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Getbig Main Boards => Gossip & Opinions => Topic started by: ScottWelch on March 08, 2008, 04:35:33 PM

Title: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: ScottWelch on March 08, 2008, 04:35:33 PM
If you had a chance to improve the bodybuilding magazine "Planet Muscle" what would you do? I'm meeting with the magazine owner (Jeff Everson) next week and would love to pass on constructive feedback from the GetBig crew.     

In health,
Scott Welch
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: Captain Equipoise on March 08, 2008, 04:38:15 PM
If you had a chance to improve the bodybuilding magazine "Planet Muscle" what would you do? I'm meeting with the magazine owner (Jeff Everson) next week and would love to pass on constructive feedback from the GetBig crew.     

In health,
Scott Welch

How about making a real no bullshit, no scams, no b.s ads mag for once, with the real shit that goes on in bodybuilding, cycles, hormone section, among other things, not this flex fluff like 20 way's to improve your bi's by summer time or top 20 low carb meals crap that we're all sick of.  I'm not saying to make it all drugs/gear but have some of the real truth in there, contest prep, etc.
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: IronMagazine.com on March 08, 2008, 04:41:37 PM
It started out as great magazine, now it has turned into another supplement catalog like MD, too bad.
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: Epic_Monster on March 08, 2008, 04:46:23 PM
Cool features about athletes from diff. sports how they train! Not so many ads!! Profiles of different bodybuilders not the thick gutted ones that seem to be on every mag cover!! Show the gyms they train in with actual workouts not staged b.s. fake plates but true lifts!!
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: James Blunt on March 08, 2008, 04:46:45 PM
For some reason info on the "Dark side" seems to sell.
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: Disgusted on March 08, 2008, 04:49:18 PM
Stop printing it.
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: sgt. d on March 08, 2008, 04:53:25 PM
Stop printing it.

lol
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: Pollux on March 08, 2008, 04:54:41 PM
I'm really surprised that magazine is still around.

How about some Star Profiles á la MuscleMag International?
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: Disgusted on March 08, 2008, 04:56:31 PM
Stop printing it.

Actally I'm just kiddin. I figured that I would say it before anyone else did.  ;D
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: whateva on March 08, 2008, 05:04:02 PM
With lots of this  :P :P
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: bigdumbbell on March 08, 2008, 05:05:17 PM
If you had a chance to improve the bodybuilding magazine "Planet Muscle" what would you do? I'm meeting with the magazine owner (Jeff Everson) next week and would love to pass on constructive feedback from the GetBig crew.     

In health,
Scott Welch
what line of products does this rag promote?
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: Tre on March 08, 2008, 05:28:39 PM

I didn't realize it was still in print.  Do they have a website? 
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: biceps on March 08, 2008, 05:29:34 PM
what line of products does this rag promote?

Beverly International and Thermoshit
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: MadJimF on March 08, 2008, 05:31:33 PM
How about all old school bodybuilding, enough zines around covering bodybuilding of today, add some history, some art jones, vince gironda ect...
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: timfogarty on March 08, 2008, 05:37:54 PM
the only way magazines are going to survive is by providing something that is not available on the internet.  at the moment that is high quality photos on heavier paper.   

make it a bi-monthly photojournalism magazine on higher quality paper.  60 pages tops.   when the photos are about a contest, you can write about the contest.  when the photos are about an athlete, you can write about the athlete.  forget training articles, supplement reviews, gossip columns, etc. 

cover athletes that aren't receiving coverage anywhere else.
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: Pollux on March 08, 2008, 05:55:58 PM
How about all old school bodybuilding, enough zines around covering bodybuilding of today, add some history, some art jones, vince gironda ect...

Amen to that!  8)
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: MCWAY on March 08, 2008, 06:20:12 PM
I checked out the latest issue on the newsstand and nearly keeled over from shock from seeing ads for Cell-Tech and Nitro-Tech (even though it's just the one-pagers). I thought Everson was sworn to NOT feature MuscleTech items, as per one of his articles, MuscleTech had a big-enough budget and didn't need Planet Muscle's help (plus, Planet Muscle was more about helping the smaller supplement companies).

