12/18 THE TECH ISSUE
FITNESS
TECH
MUSCLE
P22 JOIN THE BAND
P61 REBOOT YOUR LIFE
P30 CITY SLICKER
Winter workouts can be a drag. Done right, this move will prime your body for future gains
From blenders that count your macros to VR workouts, we’ve logged the top gear of 2019
We explore a new dimension of fitness club, boasting functional kit and luxe extras alike
P52 HIT NEW HEIGHTS
P72 UNNATURAL ADVANTAGE
P57 BRAIN TRAINING
In our new Adventurist section, one MH gym bro gets the hang of a lofty climbing challenge
New GM tech is splicing extra nutrients into our dietary staples. Is this the future of food?
It turns out that mindfulness boosts your bulkbuilding hormones. Who’d have thought?
P131 NO SWEAT SUCCESS
P124 KIT WITH ECO CRED
P125 TENSION PLAN
Do you train hard, or smart? Maybe both. Find out how your workout hacks really stack up
Fusing smart design with ethics, this kit proves A painless guide to the science of slowing saving the planet can benefit your fitness, too your reps right down for speedier growth
WEIGHT LOSS
MIND
NUTRITION
P21 SPREAD THE NEWS
P35 FINE LINES
P24 AHEAD OF THE GAME
Marmite’s umami flavour means you can have daily fat loss on toast. Love it.
Cocaine use is on the rise. MH blows through its efects on your health and wellbeing
Don’t fall fowl of monotonous meal plans. These game birds will plump up your diet
P56 GET ON A STREAK
P47 LOOSEN UP AT THE OFFICE
P39 GNOCC FATIGUE ON THE HEAD
If you want your metabolism to burn fat all day, start your morning with a bacon bap
Your sharp work attire could be strangling your creativity. Dress down for success
This squash gnocci is the ultimate comfort food – and it’ll restore you to full power
P127 THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER
P96 ARE YOU A GOOD PERSON?
P84 THE DRUNK MAN’S COOKBOOK
Take on our three-part, 135-rep finisher to bolt serious fat burning on to every workout
Altruistic men live longer and feel fitter – but how virtuous must you be to benefit?
Steel your liver against seasonal excess and sharpen up fast with our edible detoxes
10 MEN’S HEALTH
IN THIS ISSUE PUSHING THE RIGHT BUTTONS FOR HEALTH
P88
ON THE COVER P42 TECH ON TEST We sent the best new snow sports kit of piste, to help you achieve peak fitness faster this season
P49 BORN TO RUN DNA kits promise to optimise everything from your training to weight loss. But are they for real?
P78 LIFE ON MARS Manned missions to Mars are looking ever more likely. MH met the astronauts of the future
P58 24-HOUR HEART HEALTH How to safeguard your heart against the stress of Christmas
P76 HOW APPS GOT CHILL Could “mindful tech use” be the answer to phone addiction? Meet the Zen app pioneer
P120 19MIN ARMS AND ABS Your lunch-break plan for the ideal physical combo: bigger biceps and a six-pack to match
PHOTOGRAPHY MILLER MOBLEY AT AUGUST IMAGE GROOMING JESSI BUTTERFIELD USING BIODERMA HAIR MELISSA DEZARATE USING KUSCO-MURPHY STYLING BRIAN BOYÉ, SANDRA NYGAARD AND DAN MICHEL MODEL MICHAEL DUBREE
MEN’S HEALTH 11
EDITOR IN CHIEF
TOBY WISEMAN
END THE YEAR AT YOUR OPTIMUM AND PLAN FOR NEW PROGRESS WITH SIX OF THIS MONTH’S SPECIALISTS
DEPUTY EDITOR
DAVID MORTON
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
STYLE DIRECTOR
FEATURES EDITOR
WORKFLOW DIRECTOR
DECLAN FAHY
PHOTO DIRECTOR
VICI CAVE
SCARLETT WRENCH
ART EDITOR
EDITORIAL BUSINESS MANAGER
JESSICA WEBB
CHIEF SUBEDITOR
TED LANE
STYLE ASSISTANT
DR ABIGAIL MARSH
JAYSON LUSK
PERSONAL TRAINER
NEUROSCIENTIST
AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIST
Forget tallying modish macros – when it comes to fat loss, it’s calories that really count. Worthington does the maths p26
Does it pay to be a good person? And how easy is it? Dr Marsh explains why altruism can make a worthy donation to your health p96
Genetically modified foods are now being rebranded as “healthy”. Should we be alarmed? Lusk shares his expert view p72
PICTURE EDITOR
LEAH CRAIG
RICCARDO CHIUDIONI DANIEL DAVIES
MATT HAMBLY
SUBEDITOR
SHANE C KURUP
ART DIRECTOR
WILLIAM JACK ASSOCIATE EDITOR (STYLE)
YO ZUSHI
DEPUTY STYLE EDITOR
JUNIOR DIGITAL WRITER
EMMA KING
RACHAEL CLARK
COMMISSIONING EDITOR (PRINT AND DIGITAL)
LUKE WORTHINGTON
ERIC DOWN
FRANKIE HILL
JUNIOR FITNESS EDITOR
MICHAEL JENNINGS
DIGITAL EDITOR
DEPUTY DIGITAL EDITOR
ROBERT HICKS
ED COOPER
MANAGING DIRECTOR, MEN’S LIFESTYLE, HEALTH AND FITNESS
ALUN WILLIAMS
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER MILES DUNBAR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO MANAGING DIRECTOR NATASHA MANN
BRAND DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR JANE SHACKLETON SENIOR MARKETING EXECUTIVE PHILIPPA TURNER
CLIENT DIVISION MANAGING DIRECTOR, BEAUTY JACQUI CAVE
MANAGING DIRECTOR, LUXURY AND FASHION JACQUELINE EUWE
DIRECTOR OF SPORT AND HEALTH ANDREA SULLIVAN
DIRECTOR OF TRAVEL DENISE DEGROOT
DIRECTOR OF MOTORS JIM CHAUDRY
CLIENT DIRECTOR, PERSONAL FINANCE JACQUIE DUCKWORTH
CLIENT DIRECT DIRECTOR, HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE NATASHA BAILEY
CLIENT DIRECT DIRECTOR, FASHION AND BEAUTY EMMA BARNES
AGENCY DIVISION
DR GERNOT GRÖMER
JACK HALL
ROGER FRAMPTON
SPACE SCIENTIST
SKIING INSTRUCTOR
MOVEMENT COACH
Humans could set foot on Mars in just two decades. Grömer’s team of scientists are ensuring our bodies are fit for the task p78
Take your fitness to its peak with this season’s best skis. After testing them on the slopes, Hall picks the gear to elevate your skills p42
Allow PT Frampton to help you master the parallette L-sit. Perfect your form and a six-pack will soon follow. Hold tight p118
THIS ISSUE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY… 12 UNIVERSITY RESEARCHERS
3 MEDICATION ANALYSTS
11 WATCH AFICIONADOS
3 DARK WEB INVESTIGATORS
8 PERSONAL TRAINERS
2 DARING SPEED CLIMBERS
7 MASTER CHEFS
2 NUTRITION SPECIALISTS
5 INTREPID TRAVELLERS
1 GM FOOD SCIENTIST
4 LEADING PROFESSORS
1 SILICON VALLEY CEO
4 SPACE SCIENTISTS
AND 1 UFC FIGHTER
TOTAL
64 EXPERTS
12 MEN’S HEALTH
CHIEF AGENCY OFFICER JANE WOLFSON GROUP AGENCY DIRECTOR REGIONAL AGENCY DIRECTOR JONI MORRISS CLARE CROOKES HEAD OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT LUCY PORTER (0207 439 5276)
BUSINESS MANAGER GEMMA THOMPSON (0207 297 3480)
HEAD OF CLASSIFIED LEE RIMMER (0203 728 6247)
CONSUMER SALES AND MARKETING MARKETING AND CIRCULATION DIRECTOR REID HOLLAND
HEAD OF CONSUMER SALES AND MARKETING MATTHEW BLAIZE-SMITH
HEAD OF SUBSCRIPTIONS JUSTINE BOUCHER
DIGITAL MARKETING DIRECTOR SEEMA KUMARI COMMUNICATIONS SHOWS AND EVENTS PRODUCTION HEAD OF PR DIRECTOR OF EVENTS AND PRODUCTION MANAGER FAY JENNINGS SPONSORSHIP, HEARST LIVE ROGER BILSLAND VICTORIA ARCHBOLD DEPUTY HEAD OF PR AD PRODUCTION CONTROLLER EVENTS EXECUTIVE, HEARST LIVE AND COMMUNICATIONS JONATHAN STUART BEN BOLTON JENNI WHALE (0207 312 4190) (0207 439 5290) PR AND COMMUNICATIONS EXECUTIVE JOURNALIST ENQUIRIES MEDIA@HEARST.CO.UK GEORGIA BLACK HEARST OPERATIONS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER CLAIRE BLUNT
PRESIDENT AND CEO, HEARST MAGAZINES INTERNATIONAL JAMES WILDMAN
HR DIRECTOR SURINDER SIMMONS
ACTING HEAD OF EDITORIAL OPERATIONS SOPHIE WILKINSON
CHIEF OPERATIONS DIRECTOR CLARE GORMAN
DIRECTOR, HEARST BRAND SERVICES JUDITH SECOMBE
MEN’S HEALTH IS PUBLISHED IN THE UK BY HEARST UK, A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF THE HEARST CORPORATION. HOUSE OF HEARST AT LSQ, 30 PANTON STREET, LONDON SW1Y 4AJ, TEL: 020 7312 3800. FAX: 020 7339 4444. COPYRIGHT © 2018. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ISSN 1356-7438. MEN’S HEALTH IS PRINTED AND BOUND BY SOUTHERNPRINT, UNITS 15-21, FACTORY ROAD, UPTON INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, POOLE, BH16 5SN. DISTRIBUTION BY COMAG. PUBLISHED 11 TIMES A YEAR. CONDITIONS APPLY. FOR ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION RATES, PLEASE CALL OUR ENQUIRY LINE ON 0844 848 1601, INTERNATIONAL +44 (0)1858 438794. BACK ISSUES, CUSTOMER ENQUIRIES, CHANGE OF ADDRESS AND ORDERS TO: MEN’S HEALTH, HEARST MAGAZINES UK, TOWER HOUSE, SOVEREIGN PARK, LATHKILL STREET, MARKET HARBOROUGH, LEICS LE16 9EF (0844 848 5203; MONDAY TO FRIDAY, 8AM-9.30PM AND SATURDAY, 8AM-4PM. CREDIT CARD HOTLINE: 0844 848 1601).
EDITOR’S LETTER
61
PAGE
PAGE
THE FUTURE OF FITNESS IS HERE. TIME TO UPGRADE
From a car that thinks for you to a 24mph workout, stock your garage with the fittest kit
PAGE
Reboot every aspect of your life with our room-by-room tour of the latest home tech
PAGE
70
72
78
Meet the scientists preparing humanity for space travel in Earth’s most barren landscapes
84
PAGE
PAGE
Our species faces a resource crisis – but is GM the answer? We weigh up the safety of lab-enhanced food
88
MH investigates the illicit trade in prescription meds on the dark web
Survive another winter of excess with our recipes for hangover prevention – and rapid recovery – in your darkest hours
105
PAGE
D
o you remember a time before tech was cool? Allow me to jog your memory. Recently, a colleague circulated a popular YouTube video entitled “Windows 95 Launch was LIT!!!” While I won’t embarrass my children by indulging in millennial speak, it was quite something to behold. Indeed, I’d say “batshit” just about covers it. For the uninitiated, the 15-second clip captures the highlight of a mid-Nineties press conference given to herald the arrival of Microsoft’s new operating system. It pretty much consists of half a dozen computer science nerds on a bare stage, dancing, gambolling and punching the air in a manner that suggests their Starbucks might have been spiked with ketamine. Bill Gates, then the world’s richest man, claps along to the Rolling Stones’ “Start Me Up” like
Transport yourself to foreign lands with our edit of this season’s best scents
a clumsy impostor at a five-year-old’s birthday party. Meanwhile, executive vice-president Steve Ballmer appears to have lost control of his limbs as the result of some kind of berserk fit. This was a time when Oasis and Blur were battling it out for number one and David Beckham was preparing for his first full season as a Manchester United first-teamer. Technology was the antithesis of hip. Fast-forward 23 years and this scenario couldn’t be further from the truth. While the launch of the next iPhone probably won’t be accompanied by a televised IT department rave, it will undoubtedly be front-page news across the world. Where once it was culture – music, film, style – that dictated what was cool, now it is the
means by which culture is created, filtered and disseminated that has the cachet. Algorithms govern what we see, how we think and who trends. The internet has upended once dynamic industries and radically transformed others. Many car brands and fashion retailers now see themselves as tech companies, first and foremost. Perhaps more crucially, technology is now shaping our wellbeing. It governs the way we train, the way we administer self-care, the way we eat, work, interact, learn, emote and even have sex. And it is no longer just the gadgets that get upgraded: a whole industry has sprung up around upgrading you. The latest innovations purport to make us fitter, happier and more productive. Many of them are featured here, in our inaugural Tech Issue. Right now, there is no more relevant topic in health. TOBY WISEMAN BSME EDITOR OF THE YEAR
MEN’S HEALTH 15
ASK MH
YOU NEEDN’T PLATE UP EXTRA PROTEIN TO MAINTAIN MUSCLE
MEATY FACTS, MADE EASIER TO DIGEST THE BIG QUESTION
Q IS IT POSSIBLE
TO EAT TOO MUCH PROTEIN?
CRUNCHING NUMBERS
As the macro of the moment and socalled building block of muscle, protein is fetishised as much by supermarket giants as it is by pneumatic gym bros. While devouring a whole chicken in one sitting has long won you kudos in some circles, now you can’t move in Tesco without being sold protein ice creams and cereals. Sadly, it is possible to have too much of a good thing. According to the Reference Nutrient Intake, you need 0.75g of protein for each kilogram of your bodyweight, so an 80kg man requires around 60g a day – roughly three salmon fillets. But the greater the physical stress placed on your body, the higher its demands. For a man of the same size who trains
16 MEN’S HEALTH
hard, the International Society of Sports Nutrition recommends 112g per day. Exceed this, however, and the benefits are soon negated. One study found those who ate more than 1.62g of protein per kilo of weight (around 130g, or two juicy steaks) built no more muscle than more moderate diners. Shakes, steaks and (fortified) ice creams all have their time and place, of course. But if you’re eating three wellbalanced meals a day, you’re unlikely to fall short. It might even end up where you don’t want it. “Your body struggles to digest excess protein,” says Harley Street nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert. “It may simply wind up being stored as fat.” In a nutshell, don’t over-egg it, Tom.
Unsure what those grams look like in practice? This is how they stack up FOR AN ACTIVE 70KG MAN
98g= Three chicken breast fillets
FOR AN ACTIVE 80KG MAN
112g= Four cans of tuna chunks
FOR AN ACTIVE 90KG MAN
126g= Seven Five Guys burger patties
WORDS: MICHAEL JENNINGS | PHOTOGRAPHY: MICHAEL HEDGE | FOOD STYLIST: TAMARA VOS
TOM, HERTFORDSHIRE
TEXT A SPIN DOC STEER CLEAR OF THE BENCH TO UNLOCK EXTRA REPAIR
I think I made an idiot of myself at last night’s work drinks. What’s my game plan in the ofice today? Whatever you do, don’t walk in and immediately start apologising – instead, act as if it didn’t happen. But if talk turns to your behaviour, just go full-on Trump and shrug it of as fake news. Hmm. I’m not sure I can deny this one, unfortunately. Then keep things light. Change the subject by teasing others about their behaviour. If you were drunk, it’s likely they were, too. What if word gets out? Should I say anything to my boss? Delay any meetings for as long as possible. Something will crop up to keep your boss occupied. If you do cross paths, don’t reference it. And steer clear of email – it’s too formal. A DM would be better, if anything.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES | IMAGE MANIPLUATION: COLIN BEAGLEY
What if my boss brings it up? Never say “I” – stick to “we”. Say something along the lines of, “We all do things we regret.” Don’t worry, these things tend to blow over fast. Simon Pia, former Scottish SP Labour Party spin doctor
ANCIENT SOLUTION TO A MODERN PROBLEM
Q
I really can’t stand Christmas. How can a Grinch survive the coming months? Sam, Nottingham Choose not to be harmed and you won’t feel harmed. Don’t feel harmed and you haven’t been. Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor
A
DOES IT WORK?
Q
WHAT EXACTLY IS A “DELOAD WEEK”, AND SHOULD I BE TRYING TO FACTOR ONE IN? OLLIE, MANCHESTER
A bit tired, are we? We don’t blame you. All that effort to maintain a summer body can take it out of a man. And, as the days grow darker and the nights grow longer, this might be the right time to ease your foot off the pedal. “Deloading” involves reducing the volume and intensity of your training to support repair and recovery. “Without proper rest, your body’s ability to produce force becomes inhibited and you’ll stop seeing results,” says strength and conditioning coach Sam Pepys. Even if your muscles feel fine, heavy lifting takes its toll on your central nervous system (CNS), responsible for multiple functions within your body. If your CNS is fried, you’ll struggle to muster energy and focus in your day-to-day life. Schedule a deload every fifth week. You may want to time yours with office party season: “Combining boozy late nights with strenuous training is a sure path to burnout,” says Pepys. Unsure how to lighten up without grinding to a halt? Our tips (right) will take the strain.
REST EASY A deload isn’t an excuse to be lazy. Follow Pepys’s steps to earn results from your repose DROP DOWN Take 50% of the loads and volumes that you’d usually lift during a standard training week.
TAKE IT EASY Ditch high-intensity training for steady-state cardio, aiming for 70% of your maximum heart rate.
TRY NEW THINGS Use this week as an opportunity to practise diferent skills, such as gymnastics or yoga.
MEN’S HEALTH 17
01
02
YEAST MODE
DOWNING TOOLS
A
WEIGHT LOSS NEWSFEED 12/18
GET A TASTE FOR WILLPOWER For the lovers among you, the ingredient that makes Marmite so polarising can help you stick to your eating plan. Spread the news
ON TO A LOSER These allies will help you persevere in the daily battle against belly fat
COFFEE As well as helping to suppress your appetite, drinking cofee throughout the day can speed up your metabolism by 8%. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
WORDS: LOUEE DESSENT-JACKSON | PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES | IMAGE MANIPLUATION: COLIN BEAGLEY
F
orget his proclivity for pints – Danny Dyer is ahead of the nutritional curve. According to his Twitter account, the cockney hard man’s idea of sophisticated fare is a “crumpet absolutely pissing with Marmite”. While many of us have spent the past decade sheepishly avoiding monosodium glutamate (MSG), the compound that gives Marmite its uniquely savoury taste, Dyer has called science’s bluff and won. Not only have the health concerns surrounding MSG been debunked, but a study published in Neuropsychopharmacology revealed that the substance could also make your healthy eating plan far easier to stomach. Scientists tested whether broths and soups supplemented with MSG could affect the behaviours of diners at an all-you-can-eat buffet. They found that the compound lit up the regions of participants’ brains responsible for self-regulation, leading them to consume less saturated fat and concentrate on not overeating. The researchers
MEDITATION Stay until the end of your yoga class. Scientists researching the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale found mindfulness can cut your obesity risk by 34%. Brown University
PORK PIES Savoury foods rich in particular amino acids trigger feelings of satiety by interacting with your brain’s tanycyte cells. Melton Mowbrays have what it takes. University of Warwick concluded that MSG’s umami-rich taste can trick your brain into feeling satisfied, helping you to continue making sensible food choices. If you want to avoid daily dietary wobbles, however, you needn’t start your morning with chow mein. A liberal spread of Marmite, which contains 1,750mg of MSG per 100g (more than almost any other food product), will set you up for a day of nutritional resolve. Follow Dyer’s erudite crumpet recipe and you’ll avoid the inclination to chase your lunchtime steamed vegetables with a Snickers. What’s not to love?
LAY IT ON THICK TO TIP THE SCALES IN YOUR FLAVOUR
DESK PLANTS Spruce up your ofice to outwit the afternoon Pret run. People eat about 18% less when they are in a relaxed environment decorated with plants. Psychological Reports
MEN’S HEALTH 21
JOIN THE BAND
MAKE FUTURE MUSCLE GAIN A GUARANTEE
Don’t let the winter months put your body goals on ice. Set up for success next year with the BANDED SINGLE-LEG RDL
01 IN THE LOOP Set up for your first rep by looping a lowresistance band from your right foot to your right hand. Find a spot on the wall to focus on – this will help you balance.
02 LEAN IN Contract your glutes and slowly lift your left leg straight out behind you. Hinge at your hips, and keep your back flat as you lean forward. Keep hold of the band.
F
or the fair-weather gym-goer, winter is a time when fitness aspirations are all too easily left in the cold. True MH men, however, know that the foundations of your body goals are best laid, well, right now. Parties, hangovers and chilly mornings may put you off long runs and heavy squats, but there’s a low-intensity exercise that, if deployed daily, can put you on the path to unrivalled results in 2019. Requiring just 10 controlled reps on each side, it won’t even make you break a sweat. “This move will strengthen your lower back and improve overhead flexibility,” says movement coach Ollie Frost, and its instability will also bolster your core strength. Address weaknesses in these crucial areas now, and your course to long-term success is clear. “It boosts brain function, too,” says Frost. “Simpler exercises will feel far easier if you get used to performing complex moves.” So, that’s you mentally and physically prepped for next year, then.
03 KNEES UP Find your balance, then slowly reverse the movement. Engaging your core, raise your left knee to hip height and hold for a second with the band at shoulder height.
04 FINISH HIGH
WHAT YOU’LL GAIN CORE CONTROL 22 MEN’S HEALTH
INJURY-PROOF SHOULDERS
THE BEST EXERCISE YOU’RE NOT DOING
BRAINPOWER BOOST
PB POTENTIAL
Stabilise yourself, and then extend your right arm overhead. Slowly return to the starting position, finish your set, and repeat on the other side. Consider this a hard-core investment.
WORDS: MATT EVANS | PHOTOGRAPHY: PHILIP HAYNES | MODEL: LEE MCLAUGHLIN AT W MODELS | STYLING: ABENA OFEI | GROOMING: LAURA DEXTER USINGSKINCARE BY BALANCE ME | SHORTS FALKE.COM, TRAINERS ASICS.COM, RESISTANCE BANDS AVAILABLE FROM MEN’S HEALTH RANGE AT ARGOS.CO.UK
A
03
01 BIRDS IN THE HAND More than 900 million chickens are eaten every year in the UK. Organic or not, if your protein is all white and comes entombed in supermarket cellophane, now is the perfect time to aim higher. The shooting season offers a chance to pump up your eating plan. “Game birds are higher in protein, vitamins and minerals than farmed fowl,” explains Tom Godber-Ford Moore, chef at shooting retreat Loyton Sporting. We suggest you give these a pop.
A PARTRIDGE
Peck away at muscle fatigue by timing this high-protein refeed for after your workout. Its high levels of phosphorus – which plays a key role in the production of ATP, the body’s main energy source – will swiftly revive you.
B GROUSE A potent source of vitamin B6, grouse is packed with cognitive benefits. B6 is essential to your production of mood-boosting serotonin and sleep-enhancing melatonin. Plus, it’s been linked to delayed brain ageing.
C PHEASANT Containing 27g of protein and only 150kcal per portion, pheasant supports muscle growth better than beef. Separate the legs from the breasts: they’re tougher, so better when cooked slowly.
D MALLARD Wild duck is the fattest of the game birds, making it as unctuous as it is nutritious. Duck fat is relatively high in monounsaturates, afording it a heart-saviour status on a par with olive oil and avocado.
24 MEN’S HEALTH
02
BEGINNER’S PLUCK
If you can’t get out there and shoot the birds, your next best option is to buy them whole from licensed online sellers such as the Wild Meat Company. Order them feathered to save money, then pluck them yourself. Do it into a bin liner that has washing-up liquid rubbed around the inside to catch the feathers. If you’re struggling with the last few, hold the bird over a gas hob to singe them off, or give it a blast
with a blowtorch (£34 boroughkitchen.com). To gut the birds, use a sharp boning knife that will also come in handy for butchery (£47 knivesandtools.co.uk). Cut an inch-long incision between the bird’s legs, then remove all the contents you can and briefly flush out the cavity with cold water. Keep kitchen shears (£22 victorinox.com) close for spatchcocking, if necessary, and consider your appetite well and truly worked up.
