTRATIONS: JAMES GRAHAM

a lot better than a Vauxhall Viva. I’m not
too sure what car I’d describe myself as.
But I’d say it’s an improvement on a Viva.”
It’s a typically reserved comment from
a man whose teammates like to call him
The Chosen One, or Mandela (“I’m not
entirely comfortable with that one, to be
honest,” he laughs). Everything he says
is considered carefully and he prefers
to talk about the team rather than feel
the spotlight on himself. He is quick to
point out losses and hard runs as well
as victories; times when Saracens have
had to dig in and show some character.
“There’s a lot of banter aimed my way in
the training ground,” he says. “I think the
team are just trying to keep my feet on
the ground. To begin with, people didn’t
really know what I was like, but now they
know I’m not one to get carried away.”
Doubtless this is a character trait to
which Itoje’s mother and father must be
credited. When Harrow came knocking,
having heard about his prodigious
talents, his parents made it clear that
if he didn’t get the grades, he wouldn’t
be throwing balls around. “My parents
ensured my education never suffered,”
he says. “It’s easy for teenagers to get
over-excited playing sport. I come from a
family where education is very important.”
They needn’t have worried – Itoje
left school with straight-As and is now
studying politics at the prestigious SOAS
institution, around his rugby career.
“I’m on the home straight of my degree
now and my parents have been a big part
of it,” he says, before coming out with the
kind of earnest comment not normally
heard in the depths of the scrum. “I think
I’m handling the pressure of balancing
everything alright,” he says. “I’m not a
Kardashian, so no one’s camping outside
my door. But as a citizen of this country
I think you should be able to express your
COAT £645
PAUL SMITH
–
T-SHIRT £65
ORLEBAR BROWN
–
JEANS £32 TOPMAN
–
SHOES £375 HARRYS
OF LONDON
–
WATCH £20,400
AUDEMARS PIGUET
– Maro Itoje
views as you see fit. If a sportsman wishes
to demonstrate their political position,
I don’t think that’s bad. If there’s
something I feel strongly about, I won’t
be afraid to say it.” Well, quite.
Field Of Dreams
When UA meets up with Itoje there is still
a month before the Premiership season
restarts. In between holidays he’s been
training lightly (this morning: a painful
session on the wattbike) but soon he’ll
be preparing full-time for Saracens’
title defence. Longer term? Woodward
has suggested he has what it takes to
be a future England captain – is that
where Itoje sees himself headed?
“I don’t want to get into hypotheticals
but I think if I focus on all areas of my
game, hopefully I’ll get there one day.”
A level-headed, albeit stock answer
to an admittedly hackneyed question,
then. But in this context it seems legit.
Itoje is right to refer to the captaincy as
hypothetical, but it’s fun to speculate
whenever a player of his quality emerges.
It’s in the modern pro sportsman’s job
spec to get used to being mythologised.
This is a man whose height increases
incrementally on Wikipedia as fans seek
to amplify his stature.
Then there’s his fabled second career
as a poet that’s proved irresistible to
tabloids and broadsheets alike. (For the
record: “When I was younger I wrote a
few poems and people started saying
I was the new Shakespeare. I enjoy a good
poem, but I’m not massively into it.”)
People will continue to sensationalise
this young colossus with the strong heart
and the keen mind for a while yet. But with
more wins and more stellar performances,
they won’t need to resort to mythology.
Itoje will let his body do the talking.
@maroitoje

PHOTOGRAPHY: LUKE KIRWAN | STYLING: ERIC DOWN | SET DESIGN: EAST PRODUCTIONS
SIGN UP TO From chukkas to Chelseas, ankle boots
have enjoyed a style renaissance of late,
BOOT CAMP so it was only a matter of time before
Jodhpurs followed in their tread. Their
Jodhpurs have kicked off history may be rooted in equestrianism –
the slip-on fastening, slim toe box and
their rural roots and made supportive monk-strap made Jodhpurs
a step to the city streets perfect for the stirrup – but it’s the way
in which this works with a slim, tapered
FUTURE CLASSICS #03
| 10/2016
047
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |
trouser leg that has caused the likes
of Saint Laurent and John Lobb to
reintroduce them to their stables (pun
partially intended). Like the Chelsea
boot, their virtue is versatility. An elegant
silhouette means they work with tailoring
as well as denim. And in this traditional
brown, you’d be a foal to get it wrong.
£125 Aldo
| 10/2016

048
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |

After generations languishing in the tonsorial doldrums,

the barbershop is enjoying a renaissance. Urban Active took
a Belmont chair at five of the capital’s most distinguished
shops to find out what’s driving the razor revival
Photography JONATHAN DANIEL PRYCE - Words DANIEL MASOLIVER
 SOHO’S CUT & GRIND
WEAVES HIPSTER COOL
WITH OLD-SCHOOL
BARBERING VALUES