I honestly don't have any issue of Planet Muscle, other than the ones I got for free (or for $.99 at GNC years ago). But, more features on old-school bodybuilders is always a good thing and perhaps more coverage of non-NPC/IFBB contests every so often would be nice, too.
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: BFP on March 08, 2008, 06:22:01 PM
Make it free again.  I really enjoyed Jeffs mag, but didnt havee the cash a s a youth to pay for it.

Jason
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: SirTraps on March 08, 2008, 06:23:54 PM
Honestly the best bodybuilding mag ever were the first couple of years of MuscleMedia2000-just honest hardcore information. This ios before Phillips became a sell out scumbag.

         Id 1) use the exact blueprint of the original mm2k
 
             2) feature lots of nude fitness chicks

              He wont do that, but if he did-it would destroy the competimg schmoe rags.

 
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: FrenchFrie on March 08, 2008, 06:25:13 PM
stoping printing it is the best advice by far.


everything is on the internet and nobody wants to pay anymore for all these bullshits.
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: YoungBlood on March 08, 2008, 06:32:26 PM


Put it back to the way it used to be when it was free, I would still subscribe to it then.
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: Brutal_1 on March 08, 2008, 06:52:58 PM
How about making a real no bullshit, no scams, no b.s ads mag for once, with the real shit that goes on in bodybuilding, cycles, hormone section, among other things, not this flex fluff like 20 way's to improve your bi's by summer time or top 20 low carb meals crap that we're all sick of.  I'm not saying to make it all drugs/gear but have some of the real truth in there, contest prep, etc.



Completely agree with this post.  If you want to sell more magazines, then offer something that others don't....like the truth to success in the IFBB.

Try explaining why Kamali would describe pro drug usage as "scary"  ;)
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: Special Ed on March 08, 2008, 07:09:13 PM
Print mags are only surviving these days via advertising dollars.  Bottom line, no one is buying print mags that are 2-3 months behind the news unless there is some unique content that is unavailable elsewhere. I don't see any unique content in Planet Muscle.

Plus, Planet Muscle has weak distribution. I've never even seen the magazine outside of Florida.
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: dzulboy on March 08, 2008, 07:21:44 PM
Honestly the best bodybuilding mag ever were the first couple of years of MuscleMedia2000-just honest hardcore information. This ios before Phillips became a sell out scumbag.

         Id 1) use the exact blueprint of the original mm2k
 
             2) feature lots of nude fitness chicks

              He wont do that, but if he did-it would destroy the competimg schmoe rags.

 

best idea you are going t get   i loved tha tmagazine
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: Tre on March 08, 2008, 07:30:26 PM
the only way magazines are going to survive is by providing something that is not available on the internet.  at the moment that is high quality photos on heavier paper.   

make it a bi-monthly photojournalism magazine on higher quality paper.  60 pages tops.   when the photos are about a contest, you can write about the contest.  when the photos are about an athlete, you can write about the athlete.  forget training articles, supplement reviews, gossip columns, etc. 

cover athletes that aren't receiving coverage anywhere else.

x2
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: HTexan on March 08, 2008, 07:34:01 PM
less ads >:(
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: rocket on March 08, 2008, 07:37:19 PM
Hire a crew of guidos for image enhancement.
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: gordiano on March 08, 2008, 07:37:47 PM
the only way magazines are going to survive is by providing something that is not available on the internet.  at the moment that is high quality photos on heavier paper.   

make it a bi-monthly photojournalism magazine on higher quality paper.  60 pages tops.   when the photos are about a contest, you can write about the contest.  when the photos are about an athlete, you can write about the athlete.  forget training articles, supplement reviews, gossip columns, etc. 

cover athletes that aren't receiving coverage anywhere else.

What athletes are you referring to, Tim?
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: andreisdaman on March 08, 2008, 08:19:34 PM
I loved PLANET MUSCLE at first but then I saw their "articles" were just ads for supplement companies...This was okay at first because these "articles were very informative about the sups, but then the whole mag started to go that way... PLANET MUSCLE began losing credibility with me because of that...I think Planet Muscle shopuld do three things

1. become a gossip rag (but with true stories) commenting on the true lifestyles and sex lives of bodybuilders...(we're all interested in this)

2. Give us some stories about the old days of bodybuilding (60s, 70s, 80s) especially on what it was like being a Weidser athlete, how the Weiders treated their bodybuilders, what they paid them,

3. I don't think the mag should talk about steroid cycles and stuff like that...I find that really boring because the vast majority of readers don't want to do steroids, can't afford them, and can't find anyone to buy them from anyway
but I would like to read articles where bodybuilders talk about what it was like going over to the "dark side", why they did it, how they responded, what it felt like, how it affected their sex lives and health, etc.

