This month's MD mag...

[dyslexic]

1) A girl on the cover

2) Horrid Photoshopping

3) Rich Gaspari explains why taking on Branch Warren was such a great move

4) Hardcore diet drugs.. not highly unusual, but a bit more than usual... get it?

5) Multiple women layouts in the middle of the mag

6) Shawn Rhoden... basically everywhere


Something is up. Either sales are shitty, or Blechy is getting...() "has gotten" more greedy.


If someone happens to see the most obvious stupid Photochop in there, please list it here and I'll confirm. It is "REALLY" bad!


No, I don't really care. No, I really don't care if you do or not. I just think it's weird when all of a sudden you see what you thought was doing O.K and surviving take a huge turn in the opposite direction.

Back in the day MD used to be plastered with loud, gaudy colors and tons of women that were nearly naked with those little... shit.. can't think of what you call them...those nipple covers. I remember when Blechy had his ALL NATURAL MD, and then he did the whole female thingy, then denounced it, and now....

It seems like it's back.


I have a feeling it's not just b/c of the economy...


It's because of the lack of interesting "athletes" ... "bodybuilders" ... whatever.


Who wants to see columns by Jose Raymond? Branch?


Maybe I am completely full of shit. I'm not advocating buying the mag, just take a gander. I'm curious to see if anyone see's things the way I do on this issue...(no pun intended)


BTW, I am really serious about the chop. It is the worst I have EVER seen in a mag and the reasoning behind it is so painfully obvious.


Peace, love and good happiness stuff... yeah

[kofo]

Interesting, how much was the content changed ?

MDs problem is that their layout is very unprofessional compared to FLEX. The first time buyers those who just started their bodybuilding phase are probably more likely to buy FLEX over MD. Still Ill imagine that fewer and fewer first timer buy a BBing mag at all.

Then they are left with lifetimefans like Mayor and Howard, and that cant be more than what ? 5000 subscribers around the world ?

They probably put a woman on the cover to check if it will sell more, personally I doubt that in this day and age anyone will buy a magazine because of a woman.

Either way I really doubt those mags are gonna survive as print media. Smartphones and Wifi changed everybodys media habits virtually overnight.

And its also weird and creepy buying those mags "so you like looking at those naked men ?"

[_aj_]

I haven't looked at any of the muscle mags in forever. My disgust (with myself) when I pick up one of those homo spank books is off the charts. 

[FermiDirac]

Why are you buying magazines of semi naked men in thongs advertising supplements that fly inches above the FDA approval radar? 

[Frank Clairmonte]

scan rhoden part thx

[dr.chimps]

Pasties.     

[dyslexic]

Ha ha "Pasties" that's it! lol


Well, I don't buy the mag, but when I'm waiting on the GF you can be pretty damn sure I'm browsing through it. I have bought it here and there mostly because of what's in the front of the mag. I like controlled studies. I don't know what percentage of people just pass over that section vs. the ones who like to look at pics...

I'm a bit different than most in that 1) I am a professional graphic artist (I check out tons of mags just for that reason alone) 2) good, solid research helps me to stay on the cutting edge of fitness as a trainer and just for my own insane desire for knowledge...

But let's get back to that question about the layout. From first glance, it appears Blechy is attempting to be subtle, but the more I think about it, the more it appears he is hurting for money and has made some serious cuts in staffing and in athletes. My guess is that he is probably paying less than he was, because I've noticed that certain prestigious and established individuals columns are.. "no longer"


The addition of the excess women just shows his contradictory personality.


The botched Photoshop...that just scares me. If I see it again next month I probably won't look at his mag ever again.


I'm just curious if anyone else caught this. It's kind of my job to see things like this but if the general public/consistent buyers don't notice...well, that makes me even more curious.


"Curiosity killed the cat" .. but then we all know cats have 9 lives... right?


No big. Just somethin' to shoot the shit about.

[Papper]

when you're done spanking it to the gay pages, scan and post them here you "graphic artist" you

[dyslexic]

when you're done spanking it to the gay pages, scan and post them here you "graphic artist" you

Dude, if I had the mag, I would.


There really isn't anything I can do except Photoshop something (which plenty of members here know I am good at) But if I were to show you the links to my professional stuff... well, that would bring in some people that I don't have permission from, nor would I ask them.


Stating that I am a "graphic artist" is not a big deal. Now, I can also tell you that I am an accomplished guitarist and teacher. If you want to see links to that stuff, no problem. Trust me, you won't argue with me.


I don't say things like that to make myself look better than anyone, it's just the way I am. I know nothing of football, basketball, baseball etc... In other words, while people were out socializing and being normal, I was being a recluse and working on my own thing... alone. Nothing to brag about. Different strokes...(like that?)


I've been buried in the artworld from day one. So?

[Papper]

Dude, if I had the mag, I would.


There really isn't anything I can do except Photoshop something (which plenty of members here know I am good at) But if I were to show you the links to my professional stuff... well, that would bring in some people that I don't have permission from, nor would I ask them.


Stating that I am a "graphic artist" is not a big deal. Now, I can also tell you that I am an accomplished guitarist and teacher. If you want to see links to that stuff, no problem. Trust me, you won't argue with me.


I don't say things like that to make myself look better than anyone, it's just the way I am. I know nothing of football, basketball, baseball etc... In other words, while people were out socializing and being normal, I was being a recluse and working on my own thing... alone. Nothing to brag about. Different strokes...(like that?)


I've been buried in the artworld from day one. So?

I don't doubt you. Just playing bro.

I think it's a shame about the over-photoshopping nowadays.

[Rudee]

What, no "Put 1" on your arms by Summer" article?

[dyslexic]

I don't doubt you. Just playing bro.

I think it's a shame about the over-photoshopping nowadays.