SETTLE IN FOR A SHORT
BACK (AND LONG BLACK)
THE HIPSTER HEART - CUT & GRIND
PART COFFEE SHOP AND SOMETIME MUSIC VENUE,
SOHO’S CUT & GRIND SITS AT BARBERING’S RAZOR-
SHARP POINT. ITS EMPLOYEES – INVARIABLY
TATTOOED WITH NEATLY CRAFTED FACIAL HAIR –
CERTAINLY KNOW THEIR WAY AROUND A CUTTHROAT
Name Hari Efthymiades,
owner and head barber
Experience 25 years
Why did you open Cut
& Grind? We wanted to
have this environment where
people don’t have to have
a haircut. They can come in,
grab a coffee, sit down and
chill out. It’s the old-school
community, but bringing
it back in a modern way.
What was your inspiration?
I was brought up in Peckham.
I remember coming home
from a night out at one
o’clock in the morning and all
the black barbershops were
still open. Everyone was just
chilling. That was lost when
guys started going to the
ladies’ hairdressing salons.
Here, on a Friday, Saturday
night, the last appointment
is at 11pm, the bar’s open
downstairs and there are
bands or DJs playing music.
Have you incorporated
any old-school touches?
THE AUTHENTIC OLD SCHOOL - MOSH BARBERS
IT’S EASY TO SPOT THE REGULARS AT EAST LONDON’S
MOSH: THEY’RE THE ONES PATIENTLY SIPPING ON TURKISH
TEA AS THE NEWCOMERS ARE TENDED TO BY A HIGHLY
SKILLED TEAM OF CUTTERS – AND EYEBROW THREADERS
Name Mosh Solmaz, owner prevent blackheads, then a
Experience 27 years refreshing hot towel followed
by a soothing moisturiser.
Why do people come to
And I do threading, where
you? Turkish barbers are the
I run a length of thread
best in the world, because
between my teeth and use
the training back home is the
it to remove the small hairs
best. You start working at
between the eyebrows or
12 years old, sweeping floors
on customers’ cheeks. Very
and watching the barbers.
few barbers know this here
I started at 12, but I wasn’t
– I learned it in Turkey.
handed a pair of scissors or
clippers until I was 14. I spent What styles are customers
two years just cleaning. asking for? A lot of our
customers are still asking for
What makes Turkish
the Essex-style combover –
barbers special? Everything
a high fade and the parting
we do is designed to make
swept over to one side.
you feel fresh and clean at
But now more people are
the end of a treatment. We
going for longer, swept-back
use burning methylated spirit,
hair on top, like Al Pacino.
tapped over the ears to singe
242 High Rd, E10 5PW
off fuzzy baby hairs. After
shaves, we use a cleanser to Customer feedback: “I live
six miles away but I’ve been
travelling to see Mosh for
the last 12 years. He won’t
let you off the seat until he
knows you’re satisfied. I’m
not Turkish, but I love this
style of barber’s. It’s more of
a grooming centre than a
We’re keeping it all very straight-up hairdresser. And
traditional. When you finished it’s a nicer, cleaner finish.”
your haircut back in the day, Faisal, 35, Redbridge
they put cologne on your
neck. Not Tom Ford or
Dsquared2 – it was Old Spice.
That’s what we’re using, and
the guys love it, because that
smell takes them back to
their fathers or grandfathers.
Also, after our service,
everyone gets a hot towel.
Times have moved on, but
I want to keep that tradition.
What trends are you
noticing? Most of the guys
coming here are going for
a complete re-style. A lot of
the very, very short skin fade
stuff is in for the younger
people. The older guys are
IN A CULTURALLY
leaving the top a lot longer, DIVERSE CORNER OF
EAST LONDON, ‘MOSH’
loose and textured, and
IS THE WORD LOCALS
with an undercut that you KNOW MEANS QUALITY
can barely see when it’s
combed, but looks striking
when it flops down.
instagram.com/cutandgrind
 – The Cutting Edge

WITH ITS VINTAGE

AESTHETIC, THE COVENT
GARDEN SHOP HAS
BECOME A DESTINATION
IN ITS OWN RIGHT

Name Denis Robinson,

senior barber
Experience 24 years
Have you noticed a growing
interest in barbering?
Hugely – especially in the
last five years. I started doing
hair in 1992 when I was 14,
and that coincided with the
launch of unisex salons.
Most guys didn’t want one
of the four standard cuts
barbers tended to offer, so
it started to die out.
Why is Ruffians so popular?
Guys like the fact that they
can come to a traditional
barbershop – not a women’s
hair salon – and not be
assaulted by the smells of
ammonia hair colour and
people having manicures.
There’s a sense of it being
a boys’ club; they enjoy that.
Do you still use cutthroats?
Absolutely. You need nerves
of steel to use a cutthroat
razor around someone’s
carotid. I once cut George
Bush Sr’s hair. At the end,

| 10/2016
I pulled out my razor – I see
these secret service agents
freeze, and one of them
reaches for his gun. Taking
a cutthroat to the neck of
the former leader of the free
world apparently makes 051
people nervous.
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |

Is the beard over? Not yet.

If anything, it’s going more
mainstream. About 20% of
our business is made up of
looking after facial hair. But
it is changing: we’re seeing
more types of beard; more
‘maintained’, as opposed to
THE NEW LAD ON THE BLOCK - RUFFIANS the unkempt hipster look.
And lots more full ‘taches.
WITH ITS SHARP CUTS, BRANDED PRODUCTS AND, UM, OWN-LABEL
ruffians.co.uk
PALE ALE, RUFFIANS HAS BECOME A DRAW FOR BOTH HOMEGROWN
HIPSTERS AND TREND-TRACKING TOURISTS. ITS FOUNDERS PRIDE
THEMSELVES ON ITS ATMOSPHERE AS MUCH AS ITS EXPERTISE
 BRIXTON’S IDENTITY
HAS BEEN RE-SHAPED,
BUT KLASSIQUE IS
STILL A CUT ABOVE
| 10/2016