4. I think Jeff needs to talk about what it was like to be married to the hottest piece of ass in bodybuilding, Cory Everson. Tell us what it was like sleeping with her, and what Cory's personality was really like and what it felt like to lose her when they divorced..I know it's really personal but that would be a hot issue!   


 
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: nycbull on March 08, 2008, 08:29:17 PM
stop lying and selling bullshit products to kids.
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: HTexan on March 08, 2008, 09:23:49 PM
Hire a crew of guidos for image enhancement.
damn
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: Parker on March 08, 2008, 09:43:22 PM
How about making a real no bullshit, no scams, no b.s ads mag for once, with the real shit that goes on in bodybuilding, cycles, hormone section, among other things, not this flex fluff like 20 way's to improve your bi's by summer time or top 20 low carb meals crap that we're all sick of.  I'm not saying to make it all drugs/gear but have some of the real truth in there, contest prep, etc.


Flex tried this remember? Back in the mid 90's, they had cycles, had a guy talking about his own cycles (complete with the pics of needles), interviews with former bbers like Mike Christian talking about their cycles and when they first started, this was back when MD was claiming to be about natural bbing, you see how the tables have turned.

It doesn't really sell, and especially in this climate, where their is a which hunt in sports, a mag like this would further bring the Beltway Boys sniffing into the goings on, in this freakshow called pro bodybuilding.
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: timfogarty on March 08, 2008, 09:57:19 PM
What athletes are you referring to, Tim?

up and coming amateurs, winners of the NABBA, WABBA, and PDI pro contests, etc.
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: chris_mason on March 08, 2008, 10:26:57 PM
I have always enjoyed the articles that were about strength athletes and bodybuilders of yesteryear. Jeff knows a LOT about the history of the iron game and is one of the few that writes about it.  For instance, the recent article on the bench press and its history was GREAT. 

I think the format of the magazine could use some work.  The style of the articles actually makes them difficult to read. 

I think pics from guys like this site's Musclecentre should be used as well.  His pics are "hardcore" and of a style that is visually appealing in my opinion.





Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: SGT BARNES on March 09, 2008, 07:31:17 AM
If you had a chance to improve the bodybuilding magazine "Planet Muscle" what would you do? I'm meeting with the magazine owner (Jeff Everson) next week and would love to pass on constructive feedback from the GetBig crew.     

In health,
Scott Welch

Start by dropping the slick corporate look of current mags. They pander to the supp companies and never cross the line. Expose the bullshit and you will win loyal fans and readers. Find a way to balance this with your supp. sponsors and you have something.

Clearly seperate the mag into sections for people trying to build a natural body, and for those who are using chemical help. They have different needs. Dont hide from the AAS issue. discuss it. No need to print cycles or reccomend, but dont ignore it either.

Cover the whole of bodybuilding. Enough of the cookie cutter articles. Interview show promoters, gym owners, retired greats, cover ALL shows, amatuer and pro, and talk to more than the same 5 pros. Talk to and abut natural guys who have built decent physiques, and sjow what is the life of a struggling amatuer and established pro. No sugar coating. There is a much bigger world to BB than "make your biceps grow". Use a no bullshit format with "normal" pictures. Not staged fake weights and spandex. Look at Baliks old shots from golds gym for reference. Make it like a sports illustrated for those who are interested in the game.

Come at it like Jeff should, which is with great inside knowledge and historical knowledge. Skip the BS and if you can do that while keeping the supp sponsors youre going to make believers.
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: Rampage on March 09, 2008, 08:16:12 AM
I loved PLANET MUSCLE at first but then I saw their "articles" were just ads for supplement companies...This was okay at first because these "articles were very informative about the sups, but then the whole mag started to go that way... PLANET MUSCLE began losing credibility with me because of that...I think Planet Muscle shopuld do three things

1. become a gossip rag (but with true stories) commenting on the true lifestyles and sex lives of bodybuilders...(we're all interested in this)

2. Give us some stories about the old days of bodybuilding (60s, 70s, 80s) especially on what it was like being a Weidser athlete, how the Weiders treated their bodybuilders, what they paid them,

3. I don't think the mag should talk about steroid cycles and stuff like that...I find that really boring because the vast majority of readers don't want to do steroids, can't afford them, and can't find anyone to buy them from anyway
but I would like to read articles where bodybuilders talk about what it was like going over to the "dark side", why they did it, how they responded, what it felt like, how it affected their sex lives and health, etc.