04
05
FOWL PLAY
UP YOUR GAME
A
03 FOWL MOUTHED Go from guts to glory in the kitchen with four recipes from Godber-Ford Moore and Loyton Sporting. By updating the flavours and moving beyond the traditional roasting tin, you’ll realise there’s more to these birds than just Sunday lunch. Breast and leg men will be equally satisfied.
GROUND GAME
A SUPERCHARGE SPATCHCOCK PARTRIDGE AND SLAW SERVES 2 Partridges, 2 Olive oil, 2tbsp A lemon’s juice and zest Madras curry powder, 2tsp Garlic cloves, 2, crushed For the slaw Beetroots, 2, sliced Carrots, 2, sliced Cabbage, ¼, chopped Greek yogurt, 100g Pistachio oil, splash
METHOD Use shears to remove both partridges’ backbones. Then spread the bird out, breast side up, striking the breastbone with the bottom of your palm to flatten it. Rub the remaining ingredients into the birds and fry in the oil for six minutes on each side on a medium heat. While you allow your birds to rest, combine the beetroot, carrot, cabbage, yogurt and pistachio oil to create your slaw. Plate up two generous servings and top each one with a partridge.
B SMARTEN UP ROAST GROUSE WITH BLUEBERRY SALAD SERVES 2 Grouse, 2 Salt and pepper, to season A knob of butter Watercress, 2 bunches Toasted hazelnuts, 50g, chopped For the dressing Blueberries, 200g Honey, 3tbsp Cider vinegar, 3tbsp Salt and pepper
METHOD For the dressing, bring the blueberries, honey and vinegar to the boil. Remove and season with the salt and pepper, then leave to steep for 20 minutes. Season the birds, then brown in butter on a medium heat. Place in the oven at 220°C for around 10 minutes, remove, then cover with foil and leave to rest. To serve, top the watercress with the grouse, spoon over the dressing and sprinkle with the hazelnuts.
WORDS: TED LANE | PHOTOGRAPHY: LOUISA PARRY | FOOD STYLIST: TAMARA VOS | ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES
Bring your protein down to earth with more game meats that are primed to fuel your body goals
VENISON Leaner and more flavoursome than beef, venison also packs more muscle-building protein for just over half the calories and around 15% of the fat.
RABBIT With four times more iron per serving than chicken, rabbit is the perfect recovery fodder. Our body also metabolises its protein more eficiently than that of any other meat.
BOAR Not only is this wild pig low in sodium, but its high selenium levels will also spike your metabolism and help you burn fat faster. So weight-loss sausages exist, after all.
C MUSCLE-BOUND PHEASANT BURGER
D HEART-WARMING STICKY MALLARD PANCAKES
SERVES 2 A pheasant Sausage meat, 200g A red onion, chopped Fennel and cumin, 2tbsp Garlic cloves, 2, chopped Worcestershire sauce, 2tbsp Sugar, 1tbsp Curry powder, 1tbsp Brioche buns, 2 Rocket, handful Mayonnaise, dollop
SERVES 2 A mallard Salt and pepper, to season Star anise, 6 Honey, 2tbsp Water, 200ml Hoisin sauce, 250ml Chinese pancakes, 8 Spring onions, bunch, cut into matchsticks A cucumber, halved and cut into matchsticks
METHOD Remove the meat from the pheasant and pulse with the sausage meat in a food processor. Fry the onion and seeds in a splash of olive oil and pinch of salt and pepper until soft. Add the garlic, Worcestershire sauce, sugar and curry powder, and cook for two minutes. Combine this mixture with the meat and form four large patties, frying for three minutes on each side. Stack two patties inside each toasted bun, heaped with rocket and mayo.
METHOD Score the mallard with deep, lateral knife strokes. Season the bird with salt and pepper, then place in a casserole dish with the star anise, pouring over the honey, water and around threequarters of the hoisin sauce. Preheat the oven to 150°C and cook for threeand-a-half hours, basting every 30 minutes, until the meat is falling of the bone. Assemble your pancakes by wrapping up the shredded veg and mallard with a drizzle of sauce. Enjoy.
MEN’S HEALTH 25
A
06
07
THE NUMBERS GAME
WEIGHTED RESULTS
ONLY CALORIES REALLY COUNT Tallying kcals may be out of fashion – now replaced by modish macros – but when it comes to weight loss, it’s the only strategy that adds up
I
n my job as a trainer, the question I get asked most frequently (besides whether we can train arms today) is: “Can trending eating plans such as intermittent fasting or the ketogenic diet actually speed up my weight loss?” The simple answer is yes. But if they all work, why are there so many options, and why is the country in the grip of an obesity epidemic? This is equally easy to explain: the results are almost always temporary 1 . THIS MONTH’S Many people assume ADVOCATE that there must be a Nike and Third Space trainer Luke complex biochemical Worthington has reason why these diets a simple formula work, but the reality is far you can count more mundane. It’s all just on for success maths: simple addition and subtraction, the sort you can do in your head. If we consider intermittent fasting, all that you’re doing by creating arbitrary boundaries around the times you can eat is limiting the amount of calories you consume over a given period of time. Similarly, by cutting out a food group, or even an entire macro nutrient (in the 1980s, it was fat; in the 1990s, the enemy was carbs; more recently, it’s meat and dairy), you end up reducing your caloric intake. If your activity levels stay consistent, then the resulting calorie deficit will translate into weight loss. Over time, however, you inevitably find a replacement food from within your
“permitted” group, and the deficit is nullified. For example, if you remove the roast potatoes from Sunday lunch because “carbs are bad”, you will consume fewer calories and lose weight. When, after a few weeks, you realise you’re still hungry on Sunday afternoon and replace the potatoes with extra beef (after all, “protein is good”, right?), the weight piles back on. The 16:8 diet is foiled in a similar way. Not eating after 6pm is an easy way to cut out a late-night snack habit and reduce overall calorie consumption across the day. However, if your solution to that hunger is to get your evening’s worth of snacks crammed in by 5.55pm, the deficit will be reversed and that weight will go back on again – even though you’re following the rules 2 . When a Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging study compared intermittent fasting to caloric restriction, subjects lost an average of 1.25kg a month through the latter, while the fasters only shed 473g 3 . Let me be clear: there is more to good health than calories. A low-calorie diet that lacks the proper balance of vitamins,
“It’s all just maths – the sort of addition and subtraction you can do in your head”
26 MEN’S HEALTH
IF YOU WANT A FOOD PLAN TO DELIVER, DO THE MATHS
minerals, fibre and macronutrients will do little to help you feel great and train hard. Yet, once you cut through the fancy marketing spiel and the celebrity endorsed books, it becomes clear that the relationship between food and weight loss is still defined by simple calories. It’s energy in versus energy out. The most successful eating plan is the one you can stick to. If being vegan works for you, embrace it. If paleo appeals, have a butcher’s at the meat counter. But, if losing weight is your primary goal, for goodness sake don’t pretend that your dinner can tell the difference between 6pm and 10pm. It’s a numbers game, plain and simple. Start counting.
> THE DEVIL’S DETAILS 1
FAT CYCLE
According to the Endocrine Society, 74.1% of dieters fail to keep weight of in the long term and fall into a cycle of loss and regain.
2
WEAK LINK
A British Journal of Nutrition review of eating plans found no link between meal frequency, timing and energy balance – and therefore weight loss.
3
FAST TRACK
Intermittent fasting without calorie restriction can enhance your health and cellular resistance to disease, even if you won’t lose weight*.
WORDS: LUKE WORTHINGTON | PHOTOGRAPHY: JOBE LAWRENSON | *ACIBADEM UNIVERSITY
THE DEVIL’S ADVOCATE
A
08
09
FILLET UP
SEITANIC RITUALS
MH VERSUS STEAK VS SEITAN
MEAT YOUR MATCH
Traditional steak night is under attack from trending meat substitutes. But does seitan stack up nutritionally? We’ve chewed the facts to cut to the raw truth
STEAK
SEITAN
.43 $6billion
The projected value of the meat substitutes market by 2023. Veganism is a very healthy business
As well as delivering enough protein to support your recovery, steak is rich in creatine, which helps your muscles to produce energy, enhancing power output
PROTEIN
19g
Brain-sharpening iron
Energising vitamin B12
PROTEIN
WEIGHT LOSS
FAT
13% 36% 5%
NUTRITION
12% HIGHER RISK
Though low in fat, seitan will set you back 100kcal more than steak per 100g portion. But its high calcium content, linked to increased metabolism*, goes some way to make up for it
28% 0%
Brain-sharpening iron
HEALTH HAZARDS
Research suggests that it halves your risk of depression, but a weekly steak may raise the likelihood of bowel cancer by two-fifths†. The BMJ also found it increases your diabetes risk
Harvard Medical School
1.9g FAT
Sleep-improving magnesium
Eating red meat every day can increase your odds of early death by 12%, with its saturated fat putting you at risk of heart complications
75g 75
Seitan contains an impressive amount of protein, but most of it is wasted, as your muscles can only absorb around 35g per meal. The rest is stored as fat
LONGEVITY
Energising vitamin B12
6%
Sleep-improving magnesium
Coeliacs should avoid seitan, made from wheat gluten, as it may cause abdominal pain, fatigue and diarrhoea. Those with high blood pressure should also be mindful of its sodium content
4
YEARS
Making the swap to a meat substitute such as seitan can reverse red meat’s health risks, potentially adding four years to your life Mayo Clinic
THE MH VERDICT: STEAK WINS! With its solid nutritional profile, seitan transcends its bland, glutenous origins – but it’s still no match for steak. And, because many of red meat’s ills can be cut down by simply moderating your intake, we still prefer our muscle fuel served medium rare 28 MEN’S HEALTH
Per 100g
Per 100g
Steak has a higher fat content than white meats, though a 100g portion contains just 271kcal. Plus, the University of Warwick found it boosts satiety to keep you feeling full
25g
MUSCLE GAIN
Per 100g
Per 100g
The amount the average carnivorous Brit will eat during their lifetime. That’s more than 40,000g of protein
WORDS: BEN WELCH | PHOTOGRAPHY: MICHAEL HEDGE | FOOD STYLIST: TAMARA VOS | ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY: DAN MATTHEWS | *UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE | †OXFORD UNIVERSITY
,491 1steaks
ONE GYM TO RULE THEM ALL
THE BEST GYMS IN THE WORLD BIGGER IS BETTER
The latest opening from Britain’s premier boutique gym chain, Third Space City is bigger, better and fitter than the rest
“There is no other rig like this in the City,” says Webster. The training area accommodates multiple tracks and functional kit, plus boasts enough space for you to train efectively – even alongside the signature classes that take place at peak times.
L
ike all things in 2018, the fitness landscape is polarised. At one end of the spectrum, you have basic high-street gyms packed with innumerable machines, and at the other sit niche classes boasting brushedcopper backdrops. Third Space City is here to reclaim the middle ground. “We want members to have it all,” says PT Danny Webster. “We have a roster of classes and personal trainers – and plenty of training space.” It’s this room that sets the gym apart. That and the purified pool water, Cowshed unguents and concierge service, of course. Unlike a typical gym, the prime real estate is not lost to rows of treadmills. “People want a functional training space,” says Webster. “That means enough room to slam a medicine ball, push a prowler and test your endurance on an Airdyne bike.” It’s for this reason that Third Space boasts an expansive training rig, while a row of power racks around the corner will accommodate barbell aficionados. And suggestions are welcome. “We’ve asked members what kit they want, and already have plans to add more as a result,” says Webster. Beyond the gym floor, its studios are keeping pace. New class Formula 3 offers a modish rowing and resistance hybrid. The fitness-tracking trend is also catered for, with Myzone heartrate monitors deployed everywhere. “Your tracker instantly connects to the gym’s screens, allowing you to keep tabs on your heart-rate zone to maximise your session,” says Webster. A final insider tip? Train here between 9am and 11am – its City location means you’ll have the whole place to yourself. But that’s just between us, yeah?
30 MEN’S HEALTH
START STRONG Sign up to the monthly membership plan for £165 per month and begin your fitness journey with a free Out/Set assessment.
A PT will identify your abilities and set your goals for the next six weeks, before setting you loose on the rig.
10
11
SPACE ODYSSEY
FULL RIG
A
FLYING HIGH CLEANING UP The air quality here is exceptional: using advanced air-handling units with hi-tech filters, 90% of all pollutants are removed. That’s cleaner air that will fill your lungs and fuel your interval training. Deep breath, now.
Achieve true altitude after your box jumps in the cutting-edge hypoxic chamber. Inside, you’ll find a world first – a Woodway Body Carver. It perfectly mimics ski and snowboard training at 2.5km, so you’ll be able to hit the slopes in peak condition.
WORDS: TED LANE | PHOTOGRAPHY: TOM WATKINS
COOLING OFF After a punishing prowler finisher, head to the pool to recover. The water is purified with ultraviolet technology that kills all bacteria without further drying out your skin post-session. The complimentary moisturiser will help you freshen up, too.
GYM THIRD SPACE CITY
LOCATION LONDON, UK
WEBSITE THIRDSPACE.LONDON/CITY
MEN’S HEALTH 31
12
13
SWEET RELIEF
POWER HOUR
A
DOMS DISPOSAL Maximise your recovery with our minute-byminute guide to repair
1 MINUTE It’s a pain, but the Journal of Athletic Training found 20 minutes of foam rolling after exercise cuts DOMS and boosts performance during the next 48 hours.
WORDS: LOUEE DESSENT-JACKSON | ARTWORK: PETER CROWTHER
L
iquid recovery is big business: by 2023, the sports drink market is expected to be worth £142m in the UK alone. But there’s still something about downing a can of fluorescent tropical fizz after a long winter run that leaves us a little cold. Thankfully, scientists at Shahid Sadoughi University in Iran have found a cream-topped alternative that’ll warm your soul. After reviewing the data from 12 studies, they concluded that you’re better off pouring yourself a mug of hot chocolate (mixed with milk – instant doesn’t count). It contains the perfect combination of carbohydrates, electrolytes, proteins, flavonoids, fats and vitamins for optimum repair. The researchers compared key recovery markers, such as heart rate, perceived rate of exertion and levels of cramp-causing lactic acid, after subjects performed cycling and running tests. They revealed chocolate milk and sports drinks
to be equally effective for recovery in most cases. However, they noted that regular hot chocolate drinkers took six minutes longer to reach exhaustion during their high-intensity workouts. It might sound too good to be true, yet the science is satisfyingly simple. While most sports drinks contain carbs to replenish fuel, as well as electrolytes to restock those lost during exercise and counteract fluid retention, they lack the protein content needed for effective muscle repair – so you’re more likely to feel sore and sluggish the day after a long-distance run. If you want to bolster your endurance in the darker months, get ready with the mini marshmallows.
SWEETEN THE DEAL TO ENJOY SPEEDIER GAINS
20 MINUTES Jump in a hot bath instead of a traditional icy one after rolling. Swedish scientists revealed that increasing your muscle temperature speeds your post-workout recovery.
60 MINUTES Ditch your joggers for compression tights to wind down. The University of Würzburg found wearing them after training slashes next-day soreness.
MEN’S HEALTH 33
14 HIGH STAKES
…I TAKE COCAINE? Britain is the cocaine
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN…
capital of Europe. MH blows through the ephemeral highs and crushing lows of powdering your nose
03 DOUBLE JEOPARDY
01
02
One bump quickly turns into a casual weekend habit, and cocaine is often accompanied by a chaser of booze. Together, they create cocaethylene, which is a longer-lasting, more toxic metabolite of the drug. You may feel young and carefree, but it’s a diferent story inside your body: cocaine can speed up the development of heart disease and prematurely age your brain and heart.
04
01
LOW PROFILE
WORDS: TOM WARD | ILLUSTRATIONS: PETER GRUNDY | EXPERT: PROFESSOR ADAM R WINSTOCK, CEO OF THE GLOBAL DRUGS SURVEY
GEAR CHANGE The time it takes to get from surreptitious handshake to rushing high can be as little as 60 seconds. Coke is absorbed through your nasal membrane, reaching your brain almost immediately. As it crosses your blood-brain barrier, it floods you with the happy hormones dopamine and serotonin, while blocking dopamine reuptake. Your brain’s frontal cortex goes into overdrive and you feel, well, amazing. For now.
A
03
SNIFF OUT THE HARD FACTS BEFORE COKE BECOMES A HABIT
04
The more cocaine you take, the less sensitive your neuroreceptors become to dopamine. And when you stop, your brain crashes. The symptoms closely resemble those of depression: you’re irritable, you can’t sleep and your emotions go haywire. This persists for around two days, until the substance leaves your system. When it’s firing up your Sunday fear, bananas and nuts can replenish your serotonin and alleviate anxiety.
05
02 FATAL BLOW It takes up to 10 minutes for cocaine to take hold fully, and the buzz can last an hour. It triggers your sympathetic nervous system (your “fight or flight” mechanism), filling you with energy. But don’t get carried away: the drug causes vasoconstriction, which limits the blood supply to your heart when you need it most. Your heart attack risk rises to 24 times above the normal range.
05 FINE LINE Chronic use causes brain cells to sprout new dendrites, which receive more nerve signals from your hippocampus. Satisfying their need for stimulation may explain the cravings that result in addiction. Instead, swap wild Friday nights for a Saturday Parkrun and natural dopamine will keep sending good vibes through your brain for hours – a high that has no comedown.
T MAKE BELLY FAT TAP OUT UFC Octagon warrior
HEIGHT
1.83M
Darren “the Gorilla” Till challenges you to build fight-ready fitness from the ground game up
HOW I BUILT MY BODY
36 MEN’S HEALTH
he world of combat sports has a reputation for ruthlessness and double dealing. But actual back-stabbing? For Darren Till, the 25-year-old UFC fighter, it was a grim reality that served as a catalyst for success. In 2012, an altercation in Till’s native Liverpool left him with knife wounds on his back that missed a main artery by a millimetre. “It made me more aware of the value of life, and that you shouldn’t take it for granted,” he says. “It made me train harder.” Sensing that a change of
pace might do the aspiring fighter good, Till’s then coach suggested he relocate to Brazil. A six-month trip turned into three and a half years of Muay Thai and kickboxing. His career quickly gathered pace. In 2015, Till made his UFC debut. He knocked his opponent unconscious with a flurry of elbows and began his ascent to the top of the sport. There have been setbacks, however – most notably his recent defeat to Tyron Woodley. But “the Gorilla” is already plotting his climb back to the peak of the UFC. He trains five days a week, both morning and night, with a focus on wrestling. Cardio comes in the form of pad work, based around Till’s beloved Muay
Thai, and sparring sessions in which no punches are pulled. “We get sparring as close to a fight as possible,” says Till. Then, an intense running set sees out the week. “Friday is sprints day,” Till explains. “I do 45-50 sprints, with rest intervals of 10-20 seconds. That’ll make you sweat.” His principles can ensure your own success. When training, remove yourself from day-to-day
distractions, whether that’s in Brazil or a quiet corner of your gym. Till’s decision to do double sessions, train at near-fight intensity and regularly plough through 50 sprints also indicates a single-mindedness you’d do well to replicate. Your paunch won’t have a puncher’s chance. For Till, comebacks are now a part of life and hold zero fear. “I want to beat every single welterweight. I want to fight anyone and everyone.” Those in his way had better watch out.
THE MOTIVATOR Darren Till, mixed martial artist and former Muay Thai kickboxer
INSTAGRAM @DarrenTill2
15
16
ULTIMATE FITNESS
MARTIAL MOBILITY
A
75”
MMA MANTRAS Kick your own training up a class with Till’s advice
TEST YOUR METTLE
REACH
“If you want to learn anything about yourself, you should step outside of your comfort zone – and you’ll either succeed or quit.”
THIS WAY UP
LEARN TO FOCUS “Don’t let outside influences afect what you do in the gym. When you get there, it’s about training and nothing else.”
BELIEVE IN BETTER “Train your mind every day. Tell yourself that you’re the best and no one’s better than you until you believe it and know it’s 100% true.”
WORDS: TOM WARD | PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY
REACH YOUR GOALS
The contortions of wrestling and roundhouses rely more on flexibility than brute force. Deploy these intense stretching protocols to reach your potential
B A
B
B
A
01/ LYING QUAD STRETCH Lie on your side, with your right leg bent behind you (A). With your left arm, hold your right foot and pull into the stretch, to open up your quads, lower back and chest (B). Hold for 30 seconds and repeat on the other side.
A
02/ HIP FLEXOR PLANK In a low plank (A), jump your right foot forward, planting it outside your right elbow (B). Contract your glutes to bring your hips towards the floor and sink into a hip flexor stretch. Hold for 30 seconds and switch sides.
03/ SWISS BALL T Kneel with a Swiss ball beneath your stomach, your chest elevated and arms out in front (A). Contract your shoulders back and down, pushing back with your arms to open your chest (B). Do 15 reps and repeat twice.
MEN’S HEALTH 37
17 WINTER FUEL
A
GNOCC BACK EXTRA ENERGY Refeed tired muscles and revive your spirits with our express comfort food: butternut squash gnocchi
A MAN, A PAN, A PLAN GNOCCI
READERS DIGEST Each bite brings more to the table
GNOCCHI
MUSCLE RECOVERY
i/
WORDS: PAUL KITA | PHOTOGRAPHY: MITCH MANDEL
MAN Get this man to a sofa. Weeks of heading into work before dawn and leaving the squat rack after dark have left him craving a little comfort – and that comfort needs to be ready right now. This simple, carbloaded refeed will take him from fridge to TV in minutes and repair his weary muscles ahead of tomorrow’s morning run. It’s packed with vitamin C to bolster immunity, and its 600mg of potassium per portion will support muscle function just as efficiently as a meatladen stew. This recipe will lighten up any winter eating plan while losing none of the desired warmth. Extra Parmesan is very much encouraged.
PARMESAN
METABOLISM SPIKE
ii/
BUTTERNUT SQUASH
PAN SERVES 2 • KCAL 571 • PROTEIN 10G • CARBS 67G • FAT 31G INGREDIENTS • CANOLA OIL, 60ML • FRESH SAGE LEAVES, 10 • GNOCCHI, 450G • BUTTER, 2TBSP • BUTTERNUT SQUASH, 450G, PEELED, CHOPPED • PARMESAN, 2TBSP, GRATED
HEART HEALTH
iii/
PLAN i/ Heat the oil in a small non-stick pan on a medium temperature. Then, add the sage and fry until it’s crisp. Remove and place on paper towels to dry. ii/ Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil, then cook the gnocchi for three minutes, or until they float. Drain carefully, as these little gems are delicate.
iii/ In a separate pan, on a medium heat, melt the butter and allow to swirl around the pan for two minutes. Add the squash and cook until brown and tender.
SAGE
COGNITIVE BOOST
iv/ Return the gnocchi to the pan and stir well. Serve in bowls topped with the fried sage and Parmesan. Enjoy – preferably while sitting beside a log fire.