THE SOUL OF THE COMMUNITY - KLASSIQUE

IN NEWLY GENTRIFIED BRIXTON, KLASSIQUE STANDS AS A PROUD
REMINDER OF THE DISTRICT’S AFRO-CARIBBEAN HERITAGE. YOU
MAY NOT BE OFFERED A COOL CRAFT ALE, BUT YOU WILL ENJOY
A WARM WELCOME FROM ITS FAMILIAR ROSTER OF BARBERS
052
Name Robert Smith, barber about haircuts per se, it’s
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |

Experience 16 years about getting to know each

How has the shop changed
over time? Klassique has
been here for about 11 years
now, and I’ve been here for
most of that time. It has
changed over the years –
there’s a mixture of people
coming: black, white, Syrian,
all different races. Brixton is
a different place these days.
Why do people keep coming
back to Klassique? It’s not
other. Have a drink, have
a laugh – that’s the main
thing. Friendly barbers and
a friendly atmosphere is what
it’s all about. People feel safe
here. We just try to run it to
the best of our ability.
What’s the most popular
style? Every hairstyle, it
comes and it go. Like the
Mohawk – it’s dying out
at the moment, but a few
months ago it was a thing.
Now everybody wants the

OPENED THEIR DOORS, THEIR ST JAMES’S STREET SHOP LIVES ON AS
high top. Some of the other
barbers do a lot of patterns,
but I’m not really the pattern
type. I’m more classic.
81 Atlantic Rd, SW9 8PU
Customer feedback: “I got
my first haircut here when
I was a boy and I’ve been
coming back ever since.
When I was a child I wanted
patterns and designs,
whereas now it’s a low fade.
As I’ve got older my style’s
changed, but they’ve always
adapted to that. Often it’s
the same people you see
in hanging around here, so
AGE-WORN PHOTOS OF
it’s a familiar setting every
time you come. Everyone
OAK-PANELLED WALLS
makes you feel welcome.”
Ainsley, 21, Brixton
– The Cutting Edge
THE OLD MASTER - TRUEFITT & HILL
IT’S BEEN 211 YEARS SINCE MESSRS TRUEFITT AND HILL FIRST
THE COUNTRY’S OLDEST EXTANT BARBER. TODAY IT BEARS A ROYAL
WARRANT FROM THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH (WELL, IT IS HIS LOCAL)
Name Gino Rusu, handmade badger hair
master barber brushes that hold much more
Experience 13 years water than synthetic ones –
very important for a close,
Why do people come to
smooth shave. And we still
Truefitt & Hill? There’s
use our patented CAR Cream,
a movement, especially
developed by the RAC for
among younger gentlemen,
Mr Truefitt and Mr Hill around
toward genuine things. They
1900 when convertibles first
don’t want a barbershop that
came into style, so that
opened two weeks ago, they
gentlemen could arrive at
want something original. We
a dinner party without their
have gentlemen who have
hair looking like a windswept
been coming here every week
mess. A lot of our products
for 40 years for their shaves,
have fun stories behind them.
but we’ve also had a huge
They’ve been developed over
influx of younger clientele
the years to meet gentlemen’s
coming in for treatments.
ever-changing needs.
Have you adapted to keep
What are your most poplar
up with the times? Since
cuts? I would say the most
1805, our client list has been
popular ones are still the
a Who’s Who of British history
conservative ones. Not too
– Charles Dickens wrote
short, scissor-cut above
about us in his novels. But
the ear, often with a side
we’re careful to ensure we
parting. The more traditional
balance our sense of heritage
clients prefer natural-looking
with what gentlemen require
hair, but many of them use
in the modern day. We keep
OIL PAINTINGS AND our tonic lotions and oils.
track of all the runway styles,
THE SHOP’S PAST We cater for all types.
but we maintain traditional
PATRONS ADORN THE truefittandhill.co.uk
skills and our history.
How does that heritage
manifest itself? For shaves
we use cutthroat razors and
 PIONEER
SPIRIT
IF YOU WANT TO FEEL LIKE
A HERO, YOU CAN START
BY DRESSING LIKE ONE
MH PROMOTION

I 
n the bitterly cold depths of
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mountaineers dedicate their

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Bring out your inner adventurer

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LOOK FLY
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time, telling the story of your
adventures, be they in the arctic
circle or the commuter belt.

PHOTOGRAPHY: LUKE KIRWAN | STYLING: ERIC DOWN | SET DESIGN: EAST PRODUCTIONS
KEEP IT IN In the punctilious world of watchmaking,
few things are carried out at speed. But
THE FAMILY in 1963, after just one year at the helm
of his family’s business, Jack Heuer
Tag Heuer’s reinvention of launched the Carrera – a flying start, in
horological terms. Still, since its launch,
the 53-year-old Carrera this iconic model has reverted to type
is a model for the future and done little but age gracefully. How,
then, does Tag keep its classic watch
FUTURE CLASSICS #04
| 10/2016
055
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |
relevant in 2016? By paying tribute to
its journey, of course. While the Carrera
Heuer 01 is unmistakably of the family, it
also manages to feel futuristic with a
skeleton structure and bold black and
red design. The perforated rubber strap
keeps it gym-friendly, too. The Carrera
is going nowhere – in the best way.
£4000 Tag Heur exclusive to Harrods
| 10/2016