4. I think Jeff needs to talk about what it was like to be married to the hottest piece of ass in bodybuilding, Cory Everson. Tell us what it was like sleeping with her, and what Cory's personality was really like and what it felt like to lose her when they divorced..I know it's really personal but that would be a hot issue!  

TEstify my brother !!!

CORY BE SLAMMMMMMIN  :o


 
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: Moosejay on March 09, 2008, 08:18:48 AM
Make it free again.  I really enjoyed Jeffs mag, but didnt havee the cash a s a youth to pay for it.

Jason

No offense, but how could one not possibly have 6 or 7 dollars at any stage of life?
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: Moosejay on March 09, 2008, 08:24:45 AM
If it were free, it'd be even more of a catalogue.
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: The Squadfather on March 09, 2008, 08:25:35 AM
No offense, but how could one not possibly have 6 or 7 dollars at any stage of life?
he just said "as a kid", jackass.
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: Moosejay on March 09, 2008, 08:39:20 AM
he just said "as a kid", jackass.

I am a jackass? Why are you so hostile?

Being broke is a choice, father of the squad.

Relax.
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: The Squadfather on March 09, 2008, 08:49:05 AM
I am a jackass? Why are you so hostile?

Being broke is a choice, father of the squad.

Relax.
because you come off as the typical "pro wannabe" who lives in his car on Venice Beach. :D
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: YoungBlood on March 09, 2008, 09:58:29 AM
because you come off as the typical "pro wannabe" who lives in his car on Venice Beach. :D

And you living in Mom's basement, posting on the net each day, residing near St. Louis is different....how?  ??? ??? ???
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: BFP on March 09, 2008, 12:00:30 PM
No offense, but how could one not possibly have 6 or 7 dollars at any stage of life?

The subscription went from free to like 35/40 bucks a year.  Alot of money for an 18 year old kid with a shitty job and school to pay for.

Jason

PS. squadfather owns your mind.
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: The Squadfather on March 09, 2008, 12:04:22 PM
The subscription went from free to like 35/40 bucks a year.  Alot of money for an 18 year old kid with a shitty job and school to pay for.

Jason

PS. squadfather owns your mind.
hahahhaaa, i guess "guys" like "moosejay" were making millions with their paper routes as teenagers so they can't understand average peoples problems. ;D
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: BFP on March 09, 2008, 12:05:38 PM
hahahhaaa, i guess "guys" like "moosejay" were making millions with their paper routes as teenagers so they can't understand average peoples problems. ;D

Surely it wasnt the schmoes on the route that paid generously to "deliver" to the back door.

Jason
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: The Squadfather on March 09, 2008, 12:07:08 PM
Surely it wasnt the schmoes on the route that paid generously to "deliver" to the back door.

Jason
hahahaa, impossible, "moosejay" would never accept money for something he loves so much.
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: buffbong on March 09, 2008, 12:29:09 PM
how about some real photos of bodybuilders. what i mean is phots other than contest bodybuilders. how about having a section devoted completly to offseason diet,training, and photos.
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: Gym dude on March 09, 2008, 12:51:47 PM
Planet Muscle I have not heard of that mag. The way that I would improve Planet muscle.I would have articles about diffrent various pros on there offseason diets and there diets when they are cuting for a show plus articles on new supplements that are coming out and lots of photos of very hot fitness chicks.
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: andreisdaman on March 09, 2008, 01:52:31 PM
I agree with most of you....lets see bodybuilders and some shmoes in the mag as they really look when working out...tank tops, sweats...go around to different gyms and profile them..take some pics of shmoes in the gym too (the ones in shape)...let them have some fame by being in the mags...do short interviews with them and find out what their diet and routine is and how they got into shape...ask them what supplements THEY take....this has more credibility with the average reader than juiced up BBer's and those stupid before and after supplement ads...show real men and women working out...I know it's the ros that sell...but you can have all of this in a special section in the back of the mag...show REAL before and AFTER photos of shmoes...and have some integrity by refusing all ads with models who are photo-shopped or morphed....