I kinda picked up on that ~ lol


That's why I threw it in there.


I don't wanna spend my hard-earned money on that rag, but that pic just blew me away. It was almost as if one of his staff members quit.

Now it makes me wanna go get it just to scan the pic.


I can't say for sure, but it looks like it could be a side-shot of Branch. It's in Black and White (as usual) and with all of his razor burn from shaving, they blatantly blurred his injection sites.

I get it, trust me, I get it, but as professional graphic artists (that you would think he'd have working for him) this could have been done so differently that only a trained eye would catch it.

I was flipping pages and caught it that fast and was like "WHOAH!!!!!" WTF?


All competitors (as we know) have trouble finding fresh spots to inject. That's a "given" ~ when you are site injecting nearly every place possible almost daily, it get rough, and then it just plain HURTS, so it's no blow or slam against the competitor. He's doing what he's gotta do.

You can always spot the sites in the competition photos and we just dont talk about it. You can see the HGH sites around the abdominals, the Synthol-type bolus/bee-sting swells and the ever-so-popular glute bumps, but this pic was worse than amateurish.

I was just hoping someone here had seen it and thought the same thing... that, and Blechy returning to the females. I don't have a problem with it, it just shows that he is... desperate? 

Wondering if the industry is really lagging that bad. Prize money has (supposedly) gone up, but maybe advertising and sponsorship has.. obviously... gone down. WAAAAAY down.

Feeling like I'm on my own here. Maybe it's just me trippin without a Volcano Vaporizer....lol (I don't smoke... yet)

[Coach is Back!]

Haven't read a bodybuilding rag in 7 years.....and at least 10 years before that.

[dyslexic]

Haven't read a bodybuilding rag in 7 years.....and at least 10 years before that.

Serial?

There is some info in the mags that seems pertinent to me (aside from the pics of course) ~

I admit I do grab them from time to time especially when traveling. A bodybuilding mag and maybe a Corvette Racing mag... wow!

[Pray_4_War]

I have no objection to them putting a bunch of fit hotties in there. 

That will increase the likelihood of me buying it considerably.

[Coach is Back!]

Serial?

There is some info in the mags that seems pertinent to me (aside from the pics of course) ~

I admit I do grab them from time to time especially when traveling. A bodybuilding mag and maybe a Corvette Racing mag... wow!

Honestly, I see nothing of value. To the newbe who reads this shit, they are mislead into believing bullshit. Last one I saw had nothing but supplement ads.

[dyslexic]

Honestly, I see nothing of value. To the newbe who reads this shit, they are mislead into believing bullshit. Last one I saw had nothing but supplement ads.

Not to argue, just to specify; one thing that I really thought was cool about MD over these last few years was the first third (or so) of the mag. The referenced studies on different supplements, chemicals, stress, physiology, etc. ~ not the workouts of the Pros nor the "diets"

As a trainer, we know better. I have not read a Pro's column in forever, but I would read Charles Glass' and maybe Farah and Hany's stuff from time to time, just for shits and giggles.


I really thought the mag had some value and right now, I'm pretty much disappointed. I feel like Blechy has kind of let me down, or should I say those of us who found these studies to be of value. Whenever a study is referenced, I take it to the next level and research it in more depth.


I would NEVER put any credence to a column by a competitor!!! LMAO!


I've kind of been a fan I guess... since back in the days of the "ALL NATURAL MD" ~ I've watched Blechy change with the direction the wind blows probably one too many times at this point.


With the bookstores falling by the wayside it kind of sucks...

[calfzilla]

 I no longer but bbing mags but if I did it would be MD. I've told this story before bit I'll tell it again. I once had a subscription to MD and it didn't arrive one month so I emailed the secretary lady at MD and she emailed me back saying they sent it but would send another one. Like I'm lying just to get a duplicate magazine of men in thongs 
    If she only knew I was a powerful getbigger I imagine she would have been a little nicer and more apologetic.

[dyslexic]

I no longer but bbing mags but if I did it would be MD. I've told this story before bit I'll tell it again. I once had a subscription to MD and it didn't arrive one month so I emailed the secretary lady at MD and she emailed me back saying they sent it but would send another one. Like I'm lying just to get a duplicate magazine of men in thongs 
    If she only knew I was a powerful getbigger I imagine she would have been a little nicer and more apologetic.

"Powerful Getbigger" LMAO!!! Dude, I just totally shot Redbull outta my nose!!!!


I'm gonna have some T-shirts made. I wonder what Ron would think if he saw me at a show wearing one... or ANY Getbigger for that matter!!!


I'll set up a booth at the next Mr. O with all varieties of colors... question is: Whose pic should I use?

[Submissionfytr]

Garbage rag... Had subscription for 3-4 years, now I just look at Dorian's column in line of grocery store :-/

[calfzilla]

"Powerful Getbigger" LMAO!!! Dude, I just totally shot Redbull outta my nose!!!!


I'm gonna have some T-shirts made. I wonder what Ron would think if he saw me at a show wearing one... or ANY Getbigger for that matter!!!


I'll set up a booth at the next Mr. O with all varieties of colors... question is: Whose pic should I use?

 

I actually have a thread going about tshirts on the comments and complaints board, go check it out. Ron is actually thinking of doing it. 

[dyslexic]

I actually have a thread going about tshirts on the comments and complaints board, go check it out. Ron is actually thinking of doing it. 

Cool!

I'm in! I'll check it out right now.

[TEH boob]

Struggling to read through your posts, and your username is dyslexic.

Irony actually not ironic

[dyslexic]

Struggling to read through your posts, and your username is dyslexic.

Irony actually not ironic

And this, my friend (or not) is my style. Unique? Ignorant? Ironic?


Don't struggle too hard. What I have to say is not that important.