056
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |

ESTABLISHING A
VESTED INTEREST
IS KEY FOR BRANDS
TO REIGN SUPREME
 HYPER
Market
A small conglomerate of designer brands have established a
cult fanbase outside the traditional menswear industry.
Their clothes are exclusive, limited and often staggeringly
expensive. UA investigates whether you should believe the hype
Photography MAX OPPENHEIM – Styling ERIC DOWN – Words DANIEL SANDISON & CALUM GORDON
In
THE
Beginning
there were just whispers: obsessive,
sometimes geeky teenagers queuing
around the block for limited edition
basketball shoes or one-off T-shirts.
It was underground, for the most part.
If you knew, you knew and if you didn’t,
you didn’t. There were clunky, online
fan forums to be trawled, yet whole
towns, countries, sometimes oceans
separated the like-minded souls that
frequented them. This was pre-Instagram.
There weren’t any websites or apps to
tell you when shoes would drop, no
social influencers, and certainly no
interest from the fashion community.
Before the advent of so-called
hypebeasts, before Kanye West
improbably sold out his Madison Square
Garden fashion show, before the
emergence of a multi-million dollar re-sale
industry, there were just whispers.
Today, those whispers have grown
louder. They have become hype. For
a generation raised on the addictively
instant gratification of social media,
hype has become the most valuable
and coveted marketing tool a brand
can possess. More than any nuanced
design features or weighty concepts
behind a collection, it is the fervent
desire for an ‘it’ product that fuels
both the streetwear industry and,
more recently, the runways of Milan
and Paris. The formula of niche +
LIMITED RUNS FROM THE
STREETWEAR VANGUARD
KEEP ADHERENTS ON THE
EDGE OF THEIR SEATS
exclusive + striking (sometimes to the
point of poor taste) products that were
once the preserve of streetwear have
started being adopted by some of
high fashion’s most estimable houses.
Gucci has recently been revitalised by
Alessandro Michele’s fulsome brand of
lurid kitsch. Meanwhile, Balenciaga has
appointed new creative director Demna
Gvasalia, someone you will probably
know as the man behind Vetements,
the French brand most famous for
creating a £185 DHL T-shirt. And while
the sight of overnight queues outside
skate stores is no longer unusual, the
ability to sell an oversized hoodie
bearing a print from Titanic for in excess
of £500 – as Vetements did earlier this
year – represents a high watermark in
the business of hype fashion.
“In my 36 years in the business, we’ve
always seen the ‘insiders’ brands’ and
VEST £30 BOXERS £30 BOTH SUNSPEL, SOCKS STYLIST’S OWN, CHAIR £10 HABITAT
low-on-the-radar labels that are either
uncovered or discovered and then MODEL: NICHOLAS SINCLAIR AT NAMED MODELS | PROP DESIGN: LOU BLACKSHAW
fetishized,” says menswear veteran
and former Drapers Record editor Eric
Musgrave. “But in the past 15 years of the
digital era, it has become much easier
firstly to find out about such brands,
and secondly to purchase them online.
An interesting discussion, of course,
is whether ‘hype’ brands are genuinely
discovered or whether they just cleverly
market themselves as such.”
THE SKATING GAME
New York-based streetwear label
Supreme is undoubtedly the master