I think one of the real problems with bodybuilding mags and rags is that bodybuilding is pretty much a boring -ass sport even for those who participate in it..how many times can you jazz up the same work-out routine by giving it a fancy name? The  HIT method.....Doggcrapp.... .blood volume method...weightlifting is weightlifting...just pick up the goddamn weight and lift!...to be honest if you start a bodybuilding mag, by issue #4 you have nothing left to talk about!....so the mags keep regurgitating the same stuff over and over...3 sets of dumbell flyes 10-12 reps...bench press, 3 sets 10-12 reps....over and over....see what I mean?
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: andreisdaman on March 09, 2008, 01:55:55 PM
And again you GOTTA TALK ABOUT CORY EVERSON and what it was like being married to her....it was twenty years ago....she won't mind!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: tomgreynolds on March 09, 2008, 02:40:59 PM
Honestly, much of the writing in the Planet Muscle magazine isn't very good. They have run-on sentences that often don't make any sense, and the focus of many articles is pointless.

I like a lot of their stuff, and I would like to buy it more often, but it seems like it's put together by a lot of people who don't know about muscle building, fitness, and diet.
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: j3di3 on March 09, 2008, 02:52:27 PM
get gh15 to write for you.
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: HTexan on March 09, 2008, 03:35:45 PM
how about some real photos of bodybuilders. what i mean is phots other than contest bodybuilders. how about having a section devoted completly to offseason diet,training, and photos.
good idea
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: bic_staedtler on March 09, 2008, 03:56:09 PM
Cater the magazine to different demographics.  You have THOUSANDS of NPC competitors, and not ONE magazine that actually puts together a "how to get ready for a show" article?  I've written to FLEX about his, still hasn't happened.

Don't bother talking about drugs.  What's the point?  Yep, we all know everybody's on em; so what's to discuss?

BUT...have a section where you recognize the DIFFERENCE between a juicer and a non-juicer, with workouts that reflect the lack of advantage.

You could split the year into bodyparts...12 different specialization issues.  Or maybe each mag will have a certain themed groups of bodyparts.  Anyway, REAL training articles by folks who actually know what they're talking about.  Kinda like the old articles in Ironmag, but less boring and less POF crap.

Put in a LOT of hot looking women!...you're getting shitty distribution anyways, might as well cater to the core audience!..put in the hot chicks!

Add motivational articles.

Add historical section, but interesting stuff...not just stats.

HAVE AWESOME PHOTOS...cover contests regularly.  Find a way to be only ONE MONTH behind, not THREE like every other mag.  Even FLEX is getting better.

NO GHOSTWRITERS....keep it REAL, if the guy can't construct a sentence, so what?  It's REAL.  Edit for punctuation and grammar and leave the rest.

Hmmm...and LIMIT the Muscletech ads.  LIMIT ALL ADS and charge me a buck or two more...I'll pay for it.
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: claymore on March 09, 2008, 07:15:44 PM
stop lying and selling bullshit products to kids.

Amen!!
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: Moosejay on March 09, 2008, 07:49:50 PM
Surely it wasnt the schmoes on the route that paid generously to "deliver" to the back door.

Jason

Remember, friends.

Your lot in life is a product of your actions.

Peace to you all.
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: BFP on March 09, 2008, 08:02:17 PM
Remember, friends.

Your lot in life is a product of your actions.

Peace to you all.

Relax cupcake...its the G&O....as far removed from real life as can be... ;D

Jason
Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: Captain Equipoise on March 09, 2008, 09:53:15 PM
Have an exposed supplement section, where you take the market's top 10 products (ie. from bodybuilding.com or something) and send them to a lab for testing.... this would be great, expose all the  b.s companies and snake oil hucksters out there and show what companies accurately dose their products. Would actually love to see this in a mag!

Title: Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?
Post by: chaos on March 09, 2008, 10:01:18 PM
Re: "Planet Muscle" - how would you improve the mag?


Make it Charmin soft.........