MEN’S HEALTH 39
18
A
INSIDER TRADING
PROFIT FOR YOUR LIVER Hedge your health against the annual hike in food and alcohol with MH’s report on party-season survival strategies
UP
SOY WONDER
UP
WHOLE PACKAGE
Don’t make the dieter’s error of throwing away your egg yolks: their nutrients help to reduce inflammation and the build-up of harmful fat deposits in your liver. Kangwon National University
UP
RED AMBULANCE
Claw back some lost liver function with a little more indulgence. Lobster contains trehalose, a natural sugar that blocks fructose from entering liver cells, staving of fatty liver disease. Science Signalling
The next time you pop out for a grab’n’go lunch, head straight to Itsu – and be liberal with the soy sauce. It contains PQQ, an antioxidant that soothes your liver. University of Colorado
FIT$E IND£X LIVER HEALTH
UP
SKEWER FAT Don’t feel guilty about perusing the back-lit menu on your way home from a session. The saturated fats in your kebab reduce fat in your liver, giving it a clean napkin of health. University of Bergen
HOLD
UP
IN GOOD SPIRITS
BOOZY BENEFITS
Though spirits may contain fewer calories than a beer, the sugary drinks you mix them with can contribute to fatty liver disease. Ensure your mixer of choice is a diet or zero. Journal of Hepatology
Moderate alcohol consumption helps to prime your liver’s enzymes to fight toxins. The word “moderate” is worth repeating, however. Danish Epidemiology Science Centre
HOLD
RUN IT OFF
DOWN
RISKY ROMANCE
HOLD
THE RESISTANCE Revive your damaged liver with a 40-minute resistance workout, three times a week. Research suggests that this training regime can lower levels of harmful fat in three months. University of Haifa
RISERS AND FALLERS UP
HOLD
DOWN
Seasonal Reliably False saviours informed hopes
40 MEN’S HEALTH
DOWN
A BITTER PILL
DOWN
REBOOT FAIL The credentials of “healthy” fats in olive oil and avocados have taken a smashing. According to one study, they increase your risk of fatty liver disease and metabolic complications. University of California
DOWN
THE BIG SMOKE New research suggests that air pollution can induce liver toxicity and acts to accelerate inflammation in the organ. A weekend in the country, anyone? Toxicological Research
Your head may be pounding the morning after, but resist the urge to pop a pill. Paracetamol can harm liver cells, damaging the organ’s ability to function properly. Scientific Reports
If you’re going to have a drunken dalliance at the Christmas party, make sure you take the necessary precautions. Hepatitis can cause cirrhosis, loss of liver function and cancer. NHS
WORDS: BEN WELCH | ILLUSTRATION: INFOMEN
Researchers at the universities of Missouri and Michigan believe an elevated metabolism – specifically, one stoked by intensive aerobic fitness – can protect your liver against fatty deposits. Biomolecules
STORM CHASER 80/100 PFD Big Mountain Charger £970 pfdskis.com
PISTES DE RESISTANCE Reach the peak of winter fitness with our quiver of the best skis for your style and ability. Clip in for a workout to freshen both body and mind
T
his may be the altitude talking, but who needs a wellness retreat? Forget early-morning yoga – we prefer adrenalin Zen. Nothing will focus your mind and put your office anxieties to rest faster than standing on the precipice of a black run. But don’t wander aimlessly into a ski-hire shop: allow the MH Lab to equip you instead with the prograde kit that can keep pace with you on the piste and far off it, too. This month, we entrusted elite coach Jack Hall and the instructors of Altitude Ski and Snowboard School in Verbier, Switzerland, to trial the best equipment of the season and reveal what best fits your style and ability. With the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine finding that you can elevate metabolism, boost heart health and fly through a supercharged lower-body workout by putting on some salopettes and hurtling downhill, hitting the slopes is more than just a cold legs day. It’ll offset the fondue, too. See you après ski.
42 MEN’S HEALTH
Performance Design Ease of use
•••••••••• •••••••••• ••••••••••
FRESH IS BEST Powder skis such as these
are for days when a big storm hits: they are very wide and have an early-rising tip and tail to keep you afloat in the deep stuf. This ski is made for powder, so it won’t ride as well elsewhere. EXPERT VERDICT The bamboo core has an added layer of carbon and flax to create extra flex, while the 116mm waist and rockered tips provide great flotation and ease of turn on steep surfaces. The sleek bamboo top sheet and minimal design will also ensure plenty of envious looks at the mountaintop bar.
TAKING THE PISTE 86/100 Fischer RC4 Curv £899 fischersports.com Performance Design Ease of use
•••••••••• •••••••••• ••••••••••
NEED FOR SPEED As a frontside ski, this
is designed to carve turns on groomed trails. It’s slimmer at the waist and delivers maximum contact with the snow, both on and of the edge. It’ll perform best (read: it’s fast) on hard surfaces. EXPERT VERDICT This is a powerful ski. It’s smooth on well-packed pistes and grippy enough on the edges to handle dynamic, high-speed turns, regardless of whether the slopes are icy or soft. On the feet of a higher-performance skier, the RC4 Curv is perfectly poised to take your descent to the edge for a serious adrenalin rush.
19 DOWNHILL PROGRESS
THE COLD FACTS
A
EASY RIDER 87/100
PRECISION RESULTS 77/100
Salomon QST 106 £490 salomon.com
Black Diamond Helio 95 £700 blackdiamondequipment.com
Performance Design Ease of use
•••••••••• •••••••••• ••••••••••
MOUNTAIN G.O.A.T 89/100 Faction CT 3.0 £615 uk.factionskis.com Performance Design Ease of use
STRONG AND STABLE Salomon has
updated its trusted 106 to deliver the power and stability of a metal core in all snow conditions but – crucially – at a fraction of the weight. This ski will take you anywhere, and at speed. EXPERT VERDICT It’s a great all-rounder that performs reliably on any kind of snow. It will suit an intermediate skier who wants to cruise around with his friends on holiday. Most importantly, it’s a forgiving ski, providing a stable platform that’ll help you overcome the inevitable early-holiday nerves.
WORDS: TED LANE | PHOTOGRAPHY: ROWAN FEE SUNGLASS GOGGLES OAKLEY AND SALOMON
20
•••••••••• •••••••••• ••••••••••
HYBRID POWER What sets this apart as
an all-mountain ski is its wider design. Its hybrid core – made from balsa, flax and poplar – is light in the air but hard-wearing on snow. Its scratch-resistant surface will also keep you looking fresh for longer. EXPERT VERDICT Ideal for a skier who likes to mix and match, going from piste to jump park. The wide waist floats over powder, losing little speed in the turns. If you don’t take your time on the slopes too seriously and feel adventurous enough to get some air, save space for this in your chalet.
Performance Design Ease of use
FLEX APPEAL This combines soft-snow
performance with technical precision. It features carbon fibre layers that have the efect of dampening the terrain for a smooth, fast ride, while maintaining enough flex for fun in deep snow. EXPERT VERDICT The Helio 95 is perfect for fitness fanatics: if you want to access untouched snow on out-of-the-way slopes after a hike up the hill, this ski is the lightweight option for you. Its added flex is forgiving, and it has enough versatility for the average skier to use confidently.
MH WINNER
VIEW FROM THE TOP The testing criteria used by the experts at the Altitude Ski School
ALL TERRAIN Unless you’re a piste specialist, why restrict yourself to the runs? You need skis capable of matching your adventurous streak.
SPEED A straight-line acceleration combined with strong performances on corners will provide the required adrenalin spike.
•••••••••• •••••••••• ••••••••••
CONTROL Speed and of-piste action can come with many dangerous pitfalls. You need kit with a forgiving amount of control.
494 110 OFFICE LIGHT SWITCH
DIRTY WORKOUT SHIRT
910
TUBE HANDHOLD BAR
1,319 261 PUBLIC WATER FOUNTAIN
105
1,090 1,045
LAPTOP KEYBOARD
CARD MACHINE KEYPAD
COFFEE SHOP DOOR HANDLE
543
OFFICE TOILET SEAT
OFFICE COFFEE MACHINE
113 58
11
67
SUPERMARKET BASKET
807
475
TAXI SEAT WORDS: JOSHUA ST CLAIR | ILLUSTRATIONS: SODAVEKT | *JUSTUS-LIEBIG UNIVERSITY
BT WIFI KIOSK
59
45
CHICKEN SHOP SALT SHAKER
A
DOCTOR’S ORDERS IMMUNITY
YOUR HANDS AT THE END OF THE DAY
LONDON WATERLOO DOOR HANDLE
DEFENCE STRATEGY
OFFICE BATHROOM SOAP DISPENSER
SMARTPHONE SCREEN
HIRE BIKE HANDLEBAR
CAN’T TOUCH THESE
K
illness isn’t inevitable. Sidestep sickness and stay healthy by steering clear of enemy turf
1,512
22
nowing the danger zones is the best policy for dodging illness – well, that and washing your hands. To find out for certain where the germs are lurking, we wielded an ATP luminometer around the streets of London. Living cells use ATP molecules for energy, so the more there are on a surface, the greater the biological activity. In other words, the higher the reading, the more abundant the bugs.
SURVIVE THE BATTLE OF THE BUGS THIS WINTER Cold and flu season is upon us – but the misery of
967
21
TAP WATER
LIFT BUTTON
630
470
1,609 GYM DUMBBELL
TOOTHBRUSH BRISTLES
TO POP, OR NOT TO POP
VITAMIN C
It protects against cell damage and The MH verdict on boosts your immunity. Fight the pills you take to colds with 500mg four times bolster your defences a day. Stock your cupboard with Healthspan Elite Vitamin C (£11 healthspan.co.uk).
ECHINACEA Its benefits vary, depending on the plant parts used and dosage. The flowers, leaves and stems may shorten a cold, but you’d need huge quantities – which will cost you.
PROBIOTICS Some varieties elevate levels of antibody immunoglobin A. Take well-established kinds such as lactobacillus for digestive health (£14 bulkpowders.co.uk).
ELDERBERRY It may be efective against colds, and a German study* suggests it can inhibit influenza A and B. Try a daily dose of Solgar extract (£12.50 simplysolgar.co.uk). MEN’S HEALTH 45
23
24
LOOSER RULES
SMARTER CASUAL
LOSE THE TIE TO SMARTEN UP Your power suit might actually
DRESS LIKE A BOSS These business leaders prove that you can go casual and win
be weakening your chances of promotion. Go casual to secure a cognitive sharpener
DR DRE Beats Electronics CEO Net worth: £590m The rapper’s journey from recording studio to boardroom has been made almost exclusively in a crew neck and jeans.
WORDS: LOUEE DESSENT-JACKSON | PHOTOGRAPHY: JOBE LAWRENSON, GETTY IMAGES | SUIT, TIE AND SHIRT COURTESY OF THE MASSEY PARTNERSHIP
D
ressing for the job you want is an old office trope: a smart suit, we’ve long been led to believe, will help you climb the career ladder. We may have recently lauded the tie’s return to form in the sartorial stakes – and, in a social setting, there’s no smarter accessory – but some T-shirt-wearing scientists now believe that your perfect half-Windsor knot is constricting your workplace progress. For your next promotion-worthy presentation, the intelligent option is to adopt the athleisure look of the Silicon Valley start-up executives. According to a recent study in Neuroradiology, the jugular compression caused by your necktie is strangling your brainpower. German researchers ran MRI scans on both tie-wearing and bare-necked volunteers, and recorded a 7.5% reduction in blood flow to the brain in those who were knotted up. Unsurprisingly, anything that stops the flow of nutrients and oxygen to your brain is bad news for idea generation and quick, critical thinking. Furthermore, specialists at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary revealed neckties can increase pressure inside your eyes and linked habitual tie-wearing to long-term damage of your optic nerves. If your office dress code offers some wiggle room, this is your excuse to ditch the tie-pinned dogma and give your career some breathing space. Try pairing your navy suit with a fresh, white crew neck for a stylish transition, then start making designs on that management role. It’s time you loosened up.
A
JÜRGEN KLOPP Liverpool FC manager Net worth: £21m With the German’s wardrobe based purely on Liverpool training kit, he has led his team to the brink of greatness.
MARK ZUCKERBERG
DON’T LET OFFICE ATTIRE DEFLATE YOUR PROMOTION CHANCES
Facebook founder Net worth: £62.5bn The CEO refuses to don anything smarter than a T-shirt and jeans – and his bank balance hasn’t sufered for it.
MIND NEWSFEED 12/18
25 GENE HACK MAN
A WILL DNA DATA SAVE US, OR IS IT EXCESS INFORMATION?
SCIENCE OR FICTION? DNA TESTING
SHOULD YOU CRACK YOUR GENETIC CODE? We can now have our entire genome sequenced – but is it a smart investment? A writer trials the future of wellness
WORDS: JAMES HORTON | ILLUSTRATIONS: BRIAN STAUFFER | ICONS BY ELIAS STEIN
D
NA testing became mainstream a decade or so ago, when companies such as AncestryDNA started promising to trace our lineage back to the early Homo sapiens. But I’m less interested in deep genealogy than in the genetic variants I harbour that predispose me to heart disease and other illnesses – precisely the information offered by a new generation of tests. Supposedly. I submitted saliva samples to one company and my report arrived 77 days later. Among its most significant findings was that I possess one copy of the variant APOE4, a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s – which makes me twice as likely as others to develop the disease. (Two copies would have multiplied my risk by 12.) I also have variants in the CST3 gene, linked to age-related macular degeneration. Since this has claimed most of my mother’s sight, I already get yearly exams and am doing all I can. So, my mountain of genetic detail – three billion bits of code – amounted to a molehill of actionable data. But it wasn’t a waste of time. This is still a new science and, crucially, one that is constantly evolving. In the future, scientists will be able to predict health outcomes reliably with DNA. When the science catches up, having my code on record puts me one step ahead. I suggest you get ahead, too.
TESTS ON TRIAL The long-term benefits of DNA testing are now well established, but many of the short-term promises made by some companies are suspect. Here, we look beyond the microscope to debunk the junk
ORIG3N ALCOHOL TOLERANCE orig3n.com
MYDNA
DNAFIT
lloyds pharmacy.com
dnafit.com
Promise These tests aim to reveal which diet is best suited to your body and healthy weight-loss goals. The company provides a sample meal plan based on your unique DNA profile.
Promise As well as dietary advice, this plan takes into account factors such as aerobic health, injury predisposition and recovery speed. Additional support from a sports scientist costs extra.
Verdict Promising, but the science is inconclusive.
Verdict There’s not enough science to prove this works.
BABY GLIMPSE
WISDOM PANEL
helix.com
wisdom panel.com
Promise You can consult your genetics to determine safe drinking limits and avoid hangovers. Discover how your body breaks down alcohol, and whether you’re predisposed to facial flushing.
Promise You and your partner can explore each other’s DNA and ancestry, as well as how your genes may express themselves in a future child – everything from their looks to their taste in food.
Promise Discover your best friend’s breed, drug sensitivities and traits. You can also screen for 150-plus health conditions and share them with your vet. Good luck getting a cheek swab, though.
Verdict There’s no evidence alcohol control is genetic.
Verdict How your child will turn out is anybody’s guess.
Verdict The claims stack up. Dog lovers, take note. MEN’S HEALTH 49
Adventurist
The
ONE IMPOSSIBLE CHALLENGE. THREE DAYS TO TRAIN. GO
WORDS BY MICHAEL JENNINGS
Hitting The Wall Climbing perilous heights at speed takes nerves of steel, unfaltering grip and months, if not years, of practice. Naturally, we gave our man just three days to get the hang of it. This is how his gymhoned fitness stacked up 52 MEN’S HEALTH
MICHAEL LETS IT ALL HANG OUT ON THE 100FT TOWER
I
’m pretty fit. At least, I think I am. I tick off five CrossFit classes a week, I can perform 20 unbroken pull-ups and I deadlift more than double my bodyweight for reps. Earlier this year, I ran the Great North Run half-marathon in an hour and 43 minutes, so my cardiovascular fitness isn’t terrible, either. However, standing at the bottom of a speed-climbing wall in the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena (EICA), Europe’s largest indoor climbing space, built into an old quarry in the Scottish capital’s countryside, my bravado is waning. This is a far cry from the workouts I’m used to. The arena has played host to British Championships, World Cups… and now a Men’s Health junior fitness editor way out of his depth. My challenge is to scale the 50ft speed climb as fast as I can. By pressing a big, red button at the bottom of the wall and then again at the top, my score can be recorded by a digital timer. To help me hold my own on the wall, the EICA has put me in the capable and wellchalked hands of Robbie Phillips, one of Scotland’s top climbers. On his Instagram (@robbiephillips_), Phillips describes his climbing style as “pure, unadulterated… no bullshit”. He’s just returned from spending a week suspended off an 800m rock face in Madagascar, where a friend fell from a 100m height and broke his leg (which doesn’t help to settle my nerves). Clearly, Phillips is the type of man who is drawn to danger. I avoid it at all costs, so the next few days should be interesting. The earliest and only experience I have of climbing is watching the likes of Hunter and Wolf chase after challengers on Gladiators. The wall in front of me isn’t too dissimilar, minus a muscleman in spandex dragging me down. Phillips
MEN’S HEALTH 53
GET A GRIP The next morning, Phillips takes me over to some of the bigger walls that tower around the EICA. “I know you’re used to moving in the sagittal plane [your basic flexing and extending] and at right angles in the gym, but use climbing as your chance to be more creative,” he suggests. I learn to turn my body in all directions to overcome obstacles, gliding – not jerking – up the wall, initiating my movements from my legs instead of relying on my upper body. With each ascent, it becomes ever clearer that climbing
54 MEN’S HEALTH
Chalk Board Upscale your climbing by getting to grips with the technical terms
BELAY A technique used to create tension on the rope so that, if you fall, you won’t fall far.
PINCHES A hold with your fingers on one side and thumb on the other.
SMEARING When there are no footholds, press your sole into the wall to gain vertical ground.
OVERHANG A wall with a slope of more than 90 degrees, ie, it slopes beyond the vertical.
PHOTOGRAPHY: PHILIP HAYNES
elects to give me zero pointers on my first climb to see how I cope. I hastily hit the buzzer at the bottom of the wall to start the clock. The climb is much harder than I thought it would be, and there’s no hiding how sluggishly I move – confirmed when I eventually push the button at the top, registering an embarrassing time of 36 seconds. Back at ground level, I’m told I’m more than seven times slower than the record of 4.9 seconds. By the end of my three-day crash course in climbing, Phillips has challenged me to halve my time. Once I’ve got my breathing back under control, Phillips points out that I’m expending more energy than necessary by putting all the tension on my arms. I know this, of course, as my forearms and biceps are painfully pumped. Instead, I should be generating the power from my legs. “How many more air squats can you do in one go compared to pull-ups?” Phillips asks me. “A lot more,” I reply, making his point for him. He suggests I go again, but the damage to my forearms has already been done. That night, I can barely hold chopsticks to eat sushi (First World problems, indeed). I won’t head back to the speed wall until the final day, as Phillips says the best way to improve my time is to build my technique on other walls.
The
Elevate Yourself We plotted Michael’s progress on the 100ft climbing tower
100ft 4:54 minutes 47kcal Total calorie burn from the 100ft ascent and fullbody workout.
80ft 3:15 minutes HR 89bpm Michael’s heart rate slows down for the flatter portion of the climb.
CLIMBING REQUIRES MENTAL GRIT, NOT JUST PHYSICAL STRENGTH
70ft
is neither about pull-up prowess nor cardiovascular fitness. Phillips sums it up as a combination of applying technique, problem-solving, moving intuitively and being functionally fit. “You can have all the strength in the world, but that doesn’t mean you can climb fast,” he says. My next ascent proves that point. Phillips wants me to develop a technique known as “smearing”, which will come in handy for the speed test. It’s employed when there are no distinct holes to support your foot, so you’re forced to press the soles of your feet hard into the flat wall. I’m having to keep my body completely side-on and use the counter-pressure of my hands pulling and feet pushing (a technique known as “laybacking”) to ascend a crack. Halfway up, I hit the wall – literally, swinging into the rock face (known as “barn-dooring”). I’m frozen, unable to figure out my next move. “A weighted foot never slips,” Phillips shouts up, reminding me to use the fail-safe smearing technique. I start to smear and move slowly. When I reach the top, I’m proud I didn’t give up. It turns out that grit is a significant part of the climbing equation, too.
NEED FOR SPEED 2:52 minutes 30 seconds Another break to shake arms out and compose himself for final ascent.
60ft 2:09 minutes HR 105bpm His heart rate rockets as he battles the overhang.
By my last day, I’m beginning to move intuitively without Phillips’s constant direction. To prepare before I take on the speed wall for the second and final time, I make three accelerated ascents on another wall of a similar height, with Phillips setting me the goal of moving faster each time. The key to speeding up, I’m told, is to work out a sequence, think three or four holds ahead, and
embed it in my brain. “You need to have a commitment mentality,” Phillips says. “You can’t go into a speed climb half-heartedly.” My competitive nature kicks in as I record times of 31, 26, then 24 seconds. The pain running through my arms and the calluses on my hands are tempered by my excitement to go faster. I feel as ready as I’ll ever be to take on the timed wall again. Standing in front of it, I’m quietly confident. I’ve trusted the process and done everything Phillips has asked of me. My first climb is too cautious, but still: 19 seconds is a marked improvement on my previous 36. Unlike on day one, I’m able to find the mental strength to blunt the muscle burn that paralysed me after one attempt. On the second run, I start to develop a flow, shaving off another two seconds. On the third, I’m moving much faster, using my legs and employing smearing – I feel like I’m barely holding the wall as I scramble to the top and hit the buzzer, stopping the timer at 12.04 seconds. It’s a far cry from 4.9, but I’ve exceeded my and Phillips’s initial goal. I’m thrilled with my time, but happier still that I’ve discovered a genuinely functional way to use my fitness, rather than for box jumps and burpees alone. If you’re hesitant about signing up for a new challenge – whether it’s a marathon or mixed martial arts class – climbing has taught me that, with a bit of grit to see a process through, the sky is your limit.
50ft 1:34 minutes 30 seconds Length of hold as Michael rests and maps out the route in his mind.
20ft 22 seconds HR 72bpm He is composed on the first few holds at the start of this 100ft climb.
START HERE
MEN’S HEALTH 55
TIME WORDS BY TED LANE / PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOBE LAWRENSON
MAXIMISING LIFE’S GREATEST LUXURY
MINUTES TO WIND UP YOUR METABOLISM WITH A BACON BAP
KEEP YOUR WEIGHTLOSS AMBITIONS IN THE PINK AT BREAKFAST
56 MEN’S HEALTH
as fuel throughout the day – which is great news for your athletic performance, but less useful if you’re training for weight loss. Take seven minutes to perfectly crisp up your bacon, however, and you’ll programme your metabolism to burn through your fat stores in the gym instead. Researchers at Kyoto University also found evidence that a nutrient in your rashers called coenzyme Q10 further greases the wheels of your metabolism, especially when combined with light exercise. So, tucking into a buttery bacon sarnie before your morning run will fry through unwanted blubber better than any monkish regime of pre-cardio fasting. That’s what we call a streak of good news.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY: MICHAEL HEDGE | FOOD STYLIST: TAMARA VOS
07
Y
our days of nibbling forlornly on rabbit food in pursuit of a leaner physique are over. According to a new study in the Journal of Nutrition, whichever macronutrient makes up the bulk of your breakfast will be what your metabolism prefers to use for fuel over the course of that day. Which means bacon is now a researchapproved weight-loss weapon. Allow us to explain. If you start each morning with a breakfast of oats and fruit, your body will be primed to utilise carbohydrates
TIME
PLATE UP MENTAL AND PHYSICAL STRENGTH WITH MEDITATION
05 IMAGE MANIPULATION: COLIN BEAGLEY
MINUTES TO SOOTHE DAILY ANXIETY AND BUILD NEW MUSCLE
M
editation and musclebuilding are far from conventional training buddies: for most people, a serene, cross-legged headspace session sits at the opposite end of the spectrum to, say, CrossFit workouts Fran, Cindy and Murph. But new research suggests that, to amp up your training, you need to keep calm and carry om. Researchers at the Maharishi University of Management in Iowa found that subjects who meditated for five minutes a day significantly lowered levels of stress hormone cortisol in their blood, helping to improve their
mood and mental health. However, they also had increased levels of testosterone and human growth hormone: crucial physiological ingredients in the recipe for muscle gain. These naturally occurring anabolic hormones spike in the absence of cortisol. Testosterone helps your body build muscle by increasing your rate of protein synthesis and boosting the number of muscle fibre precursor cells. Meanwhile, human growth hormone does precisely what its name promises and delivers new muscle mass. So, consider five minutes of morning meditation your new pre-workout supp – harem pants strictly optional.
MEN’S HEALTH 57
01
UNWRAP A HEALTHIER HEART BY BUYING AHEAD (FOR ONCE)
I
t’s a scene almost as traditional as the nativity: desperate men in John Lewis on 24 December, hunting for last-minute gifts for the family. And, for all the stress, their search results in yet another joyless Christmas morning of deodorant sets for all. If the prospect of deciding between Lynx Africa and Lynx Apollo for your brother-in-law is spiking your blood pressure, we suggest you do things differently this year. New research explains why a little forward planning and some genuinely thoughtful giftgiving can improve your heart health. Make the effort now and, come Christmas Day, you will
58 MEN’S HEALTH
be rewarded with a flood of neurochemicals known as “the happiness trifecta”. This particular cocktail contains powerful doses of serotonin (which influences brain cells related to mood balance), dopamine (linked to arousal and motivation) and oxytocin, the “hugging hormone”. These have benefits that go beyond helping you to smile through a Christmas morning surrounded by screaming kids. Oxytocin, for example, lowers your blood pressure and acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory,
dialling down your heart disease, stroke and heart attack risk. If you need further convincing, consider this: deaths in the holiday season increase by around 4%, and the average age of people dying around this time is also slightly younger. (This is thought to be linked to the blood pressure spikes caused by stress.) Spend a day in advance picking out thoughtful presents and you can take the anxiety out of Christmas – and you’ll be crowned everyone’s favourite relative. Make this year a cracker.