of the hype arts. The label has
maintained a staggeringly consistent
level of heightened popularity among
rarefied circles for over two decades,
with queues of disciples lining up
outside its New York and London stores
every Thursday, when new lines are
GROOMING: OSCAR ALEXANDER AT ERA MANAGEMENT USING
released. The brand’s iconic red box
BURBERRY | PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANT: LOUISE ROLLEY
logo, which is based upon (and
controversially appropriated from)
the work of conceptual artist Barbara
Kruger, has become a nonpareil
streetwear status symbol.
Founded by ex-Stussy employee (and,
somewhat randomly, former Grange Hill
child actor) James Jebbia in 1994 from
a small store in Manhattan, Supreme
started out as a humble skateboarding
label. Jebbia would go on to develop
a highly successful and unique business
and retail strategy, turning his initial
$12,000 outlay into a burgeoning hype
empire with 10 stores across the world
(six of which are in Japan) and a net
worth estimated at $40 million. The
secret? Limited runs of sought-after
items would be released in-store, and
once they were gone, they were gone.
This is something that Jebbia maintains
was a pragmatic business decision,
in order to ensure they were not left
sitting on masses of stock at the end
of each season. But in doing so, he
created a hyper-exclusive model for the
brand’s niche product. This was further
augmented by creating a purposely
intimidating retail environment – shops
run by skaters, for skaters. If you want
– Hype Brands
to get your hands on some rare-breed
Supreme, you have to run the gauntlet
of the store’s less-than-helpful store
assistants. This customer disservice
approach has only served to increase
the brand’s cache among those
craving its approval.
“Skateboarding has never been
nice. Let’s make that clear. It started as
an outsider thing, and skateboarders
have always been assholes,” explained
Angelo Baque, Supreme’s brand
director, in a recent interview. “If
you have legitimate skaters working
in stores then they are going to be
fucking assholes. I love them for being
who they are. If you don’t like it then
don’t fucking shop there.”
NAME YOUR PRICE
This formula of bad attitude and high
exclusivity is increasingly becoming
the blueprint for any newly launched
brand. “Traditional menswear is very
fixed, in my opinion,” says Robert
Marshall, the Hong Kong-based editor
of Hypebeast magazine and website.
“Designs tend to remain fairly static,
while fits and silhouettes change to
match current trends. But Labels like
Supreme and Vetements are pushing
boundaries in street fashion, where all
the eyes are. This in turn has influence
on the traditional brands who want to
maintain relevancy. Everyone is looking
for something or someone to tell their
story. Fashion is no different.”
| 10/2016
Perhaps few have spun a better
yarn in recent years – and reaped the
rewards of unfettered hype as a result
– than 31-year-old Russian designer
Gosha Rubchinskiy. His designs may
be paraded on the catwalks of chichi
Paris, but his following consists largely 059
of teenagers (as well as swathes of
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |
cool industry admirers). It is not
simply his designs – largely inspired
by his post-Soviet childhood, a love
of sportswear and a semi-ironic
marriage of the two – that have seen
him gain such cult popularity. Crucially,
he has built a world that fashion- and
internet-savvy kids want to buy into.
As a brand, Rubchinskiy takes in
photography, skateboarding and
art, all enveloped by an overarching
 Hype Brands –
BELIEVE THE HY
HYPE: THE CATWALK SHOWS OF VETEMENTS AND GOSHA
rawness, with the clothes often feeling
like a natural extension of these
sensibilities. Much like Supreme, it
goes deeper than fabric. The hype is
fuelled by being part of his gang.
The same can be said of Vetements,
whose popularity is clearly as much
about being a paid-up member of the
gang as the frankly questionable designs
themselves. Charging eye-watering
prices for incongruously basic (some
might say crude) garments might sound
like a capitalist joke, but it has fostered
an unrivalled send of exclusivity – and
subsequent inclusivity among those
who have parted with their cash. Even
if asking £185 for a yellow t-shirt
emblazoned with a red DHL logo is
a joke, it begs the question of whether
the wearer is being laughed with or at.
Inevitably the brand has drawn
criticism for this, against which Gvasalia
himself has hit back, claiming that it’s
| 10/2016
relative to the cost of production and the
quality of the garments. Kanye West
similarly backtracked on his promise to
make Yeezy Season 3 affordable earlier
this year, and, despite his lo-fi sportswear
aesthetic, Rubchinskiy’s output retails for
060 significantly more than the high street
garb it frequently references.
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |
COMPLY AND DEMAND
For all the staunch defence of high
production values, however, it seems
fair game to ask whether there isn’t
something more calculated going on.
For instance, is the tall price of gaining
access to these cliques and clubs
really worth it? Or is it all just one big
confidence trick? “I have a sort of
bittersweet feeling for these brands,”
says Marshall. “On the one hand, fashion
is self-expression in its truest form, so
OSHA RUBCHINSKIY
HYPE
has Died
before and
it WILL
Again
everyone deserves to wear something
that they feel reflects who they are on
the inside. On the other hand, because
there are now so many brands claiming
to represent an alternative ‘lifestyle’,
people are latching on to rhetorics
that they don’t necessarily understand,
let alone believe in.”
The idea that these streetwear
brands are playing a cute marketing
trick on both their adoring public and
impressionable hangers-on is moot. The
more rarefied and exclusive their wares
become, the more they represent a big
business commercial opportunity. “The
balance to be struck is whether brands
wish to remain niche and therefore
small, or larger but still giving the
impression that they are small,” says
Musgrave. And it’s the latter model
that appears to be having it off.
But is such a business model
sustainable? In the world of streetwear,
Supreme has proved to be the exception
to the rule, while many counterparts
have faded into comparative obscurity.
Brands like A Bathing Ape and Stussy
were both accustomed to commanding
similar levels of hype 10-20 years ago.
But sheens fade, the eager fanatics
who would once queue interminably
have long since gone, and few scramble
for their newly released products.
“Hype has died before and it will again,”
claims Matt Welty, associate sneaker
editor at Complex magazine. “The
hype already died once around 2009
when the recession hit in America.
People started getting into #menswear
and heritage items and put their all-
over print hoodies to the back of their
closets. But brands still found a way to
cater to this audience, even if their
purchasing habits had changed. We
may not be hyped on the same stuff,
but as long as there’s a limited supply,
there will always be a big demand.”
The charm and genius of a label like
Supreme is in its multi-faceted, almost
random output. References change from
season to season with little in the way of
continuity or common ground. Whether
it’s Shane MacGowan of the Pogues one
month or a collaboration with Playboy
the next, customers keep coming back
for more. It’s for this reason, perhaps
more than any other, that the brand’s
cult appeal has outlasted competitors.
The challenge for high fashion
brands like Gosha Rubchinskiy and
Vetements is whether they can emulate
this longevity. In four or five season’s
time, will Gvasalia’s creations still be
selling out instantaneously? He has
managed to sell us £185 DHL T-shirts,
but the pressure to recreate seasonal
‘it’ items – the kind that have lent
heavily to Vetements’ allure – is a
thankless task. Such is the ephemeral
nature of hype: it can disappear in an
instant. And, as any kid who lines up
outside Supreme each Thursday will tell
you, once it’s gone, it’s gone for good.
DEVOTEES QUEUE AROUND
THE BLOCK TO CLAIM
THEIR STAKE IN THE
RARE STITCH PROJECT
 GREY TEE £69
JEANS £149
ON
MH PROMOTTION
FEEL
THE
STRETCH
FOR RUGGED, INNOVATIVE AND
ON-TREND MENSWEAR, THERE’S
ONLY ONE TRUE RELIGION
I 
f it ain’t broke, don’t fix it is surely
one of the greatest fallacies to
enter the British lexicon. Was the
horse-and-cart ‘broke’ when Brunel
built his railways? Or the candle
when Edison gave us the lightbulb?
Innovation means taking what’s right
there in front of you and reinventing it
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The LA-based brand has become
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FLYING THE FLAG
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opened the doors to their
first ever international
flagship store, on London’s
Carnaby Street. By using
tech to combine the best of
digital and IRL shopping,
*TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY
they’ve created a truly
unique temple to menswear.
See for yourself, or find
True Religion in Selfridges,
Harrods and online:
eu.truereligion.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: LUKE KIRWAN | STYLING: ERIC DOWN | SET DESIGN: EAST PRODUCTIONS
STAY AHEAD
OF THE PACK
Mixing luxe aesthetics with
high-tech design, Armani’s
rucksack carries the show
Given its obvious concession to utility,
the backpack is often overlooked as
something of a worker bee compared
to more sybaritic holdalls. However,
Emporio Armani’s calf leather rucksack
is a bona fide honey trap – suitable
for swank occasions, without
compromising on essentials such
as rigid construction or practicality
FUTURE CLASSICS #05
| 10/2016
063
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |
(see the grand handle and adjustable
buckles). Firmly disposed of are any
schoolboy camping trip connotations:
no bright colours and no nylon straps.
Instead the body is made from black,
calf skin leather, which makes it smart
enough to get you from office to gym
without breaking sweat.
£740 Emporio Armani
 THE EDIT
Bad weather is coming, breezing in with a host of ice-cold kit. Use our
style experts’ inclement edit to have winter fashion all wrapped up
021C
THE PANTONE NUMBER FOR THE
MA-1’S LINING. AFTER A CRASH
IT WAS USED TO ATTRACT SEARCH
PLANES,
PLANES SO ALL EYES ON YOU