PROP HEART: ISOBEL BARBER | IMAGE MANIPULATION: COLIN BEAGLEY
DAY TO SAFEGUARD YOUR HEART HEALTH AT CHRISTMAS TIME
TIME
A
SCREEN OUT WINTER DOOM AND GLOOM WITH SOME BLOCKBUSTER ALONE TIME
s many as one in three people are thought to be affected by seasonal affective disorder (SAD) to some degree. The daily routine of commuting to work in the dark and missing out on the sun while shackled to your desk – then returning home in the pitch black – is likely responsible for your increasingly low moods. But there’s a surprising solution. If you pity the solo cinema-goer, assuming that he must be lonely, you’ve got it all wrong. By watching a movie on your own, you can boost your mental health and even relieve symptoms of depression, according to a study in the Journal of Consumer Research. It found that immersing yourself in the film and embracing time alone were ideal ways to boost happiness levels and beat the winter malaise. Meanwhile, researchers at the the International Communication Association discovered in a separate study that it’s far more effective than yet another night on the sofa watching Netflix. They linked bingeing on episode after episode to feelings of depression and loneliness. SAD is thought to be caused by lack of sunlight – the sun sends nerve messages from your eye to your brain and stimulates the release of mood-boosting hormones serotonin and melatonin. Yet embracing the dimmed lights of the local cinema could regulate your levels of these blockbuster chemicals. Robin Hood looks good this month – and it could make you a merrier man.
The Tech Issue – 2018
Better Living The world is getting smarter. Or, at least, our tools are. The latest gadgets promise to make us fitter, healthier and more productive. It’s no longer enough for your homeware to offer simple diversion: it should enhance and upgrade you. So, push “start” on our special Tech Issue: this is our room-by-room guide to rebooting every aspect of your life. WORDS BY SCARLETT WRENCH – PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROWAN FEE – SET DESIGN BY ANNA OLDHAM-COOPER
01
02
03
The Virtual Gym
The Power Player
The Fresh-Air Prince
If what stands between you and the body you want is a tedious bus journey, bring the gym to you. Fiit lets you stream classes in your living room, while its heart-rate monitor keeps tabs on your BPM, calorie burn and rep count. Pyjamas are the new Lycra. Fiit from £20 per month fiit.tv, LG C8 OLED 4K TV £2,299 lg.com
Innovation isn’t about reinventing the wheel but refining it. This lightweight turntable has a rigid plinth to reduce unwanted resonance and a low-friction tonearm for a rich, detailed sound. And it’ll tune up your wellbeing, too: a paper in Emotion found that a daily dose of nostalgia benefits your mental health. Rega Planar 3 £649 rega.co.uk
From cooking to cleaning, everyday activities can worsen the air quality in your home, potentially leading to respiratory problems. This fan removes pollutants and allergens to circulate cool, clean air. It also has a breeze-free mode, so you can benefit without any winter chill. Dyson Pure Cool Tower £500 dyson.co.uk
01
03
OptimiseYour Downtime
Whether you’ree cravinng resst annd reccupperaatioon or want a quiickfire workouut, make thhe hubb off yoourr hoomee a heaaltthierr space
04
05
06
The Great Escape
The Tabletop Barman
The Portable Assistant
Reality, they say, is subjective – never more so than when you can go heli-skiing in the Alps from your sofa. The Oculus Go does away with cables, providing sharp, 3D graphics, immersive audio and more than 1,000 “experiences”. Oculus Go from £199 oculus.com
If last night’s bar tab gives you more pain than your hangover, we have your fix. Fizzics uses sound waves to upgrade your shop-bought lager, making it creamier and less bitter. The next round’s on you. Fizzics Waytap £130 fizzics.com
While many smart speakers aren’t too clever when it comes to audio quality, the Amazon Alexacompatible Sonos One pumps out crisp, room-filling sound. Turn things up to 11. Sonos One £199 sonos.com
The Tech Issue – BETTER LIVING 07
The AllSeeing Eye
07
05
06
ARTIFICIAL STRELITZIA PLANT FAKEITFLOWERS.CO.UK
02
04
Want to know what your dog gets up to when you’re out? With a 130-degree field of vision, the Hive View security camera livestreams to your phone and sends you a screen shot if it senses anything untoward. With its two-way audio, you can shout out a quick hello to the kids (or to the dog). Hive View £189 hivehome.com
Train Like APro
Iff yourr workouts are in neeed of refreshing, appply a little science to yoourr home fitness. Conssidder these gadgets yourr new spotters
01
02
The Time Lord
The Wheel Deal
Training at home should never mean resorting to a structureless, improvised plan. This wall timer will allow you to focus on your EMOMs and AMRAPs without the distraction of a vibrating iPhone that periodically switches to the lock screen. It even keeps tabs on how many sets you’ve done, while a dual-colour display and bright LED (that’s not a type of workout) guarantee that you can’t miss it – even when you’re mid-burpee. Bulldog Gear Timer £225 bulldoggear.eu
If you want serious lower-body power and cardio fitness but can’t handle another spin instructor shouting, “Ride into the weekend!” the Atom is for you. Engineered to mimic the feel of a real ride with integrated gear shifters, it ofers training plans and data analysis via the Wattbike Hub. Atom Wattbike £1,599 wattbike.com
03
The Musical Motivator Stick most speakers in your home gym and they’d get the job done – but what you really need is one that performs just as well during your rainy park sessions. The Boom 3 wireless speaker is waterproof enough to handle the heaviest downpours and comes with a 15-hour battery life. Plus, you can sync it with a friend’s during your next buddy workout. UE Boom 3 £129.99 ultimateears.com
03
04
05
06
The Tech Issue – BETTER LIVING 05
The Shape Shifter Smart design is as much about saving space as anything else. The Kettle Gryp – a lightweight, durable handle – attaches to your dumbbells, making them suitable for all of your go-to kettlebell moves. And it’s far cheaper than having 150kg of metal delivered to your door. Kettle Gryp £34.95 kettlegryp.com
04
The Wrist Assessor Activity-tracking is just the first step on your journey to carefully calibrated fitness. The Whoop strap also analyses an often overlooked but equally important variable: your ability to recover. Monitoring patterns in your heart rate and sleep states, it tells you whether you’re in beast mode or, er, least mode, so you can ensure you’re always bringing your A game. Whoop Strap £TBC whoop.com
01
06
The DOMS Zapper This is about as close as you’ll get to letting tech do your training for you. Attach the “pods” to the muscles you want to focus on and use the app to activate them with a light, painless electric current. Use it during your warm-up to increase power output, or as part of your recovery plan to ease tension. What happens in between is still down to you, mind. PowerDot Uno £179 powerdot.co.uk
07
The Multi-Tool If you can’t aford to give up floor space to a full lifting station, this folding rack will allow your home gym to double as a spare bedroom on rest days. Fix it to your wall, then pull it out to use the “spotter” arms, wall-ball target, dip station attachments or pull-up bar. You can move the bed back out when you’re done. Mammoth Lite Wall Rack (Short) £545 bulldoggear.eu
07
02
01
06
07
02
RebootYour MealPrep In the kitchen, arrt meets scieence. Eleevate eating well to a higgher leeveel withh these nuttriitional toools
01
02
The Sous Chef
The Macro Manager
Once the preserve of top chefs, sous-vide techniques are now available to even the least industrious home cook. Bag your meat or veg, select the level of “doneness” on the app and the Joule heats the water precisely. It’s voice activated, too – useful if your hands are dirty (or occupied with a wine glass). Joule £189 chefsteps.com
It isn’t easy to adhere to your macros without resorting to a tiresome rotation of proteins and greens. This smart scale makes things simpler: select a recipe from its database, and it logs every item as you weigh it. Recipes can even be rescaled, if you find yourself with extra eggs to use up or, God forbid, short of an avocado. Drop Scale £60 getdrop.com
The Tech Issue – BETTER LIVING
05 04
NUTRIBULLET SUPPLIED BY HIGHSTREETTV.COM WEATHER CLOCK BY BRAMWELLBROWN.COM
03
03
04
05
06
07
The Cutting Edge
The Whizz Kid
The Hot Buzz
Any blender can blitz a pile of fruit, but how many can tell you its sugar content and suggest a better way to make the smoothie? Whether you’re glutenfree or Paleo, the NutriBullet Balance will give you a bespoke nutrition plan, then ofer recipes based on the contents of your cupboard. Fussy eaters, rejoice. NutriBullet Balance £150 nutribullet balance.com
Brewing cofee should be a ritual, not a chore. Not only does this siphon look like a scientific instrument, its vacuum-brewing technique extracts maximum nutrients from your beans, while its fish-bowl design lets you observe the process – a lot more fun than waiting for the kettle to boil. Bodum ePebo £199 bodum.com
The Iron Knight
The Liquid Asset
Any serious chef needs a near-indestructible cast-iron pan, free of chemical coatings and great at holding heat. Formed from a single piece of iron, this pan is half the usual weight and has a vented neck to protect your fingers. It also has a multicentury warranty, so you can pass it on to your robot butler. Solidteknics Aus-Ion Skillet £128 solidteknics.com
Now that the plasticfree movement has made factory-bottled water taboo, you need a new way to score fresh, filtered H2O. The Brita Waterbar removes impurities, bad tastes and odours, with the additional options of chilled or warm. Brita Waterbar WD 3030 from £299 brita.co.uk
Savernake knives are crafted according to your specifications, whether you’re after a brawny chef’s knife or a nimble veg-slicer. Though designed using 3D modelling techniques, they’re hand-built, resulting in lightweight utensils that are bloody sharp. Savernake Knives from £150 savernakeknives.co.uk
The Tech Issue – BETTER LIVING
03
Work Smarter, Not Harder Take thee stiing out of spendinng hours at your desk and make your empployyment more gainful with our wholessome home office
68 MEN’S HEALTH
06
01
01
The High Flyer According to researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, a sense of wonder lowers levels of disease-causing inflammation – which arguably makes this floating plant a lifesaver. Using magnetic levitation, the spinning pot hovers above its oak base, while the leaves absorb nutrients through the air, negating the need for soil or water. Just try to stay focused on your screen. Flyte Lyfe Levitating Plant £220 eu.flyte.se
02
The Light Relief A one-mode-fits-all approach to lighting is doing you no favours. This desk lamp ofers a wide spectrum of options: the tone and brightness can be adjusted in multiple ways to counteract both sleep-disrupting white light and eye-straining dimness. The base also includes a built-in USB charging point, decluttering your workspace. Remember: tidy desk, tidy mind. TaoTronics Desktop Lamp £35 taotronics.com
05
03
The Sound Investment 02
04
Mute the rest of the world when working from home. These noise-cancelling headphones monitor and react to outside sounds, neutralising them with an opposing signal – though the level of cancellation can also be dialled down if you’re listening out for the doorbell. They also come with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, for news updates and notifications, should you want to keep a toe into the real world. Bose QuietComfort 35 II £330 bose.co.uk
04
The Core Burner Find a comfortable middle ground between standing and slumping – by making your own middle a little less comfortable. This stool has a built-in, adjustable Pilates ball, designed to improve your posture and strengthen your core and back, which will translate to heavier lifts in the gym, too. Plus, its grey wool cover and ash wood stand ensure that it won’t look like it rolled out of said gym. Chester Balance Ball Stool £175 ajproducts.co.uk
05
The Hydro Power-Up According to a University of East London study, drinking cold water can increase your focus by 25%. But rather than instal a mini-fridge in your ofice, invest in a bottle that never loses its cool. The Corkcicle keeps your drinks icy for 25 hours (and your tea hot for 12 hours), while its non-slip base will minimise your chances of expensive spillages. Corkcicle Canteen £25 corkcicle.com
06
The High Notes Not only does writing by hand improve information retention, it’s also linked to greater creativity – possibly because firing up your laptop every time a game-changing idea enters your mind can be a hassle. This smart pen with “Ncoded” paper captures your words and sketches, then transfers them to your digital devices in real time. Moleskine Pen+ Ellipse £179 moleskine.com
01
02
The Second Skin
The Heavy Artillery
Cold-water swimming has a flood of benefits, including boosting your metabolism and immunity. But plunging into a murky lake in the winter demands proper insulation. O’Neill has thrown all of its tech at this wetsuit: triple-glued seams, quick-drying neoprene, wrist and ankle seals, knee pads for scrambling back onto the rocks. And, of course, it’s warm. O’Neill PsychoTech FUZE £300 oneill.com
Gardening gear is hard to get fired up about, but the chainsaw is a notable exception. This cordless electric model has enough power to slice through any tree. It’s also light enough that it won’t trouble your biceps after arms day, while a frictionless, brushless motor makes it more eficient. All you need is something to fell… Ryobi OCS1830 £130 direct-power tools.co.uk
03
01
02
06
The Tech Issue – BETTER LIVING
Power UpYour Weekends
Wheetheer youu’re mappinng out a home projjecct or an ouutdoor advventure, restoock your garaage with tooolss fit for the task 05
06
The Muscle Car
The Smokeless Fire
Occasionally, clichés hold true. Canadian scientists found that driving a stylish car boosts your testosterone, whereas puttering along in a sedan has no efect. The new Mercedes A-Class does more than look the part: it comes with a touchscreen interface and its own “Hey Mercedes” voice assistant, so you can reroute your journey or pick up a call without taking your hands of the wheel. Mercedes-Benz A-Class from £25,800 mercedes-benz.co.uk
05
03
04
The Winning Swinger
The Board Master
This combo set-cumgolf coach has sensors that track distance and accuracy, while keeping tabs on your improvement – of which there will be plenty. According to Cobra’s data, you can expect to shed three strokes over the course of a year. Bring your skills to the fore. Cobra Connect King F8 £559 cobragolf.com
With its top speed of 24 miles per hour, Boosted’s electric skateboard will make your commute fly by. Its flexible deck gives you a better feel for the road, allowing for deep carving, while the vibration dampening means you won’t arrive at your ofice too shaken up. Boosted Stealth Electric Longboard £1,499 boosted boards.com
04
Evolutionary studies show that we’re hard-wired to be drawn to flames: according to the University of Alabama, flickering light and crackling wood instantly reduce our blood pressure. So, why not incinerate all your stress? This woodburner filters out smoke, while its airflow system allows flames to be precisely controlled, either manually or via an app. BioLite FirePit £220 uk.bioliteenergy.com
The Tech Issue – GM SUPERFOODS
Unnatural Genetically modified food is being rebranded as a smart, health-enhancing
Advantage solution to our planet’s impending resource crisis. But is it safe? MH investigates WORDS BY ALEX RENTON PH H OT T OG G RAPHY BYY MICHAEL HEDGE
GUTTER CREDIT
W
hy are carrots orange? That’s not the set-up of a Michael McIntyre gag – it’s a serious question. And the answer sums up the forces at play in the production of modern, genetically modified foods: science, fashion and, above all, politics. Our ancestors knew carrots, but not as we do. Theirs were short and stubby, like a radish, and came in yellow, white, purple or red. But not orange. In the 17th century, the Dutch were the world’s leading vegetable technologists, and the carrot was just one of the staples they decided to “improve”. Through selective breeding, they made it sweeter and less woody and, over time, it became the recognisable root vegetable that sprouts
in gardens and fields worldwide today. Its hue is where the politics comes in: according to lore, the Dutch breeders bred their carrots to honour their ruler, William of Orange, upholder of the Protestant faith and, from 1689, king of England, too. Selective breeding is genetic modification: it is the engineering of DNA, the code within cells. You see its results in the supermarket vegetable aisle and in household pets. It’s what makes a dachshund look so different from a Great Dane, even though they are of the same species. This is evolution, accelerated and directed in the way that we humans want it to go – in the case of dogs, to make something playful and charming out of wolves. The
MEN’S HEALTH 73
thoroughbred racehorse is the product of more than three centuries of DNA tweaking, by pairing the best male with the best female. Despite his own family’s enthusiasm for this particular form of genetic modification, Prince Charles has objected to humans “playing God” with nature. But, as the scientist Richard Dawkins countered, “We’ve been playing God for centuries!”
Intelligent Design The problem with acquiring godlike powers is that you’re likely to make full use of them. When gene-altering techniques first moved from the greenhouse to the laboratory, scientists focused on helping growers: offering greater yields, reducing reliance on pesticides, or developing fruit and veg with a longer shelf life. That’s how we’ve ended up with mushrooms that don’t go brown and tomatoes that are more evenly spaced on a plant’s branches, so they can be harvested more easily by machine. (And, in the animal kingdom, salmon that grow twice as fast.) But the latest crop is different. The new genetically modified organisms (GMOs) promise benefits to you, the consumer. Making food healthier has become a central goal of commercial users of the technology, not least because it’s a way of winning over sceptics. There’s wheat whose gluten doesn’t trouble coeliac sufferers, “millennial pink” pineapples enriched with anti-cancer nutrient lycopene, and white bread engineered to be higher in fibre. God’s work is being updated, and it seems unlikely that even Prince Charles can stop it. In the coming decade, the number of new, health-focused crops is expected to increase exponentially. This is partly a result of a new DNA-editing technique, Crispr (short for “clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats” – see right), which works with native characteristics in a way that could occur in the wild, only with unprecedented accuracy. This differs from previous GM methods, in which a copy of a gene from one organism would be placed in another with which it couldn’t naturally reproduce. At the sharp end of this new tech is Geoff Graham, vice-president of plant breeding at US-based company Corteva
Agriscience, which has created plant oils modified to contain higher levels of monounsaturated fats. “Both Crispr and genetic modification can be used to improve nutritional quality,” he says. “For example, Crispr is being used in tomatoes to make them healthier by increasing their levels of Gaba [gamma-aminobutyric acid, linked to better sleep and lower blood pressure]. It’s also being explored as a tool to reduce the harmful reactions some people have to certain foods – such as peanuts that don’t trigger allergies.” Corteva’s oil, called Plenish, is made from soya beans modified to contain 20% less saturated fat than they normally would. It’s also more stable during cooking. At a time when poor diet is a factor in one in five deaths around the world* – and nutrition education isn’t making enough of an impact – these lab-produced superfoods seem to offer a logical solution. After all, if we won’t change our habits, surely striving to improve the foods we’re already eating is a worthwhile pursuit? Even foods long considered “healthy” have suffered a nutritional hit in recent years, as intensive farming has decreased the levels of vitamins and minerals present in our fruit and veg. This new, nutrition-boosting technology could be our best chance of rectifying that – but, of course, not everyone is convinced.
Suspicious Minds The main bar to many of these foods going into production is public disapproval. When a new transgenic wonder-fruit drops from the science journals into the Daily Mail, the news story starts with a headline about “Frankenstein food”. From the beginning, concerns – moral and practical – have been raised about genetic engineering. One is about control: how do we regulate fairly and prevent cynical corporations from abusing these technologies? In the UK, this is more relevant now than ever. While current EU laws ensure the development and use of GM crops are highly restricted, the situation could soon change with Brexit. Any trade deal with the US is likely to result in the UK accepting the much looser American food regulations. The most significant concern is the risk to our health. In trying to solve one problem, do we risk creating a worse one? Recent studies into GM tech have found worrying effects that could have a bearing on humans. One paper in the
“The new GM crops promise to benefit you, the consumer – by being packed with extra nutrients”
74 MEN’S HEALTH
What Is Crispr? Itt mayy sound like yet anoothher glutenn-freee foood staart-up in easst Londoon, but Crisprr is a new moleecular systtem thaat scientistss can use to manipulate DNA A – morre quicklyy, sim mply and d acccuratelyy than eveer befoore. As welll as itts many pootential appliccatiions inn makking ourr fruuitss richeer in nutrieentss or ouur graains ressisttant to cliimatee chaang ge, itt couuld alsso one daay be used too eng ginneer human embryyos – althhoug gh theere aree significannt ethhicaal consid derations.
journal Plos One described butterflies with deformed wings that had been feeding on GM oilseed plants, altered to produce healthy omega-3 fats. But how could the researchers be sure what deformed the butterflies? And would humans be similarly affected? Michael Antoniou of King’s College London works in gene therapy – in particular, the adaptation of genes to address genetically based diseases. “There are claims from the United States that no one has been harmed by eating GM foods. But no one has actually looked,” he says. “Increasing numbers of lab studies on rats and mice are showing evidence of harm, mostly on the function of the kidney, liver and, to some extent, digestive and immune system function.” He believes a GM diet “could cause the adverse effects observed in these studies”. Antoniou’s views are controversial. While he and his colleagues are part of a network of hundreds of scientists who campaign with green groups for restrictions on GM research, they are not the mainstream. Worldwide, more scientists are pro-GM than against. One major complaint of the pro-GM lobby is that public fear and governmental caution – especially in Europe – are stalling the progress of research into techniques with potentially vast benefits. Among the scientists speaking out for a more open-minded approach is Jayson Lusk, professor of agricultural economics at Purdue University in Indiana. “It’s just a tool, and a tool can be used in good or bad ways,” he says. “A blanket rejection of a tool is a naive, uncritical position. We need a case-by-case evaluation.” The future lies with the general public, as well as with politicians – and, at the moment, both are wary of the technology. Lusk’s research into US consumer attitudes shows that, if anything, the GM industry has itself to blame for these public fears. In the US, where almost 90% of staple crops such as corn, soy, cotton and sugar beet are GM, consumers “know very, very little” about the technology. The industry prefers it that way, and it campaigned unsuccessfully against a 2016 law that will soon make the labelling of
*UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON | PROPS BY NIENTA NIXON
The Tech Issue – GM SUPERFOODS
02
01 04
03
THE SUPERFOODS OF TOMORROW These GM ingredients could soon be destined for your plate 01// Meat-F Free Bu urgerss The vegan Impossible Burger – engineered to taste, smell and feel like a hunk of beef – might indeed be impossible without soy leghemoglobin, made using GM yeast. The burger is sold across the US. 02// Healtthier Chips Sold in the US since 2015, Simplot Plant Sciences’ White Russets contain less amino acid asparagine, which could reduce levels of carcinogenic acrylamide when fried. 03// Low w- GI Bread d Calyxt is developing a wheat that could produce white flour with triple the fibre, for a gentler glucose spike. It hopes to launch in the US within two years.
04// Vegan “Fish Oil” By adding genes from algae to camelina plants, a team at Rothamsted Research, Hertfordshire, has created a plant oil that’s rich in omega-3 – fatty acids found in fish. Good for the planet, as well as your salad. 05// Purrplee Tomattoes Produced at the John Innes Centre in Norwich, these tomatoes contain higher levels of heart-protecting anthocyanins, which give berries their hue. The fruit has been shown to have an anti-cancer efect in mice.
05
GM products mandatory. This viewpoint might have made some sense when the use of GM offered no clear benefit to the consumer. But with the arrival of, say, gluten-free loaves, companies may decide to reconsider their position. In any case, transparency appears to work better. In Vermont, the only American state where it is already mandatory to label products, consumer resistance to the technology has fallen. Labels give people a sense of control, and so of lower risk. It’s hard to predict whether the introduction of the new GM superfoods will change minds but, at present, opinion appears to be hardening against the technology, even while the US campaigns for Europeans to accept it. Transgenic salmon – which contains DNA from different species and grows twice as fast – was given the all-clear for health in the US three years ago, but it’s still having trouble reaching your fishmonger’s slab. Like many academics, Lusk believes that “naive” opposition to GM is counterproductive – that the technology’s benefits are too great to allow instinctive fears to rule it out. And healthier food is arguably not the most pressing issue. GM’s greatest benefit lies in its potential to help feed the 9.8 billion people who will inhabit this planet by 2050, as climate change makes it increasingly difficult to grow crops in regions that were previously suitable. Modifications to animals are also on their way, though these tweaks aren’t quite as extreme as those in science-fiction, such as the super-chicken in Margaret Atwood’s Oryx and Crake, which had no eyes or legs, just 20 breasts and a mouth. More subtle but hugely important are alterations to animals’ gut bacteria, enabling them to eat waste crops such as straw, and, in the case of pigs and cows, produce less methane (a major cause of global warming).
Monsanto becoming global bogeymen, accused of trapping farmers with their patented GM seeds and the chemicals that had to be used with them. But Lynas’s name is now a dirty word at Greenpeace and other environmental campaign groups. He has become one of the anti-GM movement’s noisiest critics, and considers it hypocritical. “You can’t defend the scientific consensus on [the risks of man-made] climate change, while denying the equally strong scientific consensus that GM is a safe technology with huge potential benefits,” he says. In Seeds of Science: Why We Got It So Wrong on GMOs, published earlier this year, Lynas accuses the antiGM campaign of denying us this tech for no reason other than unscientific prejudice. “GM, like washing machines or cars, is a technology and we have to make a political decision … as to whether we want to use it or not and the extent to which we want to use it,” science writer George Monbiot tells Lynas in the book. Politicians have dithered over genealtering technology for years. Currently in Britain, as in the rest of the EU, unless you are strictly organic or vegan in your diet, you are almost certainly eating GM at one remove, because GM animal fodder is legal for use here. But Europe is keeping a wall up against the further intrusion of GM: in July, after months of debate, the European Court of Justice ruled that new gene-editing technologies such as Crispr should fall under the same controls as the older splicing methods. Yet progress is being made. In Costa Rica, those pink pineapples are still growing, having received the stamp of approval from the US Food and Drug Administration. Last year, researchers from Australia showcased an orange banana with high levels of pro-vitamin A, developed to treat nutrient deficiencies in Uganda. With Western tastes in mind, scientists at the Sainsbury Laboratory in Norwich are currently modifying potatoes to create healthier chips (see left). With such tools now available, it seems unlikely that humans can be prevented from exploiting them. Whether that’s good or bad, safe or concerning, remains a matter of debate. Yet one thing is certain: the future of food is coming ever closer.
“Are the benefits of GM food too great to let instinctive, naive opposition rule it out altogether?”
The Next Generation Ultimately, it may be cool logic, rather than an appetite for cancer-fighting fruit, that changes minds. In the 1990s, author Mark Lynas was an eco-warrior. He and his friends were determined to stop big corporations corrupting nature for profit. They went out on late-night raids to destroy GM crops being grown in laboratory farms, and he once threw a pie in the face of an eminent pro-GM economist. The efforts of campaigners like Lynas led to companies such as
MEN’S HEALTH 75
Happier By Design Ouur digitaal devvicces aree blameed for everyythinng from m sleeep loss to anxxietty – buut coouldd Big Tech be part of the soluutionn? Miichaell Acctonn Sm mith, co--fouunderr of thhe medditatioon app Calm m, has youur wellbbeinng inn hiss favoouritees Isn’t a “mindfulness app” a contradiction in terms? Most of us are slaves to our phones, and thousands of very smart people are designing products to be as addictive as possible. The key is to change our relationship with our devices – to become the masters, not the slaves. What we do at Calm is give people the tools to do that. What’s your solution? We’re trying to teach people meditation, and to impress on them that it’s like a gym session for the mind. You start to gain more control of your mind, to become aware of your attention and where it goes. Instead of getting your phone out mindlessly, you’ll ask yourself if you really want to do it. You might stop and think, look around, talk to the person you’re with, or even daydream. It’s a subtle shift, but a powerful one. How much do you use your own phone? I’m not perfect: I use my device a lot. But now, I’m much more conscious of it. When I’m working, I put my phone on silent, either face down or in my pocket. You can’t get into a state of flow if you’re constantly getting digital taps on the shoulder. I don’t use my phone in bed and, in the mornings, I keep it in airplane
76 MEN’S HEALTH
INTERVIEW BY PAUL WILSON - PORTRAIT BY MARK HARRISON
mode until I leave the house. During that half-hour of showering and having a cup of tea, my mind has space to wander. I can be human. Later on, I catch myself when I reach for my phone to check social media. I don’t stop myself every time, but I’m more aware of it. You’ve run a tech business for 20 years. Are you less stressed now? I went through a bumpy time when Mind Candy [the tech firm behind the game Moshi Monsters, which he founded] grew like crazy, then came crashing down. I wasn’t sleeping, I had headaches and I was exhausted, constantly ruminating and stressed. But by developing a meditation practice, I slowly started to feel better. I am now a healthy person. My relationships are better. I think I’m a better leader – certainly a calmer one. Who wants a manager who’s screaming and throwing things one minute, then quiet and unreadable the next? Being balanced helps you to put things in perspective. Can tech be a force for good? Yes. The penny dropped for me with the improvement in my own health: how tech
could benefit society, how Calm could become global. I’m passionate about technology. Think of all the ways it has improved our lives. Mobile phones have put extraordinary power in the pockets of four billion people around the world, but no one is taught how to use it properly. Is better regulation of tech firms the solution? I’m a big believer in free markets and letting industries self-regulate. Last year was a watershed moment. People realised that smartphones and similar devices can cause real damage. Big Tech is taking steps to self-regulate. Google and Apple users now have ways to track how they are using those products. But isn’t giving people too much information to process part of the problem? That’s a fair point, but if it’s done in a positive way, it will help. Companies are starting to deal with the problems, not least because shareholders are pushing for it. Hopefully, self-regulation will happen. If not, governments will need to step in. But we need to take responsibility for our personal health. Governments and
A Head for Business As a markket leaderr inn thhe growinng fieeld d of medittatioon annd sleeep, Calm m wass named App ple’s App of the Yeaar in 2017. Thiss Ye yeear, it was valuued att almost £200m.
companies can help, but in the end it’s up to you. Many people are already taking ownership of their physical fitness, but one of the biggest current trends is people recognising that they need to look at their mental fitness in the same way. It’s not easy, though. Humans are terrible at doing things we know we should. Very true. Meditation is one method of changing the way your mind works. I think of it in terms of software: it’s like laying in a new operating system for your brain. Or it’s like turning up the brightness on life. It becomes easier to do the other things you want to do: not to shout at your partner when you get angry, not to reach for another biscuit. To respond to situations, rather than react to them. And I think that’s really powerful. How do you feel about profiting from something so powerful? It feels natural, because the best type of business is one that has a positive impact on people’s lives and makes a lot of money. If you make a lot of money, you can grow faster, market more and have a bigger impact. We think we can do that with Calm. I feel that we – and other companies like us – are in the centre of the zeitgeist of Western society right now. Will Calm become, as you’ve said, “Nike for the mind”? There’s a parallel with what happened about 50 years ago, when exercise wasn’t the done thing. If you were seen out jogging, people would ask you what you were running from. Then, celebrities started doing it and doctors began to say it was good for you… and we all know what happened. Nike and dozens of other brands moved in, and physical fitness has become a huge business. I believe we’re at the start of an equally big movement for mental fitness.
LLUSTRATION: ALCONIC AT SYNERGY ART
The Tech Issue – TALKING TECH
“P Phones have givven uss extraordin nary poower – but we’rre noot ght how to use taaug th hiss power prooperlyy”
ACTON SMITH BELIEVES MENTAL FITNESS IS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
The Tech Issue – MARS
Forbidden Planet 01 Astronauts on a simulated mission in the deserts of Oman. The sand and rocky surfaces make it hard to manoeuvre in the heavy suits
Life On Mars
If Nasa’s plans reach fruition, humans could set foot on Mars in two decades. But to learn the effects of such a journey on our bodies and minds, scientists must first conduct simulations in Earth’s most barren landscapes. Think you’re fit for the task? At this bootcamp, failure is not an option WO O RDS BY OLIVE E R FR R ANKLIN-- W ALLIS - PHOTOGRA A PHY B Y ROBER R T OR R ME E ROO D
02
80 MEN’S HEALTH
03 04
GUTTER CREDIT
The deserts of Dhofar, Oman, are a desolate place.
Sun-blistered rock and dirt stretch to the horizon, punctured by salt domes. In the summer, temperatures rise above 50ºC and the wind spins up blinding sandstorms. If it wasn’t for the wisps of cloud, you could mistake it for a barren, far-off planet – which is why, in February, amateur astronauts descended on the region to prepare for mankind’s journey to Mars. Almost 46 years after the last Apollo astronaut returned from the Moon, sending humans to new worlds is again on the agenda. Nasa has announced plans for a manned Mars mission by the mid-2030s, while Elon Musk’s SpaceX, one of many companies working on the goal, wants to do it by 2025. An interplanetary voyage seems no longer a case of if, but when. Where it took Apollo 11 three days to reach the lunar surface, however, reaching the Red Planet – an average of 225,000,000km away, depending on planetary orbits – could take nine months. “It’s the biggest journey our society has ever undertaken,” says Gernot Grömer, director of the Austrian Space Forum (OeWF). “The distance between Earth and Mars is about 1,000 times the distance between the Earth and the Moon. That’s also a good measure for the complexity.” If astronauts succeed in landing on the surface, they face an atmosphere too thin to breathe, freezing temperatures, toxic soil, lethal storms and exposure to cosmic radiation. Then they have a choice. Assuming, by some breakthrough, they were able to carry enough fuel for a return flight, they now need to either turn around immediately or wait up to 18 months for the planets to get back into range. A group of scientists and space enthusiasts, the OeWF is one of several organisations, including Nasa, the European Space Agency and Russia’s Roscosmos, preparing for the trip using “analogues” – simulations conducted on Earth. From the red craters of the Mauna Loa volcano in Hawaii to the sub-zero Antarctic winter and the deep waters of the Florida Keys, researchers are seeking out extreme environments all over the world to answer questions about a longduration stay on Mars. How will extended isolation in deep space affect our physical and mental health? What will we eat? And what if something goes wrong? “We’re looking for problems,” explains Grömer. A veteran of 12 analogues, he has simulated Mars atop glaciers, in mines and
The Tech Issue – MARS
in deserts. “It’s the little details that turn into big disasters: when your water filter breaks and you don’t have a replacement part, or when the airlock refuses to close… No disaster strikes out of the blue. There’s always a history of human mistakes.”
Fit for Actiion
05
Inner Space mer, 02 Geernott Grröm coo-fouundeer of thee Ausstrriaan Spaace Forum m 03 Ann anaalog guee asstronnautt ouutsiidee Keepleer Staatioon, seearching g forr suubsuurfacce watterr g Omani 04 Vissiting diignittariess waatcch ann asttroonaaut suit up inn preparaationn foor a misssioon inn thee dessert 05 Asstronnautts traainn too ofsset the losss of musclee annd bonne deensityy thhat ressultss from zeroo graavityy 06 Leeg annd arm brracees mimicc thhe foorccess of Mars
In February, the OeWF crew arrived in Dhofar for Amadee-18, the latest Mars analogue. The mission was scheduled to last four weeks, during which time six astronauts would live and work inside Kepler Station – a 2.4-tonne inflatable habitat, containing a science lab, living quarters and a gym. Stepping outside required passing through an airlock in a spacesuit. Communication with mission control in Innsbruck, Austria, was delayed by 10 minutes to mimic the time it would take a radio signal to travel through space. Like Nasa astronauts, applicants to the OeWF’s analogues undergo a rigorous selection process. Candidates are assessed on their mental capacities and their ability to cope under pressure, as well as their physical health. There’s no age limit – Nasa sends up astronauts in their fifties – but you need “a higher level of fitness than the average Joe”, says Rochelle Velho, Amadee-18’s chief medical officer. “We look at people’s cardiovascular fitness and electrocardiograms. We test their limits,” she says. Establishing a baseline is vital, because low gravity causes muscles to atrophy. “Mars has a third of the Earth’s gravitational pull, so your bones and muscles aren’t subject to the same impact loading,” says Velho. Nasa studies show that time in zero gravity reduces your bone-mineral density “from that of a 25-year-old to that of someone in their eighties”, says Velho. To mitigate this, astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) exercise for two hours a day, using specially designed treadmills, bikes and resistance machines. On Mars, they would also likely take bisphosphonates – drugs used to treat osteoporosis. Each astronaut in Oman was assigned a personalised exercise programme, a mixture of weights training and lowintensity cardio on the treadmill or elliptical machine. They were also given diet plans devised by nutritionists at the University of Applied Sciences in Linz. Mars astronauts need a carefully calibrated
06 MEN’S HEALTH 81
The Tech Issue – MARS
diet to offset deficiencies and provide the necessary protein and calories to maintain muscle. On a real mission, astronauts’ food would be freeze-dried and topped up with vitamin D and K supplements. In Oman, however, the crew was permitted fresh produce, including salad greens grown on site in Kepler’s hydroponic farm. (Most Mars scenarios involve growing food.) For Amadee-18, the analogue astronauts comprised five men and a woman, from six nationalities. The crew included a paramedic, a meteorologist and a flight controller for Columbus, a science lab that is part of the ISS. On 8 February, they entered Kepler Station, underwent final checks and closed the airlock behind them.
Teestinng Grrounnds The Amadee-18 crew’s time was scheduled to the minute. The astronauts were given 19 missions, including testing drones, mapping and searching for water. Outdoor experiments required leaving Kepler for extra-vehicular activities (EVAs) in the OeWF’s spacesuit simulators. The suits are made from an aluminium-coated Kevlar composite and weigh 50kg. Sensors measure the astronauts’ oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, heart rate and humidity, while cameras record their every move. The helmet contains a display that relays instructions, and astronauts can issue voice commands to the on-board computer. Just putting it on takes several hours and the help of up to five people. “It’s essentially a spacecraft that you wear,” says Grömer. “You have to respect it.” Each simulator contains an exoskeleton of cuffs and resistance bands designed to mimic the forces that astronauts would experience while wearing a pressurised suit in space. “Imagine going jogging in a diving suit with a backpack and ski gloves on,” Grömer says. “Any movement that would be easy on Earth – bending, putting a probe in the ground – was hard in the suit,” says Iñigo Muñoz Elorza, an Amadee-18 astronaut who works at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne. One thing the suits don’t have is a sealed oxygen supply. Instead, their ventilation fans use outside air for breathing – which presented its own challenges. “When you’re somewhere as hot as Oman, you can’t cool down,” Elorza says. “The air is hotter than your body temperature. That affects you when you’re exerting yourself continuously, wearing a 50kg suit.” On his first EVA, Elorza was almost immediately confronted by a dust devil,
82 MEN’S HEALTH
07 08
09
it’s OK to have one person who is more empathetic and sensitive, because they can be someone to talk to.” As with exercise, creating a baseline of astronauts’ mental faculties is crucial. One symptom of oxygen deficiency, which could indicate a hull leak, is overconfidence. “It’s called ‘Superman syndrome’. There’s a gap between what you think you can do and what you can actually do. You might think you’re fine, but you can’t write your name,” says Velho. In Oman, scientists monitored the astronauts closely – everything from their proximity to one another to the direction of their voices – to detect conflicts brewing before they occurred. “It helps to be good at something: a magic trick, playing the guitar,” says Grömer, of the long days in the habitat. “You’re looking for someone you’d be happy to go for a beer with after work. Teamwork is as vital as oxygen.”
“Y You’’ree issolaated froom yoour frien ndss and faamilyy, an nd th heree’s lim miteed peersoonaal sp pacee. Soociaal frricctioon caan eaasilyy esscalaate”
Onne Giaant Leaap
a phenomenon also common on Mars. “I didn’t panic. I was trying to remember the procedures,” says Elorza. The simulation is at its most realistic, he says, when everything seems to fall away except the whir of the ventilation and the crackle of the radio. “When you go out in the suit, you’re isolated from the outside world.”
ILLUSTRATIONS: ALCONIC AT SYNERGY ART
We Haave a Proobleem One of the biggest risks on a Mars mission is mutiny. In December 1973, on an 84-day stay aboard the now-defunct Skylab Space Station, three astronauts grew agitated at mission control and turned off all communications with Earth for a day and spent it enjoying the view. Analogues have not been without their own issues. In 1999, a month into a study by the Institute of Biomedical Problems in Moscow, two Russian astronauts got into a fist fight. One female participant was
sexually harassed; another quit in protest. (Rather than address the issue directly, many analogues have selected all-male crews.) A recent eight-month analogue in Hawaii was aborted after four days, when a crew member suffered an electric shock and required hospitalisation. “Every analogue has problems,” says psychologist Tajana Lucic, who worked on Amadee-18. “You’re isolated from your family and friends. Personal space is limited. In a real mission, you also have physical stressors that can impact your psychological state. So, for many reasons, you can have social friction that escalates.” For a long time, astronauts viewed psychologists with scepticism, partly as a result of their authority to rule them ineligible for flight. “We’re the only thing they hate more than doctors,” Lucic says, laughing. Today, all astronauts are assessed on factors such as agreeableness, resilience and ability to improvise. “We have standard social metrics called sociograms. Generally, you want a person who is more extraverted, open to other people and able to withstand stress.” Selecting teams is even more important than selecting individuals. “You’re trying to find the right cocktail of people,” Lucic explains. Having too many leaders can lead to clashes; have too few and nothing gets done. “You’re looking for people who complement each other. For instance,
Another World 07 Keeplerr Staatioon byy nig ght. Firees froom a nearrby oil refiineeryy giive the sky an ottherw worldlyy glow w diann-b bornn 08 Thhe Ind annalogue asttronaautt Kaartikk Kum mar,, inn the OeW WF’ss exxpeerim menttal sp paceesuitt sim mulattorr 09 Thhe alll-teerraainn Huskyy Auutonnom mouss Rooverr, whichh heelp ps too map p thee areaa
Amadee-18 went largely without incident. After four weeks, the astronauts left Kepler Station and returned home. The OeWF and its collaborators are now analysing the data. Meanwhile, Grömer is planning the next analogue for 2020. “Every mistake we make is one that we are preventing on a future Mars mission,” he says. Given the challenges, many have argued that putting humans on Mars is impracticable, even unethical, and robots would be better suited to the job. “For a long time, we considered the human body, the human psyche, to be the weakest link. I disagree,” says Grömer. No robot, he says, is as adaptable as human beings working as a team. For him, it’s not going that’s unthinkable. “Mars is where we might answer the question of whether life ever arose elsewhere,” he says. “We’re the first generation to have the tech to go there. It would be a waste if we chose not to.” The odds are in his favour. Earlier this year, SpaceX launched a new rocket that could power the first Mars flights. China plans to send a lander in 2020, and has constructed a new analogue to prepare for manned missions. “I’m not sure 2025 will be the real date, but it won’t be far from that,” Elorza says. And when it finally happens, he’ll remember standing in the Dhofar desert at sunset, wearing his space suit, as the sand turned red. “From the hill, I could see the habitat and the sunset on the other side. It was beautiful,” he says. “I thought: someday, somebody will look at a similar view – but from Mars.”
MEN’S HEALTH 83
The D runk Man’s Cookbook
Let’s not fool ourselves: the most wonderful time of the year is not a time for self-denial. There will be drinking, a lot of it, and that booze will need soaking up. That’s why we have devised a damage-limitation strategy: five easy recipes to help you survive the festive season with your health – and, hopefully, dignity – intact Words by Scarlett Wrench Photography by Roy Denton
Eggs boost your levels of glutathione, an antioxidant that acts on your liver like a detoxifying IV drip
16 30
The SoberMe-Up Frittata By Ian Haste, Haste’s Kitchen
84 MEN’S HEALTH
SERVES 3 Courgette, ½, sliced An aubergine, sliced A red pepper, sliced Eggs, 6, beaten Goat’s cheese, 150g, sliced into thin discs Ground black pepper Chives, pinch, chopped
When an afternoon session has you worse for wear, this grab-and-go snack will sharpen you up – and line your stomach for the next event. 01/ Prep this in advance, if you like, then break out a portion from your fridge in emergencies. Brown the veg in a dash of oil; red and
purple veg in particular contain compounds that have been shown to inhibit liver inflammation, says nutritionist Jo Travers. 02/ In a separate pan, fry the eggs over a low heat. By feeding your body with healthy fats, they’ll slow the release of alcohol into your blood, helping you to keep your composure when the festivities resume. 03/ Finally, tip the veg
onto the eggs, then top with the goat’s cheese, pepper and chives. Dairy’s saturated fats may get a bad rap, but research in the Journal of Nutrition found it can increase your liver’s resistance to oxidative stress. Pop it under a hot grill to soften the cheese, then grab a slice of instant absolution.
*TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY | ARMCHAIR MADE.COM | NEXT PAGE: BED LINEN WHITE COMPANY | PILLOWS COURTESY OF DUNELM | DUVET COURTESY OF WAYFAIR
Compounds in aged cheeses such as Parmesan have been found to protect liver cells against damage*
02 00
The Ultimate Early-Hours Toastie By Paul Ainsworth, Paul Ainsworth at No6
SERVES 1 Sourdough bread, 2 slices Mature cheddar, red cheddar and Parmesan, grated Worcestershire sauce
FOR THE BUTTER Marmite, 1tsp Organic butter, 3tbsp Squeeze of lemon
Neglecting to eat before bed is a rookie’s error, but an elephant-leg pitta will only add to your morning remorse. Consider this a healthy, happy medium. 01/ Make the Marmite butter ahead of time by thouroughly mixing the ingredients. The spread is rich in energy-increasing thiamin, niacin and vitamin
B12 – all of which are depleted by alcohol, says Travers. Spread on both sides of the sourdough; it’s easier on your stomach than your regular loaf. 02/ Still with us? Fill the inside of your sandwich with the cheese, then liberally season with Worcestershire sauce for a double dose of those B vitamins. Fry the sandwich until both sides are golden,
then remove and scatter extra cheese into the pan. 03/ When the cheese starts to bubble, lay the toastie on top to give it a mouth-watering crust. If you’ve really overdone it, top up on electrolytes with a pinch of sea salt – and try to force down a pint of water before you turn in.
MEN’S HEALTH 85
The Drunk Man’s Cookbook 11 30
The Korean Hangover Brunch By Judy Joo, Jinjuu Soho
SERVES 2 Cooked brown rice, 350g Sesame oil A small onion, diced Carrot and courgette, 180g, grated Kimchi, 50g Chicken thighs, 80g, diced Ketchup, 50ml Worcestershire sauce, 2tbsp Soy sauce, 1tbsp Eggs, 4, beaten with a dash of water
Still reeling from last night’s revelry? When a fried-egg sandwich just won’t cut it, call on this “omurice” rescue package to restore full functionality. 01/ Heave yourself out of bed and into the kitchen – don’t worry, it’ll be worth the pain. Toast the rice in oil for three minutes, set aside, then brown the vegetables, kimchi and chicken. Kimchi’s probiotics will settle your churning stomach. 02/ Whisk a tablespoon of water into the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce for a kick of rehydrating salt. Pop the
rice back in the skillet and toss with half of the sauce, plus the chicken, veg and a glug of oil. Pack tightly into two bowls. The rice and veg provide 5g of fibre, which protects against alcohol damage, according to a BMC Microbiology study. 03/ Tip the eggs into an oiled pan – half at a time – and cook on both sides to create two large, thin omelettes. Flip the rice bowls and drape the omelette over the domes. Drizzle the rest of the sauce on top. Salvation awaits.
Avocado is a top source of vitamin E, which will bring your ghostly morning-after pallor back to life
Go for the dark meat: its taurine will steel your heart against, er, whatever you’ve put it through
19 30
The Winter Salad Reboot By Peter Joseph, Kahani
86 MEN’S HEALTH
SERVES 2 Salmon, 240g, skinless Medium sweet potato, ½ An orange, peeled and segmented Avocado, ½, sliced
FOR THE MARINADE Ginger and garlic paste, ½tbsp Lemon juice, ½tbsp Lime leaves, ¼tsp, finely chopped Turmeric, ¼tsp English mustard, 1tsp Olive oil, 1tbsp
Suffering a bout of party flu? Pork sausage is stuffed with selenium, a vital nutrient for immune health
If night after night of overindulgence is taking its toll, this nutrient-packed fish salad is the closest you’ll get to a clean slate. 01/ First night in for a while? Omega-3-rich salmon will ofset the inflammation caused by a few too many glasses of Merlot, says Travers. Start by slicing the fish into bite-sized chunks, then peel and slice the sweet potato into discs (promise us you’re sober for this part).
02/ Whisk the marinade ingredients in a bowl and add the salmon and potato. The curcumin in turmeric helps to clear away harmful liver fats, so don’t leave it out. Pop the mixture in the fridge for an hour to let the flavours infuse. 03/ Bake the salmon and spuds for 10-12 minutes at 180°C, while you prep the salad by combining the orange and avocado; their vitamin C will give your weakened immune system a much-needed pick-meup. Get stuck in.
21 00
The BatchCook Meatball Detox By Steve Groves, Roux at Parliament Square
SERVES 10 Garlic cloves, 2, crushed Red onions, 2, diced Tinned tomatoes, 800g Mozzarella balls, 4, torn or grated
FOR THE MEATBALLS Minced beef, 1kg Pork sausage meat, 600g Eggs, 2, beaten Fresh breadcrumbs, 120g Red onions, 2, diced Red chillies, 2, diced Grated Parmesan, 60g Ground cumin, 2tsp
This comforting crowdpleaser is simple to whip up – even after you’ve put away a glass or four – and it’ll also soften the blow the morning after. 1/ Playing chef at parties can be tedious, so prep your meatballs before the frivolities start: hand-mix the ingredients, divide into 20 and leave in the fridge. This combo of protein and fats will break down slowly, says Travers, delaying your inebriation. 2/ When your guests arrive, pop the meatballs
in a pan and brown in batches, then soften the garlic and onion. Add the tomatoes – their antioxidants will protect you against liver damage. Season them and mash. 3/ Combine the sauce and meatballs in a dish. Cover with foil and bake at 180°C for 30 minutes. (Time to top up your glass?) When the buzzer sounds, sprinkle on the mozzarella. Serve with a sprig of basil and crusty bread – you’re all set for the night ahead.