£1450 GIVENCHY BY RICCARDO £40 H&M £185 ALPHA INDUSTRIES

TISCI AT HARRODS

FLIGHT
£1125 VALENTINO
AT HARRODS
CLUB
The original ’50s MA-1 bomber
£60 TOPMAN

was high-functioning in low

temperatures. Still warm,
now it’s the height of cool

£1950 ALEXANDER
£195 CARHARTT WIP MCQUEEN AT HARRODS

| 10/2016
067
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |
PHOTOGRAPHY: HEARST STUDIOS | STYLING: ERIC DOWN

£30 NEW LOOK

£650 PUBLIC SCHOOL AT HARRODS

£425 CHRISTOPHER RAEBURN
 £145 TOMMY HILFIGER £665 LOUIS VUITTON £320 DIEMME

SOCIAL
£120 DUNE
CLIMBERS
Designed as utilitarian footwear,
£695 JM WESTON

now adopted as a casual mainstay,

hiking boots are the all-terrain
shoes for crossing sartorial
borders with ease

£250 HACKETT
| 10/2016

068
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |

£195 RUSSELL & BROMLEY £230 GRENSON

978
THE HEIGHT IN METRES OF
BRITAIN’S HIGHEST PEAK,
SCAFELL PIKE. PULL YOURSELF
UP BY THE BOOTSTRAPS

£1045 RALPH LAUREN PURPLE LABEL £60 RIVER ISLAND

 £245 ORLEBAR BROWN £925 FENDI AT HARRODS £369 GEOX

PUFF
£395 CP COMPANY
PIECES
Padded jackets punch well above
£220 LACOSTE LIVE

their weight for warmth and, thanks

to the resurgence in luxe tech
sportswear, they’ve stepped up
a weight class in style, too

£220 NAPAPIJRI £180 NORTH QUARTER BY CHRISTOPHER SHANNON

77
YEARS SINCE EDDIE BAUER
PATENTED THE FIRST QUILTED
JACKET. DUBBED THE SKYLINER,
IT’S WARM EVEN AT ALTITUDE

£495 VICTORINOX
STYLIST’S ASSISTANT: RICCARDO CHIUDIONI

£625 CANADA GOOSE AT HARRODS £525 STONE ISLAND AT HARRODS

 SPORT + FASHION

BE THE
BEST AT
EVERYTHING
MEN’S HEALTH HAS TEAMED UP WITH HARRODS TO CREATE A SERIES 1-2 OCTOBER
TEST YOUR REACTION TIMES
OF UNMISSABLE WEEKEND EVENTS THROUGHOUT OCTOBER. JOIN US AND AGILITY WITH ADIDAS
TO CELEBRATE OUR URBAN ACTIVE SPORTS FASHION SUPPLEMENT
8-9 OCTOBER
TAKE ON THE BOXING RIG
Men are competitive creatures. Harrods, was created to champion WITH UNDER ARMOUR
We’re always looking for ways to the rise and rise of sports fashion.
improve; to become that little bit And to celebrate its third year, we’re 15-16 OCTOBER
WORK OUT WITH A MASTER
sharper, smarter, faster – all with holding a trio of events at Harrods TRAINER WITH TECHNOGYM
one admittedly grandiose goal in across three weekends in October,
mind. In short, we want to be the giving MH readers and Harrods ALL EVENTS 2-6PM EACH DAY @
best at everything. customers the chance to peruse HARRODS, MEN’S CASUALS AND
Over the past few years, menswear cutting-edge gear from the world’s SPORTS FASHION, FIFTH FLOOR
and technology have intertwined greatest brands, while taking on
to dizzying effect. Never before has unique fitness challenges for the #HARRODSXMH
sports apparel reached such heights chance to win priceless prizes.
of style, or had the potential to boost Join us this October in Harrods to
performance to such an acute degree. test your body to the limit and try out
Men’s Health’s Urban Active the next generation of performance-
magazine, in partnership with optimising sportswear.
 £50 SUPERDRY £129 POLO RALPH LAUREN £55 NEW ERA