MEN’S HEALTH 87
MH INVESTIGATES
Dark-web dealers are quitting Class As to push a new kind of stash – prescription medications – and young British men are among their primary targets. With online anonymity making transactions easier than ever, can the problem be untangled? MH reports from the front lines of the new war on drugs Words by Alex Harris – Photography by Jonathan Minster
HI-TECH DEALERS ARE OUTPACING THE LAW TO ENSNARE THE VULNERABLE
90 MEN’S HEALTH
*SOME PLACES AND DETAILS HAVE BEEN CHANGED FOR LEGAL REASONS
t’s a muggy morning, and Men’s Health has a front-row seat at the denouement of a high-level drugs investigation. An exhaustive, long-term probe into a thriving organised crime network has led a group of government agents and regional police to a Premier Inn car park in Sheffield*. Here, they conduct the final briefing before the climactic drugs bust. Heavy clouds threaten rain as the team weaves through traffic to the raid site. Several unmarked vehicles surround an ordinary-looking building – thought to be the gang’s base of operations – on an unremarkable main road. Pedestrians amble past, oblivious to what will soon take place. Inside, the perps go about their business as the team, coiled like a spring, waits for the signal. Radios crack. Vans disgorge officers, who sprint across the busy streets and unceremoniously smash doors off their hinges. In one of the remaining cars, a few officers wait in silence. Then, a phone rings. “They’ve hit the jackpot,” an analyst says, ending the call. “No money. Just product. Lots of product. Let’s get in there.” Meticulously organised on plastic shelves are countless drugs, now being packed into evidence bags. But there’s no ecstasy or coke here, and the government agents methodically sorting through their haul with black-gloved hands aren’t ordinary narcs: they belong to neither the National Crime Agency nor CID. They aren’t spooks or undercover operatives. They’re medicine regulators, more interested in codeine than cocaine. The sophisticated criminals taken down today fall under their jurisdiction.
Click Bait
THE DRUG
Diazepam AKA Valium, part of the same class of drugs as meds such as Xanax DOCTOR’S ORDERS
This fast-acting sedative is used as a short-term treatment for severe anxiety. It’s strong stuf, and side efects range from drowsiness and headaches to muscle weakness. DEALER’S STASH
Diazepam can be highly addictive. Earlier this year, the Scottish Drugs Forum described counterfeit pills from China as “potentially lethal” after a rise in overdose deaths. DANGER SCALE
Like many drug dealers today, this gang chose not to sell Class As but medications. They were illegally peddling erectile dysfunction (ED) pills, hair-loss tablets, steroids and cancer drugs – and it is the responsibility of the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to stop them reaching your doorstep. We have entered a new era of crime, but most people – including many government ministers and some police officers – have yet to notice. Today, almost half of all UK crimes are committed online. Drug dealers, in particular, are adopting cuttingedge digital tech at such a pace that law enforcement is struggling to keep up. The product is changing, too. In the past five years, the MHRA has seized almost FAKE PHARMACISTS £50m worth of ED drugs; meanwhile, SHIFT THEIR WARES millions of mental health drugs have WITH FALSE CLAIMS entered the UK black market. And that’s just scratching the surface. “There’s a shift happening,” says Kate McMahon, the analyst from the car. “Organised criminals are moving prescription meds.” It’s a risk-reward thing: instead of 40 years in jail, they’re looking at just a few years and a possible fine. Gangs have also cottoned on to our seemingly ever-increasing appetite for self-medication. The shift in methodology
is, in part, a case of supply adjusting to meet demand: people are willing to go to extreme lengths to buy off-the-books meds, which means there’s easy money to be made. “Class A drugs might be what people talk about, but this is really affecting people’s lives,” says McMahon. The illegal distribution of medications is primarily a dot-com problem. Almost any prescription drug can be delivered to your door via a website designed to look like that of a legitimate pharmacy, or through the “dark web” – encrypted, unindexed sites that exist beyond the reach of search engines. What you buy here lands through your letter box with all the expediency of an Amazon Prime delivery. And forget the stereotypes of nerds and hackers inputting neon-green code on a black screen (though those people love the dark web, too). More ordinary British men are using it than anyone had previously imagined.
Grasping in the Dark Until relatively recently, drugs couldn’t reach the end user without some palmto-palm action. Thanks to the back alleys of the internet, however, you can now bypass risky contact altogether. And it seems that we are taking full advantage of this: according to the 2018 Global Drug Survey, the UK is the world’s third-biggest purchaser of narcotics on the dark web. So alarming is this trend that the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) has published a report specifically tackling the issue. “It seems likely that online markets could disrupt drug dealing in the same way that eBay, Amazon and PayPal have revolutionised the retail experience,” says Alexis Goosdeel, the EMCDDA’s director. Adam Winstock, psychiatrist and founder of the Global Drug Survey, explains that it’s countries such as the UK with strict drug laws and a proliferation of CCTV that tend to have the most people scoring online. Dark-web marketplaces are set up to shroud transactions, wiping delivery addresses immediately after dispatch. “Identifying who the users and sellers are is challenging,” says MHRA digital analyst John Hickey. Even determining which dealers are based in the UK can prove incredibly difficult.
“The drugs you buy on the dark web arrive with all the expediency of Amazon Prime”
MEN’S HEALTH 91
THE DRUG
Tamoxifen A prescription medication used to prevent breast cancer DOCTOR’S ORDERS
Tamoxifen inhibits oestrogen, which can stop cancer cell growth in some patients. The abuse of steroids can also enlarge breast tissue, making them appealing to some users. DEALER’S STASH
These drugs are often targeted at users of steroids. Side efects are as yet understudied, though research suggests it could raise your cancer risk if used improperly. DANGER SCALE
The MHRA often catches criminals, such as those behind the Sheffield operation, by following the money trail. “It’s how we identify the big players, and it’s often how we prosecute,” says McMahon. “We have a team dedicated to fraud and money laundering.” A conviction for financial crimes can lead to longer prison terms than prosecution under the Misuse of Drugs Act. But the rise of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin has complicated this, too, making payments untraceable. Among the most worrying aspects of the dot-com medicines crisis is how many of the users are normal people. Thanks to user-friendly browsers such as Tor, which has millions of active users, the dark web is easily accessible to even the most technophobic 21st-century Luddite. “Five years ago, the great majority of people were very cautious,” says Hickey. “But talking to younger guys now, it’s clear they have no fear of the dark web. Curiosity takes them there. I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of older guys were on there, too.” Often, these medicines are imported from parts of Asia, where poorly regulated manufacturers abound. At our borders, the MHRA intercepts everything from sea containers to clothes packed with contraband. The main problem with these unregulated knock-offs is purity: they have been found to contain rat poison,
antifreeze and other things you wouldn’t want to swallow. Then there’s the issue of strength. Something as benign as Kamagra – an ED drug – can have such a high level of the base compound that it could damage your heart. Self-medicating without a doctor’s guidance is, of course, a fool’s game. In a recent high-profile case, several people died after overdosing on fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, which they had bought on the dark web. They were customers of a man named Kyle Enos, who had distributed the drug from his flat in Wales, sometimes offering buy-one-get-one-free deals. Enos is now serving an eight-year prison sentence. (Investigators could not prove conclusively that Enos had supplied the specific drugs that killed them.) His wares came from China. But not everything originates overseas. The UK has a problem that the MHRA classifies as the “diversion of medicines”: a term for when drugs are siphoned from the legal supply chain and sold on. It could be at the manufacturer’s end, in transit, or, as is often the case, from corrupt pharmacists. That may sound like something out of Breaking Bad, but the problem is all too real for regulators. Between 2013 and 2016, £200m worth of medicines disappeared from the supply chain, to be sold on the black market. Many different drugs are moved, but a popular choice is mental health medicines. “We’re talking about drugs like diazepam [often taken for anxiety] and temazepam [for insomnia],” says McMahon. “Packets of diazepam are being sold for £40 or £50. Some of these medicines are highly addictive, which can have catastrophic results. Tackling this is one of our top priorities at the moment.”
“In just three years, £200m worth of meds entered the UK’s black market”
92 MEN’S HEALTH
The Chill Pills The misuse of mental health meds is hard to quantify and even harder to instigate action against. The dark web makes tracking sales a Sisyphean task, and bringing meaningful statistics to politicians can be more difficult than rolling boulders up London’s Parliament Hill. It was for this reason that CyLab, a privacy and security research institute at Carnegie Mellon University in the US, attempted to quantify what it could within the now defunct dark-web marketplace Silk Road (which, before its closure, processed more than $1.2bn in sales).
The researchers found that the four most popular sales categories were drug related – nine of the top 10. That Silk Road was ostensibly a drugs marketplace wasn’t surprising. But what was surprising were the types of drugs being bought. Weed was number one, as you’d expect. At second place were miscellaneous “drugs” – those that the seller hadn’t further classified. Numbers three and four were the real humdingers: “prescription” and “benzos”, respectively, the latter a colloquialism for benzodiazepines: medications such as Valium and other anti-anxiety drugs. These came far above cocaine, at number eight, and MDMA, at number 12. After Silk Road was dismantled, other dark-web marketplaces were quickly established, with every shop shut down seemingly replaced by another two. Researchers have cast the net wider, and the stats are alarming. The UK, the Oxford Internet Institute found, is second only to the US as a black-market consumer of the anti-anxiety drug Xanax, and more than a fifth of Xanax trades on the dark web are in the UK. Overdoses of the drug can be fatal. While some of its popularity can be attributed to the use of benzos by rappers (the artist Lil Peep died from an overdose of Xanax and fentanyl last year), it is also considered a symptom of an overstressed, anxious populace looking for an escape.
THE DRUG
Kamagra An erectile dysfunction drug, usually imported from India DOCTOR’S ORDERS
Kamagra contains the same active ingredient as Viagra, sildenafil. Prescription and – as of this year – OTC Viagra pills work by relaxing blood vessels to boost circulation. DEALER’S STASH
Unlike Viagra, Kamagra is not licensed for UK sale. On the dark web, it’s often sold alongside cocaine and high doses of counterfeit pills have been linked to heart attacks. DANGER SCALE
Click Bait
Going It Alone Men’s reticence to seek medical advice is a major contributing factor in the proliferation of fake pharmacies
The US is already treating the spiralling use of illicit mental health drugs as an emergency. Now, many MPs are warning of an emerging crisis in the UK – but we’re already well beyond that stage. We know that 130 million benzo drugs have entered the UK black market since 2014, but the dark web’s secrecy makes the real number hard to pin down. It is doubtless far higher.
Take It Like a Man
Men visit an IRL pharmacy just four times a year on average, compared to 18 times for women
Men are twice as likely to take new prescription meds without reading the leaflet or seeking advice
It’s unlikely to be a coincidence that all of this comes at a time when reported cases of mental ill health have increased by a third in just four years. Prominent among the rising conditions are three that are intrinsically male: bigorexia (body dysmorphia among men), impotence and performance anxiety. All are perceived to have a pharmaceutical solution. Body dysmorphia is an all-consuming condition that often results in one untoward purchase or another. Aside from the human appetite for cheats and quick fixes, the boom in steroid use can be linked to industrial decline and the loss of more traditionally “masculine” jobs. “Even when you’ve lost control over aspects of your life, you still have control over your body,” says Jim McVeigh, director of the Public Health Institute. “These aren’t crazy people taking decisions with no basis in logic. For many, it makes sense in their minds. Until we go behind the headlines to see how intelligent they are and actually try to understand their motivations, we won’t be able to engage with them.” The Sheffield gang shifted steroids by the bucketload, alongside growth hormone and breast cancer medication, which some men use to cut fat from the pecs area. It’s not by chance that so many are finding these drugs. The fake online pharmacies are designed to play on our biggest insecurities, or, perhaps, our honest motivations. “Criminals are using analytics to target vulnerable people – those searching for things like ‘lose weight fast’ or ‘cheap diet pills’,” says MHRA spokesperson Joseph Groszewski. “We’re seeing a level of sophistication where they can track your interests, then trick you with legitimate-looking adverts.” Steroids? Add them to your basket. And how about some hair-loss meds with that? “It’s not uncommon to find steroids being sold on the same websites as, say, ED meds,” says Hickey. “They use functions
Fentanyl A narcotic analgesic – in other words, a potent opioid painkiller DOCTOR’S ORDERS
Fentanyl is generally prescribed to treat pain in cancer patients, or as part of short-term treatment after surgery. It is very strong and, used improperly, can be highly addictive. DEALER’S STASH
Drugs procured online can be 50 times stronger than heroin. More than 60 UK deaths were recorded last year. It slows bodily functions and can cause breathing problems. DANGER SCALE
similar to those you see on Amazon – if you bought this, then you might like this. It’s like an online supermarket for drugs.”
Hard Truths It’s well documented that steroid use can cause erectile problems, and many users take ED pills as part of their stack. Less well known is the extent to which such problems are proliferating among the general population. The MHRA’s £50m haul of ED pills is likely only a fraction of what is being shifted illegally in the UK; the number of drugs that slip through the net is anyone’s guess. And if we know that fake pharmacy users are generally younger than the conventional ED age bracket of 60-plus, then an important question arises: who is taking them? ED suffered by millennials is woefully underserviced and under-reported, due in no small part to the shame that many feel about their condition. But, according to a study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, a quarter of new ED patients are under the age of 40. It’s unlikely that there has been a sudden surge of physiological difficulties in men in their teens and twenties – were that the case, we’d be seeing an epidemic of related issues, such as heart disease. Some experts posit instead that the increase is related to a psychogenic disorder called porn-induced erectile dysfunction. The theory – and it remains a theory, as peer-reviewed testing is
MEN’S HEALTH 93
THE DRUG
Antibiotics These antimicrobials are used to combat bacterial infections DOCTOR’S ORDERS
Doctors can check patients’ medical records to ensure correct dosages are given. Courses tend to last for up to 10 days, but often just three days’ use is suficient. DEALER’S STASH
Unlicensed websites ofer the drugs freely, with no background checks or dosage limits. If overuse continues, it could lead to the creation of untreatable superbugs. DANGER SCALE
pending – is that the volume of (and easy access to) pornography in the digital age is burning us out. There are numbers to back this up: men are visiting porn detox sites such as Reboot Nation and Your Brain on Porn in their hundreds of thousands. “There are thousands of sites selling ED meds,” says Hickey. “A lot of men are buying them, whether that’s because they’re on other drugs, or they’re too embarrassed to discuss it with their GP.” To combat this, Viagra – which used to require a red-faced chat with a doctor who probably knows your wife and family – can now be bought over the counter. But it VICTIMS ARE DRAWN still requires speaking to pharmacists, TO THE ANONIMITY THE DEALERS OFFER most of whom are female. “I haven’t noticed a drop-off in [illegal] sales because of it,” says Hickey. It seems that many men are intent on continuing to shop illegally for drugs online, putting their lives at risk. Professor Winstock considers it the natural next step for a society spoiled by convenience and the expectation of a large product range for everything. When it comes to meds, unrealistic ideals are driving us towards these pharmaceutical solutions. Men have unattainably high expectations of themselves and even higher expectations of sex, and it’s getting us down. We need to talk more about body dissatisfaction and our anxieties. We need to start looking at steroid users as people with mental health disorders, treating them with empathy, rather than labelling them
94 MEN’S HEALTH
Click Bait
Suffer in Silence Poor mental health is on the rise in UK men, but pervasive stigma is fuelling an epidemic of self-medication
28%
In a recent survey*, more than a quarter of UK men struggling with their mental health admitted they’d never sought help X A N A X X A N A X X A N A X X A N A X X A N A X
GUTTER CREDIT PROPS BY MANDY MAKER | CGI ILLUSTRATION: PETER CROWTHER | *YOUGOV
22%
Meanwhile, more than a fifth of global dark-web sales of Xanax – a powerful antianxiety drug – take place in the UK
as freaks. It stands to reason that these problems are underpinning many of the unsafe online medicine sales.
Leading Lights Dark-web dealers are becoming ever more dangerous and elusive. Fighting dot-com drug dealers is like battling the Hydra: Silk Road is gone but, since its demise, there has been a threefold increase in the illicit sale of drugs online. The “surface web” is no less elusive. “Websites are wising up to our methods,” McMahon says. Criminals are becoming ever more sophisticated, which is a challenge to all law-enforcement agencies – whether they are tackling cyber-fraud or cyber-chemists. “How do you police the internet?” In Portugal, which decriminalised illegal drugs 17 years ago, just three in every million people die from an overdose, compared to the EU average of 17.3. The dark web’s trade in medications, however, requires a different solution: after all, you can’t decriminalise drugs that are also prescribed legally. Perhaps we should look to the US for pointers. There, some of these medications have been democratised in the private sector, and start-ups are helping to educate people about the issues and allow them to shop safely. Hims, an online company that offers anonymous, doctor-dispensed ED and hair-loss meds, has been such a success that a recent valuation pegged it at $800m. There’s clearly a hunger for simpler, subtler transactions for drugs that many people are too embarrassed to buy openly. Without such a change, men will continue to weigh safety against discretion and make the wrong decision. The motivations behind the purchases of depression and anxiety meds are less clear, but the problem is indicative of the wider web in which male mental health is entangled. For many men, there are few places to seek help without feeling shame. Anonymity is, perhaps, at the heart of it all – the lack of which is driving men away from the GP’s office and into the hands of online drug dealers. Until we dismantle the needless stigma surrounding mental ill health, anxiety and other particularly male problems, the dark web’s promise of going incognito will continue to lure victims – and the future won’t just be dark online, but in the real world, too.
“The dealers are becoming ever more tech-savvy. Can we police the internet?”
MEN’S HEALTH 95
THE BIG QUESTION
ARE YOU REALLY A GOOD PERSON? ACCORDING TO SCIENCE, SELFLESSNESS IMPROVES YOUR EMOTIONAL HEALTH, BOOSTS YOUR CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM AND MAKES YOU HAPPIER. BUT IS ALTRUISM THE BEST DONATION YOU CAN MAKE TO YOUR BODY AND MIND? MH GAVE ONE WRITER A MONTH TO FIND OUT IF GIVING IS TRULY BETTER THAN RECEIVING. YOU’RE WELCOME WORDS BEN SMITHURST – ILLUSTRATIONS BY ROB COWAN
96 MEN’S HEALTH
WE FEEL GOOD WHEN WE’RE KIND – SO ARE WE GENETICALLY WIRED FOR ALTRUISM?
PART I
OUR HERO AWAKES FROM SELFDELUSION
IF SELFISHNESS IS A SURVIVAL MECHANISM, WHY IS KINDNESS INSTINCTIVE?
ADDITIONAL REPORTING: JOSHUA ST CLAIR
I’m a nice person. Or I thought I was – decent, at least. But when my editor proposed an altruistic challenge that would require me to be consistently good for a month – give money to the homeless, volunteer at a soup kitchen, help the elderly across the street – a part of me was worried. My concern was this: I wasn’t sure how much nicer I could be without becoming, well, dull. I already help friends move, surrender my bus seat to pregnant women and buy the first (and therefore biggest) round at the pub. I’m the one who gets up in the middle of the night to comfort our one-year-old when he wakes up, screaming and thrashing around like Neymar. I recycle. I carry a reusable cofee cup. I’m practically a saint. But when I tell my wife about my brief, she says, “Oh. That’s going to be hard. You can be pretty selfish.” “What? No, I can’t. I let people in in trafic!” “No,” she says. “You swear at everyone. You have terrible road rage. You only ever do what you want to do. We hardly ever see my friends.” “But they’re bor…” “You won’t go out unless it’s across the road. You only want to go on holiday if you can surf. You went on a surfing trip when I was seven months pregnant! Surfing is selfish. You have to ‘win’ every conversation – look, you’re trying to do it now.” “No, I’m not!”
EXTREME ALTRUISTS ARE DRIVEN TO RISK THEMSELVES TO HELP OTHERS
98 MEN’S HEALTH
ARE YOU REALLY A GOOD PERSON?
PART II
…AND RESOLVES TO DO GOOD
AS A SPECIES, WE RELY ON EACH OTHER TO SURVIVE
HOT-WIRE YOUR KINDNESS Give your amygdala an empathy workout with strategies from Dr Abigail Marsh
01\ Meditate Daily “It’s like compassion boot camp,” says Marsh. Begin by visualising loved ones in your innermost circle, then slowly expand to include others. Meaningful changes in your sense of compassion can occur in the first eight weeks.
Why even aspire to be good? Surely it’s better to laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints? And doesn’t evolution teach us this principle – the self-preservation instinct, the selfish gene? We’re born to be selfish! I start googling, hoping to confirm this, but it looks like I’m in for a polite awakening. While there is no selfish gene, there seem to be genes that promote altruism – acts intended to help others for no personal gain, even at a cost to oneself. These are the kinds of actions that fascinate Abigail Marsh, an associate professor at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Marsh was among the first researchers to analyse how diferences in the brain afect altruistic behaviour – particularly extreme selfsacrifice, such as anonymously donating organs to strangers. “What I found is that the characteristics of a specific part of the brain, the amygdala, correspond to individual diferences in altruism,” says
Marsh. The amygdala is an almond-shaped set of neurons that, among other things, is involved in decision-making, emotional responses and memory. The super-altruists have a larger amygdala than the rest of us (as much as 8% bigger). Psychopaths, on the other hand, tend to have a smaller amygdala. I wonder how large mine is. This seems like great news, confirming my long-held belief that nothing I do is ultimately my fault. But then Marsh tells me genetics accounts for only half of altruistic or “pro-social” behaviour. Our experiences inform the rest, and most of us begin with a strong capacity for selflessness. “We’ve evolved to rely less on physicality and more on social abilities,” says Marsh. As a relatively weak, slow-moving species, we need each other to survive. This is why children often instinctively try to help strangers, even when there’s no expectation of reward. OK, fine. Maybe we aren’t born selfish. But selfishness works in the long run, right?
Wrong again. According to Marsh, evidence abounds for how helping others improves our mental and physical wellbeing. Researchers at Washington University found that tutoring children can boost your memory, mental flexibility and even stamina, while reducing levels of anxiety. Similarly, a study in Social Science & Medicine reported that people who volunteer spend 38% fewer nights in hospital than those who don’t. And if that doesn’t persuade you to donate your time, consider this: performing unpaid community service lowers your mortality risk by 24%, according to research published in Psychology and Aging. The good don’t die young – or, at least, they’re less likely to. Lying in bed that night, I wonder: what if I’m not good? “I’m going to die young,” I whisper. My wife smiles. “I’m serious,” I tell her. “I’m not community-minded at all. And I hate people.” “You’ll be fine,” she replies from the far side of the mattress. Then she laughs, not very kindly, and falls sleep.
“THE SCIENCE IS CLEAR: THE GOOD ARE LESS LIKELY TO DIE YOUNG”
02\ Read Fiction
ROB COWAN IS REPRESENTED BY THE ILLUSTRATION ROOM
Encountering diferent perspectives, even fictional ones, can change the way you think about others. “You can see both experimental and cultural correlations between reading fiction and how people think about strangers,” notes Marsh.
03\ Gaze at the Stars Experiencing the awe of nature promotes pro-social behaviour by fostering a more modest perception of oneself. Further testing on the long-term influence of awe on compassion is still needed but, as Marsh points out, appreciating nature’s beauty is a win-win activity.
PART III
…THEN BATTLES MORAL DILEMMAS I ease my way into the good life. First, I start drinking fair-trade cofee, even though I’m suspicious of the idea of “fair trade”. I also cut meat almost entirely out of my diet. I miss the pleasure a good
burger gives me and the crunch of grilled bacon – but the farming of cows is a major contributor to climate change and pigs are smarter than toddlers. Animal ethics: check. On my commute, I pick up every scrap of litter that I find. I arrive at my destination with armfuls of plastic bags and soggy KFC boxes, my fists crammed with other people’s cigarette butts. I look for old people who might need help crossing the street. I find none. Perhaps they all have mobility scooters now. On the motorway, I invite every idiot to merge, even when they’ve had the chance to change lanes for half a mile
but only decided to do so just before the exit. I feel a small, blossoming sense of pride and a growing smugness. Long life, here I come! But it’s a lot of work, and meetings are far more tense when a dozen moist cigarette butts fall out of your pocket each time you pull out your phone – your phone that was made by suicidal workers in China, and your pocket that was sewn to your trouser leg by impoverished Bangladeshi urchins. Everywhere I turn lurks another moral dilemma. Where does the giving stop?
MEN’S HEALTH 99
PART IV
…AND DECIDES TO VOLUNTEER I soon realise that picking up other people’s rubbish and being a pushover on the road isn’t for me. Never-ending, low-level guilt might make me do good, but I certainly don’t feel good. So, I decide to try something a little more substantial and to the point: proper volunteering work. First, I ofer my services at a local department store, where I’m given the task of wrapping gifts. The cashier hands me the purchase, I wrap it for “free”, then the
customer donates to charity. Simple. Except my results are sub-par, and neither customer nor cashier are best pleased. Volunteering is surprisingly hard. There’s no shortage of organisations crying out for help – go online and you’re guaranteed to find countless worthy causes only a few keystrokes away. It’s that they want commitment, not just poverty tourism. A CEO wheeling his or her family to a soup kitchen to show their bratty, entitled kids how good they have it does not even begin to pass muster. Hoping that introducing religion into my mission might give me some moral resolve, I reach out to the Jesuits, the evangelical shock troops of the Catholic Church. If any religious organisation knows service, it’s them.
PART V
…BEFORE BECOMING A ROLE MODEL I call my local primary school’s front ofice and ofer my time. After an all-important background check, I’m ready to serve. For those with time, privilege and a school nearby that is looking for volunteers, I can’t recommend this option enough. A week after calling, I find myself sitting with a class of charming sixyear-olds as they do basic reading exercises and make letters out of Play-Doh. The following week, I’m in the playground, destroying 12-year-olds at football. I get to know the kids by name: who’s a sore loser, who’s a bully, who has a killer step-over (and whom I
100 MEN’S HEALTH
therefore have to muscle of the ball and make it look like an accident). They all call me “Mr Smithurst”. I’m enjoying this. It’s hard, however, to shake the idea that my joy is somehow selfish, that I’m not doing it for the authentically altruistic reasons that seem to motivate the most saintly volunteers. Marsh, however, says that our altruistic reward system is a positive thing. Channelling the Buddhist monk and molecular biologist Matthieu Ricard, she has consoling words for my guilt: “That we feel good when we help other people presupposes that we are altruistic. If we weren’t built to be altruistic, why would we feel good helping others?” Even Miss Julia, the class teacher who has been watching me decimate her children on the playground,
Mike Reddy is the interim president of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. He was a Jesuit Volunteer in Los Angeles, living (modestly) in a house with four other do-gooders and serving as a case manager for Homeboy Industries, an employment and rehabilitation centre for previously incarcerated or gang-afiliated men and women. “People believe that service and volunteerism should be zero-sum, that you should give everything and get nothing,” Reddy says. “But service should be a joyful, mutual experience.” He tells me it shouldn’t feel like a burden. “If it does, you’re not doing it right,” he
seems to think that my presence here is salutary. “Having an adult to play football with at lunchtime is really valuable,” she says. “Because… they need a midfield general?” I ask. “No, not to teach them to play, but how to handle losing, or to see a foul as a mistake, not a deliberate and personal attack,” she says. “Otherwise, they get into fights about it. They need a role model with those social skills.” What Miss Julia says makes a lot of sense. Marsh had also been quick to point out the same kind of altruistic domino efect – the impact that the average person can have on social norms. According to her, those who exist within a culture that expects other people to be trusting and helpful will themselves be trusting
“ANYONE CAN ALTER SOCIAL NORMS FOR THE BETTER”
explains. Reddy reminds me that the ability to volunteer is a privilege: not everyone is able to take time of work or school to do it, or is given a journalistic brief like mine. The crucial thing is what we do with that privilege. To Reddy, “The most important question is, ‘What have I done for people who aren’t me?’” There are many ways to make the world a better place, he says. Some involve service or charitable giving, but some don’t. If you spend time with your family and truly invest in your home life, that’s a noble cause. You don’t have to give all day, every day. Reddy’s wise words inspire me to embark on a diferent kind of volunteering – something that I can commit to but doesn’t feel so much like a burden. I go back to school.
and helpful. Why? “Being a human is complicated,” says Marsh. “Since life is full of these complicated decisions and choices, we take our cues from the people around us. Just by being good, you can help to change the perception of what the average person is like, and thereby alter other people’s behaviour.” Can I change the world by being a good sport? Maybe not the world, I conclude, but at least I can have a positive efect on how these kids treat each other at break time. And I don’t need to write an oversized, million-pound cheque to do this. “We have another man who comes in and does a fitness boot camp,” Miss Julia adds, conspiratorially. “The rougher kids swear at him. But he just swears back at them. He’s ex-military, and he’s a great swearer. He doesn’t take any shit from them.” “Can I swear at the kids?” I ask Miss Julia “Absolutely not,” she says.
ARE YOU REALLY A GOOD PERSON?
PART VI THE ALTRUISM ADVANTAGE Giving your time to others enhances your health and wellbeing
5.8 Hours of volunteer work completed per month by people who describe themselves as “very happy”. Science of Generosity Initiative, University of Notre Dame
12% Reduced mortality rate among volunteers compared to others. BMC Public Health
18% INDIVIDUAL GOODNESS CREATES A FEEDBACK LOOP…
Lower death rate among caregivers compared with non-caregivers. American Journal of Epidemiology
BOTH GENEROSITY AND COMPETITIVENESS ARE HARD-WIRED – AND CAN COEXIST
...AND EMBRACES PURE ALTRUISM As the month draws to an end, I watch the bullies become less mean and the sore losers develop a little more grace. I wonder if they’ll turn back into little bastards, but I’m invested, more than I’d ever been. My own behaviour has changed, too. Some modifications are more meaningful than others. I swear less. I’ve increased my contributions to charity. And I’ve got an open invitation to return to the school. I’ve also been nicer around my wife. One evening, I take her out to a restaurant. “I’m lucky to have you,” I tell her, having been careful not to mansplain the tiramisu. “You’re a great mother. I love you. And you look great in that dress.” She eyes me suspiciously. “This is an old dress,” she says. “You look great,” I repeat. “Are you still being nice for that article?” “I’m finished.” “Then stop being nice.” But I can’t. True selflessness is hard. Even the Jesuits don’t expect perfection. Marsh tells me that we use our own life experiences to infer everyone else’s motivations. This is called “egocentric bias”: “If we suspect that other people don’t believe in the possibility of true altruism,” she says, “this is probably related to our own disposition.” In short, if we are all nicer, everyone benefits. We can live longer, happier and healthier lives, without having to devote ourselves to slavish goodness. I resolve to volunteer at the school again when the next term starts. Which should still give me plenty of time for a surfing holiday.
…THAT NORMALISES SELFLESSNESS, SO WE ALL BENEFIT
MEN’S HEALTH 101
YOUR PERSONAL TRAINER ON THE MOVE GREAT REASONS TO GET THE DIGITAL EDITION
Subscribe to the digital edition of Men’s Health and save up to 20% on the cover price. Packed with expert advice on improving every area of your life, from health & fitness to grooming, style and sex & relationships.
ATTACHE CASE £1,095 AND TRAVEL TAG £75 BOTH GLOBE-TROTTER, PASSPORT HOLDER £125 AND TRAVEL JOURNAL £45 BOTH SMYTHSON, PEN £259 CARAN D’ACHE, SHIRT £175 VILEBREQUIN, SCARF £80 AND HAT £160 BOTH FRESCOBOL CARIOCA, CAMERA £3770 LEICA
E FRAGRANC SPECIAL
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TIF HUNTER - STYLING BY ERIC DOWN – WORDS BY SHANE C KURUP
Of all our senses, none is more transporting than smell, instantly capable of stirring memories and returning you to past havens, much like a travel journal. So, to give the current crop of fragrances a feeling of time and place, we asked five seasoned globetrotters to distil the essence of their favourite destinations
COAT £1,260 AND TROUSERS £386 BOTH PAUL SMITH SHIRT £175 VILEBREQUIN SHOES £595 MANOLO BLAHNIK NECKLACE £75 PEBBLE LONDON BRACELET £195 TATEOSSIAN
MODEL: ROBERT KNIGHTON AT NEXT | GROOMING: OSCAR ALEXANDER USING L’OCCITANE AND FUDGE | PHOTOGRAPHER ASSISTANT: JARED PRICE & FREYA HUNTER | FASHION ASSISTANT: RICCARDO CHIUDIONI
SCENTS OF ADVENTURE
STYLE - 12/18
02
ATTACHE BAG £1,095 GLOBE-TROTTER, SANDALS £495 MANOLO BLAHNIK, TOWEL £85 FRESCOBOL CARIOCA, NECKLACE £75 PEBBLE LONDON, AN AREA OF DARKNESS: HIS DISCOVERY OF INDIA BY VS NAIPAUL £7.59 AT AMAZON.CO.UK
01
03
04
05
Eastern Aromatics By Jeremy Jauncey, CEO, Beautiful Destinations beautifuldestinations.com
The night before Diwali, I found myself in the countryside outside of Delhi, picking marigolds with local farmers. After loading the sacks of fresh flowers onto the trucks, we drove into town. When we reached the city, they unpacked the huge bags and just dropped them onto the street, filling the area with this amazing floral scent. Hundreds of people ran out from all the different market stalls to pick up the marigolds. I noticed that these same locals were trading
01-SERGE LUTENS L’INNOMMABLE £260 FOR 100ML 02-PRADA OLFACTORIES LES MIRAGES BABYLON £220 FOR 100ML 03-BOUCHERON SANTAL DE KANDY £175 FOR 175ML 04-PENHALIGON’S THE BLAZING MISTER SAM £185 FOR 75ML 05-EX NIHILO CUIR CELESTE £210 FOR 100ML
garlands of flowers for spices. They were cooking up a storm on the street and I could see bakers sprinkling cumin seeds, which had been crushed with a pestle and mortar to release that strong, herb-like scent, onto naan bread. The smell of cardamom was also prevalent from the cooking pots. Whenever I smell that pungent spice, I’m immediately taken back to that Indian street market, with its buzz of activity and heady brew of scents.
INDIA Key fragrance notes: Cumin, cardamom, patchouli, frankincense
MEN’S HEALTH 107
SCENTS OF ADVENTURE 01-ISSEY MIYAKE L’EAU SUPER MAJEURE D’ISSEY £67 FOR 100ML 02-YVES SAINT LAURENT Y EAU DE PARFUM £72 FOR 100ML 03-DIPTYQUE 34 £135 FOR 75ML 04-LE LABO TONKA 25 £125 FOR 50ML 05-ARAMIS TOBACCO RESERVE £50 FOR 50ML
01
02
04 05
New Tropics By Hadi Moussa, head of northern Europe, Airbnb airbnb.co.uk
108 MEN’S HEALTH
The first time I went to Búzios, a beautiful beach town a twohour drive from Rio, I stumbled across a rustic beachside eatery serving moqueca, a tropical fish stew that’s a signature dish of the area. What made it stand out in particular was the combination of scents and flavours. The saline quality of the fish played against the colorau, a sweet, red paprikalike spice sourced from the native urucum tree. Coconut milk and lime juice are added to the mix,
creating a strong but cohesive blend of tropical aromas. It was fascinating to see how Brazilians used tonka beans in their cuisine, too. They’re often served with chocolate desserts, but also fruit and panna cotta, either cooked into the dish or crumbled on top. It’s like the Brazilian vanilla – the taste is similar, but it has a more layered complexity. To me, it also has a hint of liquorice and caramel, almost like a salted caramel truffle.
BRAZIL Key fragrance notes: Tonka bean, ambergris
BEACH BAT SET £190 FRESCOBOL CARIOCA, NECKLACE £495 DANIELLA DRAPER, LUGGAGE TAG £95 SMYTHSON
03
ACQUADIPARMA.COM; ALESSI.COM; AMARA.COM; ARAMIS, ARMANI.COM; ATELIER COLOGNE AND COACH AT JOHNLEWIS.COM; AZZARO.COM; BOTTEGA VENETA, BOUCHERON, BULGARI, BYREDO, BURBERRY AT SALON DE PARFUMS, COLE & MASON, DUNHILL, GUCCI AND JOANNA BUCHANAN AT HARRODS.COM
STYLE - 12/18
SHIRT £215 DOUBLE RAINBOUU AND TROUSERS £210 FRAME BOTH AT HARVEY NICHOLS SANDALS £695 MANOLO BLAHNIK NECKLACE £495 DANIELLA DRAPER HAT £160 AND BEACH TOWEL £85 BOTH FRESCOBOL CARIOCA HAMMOCK £188 AMARA
BLAZER £800 PAUL SMITH SHIRT £640 PRADA AT MRPORTER.COM TROUSERS £450 EMPORIO ARMANI SLIPPERS £145 CHURCH’S ATTACHE CASE £1,095 AND TRAVEL TAG £75 BOTH GLOBE-TROTTER CHAIR £295 RONAN & ERWAN BOUROULLEC FOR HAY AT SCP
CARANDACHE.COM; CHURCH-FOOTWEAR.COM; DANIELLADRAPER.COM; DIOR.COM; DIPTYQUEPARIS.CO.UK; DSQUARED2, FRAME AND RAINBOUU AT HARVEYNICHOLS.COM; EX NIHILO, PARLE MOI DE PARFUM, PRADA, THIERRY LASRY AND SERGE LUTENS AT SELFRIDGES.COM; FREDERICMALLE.CO.UK
SCENTS OF ADVENTURE
STYLE - 12/18
SUNGLASSES £99 KOMONO, ITALIAN FOOD BY ELIZABETH DAVID £9.43 AT AMAZON.CO.UK, PEN £259 CARAN D’ACHE, TRAVEL JOURNAL £45 SMYTHSON, CUP AND SAUCER £38 FOR TWO AND TEASPOON £30.50 FOR FOUR BOTH ALESSI
01
02
03
01-TOM FORD FOUGERE PLATINE £162 FOR 50ML 02-BYREDO ELEVENTH HOUR £160 FOR 100ML 03-ACQUA DI PARMA COLONIA SANDALO £179 FOR 100ML 04-BULGARI MAN WOOD ESSENCE £80 FOR 100ML 05-DSQUARED2 WOOD £75 FOR 100ML
04
05
Zest For Life By Luca Rubinacci, creative director, Rubinacci marianorubinacci.net
To me, citrus is Italy. Its oils, flesh and juices are used in our foods, drinks and – of course – fragrances. Last year, my family and I drove down to a lemon grove in Sorrento because my mother wanted to develop a scent. These Sorrento lemons are truly special – you pick them and the aroma is immediately apparent. It’s a sharp, acidic scent that’s also beautifully fresh. Using ingredients like that to make fragrances is a real art, not dissimilar to making wine.
I also visited a bergamot grove some years ago, where a very popular Italian liqueur is made. It is rich, intense and quite sweet – sugar is added to counterbalance the acidity of the fruit, so it also smells honeyed as a result. It’s usually served cold, which mellows out the bitterness. Citrus fruits have a light, fresh quality that will always remind me of the Tuscan landscape in summer, with its lush greenery, vineyards and orchards.
ITALY Key fragrance notes: Bergamot, orris root
MEN’S HEALTH 111
SCENTS OF ADVENTURE
03
02
05
01-DUNHILL LONDON CENTURY £59 FOR 75ML 02-FREDERIC MALLE VETIVER EXTRAORDINAIRE £130 FOR 50ML 03-COACH PLATINUM £67 FOR 100ML 04-AZZARO WANTED BY NIGHT £63 FOR 100ML 05-JO MALONE LONDON X HUNTSMAN SAVILE ROW BIRCH & BLACK PEPPER COLOGNE £120 FOR 100ML
04
Hit Refresh By Karam Sethi, chef-patron, Hoppers hopperslondon.com
112 MEN’S HEALTH
When travelling around Sri Lanka, I’m always instantly struck by the medley of scents that emanate from the street markets and roadside stalls. Vetiver, which has a similar smell to lemongrass, is widely used for medicinal purposes. Black pepper – a key ingredient in Sri Lankan spice blends – is made even more fragrant by toasting it before crushing it with a pestle and mortar. Freshly ground pepper has a strong, warming scent
that reminds me of making pots of the Sri Lankan relish sambal. Lemongrass, a key component of South Asian food, is one of the most aromatic ingredients you can source from the country, which is why it’s used by Sri Lankan cooks as a spice base for curries. As soon as the skin is broken, a light, earthy and distinctively lemony scent is released. These ingredients have inspired the flavours and street-food dishes at Hoppers.
SRI LANKA Key fragrance notes: Black pepper, vetiver, lemongrass
WALLET £315 BOTTEGA VENETA, PESTLE AND MORTAR £40 COLE & MASON AND ELEPHANT £45 JOANNA BUCHANAN BOTH AT HARRODS, CANDLE STYLIST’S OWN, THE ENGLISH PATIENT BY MICHAEL ONDAATJE £7.25 AT AMAZON.CO.UK, BRACELETS £145 EACH BOTH TATEOSSIAN
01
FRESCOBOLCARIOCA.COM; GLOBE-TROTTER.COM; ISSEY MIYAKE AT BOOTS.COM; JIMMYCHOO.COM; JOMALONE.CO.UK; KOMONO.COM; LELABOFRAGRANCES.COM; LEICASTORE-UK.CO.UK; LUCY WILLIAMS X MISSOMA AT MISSOMA.COM; MANOLOBLAHNIK.COM; MULBERRY.COM; NEWANDLINGWOOD.COM
STYLE - 12/18
BLAZER £1,650 SHIRT £260 AND TROUSERS £900 ALL EMPORIO ARMANI SHOES £450 JIMMY CHOO GREY RUG £115 AMARA PATTERNED RUG AND CUSHIONS BOTH STYLIST’S OWN
DRESSING GOWN £1,250 NEW & LINGWOOD TROUSERS £400 EMPORIO ARMANI SHOES £595 MANOLO BLAHNIK CROSS NECKLACE £315 AND ST CHRISTOPHER NECKLACE £495 BOTH DANIELLA DRAPER ROMAN ARC NECKLACE (JUST SEEN) £139 LUCY WILLIAMS X MISSOMA
PALISSADE AT SCP.CO.UK; PAULSMITH.COM; PEBBLELONDON.COM; PENHALIGONS.COM; PRADA AT MRPORTER.COM; SMYTHSON.COM; TATEOSSIAN.COM; TOMFORD.CO.UK; VILEBREQUIN.COM; YSLBEAUTY.CO.UK
SCENTS OF ADVENTURE
STYLE - 12/18
01
02
04
05
PASSPORT HOLDER £125 SMYTHSON, SUNGLASSES £310 THIERRY LASRY, BAG £575 MULBERRY, CAMERA £3,770 LEICA
03
01-PARLE MOI DE PARFUM PAPYRUS OUD/71 £158 FOR 100ML 02-BURBERRY ANTIQUE WOOD 10% £295 FOR 150ML 03-DIOR HOMME SPORT VERY COOL SPRAY £59.50 FOR 100ML 04-GUCCI GUILTY OUD £135 90ML 05-ATELIER COLOGNE JASMIN ANGELIQUE COLOGNE ABSOLUE £115 100ML
Smoke Signals By Liz Edwards, associate editor, Sunday Times Travel Magazine @ST_TravelMag
Years ago, when I was travelling around the island of Sumatra, I got around on ferries. I recall an overnight journey to Nīas – a surfing mecca – when the only berth I could find was below deck where everyone was smoking clove cigarettes. Returning to the area a good while later, that bitter, medicinal scent struck me straight away. You catch little puffs of it in the street – it’s a very pervasive smell. Woody, smoky scents always remind me of Bali, whether it’s
the coconut husks that the locals burn to grill fish or the rich aroma of sandalwood found burning in every shrine and temple. The majority of Balinese are extremely pious Hindus, and the burning of sandalwood is central to their faith. Its musty smell has a relaxing effect – it almost feels like a sedative, something to send you into a religious trance. It’s heavy and envelopes you, and you instantly know you’re taking in something from the Orient.
INDONESIA Key fragrance notes: Ylang-ylang, agarwood, jasmine
MEN’S HEALTH 115
MH PROMOTION
L HI-TECH HEAT UNIQLO’S HEATTECH MAKES LIGHT WORK OF THE IDEA THAT THERMAL CLOTHING NEEDS TO BE HEAVY
~ ~ ~ HOTLIST
Take action against the elements: adjust your temperature with three levels of HEATTECH insulation
WARM
HEATTECH Don’t take any chances with the cold. Breathable HEATTECH inner-wear delivers reliable warmth all winter long.
ARGAN OIL IN THE FABRIC KEEPS IT SUPPLE
ook at the impenetrable coat of the Highland ram or the thick fur of the polar bear and the lesson seems self-evident: to stay warm, you need to go big, or go home. But the designers at Uniqlo begged to difer – after all, who says modern thermal clothing has to weigh you down? Instead, they decided to create something that was just as warm but far lighter. Their HEATTECH range is made from a revolutionary fabric that retains body heat, thanks to its ability to store it in air pockets built into its fibres. By trapping air like a standard thermal fabric, only much more eficiently, HEATTECH provides warmth without the weight and allows Uniqlo to produce garments just 0.55mm thick. If there’s a better fabric for layering, we’d like to see it! There are three levels of warmth to choose from – HEATTECH, HEATTECH EXTRA WARM and HEATTECH ULTRA WARM – so you can adjust your level of insulation depending on whether you’re going “full Arctic” or just heading to the gym before the sun’s come up.
EXTRA WARM
ULTRA WARM
Stop winter in its tracks with an Extra Warm base layer that is 1.5 times as thick as regular HEATTECH.
ULTRA WARM When the chill becomes truly intense, choose Ultra Warm: 2.2 times warmer than regular HEATTECH.
HEATTECH’S FIBRES INSULATE, WARM AND STRETCH TO FIT
THE FABRIC BOASTS SELF-DEODORISING DRY TECHNOLOGY
EXPLORE OUR FULL RANGE AND LOCATE YOUR NEAREST STORE AT: UNIQLO.COM
GREEN KIT FOR LEAN GAINS P/ 124
HOW TO SIT TIGHT FOR A SIX-PACK P/ 118
BLITZ FAT AND BUILD HUGE ARMS IN 19MIN P/ 120
SLOW TIPS FOR FASTER GROWTH P/ 125
BEAT OUR 135-REP TEST?
MASH DOMS FOR GOOD P/ 126 MEN’S HEALTH 117
PT / 12.2018
FORM MASTERCLASS #07
Practised by Olympic gymnasts and gym showoffs alike, the parallette L-sit is your gold standard for a chiselled core with minimal kit. Progress to the full movement and get a grip on this classic
A
A
B B
01 TUCK HOLD
02 FLOOR-SEATED LEG LIFT
4 SETS OF MAX HOLDS
4 SETS OF 30 SECONDS PER LEG
This position forms the start for your L-sit and is great training for keeping your core tight before extending your legs. Gripping the parallettes with your feet on the floor (A), bring your knees into your chest and suspend your body by pressing through your arms until they’re locked out (B). Hold for as long as you can, resting for 90 seconds between holds.
Sit with your legs straight out, placing your fingertips on the floor either side of one leg (A). Lift the leg as high as you can (B), holding for 30 seconds, then change legs. Ensure you keep your fingertips down, folding forward rather than leaning back. As you improve, switch from fingertips to palms. When this gets easy, try lifting both legs at once.
PUT YOUR L-PLATES ON Trying to perform an L-sit before learning how to achieve a strong hold will only prolong your struggle. These four moves will improve the connection between your mind and the muscles you’ll be calling on. Plus, you’ll become accustomed to holding positions required to complete the final movement
EXPERT Roger Frampton KNOWLEDGE Movement maestro
Frampton has sculpted his athletic frame by working with just his bodyweight, proving that lifting weights isn’t the only way to build strength. CONTACT @rogerframpton 118 MEN’S HEALTH
B
B A
A
03 WALL PRESS
04 DIP BAR LEG RAISE
4 SETS OF 30-SECOND HOLDS
5 SETS OF 10 REPS
Target the tight hamstrings that are keeping you from sitting up straight. Lie on your back with your legs and palms pressed up against a wall (A). Raise your head of the floor, pushing through your palms and tensing your core to lift your feet away from the wall (B), legs straight. The burn you’ll feel will ready your legs and core to power through the full hold.
Jump up onto a dip bar, so your body is of the ground (A). Press down into the bar with your shoulders away from your ears and raise your legs straight out in front, as high as you can (B). Hold for two seconds before lowering your legs. The goal is to get your legs to hip height, matching the L-sit position, after which you’re ready to try it with parallettes.