IN THE
HOOD
From sportswear to counter-
£42 ELLESSE £56 FRANKLIN & MARSHALL
culture, hoodies epitomise lo-fi
fashion. Worn under a leather,
denim or even suit jacket,
they’ve got you covered

£205 MCQ ALEXANDER £150 LACOSTE

MCQUEEN AT HARRODS

700
THE NUMBER OF YEARS HOODED

| 10/2016
GARMENTS HAD BEEN WORN IN
THE UK BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT
TRIED TO BAN THEM

071
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |

£90 RON DORFF

£220 STONE ISLAND £280 DSQUARED2 AT HARRODS

 STOCKISTS
#– 7 FOR ALL MANKIND
AT HARRODS HARRODS.COM
7L LN-CC.COM
A– ACNE STUDIOS
40
AT HARRODS
HARRODS.COM
ADIDAS
ORIGINALS
ADIDAS.CO.UK THE NUMBER OF
ALDO PAINSTAKINGLY SELECTED
ALDOSHOES.COM
ALEXANDER ITEMS FEATURED IN
MCQUEEN AT OUR EDIT (P67)
HARRODS
HARRODS.COM
ALPHA INDUSTRIES MA-1.COM
ASTRID ANDERSEN
ASTRIDANDERSEN.COM
AUDEMARS PIGUET
AUDEMARSPIGUET.CO.UK
BALENCIAGA AT HARRODS
B– HARRODS.COM
BALL BALLWATCH.COM
BELSTAFF AT HARRODS
HARRODS.COM
BERGHAUS BERGHAUS.COM
BREITLING FOR BENTLEY
BREITLING.COM
BREMONT BREMONT.COM
BROOKS ENGLAND
BROOKSENGLAND.COM
BULGARI 020 7314 9304
BURBERRY PRORSUM
UK.BURBERRY.COM
CP COMPANY CPCOMPANY.CO.UK
C– CADENCE
CADENCECOLLECTION.CO.UK
CANADA GOOSE AT HARRODS
HARRODS.COM
CANADA GOOSE BLACK LABEL
CANADAGOOSE.COM
CANYON CANYON.COM
CARHARTT WIP CARHARTT-WIP.COM
CHRISTOPHER RAEBURN
CHRISTOPHERRAEBURN.CO.UK
CITIZEN CITIZENWATCH.COM
COACH AT HARRODS HARRODS.COM
CONVERSE JACK PURCELL
CONVERSE.COM
COTE & CIEL COTEETCIEL.COM
D– DIEMME DIEMMEFOOTWEAR.COM
DIESEL AT HARRODS HARRODS.COM
DSQUARED2 AT HARRODS
HARRODS.COM
DUNE DUNELONDON.COM
E– EA7 AT HARRODS HARRODS.COM
EDWIN 020 7836 4108
ELLESSE ELLESSE.CO.UK
EMPORIO ARMANI ARMANI.COM
EMPORIO ARMANI AT HARRODS
HARRODS.COM
F– FENDI AT HARRODS HARRODS.COM
FILA FILA.CO.UK
FRANKLIN & MARSHALL
FRANKLINANDMARSHALL.COM
FREDDIE GRUBB
FREDDIEGRUBB.COM
G– GEOX GEOX.COM
GIVENCHY BY RICCARDO TISCI
AT HARRODS HARRODS.COM
GRENSON GRENSON.COM
H & M HM.COM
H–
HACKETT HACKETT.COM
HARRYS OF LONDON
HARRYSOFLONDON.COM
HEDON TOKYOBIKE.CO.UK
HUEZ* HUEZ.CO.UK
HYT AT HARRODS HARRODS.COM
IMPOSSIBLE PROJECT
I– IMPOSSIBLE-PROJECT.COM
IWC IWC.COM
J– JM WESTON JMWESTON.COM
JW ANDERSON AT HARRODS
HARRODS.COM
KIEHL’S KIEHLS.CO.UK
K– KIT AND ACE KITANDACE.COM
KLÄTTERMUSEN KLATTERMUSEN.COM
Hit refresh on your wardrobe. Upgrading
your style for AW16 will feel like a breeze
NIKE AT HARRODS HARRODS.COM
COAT £900 7L NIKE NIKE.COM
– NOBIS NOBIS.COM
SWEATSHIRT £55
ADIDAS ORIGINALS
NORTH QUARTER BY CHRISTOPHER
SHANNON FLANNELS.COM
–
JACKET (AROUND
WAIST) £295
KLÄTTERMUSEN
O– OAKLEY AT HARRODS HARRODS.COM
OFFICINE PANERAI PANERAI.COM
– OLIVER GOLDSMITH
SHORTS £130 0800 011 9747
EA7 AT HARRODS ORIS ORIS.CH/EN
ORLEBAR BROWN
ORLEBARBROWN.CO.UK
P– PAUL SMITH AT HARRODS
HARRODS.COM
PAUL SMITH PAULSMITH.CO.UK
PEAK PERFORMANCE
SNOWANDROCK.COM
PENFIELD PENFIELD.COM
PIQUADRO PIQUADRO.COM
POLO RALPH LAUREN
RALPHLAUREN.CO.UK
PORSCHE DESIGN SPORT
BY ADIDAS AT HARRODS
HARRODS.COM
PUBLIC SCHOOL AT HARRODS
HARRODS.COM
R– RALPH LAUREN PURPLE LABEL
RALPHLAUREN.CO.UK
RAPHA RAPHA.CC/GB/EN/
RIVER ISLAND RIVERISLAND.COM
RON DORFF RONDORFF.COM
RUSSELL & BROMLEY
RUSSELLANDBROMLEY.CO.UK
S– SOLID HOMME AT HARRODS
HARRODS.COM
STARTER
STARTERBLACKLABEL.CO.UK
STONE ISLAND AT HARRODS
HARRODS.COM
STONE ISLAND STONEISLAND.CO.UK
SUNSPEL SUNSPEL.COM
SUPERDRY SUPERDRY.COM
| 10/2016
T– TAG HEUER TAGHEUER.CO.UK
TIGER OF SWEDEN AT HARRODS
HARRODS.COM
KSUBI AT HARRODS HARRODS.COM TIMBERLAND TIMBERLAND.CO.UK
TISSOT TISSOTWATCHES.COM
LAB SERIES LABSERIES.CO.UK TOMMY HILFIGER TOMMY.COM
L– LACOSTE LACOSTE.COM TOPMAN TOPMAN.COM 073
LACOSTE LIVE LACOSTE.COM
LANVIN AT HARRODS HARRODS.COM
TRUE RELIGION AT HARRODS
HARRODS.COM
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |
LEVI’S LEVI.COM TUDOR TUDORWATCH.COM
LOUIS VUITTON
LOUISVUITTON.CO.UK
U– UNDER ARMOUR
UNDERARMOUR.CO.UK
M– MCQ ALEXANDER MCQUEEN AT
HARRODS HARRODS.COM
MOLTON BROWN MOLTONBROWN.CO.UK V– VALENTINO AT HARRODS
HARRODS.COM
MONCLER AT HARRODS VERSACE AT HARRODS
HARRODS.COM HARRODS.COM
MONCLER MONCLER.COM VICTORINOX VICTORINOX.COM
MONCLER O MONCLER.COM
MONTBLANC MONTBLANC.COM
Y– Y-3 Y-3.COM
N– NAPAPIJRI NAPAPIJRI.COM
NEIL BARRETT AT HARRODS Z– ZHARRODS.COM
ZEGNA AT HARRODS
HARRODS.COM ZENITH ZENITH-WATCHES.COM
NEW ERA NEWERACAP.CO.UK ZERO HALLIBURTON
NEW LOOK NEWLOOK.COM ZEROHALLIBURTON-UK
 01
MANUAL LABOUR 05
This model, called the
Spartan, is a replica
of the first knife that
Elsener patented. If
you’re an expert and
feeling sharp you can 07
assemble it by hand 02
in 60 seconds. Of the BLADE TRINITY
50 or so Victorinox The standard swiss
assemblers, nearly all army knife’s blade is
are women. They 91mm long and the
01
have a better feel for alloy is made from a
the job, apparently. triumvirate of iron,
15% chrome and 04
0.6% carbon, giving
03 the ideal composition
SPACE SAVER of hard and brittle.
When astronaut Chris Then, to really sharpen
Hadfield docked at up, all the tools
the Mir space station used for slicing are 06
in 1995 he and some tempered at 1040°C.
edgy colleagues were
met with a hatch that 05
was sealed “a little HANDLE
too enthusiastically”. WITH CARE
Fortunately, Hadfield The original handle in
had a Swiss army the 19th century was
knife to hand. He now made from a mix of
claims never to leave dark wood and fibre
Earth without one. for grip, but wouldn’t
wear the cross and
shield motif until 1909.
03 04 Elsener trademarked
SHORT CUTS them with a name
The knife’s smaller taken from his late
blade was originally mother, Victoria, and
intended to sharpen ‘inox’ meaning steel.
pencils and whittle
wood, or as a back up
02 when the larger blade 07
dulled. Assuming you THE
SHARP END

WORDS: MATT HAMBLY | PHOTOGRAPHY: TAL SILVERMAN | SWISS ARMY KNIFE ASSEMBLING KIT £39 VICTORINOX
have these scenarios
| 10/2016

covered, we suggest The little pointy thing?

NUTS & BOLTS #2
saving it for more It’s either an ‘awl’ or

ARMED AND intricate, delicate jobs,

such as cutting the foil
‘reamer’ depending
on whether you’re

ADVENTUROUS
on a nice burgundy. piercing holes in wood
or metal. And the
074 groove at the hilt of
It’s standard issue for army treks, space 06 the bottle opener? It’s
MH | URBAN ACTIVE |

BEST TOOL used to strip plastic

missions and DIY endeavours. What gives FOR THE JOB off wires. Whether
the Swiss Army knife its enduring edge? The components that DIY and drinking mix
separate each tool is still unclear, mind.

T he original Swiss Army knife, patented 119 years ago

by Karl Elsener, had relatively few tools attached to
its revolutionary spring mechanism, including two
blades, a can opener and a corkscrew. Nowadays, of course,
they’re available in hundreds of variants, from laser pointers
are where a sharp eye
for detail really makes
the knife a cut above.
Originally made from
a nickel-silver mix,
and bitwrenches to USB keys – though city adventurers might they switched to an
be forgiven for thinking it’s the corkscrew that remains the aluminium alloy in 1951
tool’s most useful facet. Urban Active sat down with to limit weight and
Urs Wyss, marketing director at Victorinox, to find out how make the mechanism
the Swiss Army knife came to be – and why it’s still around. buttery smooth.