WORDS: MICHAEL JENNINGS | PHOTOGRAPHY: PHILIP HAYNES MODEL: LEE MCLAUGHLIN AT W MODELS | STYLING: ABENA OFEI
SIT TIGHT TO SCORE A 6-PACK
GYMNASTIC ABS
HOLD ON FOR GREAT FORM You’ve built the strength required to lift your body – and hold it in position. Now train yourself to look cool, calm and collected on the bars without wobbling. Follow this L-sit breakdown and crunchfree abs definition will soon be in your grasp
PHASE 1 GET SET Sitting on the floor, place the parallettes either side of you, slightly wider than your hips. Assume the tuck position by bending your knees and bringing your feet as close to your body as possible. Then, press down through your shoulders to lift yourself into the hold.
PHASE 2 EXTEND YOURSELF
GROOMING: LAURA DEXTER USING SKINCARE BY BALANCE ME | TRACKPANTS NIKE AT MRPORTER.COM, TRAINERS NEWBALANCE.CO.UK | POWER TOWER AND PARALLETTES BOTH AVAILABLE FROM MEN’S HEALTH AT ARGOS.CO.UK
Before straightening your legs, concentrate on locking out your arms, rounding your upper back and sucking in your belly. Keep your knees pressed together, then extend your legs in front of you. Pointing your toes is optional, but can help with straightening your legs. Plus, you’ll look more like a gymnast.
PHASE 3 HOLD ON To maintain the L-sit position, focus on all of the previous points: locking your arms; keeping your shoulders down; sucking in your belly, and pressing your knees together. You may only be able to focus on one at a time at first, but with practice you’ll sync them into one seamless move. MEN’S HEALTH 119
PT / 12.2018 THE BIG WORKOUT
THE SHORT CUT TO BIG ARMS AND 6-PACK ABS Make the end of 2018 count with a muscle-building plan that will swell your bis and tris and strengthen your abs in just 30 days. Why wait for next year to hit peak physique? 01B 02A
01A
Here’s your plan of attack. In week one, complete Workout A twice (Mondays and Fridays), adding in Workout B on Wednesday. In week two, perform B twice with A on Wednesday. Repeat this format for weeks three and four. Workout A starts with a strength move, then leads into your three-part circuit. Take 45 seconds’ rest between circuit rounds in weeks one and two, then 30 in weeks three and four to keep your progress on a steep curve. Let’s get to work.
01 TRAP-BAR DEADLIFT
02 INCLINE ROW
4 SETS OF 4-6 REPS
3 ROUNDS OF 10-12 REPS
This deadlift variation is a sure way to fire up full-body strength. Standing inside the trap bar, bend your knees and hinge your hips, lowering your torso until you can grip the bar (A). Without rounding your back, stand up straight with the barbell (B). Take two seconds to lower the bar. Rest for two minutes between the sets. Once you’ve completed four sets, move on to your circuit.
Lie with your chest on a bench set at a 45-degree incline, holding two dumbbells at arm’s length below you (A), palms angled slightly in. Keeping your elbows flared, pull the weights to the sides of your chest (B). Spend three seconds lowering the weights to feel your back and biceps working. After your first round of up to 12 reps, move directly on to the press without rest.
WORDS: MICHAEL JENNINGS | PHOTOGRAPHY: BETH BISCHOFF | GYM: MARCHON ATHLETIC
02B
19-MINUTE ARMS AND ABS
THE SPEC 04A
MUSCLES TARGETED
WORKOUT
19
MIN RESULTS IN
3 WEEKS LEVEL
MEDIUM
03A
03B
04B
03 04 DUMBBELL BENCH PRESS MEDICINE BALL SLAM 3 ROUNDS OF 10-12 REPS
3 ROUNDS OF 10-12 REPS
Set the bench to 30 degrees and lie on your back. Hold the weights by your chest, elbows in and palms facing each other (A). With your feet planted, press up fast until your arms are straight, then squeeze your shoulder blades and engage your triceps to lower the weights over the course of three seconds (B). Complete your reps, then hold on – there’s one move left.
Prepare to smash away belly fat. Standing with your knees slightly bent, hold a medicine ball overhead, your arms extended (A). Bend forward at the waist and slam the ball on the floor a foot in front of you (B). Let your arms follow through, so you don’t fall. After at least 10 reps, rest for 45 seconds, then begin round two of your circuit with rows. MEN’S HEALTH 121
PT / 12.2018
02A
01A 01B
02B
ARMED AND DANGEROUS While Workout A began with a strength-focused exercise before launching into your circuit, in Workout B you’ll go all-out as you start with a cardio-based move that not only blitzes body fat to bring out your abs, but also builds your biceps. The greater calorie burn earned from the cardio will provide a growth-stimulating testosterone boost. Don’t worry – you’ll finish the circuit with an almighty arms pump, too. Consider it our gift to you.
01 ROWING 7 ROUNDS This cardio move will ensure your body burns fat from the of. Strap into a rower and grab the handles with an overhand grip. Bend your knees, leaning your torso forward (A), then straighten your legs and pull the handle towards you (B). Row hard for 30 seconds, then rest for 30 seconds. That’s one round. Do seven in week one and add an extra round every week. Now, it’s time for your circuit.
02 DUMBBELL ROMANIAN DEADLIFT 3 ROUNDS OF 10-12 REPS For a higher calorie burn that will reveal your abs, work your legs. Stand with two dumbbells on your thighs, palms facing you, knees slightly bent (A). With a flat back, hinge at your hips. Lower the weights over the course of three seconds until your hands are below knee level (B). Pause, then squeeze your glutes as you stand. Take on skull crushers without rest after 10-12 reps.
19-MINUTE ARMS AND ABS
THE SPEC MUSCLES TARGETED
04A
WORKOUT
19
MIN RESULTS IN
3 WEEKS LEVEL
03B
MEDIUM
04B
03A
03 SKULL CRUSHER
04 ZOTTMAN CURL
3 ROUNDS OF 10 REPS
3 ROUNDS OF 10-12 REPS
Build bigger arms by isolating your triceps in this circuit move. On a flat bench, hold a pair of dumbbells over your chest, palms facing each other (A). With your upper arms perpendicular to the floor, bend at your elbows, lowering the weights to your ears (B) over two seconds. Without moving your upper arms, return to the start. After at least 10 reps, take no rest and move on to curls.
With your triceps on fire, your last circuit move will guarantee biceps growth. Stand with two dumbbells by your sides, palms forward (A). Your shoulders pinned, curl the weights up, turning your palms to your torso. Hold at the top of the curl, then rotate your forearms, so your palms face the ground (B). Slowly lower to the start. When your arms are pumped, rest for 45 seconds before round two. MEN’S HEALTH 123
GREEN KITBAG SHOE CARE
GEAR CHANGE #29
ECO-WARRIOR WORKOUT KIT
These minimal, all-vegan runners boast a breathable mesh upper and 3mm “barefoot” sole, ofering maximum sensory feedback to put you in full control. Vivobarefoot Stealth II £115 vivobarefoot.com
Gearing up for top performance needn’t be a drag on the planet. Clean up your training with our ethically woke edit WATER WORKS Unrivalled in simulating the dynamics of real rowing, this machine’s vibration-absorbing wood has been harvested from replenishable forests. WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine £999 water rower.co.uk
VEST IMPROVEMENTS With winter sending your cardio indoors, this sweatwicking top will take the heat. Plus, enter a special code at checkout and Sundried will donate to Water for Kids. Sundried Les Diablons Muscle Tank £30 sundried.com
CLEANER COFFEE This BPA-free glass cup ensures a purer-tasting drink, as it won’t absorb residual germs. Safe to put in the microwave and dishwasher, it’s practical and eco-friendly. And you’ll still get the buzz you need for metcons. SoL Cup 12oz £20 solcups.co.uk
FEEL-GOOD FLEXIBILITY
PACK PROTECTION You needn’t skimp on style to save the planet. This backpack, made with 100% recycled polyester, is rain-repellent and even has a padded laptop sleeve for commuter compatibility. Patagonia Arbor Classic Pack 25L £45 eu.patagonia.com
124 MEN’S HEALTH
WORDS: MICHAEL JENNINGS | PHOTOGRAPHY: LUCKY IF SHARP
Upgrade your post-workout recovery stretches with this strong-grip mat – made from biodegradable natural tree rubber – and improve your mobility for pain-free lifting. Manduka eKO Lite Gobi Yoga Mat 4mm £75 manduka.com
TIME UNDER TENSION
PT / 12.2018 GEEK TWEAKS #03
TRAIN SLOW TO BOOST GROWTH
The weights on the bar aren’t everything. Mastering the “time under tension” lifting method will help you smash through plateaus to unlock new muscle. Perfect your form and you’ll add inches in weeks
CHANGE IT UP
WHY IT WORKS
Learn these variations to ensure there’s no sticking point in your movement and deliver smooth reps every time
Upping your time under tension (TUT) will fast-track your gains. We’ve weighed up the heavy science
PARTIAL REP
01
What does it involve? Using only a specific range of motion for a move: stopping before locking your joints, say, or even halfway up the rep. How does it help? Not only does it extend your time under tension, it also targets the weakest part of a lift. That means earning new PBs when you perform the full move. Best exercise: Bench press.
MIND TO MUSCLE During slow eccentrics and partial reps, you can vividly feel the targeted muscles working. This improved connection between your mind and muscles carries over well when it comes to lifting.
SLOW ECCENTRIC
02
What does it involve? Deliberately slowing the speed at which you perform the “lowering” phase of your lift. How does it help? It damages muscle fibres – which results in more nutrients reaching your muscles for repair and growth. Best exercise: Cable push-down.
DAMAGE LIMITATION In contrast to plyometric training or heavy sets, the lighter weights used in TUT methods, such as drop sets, cause less joint damage, yet still build muscle. You’ll be able to recover more quickly between your sessions.
FAULTLESS FORM
WORDS: MICHAEL JENNINGS | ILLUSTRATIONS: FLYING CHILLI
PAUSE REP
03
Because you’re concentrating on controlling the weight, you’re better able to focus on your technique. Enhancing your lifting form leads to improved muscle contractions, greater growth and fewer injuries.
What does it involve? Holding an isometric contraction, muscles tensed, at the bottom of a move before lifting. How does it help? During an isometric hold, the body can activate more motor units than usual. It’s a test of strength, as you can’t use any momentum to produce force – only your muscles. Best exercise: Barbell back squat.
DROP SET
04
What does it involve? Performing your sets to just short of failure, then reducing the weight and continuing with more reps. How does it help? Compared to standard sets that only combat the first layer of your muscle fibres, drop sets activate the deepest muscles. Remember: even though you may reach a point of failure with one weight, you haven’t yet reached absolute failure. Best exercise: Dumbbell lateral raise.
NEW!
PUT THE BRAKES ON FOR A FASTER WAY TO PACK ON MUSCLE
PT / 12.2018
BANGERS FOR YOUR BUCK
MICROWAVE MUSCLE MEAL #31
A MASH MADE IN HEAVEN
After a big lunchtime session, you need an equally huge feed at your desk. With carbs aplenty, our bulked-up bangers and mash will build strength and power you through to 5pm. This is fast comfort fuel
TIME TO MAKE
YOU WILL NEED…
12MIN PROTEIN 18G CARBS 54G CALORIES 600 6
10
4
12
2
14
0
8
14
6
10
4
12
2 8
2
14
Prep your spuds. Don’t fear white carbs; they’ll help to replenish your glycogen stores. Slice your potatoes into small chunks before placing them in a microwave dish half-filled with water, then cover with cling film. Cook for eight minutes until tender.
Now, cook your sausages. Prick both with a sharp knife and place on a dish along with 2tbsp of water. Cover with cling film (pricked with holes to allow steam out) and cook on full power for four minutes, turning your sausages regularly.
10-12MIN
0
4
12
0-8MIN
8-12MIN
0
6
10
• MuscleFood Extra Lean Pork Sausages, 2 • Potatoes, 2, medium • Butter, 15g • Semi-skimmed milk, 50ml • Salt and pepper, pinch
While you wait, create your mash. Add the butter, milk, salt and pepper to your potatoes and mash until you produce your desired consistency. Pile it onto a plate and top with your piping hot bangers. Pour over your onion gravy (right) and enjoy.
8
126 MEN’S HEALTH
YOUR BANGERS AND MASH BOAST THE PERFECT CARBS-TO-PROTEIN RATIO FOR SPEEDY MUSCLE GROWTH
POWER SAUCE #25
THE GRAVY GAINS TRAIN The B vitamins in this gravy
spur the breakdown of carbs to boost post-workout absorption
Place half a chopped onion and 5g of butter in a bowl and microwave for one minute, stirring halfway through.
Whisk 250ml of pork stock with 1tbsp of gravy granules. Add Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, rosemary and the onion. Heat.
IT’S ALL ONION GRAVY Make your sausages sizzle and mash melt without ruining your macros.
WORDS: MICHAEL JENNINGS | PHOTOGRAPHY: MICHAEL HEDGE | FOOD STYLIST: TAMARA VOS | RECIPE BY JOE SEXTON / FATLOSSFEAST.CO.UK | IMAGE MANIPULATION: COLIN BEAGLEY
3:1
MUSCLE GAMES
PT / 12.2018 THE MH FINISHER #08
POWER OF THREE
WORDS: MICHAEL JENNINGS | PHOTOGRAPHY: PHILIP HAYNES | MODEL: LEE MCLAUGHLIN AT W MODELS | STYLING: ABENA OFEI | GROOMING: LAURA DEXTER USING SKINCARE BY BALANCE ME | TRACKPANTS UNDER ARMOUR AT MRPORTER.COM, TRAINERS NEWBALANCE.CO.UK | MORE WORKOUTS FROM TRACEY AT YOUARENOTYOURGYMMEMBERSHIP.COM
Not all heroes wear capes. Grit your teeth and take on the CrossFit Hero workout DT for supersize strength
01 DEAD WEIGHT
THE FORMAT: Perform five rounds of the following three barbell moves as fast as you can: 12 deadlifts , nine hang power cleans and six push jerks. Aim for 70kg, but start with a weight that allows you to complete the first round unbroken. When you can perform three rounds unbroken, add 10% more load and try again.
Start each round with 12 deadlifts. Keep the bar close to your body, and don’t squeeze the life out of it (or you’ll fatigue your forearms). With your lats engaged, bend down with a flat back to pull the bar from the floor, then stand up straight. Don’t rush: you might be against the clock, but each rep should be as solid as your first.
DT Standards 10MIN+ – Needs work 8-9MIN – Solid effort SUB-8MIN – Smashed it Tag us with your time @MensHealthUK #MHFinisher
03 JERK IT OUT
02 HANG IN THERE
From the top of your last deadlift, go straight into your first hang clean to build power in your upper body. Hold the bar at your hips, then lower it towards your knees, keeping your back straight. From here, generate force from your hips and imagine that you’re jumping as you shrug the bar up, lifting
it as high as possible. Now, drive your elbows underneath the bar as fast as you can, catching it in the rack position, as though you were about to do a front squat. Return the bar back to your hips. Steel yourself, because you have eight more reps to go.
For the last six reps of the round, press the bar from the front rack position to full lockout overhead. Dip your knees, then drive the bar up from your shoulders until it’s at your eyeline, before dipping again. Catch the bar with your arms fully extended, then stand up straight to finish. Pace yourself in the first round, or you’ll be running on empty by the fifth.
THE TASKMASTER Name: Andrew Tracey Trainer tip: “Rest the bar on your shoulders if you need a break. Drop it during the cleans or push jerks and you pay with an extra deadlift or clean to get it back up.” Contact: @theandrew.tracey
MEN’S HEALTH 127
EDITED BY LEAH CRAIG
MH QUIZ SHORT CUTS NO.45
Can You Succeed With Less Time And Efort? Hard graft isn’t always the swiftest way to achieve your goals. Ease your path to progress with our lazy man’s guide to enhanced fitness MEN’S HEALTH 131
DECEMBER 2018
\ \ \ \ Q1 Q4 Q5 Q6 To cut calories efortlessly from your next meal, No time to cook? Which of Going all out in the gym for simply change the ______ of your plate.
these takeaways has hidden health potential?
how long will earn you the same aerobic results as a lowintensity 45-minute workout?
Flexing which body part will earn you a bigger deadlift PB?
A
Nuggets B
Size
Colour
C
Price
60sec
B
B Pick a plate with a colour that contrasts with your meal. It aids mindful eating, cutting 150kcal of your intake. But pile your carbonara into a white bowl, and the reduced visual perception can trigger overeating*.
Q2\
Chow mein
A
Sweating
B
Selfie-ing
B That tomatoes are rich in cancer-fighting lycopene isn’t news – but a Cornell study found that cooking them into a sauce doubles the nutrient’s powers. As for the bubbling cheese and fiery pepperoni? Well, they’re good for the soul.
B 10min
Pizza C
Which of these weights-room habits is scientifically proven to supercharge your strength?
Your pecs
A
B
Your jaw C
C
30min
A But you have to push it. Hop on the air bike and work at maximum efort for one minute and you can enjoy a boost in aerobic capacity, blood sugar control and fat loss similar to that achieved by a 45-minute power walk†.
Your toes B Clenching your jaw while gripping the bar can lift your muscle strength, a Spanish study found. Men who did so produced 12% more force than the control group. Chew your way through that set.
Q7\
Just __ minutes of reading will shut down stress.
C
Swearing A
6 C While A is inevitable and B will exasperate your fellow gym-goers, mouthing of will help you beat the shit out of your old PB. University of Keele scientists swear by it: men who were vocal during bike and hand-grip tests saw a 4.6% boost in power and an 8.2% increase in strength.
Q3\
Adding what to your water will shave minutes of your run PB? A
BCAAs B
Salt
B
18
C
30
C
Sugar C If you’re not keen on synthetic-tasting drinks, here’s a sweet short cut. The University of Georgia found that runners who swilled and spat sugar water during an eight-mile run cut their times by three minutes – a performance boost of 5%. Just watch where you spit. 132 MEN’S HEALTH
A Some days, even “15 minutes of mindfulness” feels too much for your schedule. Thankfully, burying yourself in a book or (this) magazine can deliver similar efects in just six minutes. The University of Sussex discovered that reading can reduce stress by 68%, making it more efective than listening to music or going for a walk. Scrolling through emails doesn’t count.
WORDS: AARON TOUMAZOU | PHOTOGRAPHY: ROWAN FEE, MICHAEL HEDGE, JOBE LAWRENSON, PHILIP HAYNES, STUDIO 33, GETTY IMAGES | ILLUSTRATIONS: BEN MOUNSEY | *NUTRITION JOURNAL | †MCMASTER UNIVERSITY
A
A
MH QUIZ: SHORT CUTS
\ Q11 Dozing of on the sofa
Q8\
Go to bed at ____ and you will build more muscle in your sleep.
is a lazy habit. A
True B
False
A
B
10pm
11pm
B Quite the opposite. Power down on a Sunday afternoon and you’ll wake up smarter. Daytime naps renew your focus and creativity, according to the University of Hertfordshire, with US research finding they curb stress, too. It’s the easiest way to ensure you tackle Monday fully restored.
Q12\
Macro-counting is the only way to lose weight.
A
True C B
12am
False
A Turning in early has benefits beyond keeping you compos mentis during your morning meetings. Setting a 10pm bedtime will score you a substantial hit of human growth hormone (HGH), which supports muscle growth and fat loss*. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that HGH floods your body at 11pm, a process that is disrupted if you’re deep in the latest docudrama.
Q10\ \ Q9 Using what can halve your time in the *NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE | †UNIVERSITY OF GIESSEN, GERMANY
gym – without sacrificing results?
Which drink should you order for an antidote to “booze belly”?
B Quit crunching numbers. Instead, count on a recent US study that found simply delaying breakfast until 10am and eating dinner by 6pm can cut daily calorie intake by 20%. Over 12 weeks, subjects lost 2kg on average, without ditching their favourite foods. Spag bol tastes just as good at your desk, right?
\ Q13 Which form of procrastination can instantly renew your willpower?
A
B
C
Your Your phone Your headphones camera imagination C Have a long, hard think about your training. Scientists found that visualising your workouts can make you stronger. Studies even suggest you can replace real sessions with imaginary ones by mentally rehearsing your reps and focusing on each muscle. After spending four out of eight weeks ditching their sessions for “fantasy” ones, subjects earned a 4% strength boost – only 1% less than the control group†.
A
B
C
Watching Reposting YouTube memes A
Gin and tonic
B
Cider
C
Sauvignon blanc
A Add Angostura bitters to your gin and tonic to take the edge of overindulgence. The Swiss École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne found that bitter tastes trigger “lazy” white fat cells to turn into calorie-burning brown fat cells, firing your metabolism.
Reading the FT
A&B If you find your motivation waning at work, try taking a low-brow break to browse online. A Human Performance study revealed that watching YouTube gym fails and smirking at parody accounts can boost your subsequent productivity. MEN’S HEALTH 133
MH QUIZ: SHORT CUTS
DECEMBER 2018
Q14\
Which exercise will tighten your shirt sleeves the fastest?
Q16\
Shorter sessions mean slower results. B
False A A
B
Bench press
True
C
Bar dip
Biceps curl
B To speed up your progress to arms that rival Arnie’s, target your tris. They comprise two-thirds of your upper arms – more than your biceps*. Plus, intense post-workout stretching (holding a heavy weight behind your head for 60 seconds, say) will lengthen your muscle fascia, which can expand your arm mass by as much as 318% in 28 days†.
Q15\
Shut Up Stormzy
Shape of You Ed Sheeran
In My Feelings Drake
B The British Journal of Sports Medicine revealed that admitting defeat to your schedule can earn you superior weight loss: split your 60-minute workout into two bite-size sessions and you’ll burn double the calories. This is a result of excess post-exercise consumption (EPOC), or “afterburn”, in which your body continues to use oxygen after your workout for recovery. Mix up your routine – a 30-minute cycle to work followed by a lunchtime skipping session will burn 370kcal and 500kcal respectively. It’s a gain of two halves.
\ Q17 Want to reap more muscle from your reps? You need to…
A
“Shut Up” Stormzy
B
“Shape of You” Ed Sheeran
134 MEN’S HEALTH
Eating which meal component first will curb your appetite?
C
“In My Feelings” Drake
A Psychologists at Brunel University found that fast-paced music can enhance your output by an impressive 15% – so grime, averaging at a rapid 140bpm, is your ideal support act. Not only does it distract from physical discomfort, its afirmative lyrics will boost motivation. Call it Big Track Energy.
How did you score?
Q18\
A Increase the weight
B Reduce the weight
B Counter-intuitive though it may sound, lightening the load will pack on muscle. In a Japanese study, those who performed their usual sets to failure, followed by one set with a lower weight, lifted their strength by 17.5% more than those who did all their sets with the same weight.
A Grilled chicken
B Sweet potato
C Side salad
A Polish of the protein on your plate first. This sends the signal to your brain that you’re full sooner, so you won’t overindulge. Opt for moreish wing meat over breast: its amino acids directly target the brain cells that make you feel sated more quickly**.
0-5 TRY-HARD
6-11 WELL FITTED
12+ SPEED DEMON
All work and no play makes fat loss a chore. So, stop trying so hard: the University of Tasmania found adopting a relaxed diet at the weekends provides the psychological refresher you need to stick to a strict plan in the week. Who’s up for dessert?
If you don’t intend to ease up in the gym, at least ensure your routine is multifunctional. Add extra plates to your barbell and you’ll lift your mental wellbeing, according to Sports Medicine, and enjoy the aesthetic gains that hogging the bench afords.
You’ve got fitness hacked. So here’s a bonus tip: Quebec researchers found that 30 minutes of intense interval training a day (park sprints on the way to work, say) are enough to out-train a bad diet, keeping your heart in fighting shape.
*AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EXERCISE | †JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY | **MOLECULAR METABOLISM
Listening to which of the following during training ofers an instant power boost?
MH CLASSIFIED
THE MH DIRECTORY Look good and feel great with this selection of life-enhancing products
SHREDDIES Shreddies garments are the perfect solution for all flatulence related issues. Our discreet and stylish designs include an activated carbon panel which absorbs and neutralises flatulence odours. Shreddies range of garments include two styles of men’s underwear, pyjamas and jeans. Visit www.myshreddies.com Prices start from £24.
MOLECULAR OXFORD SCIENCE FOR THINNING HAIR TRX2® MOLECULAR FOOD SUPPLEMENT AND ADVANCED CARE LINE COMPLIMENTARY MEMBERSHIP OFFER Bowes-Lyon Partnership is an exclusive London matchmaking agency. We ofer a discreet and bespoke dating service for busy, successful and refined people. For a limited time, we are ofering complimentary memberships to single, eligible gentlemen, to introduce to our successful and attractive female members. Call 0203 866 4440 or email caroline@bowes-lyonpartnership.co.uk bowes-lyonpartnership.co.uk
Concerned about hair in the shower drain? TRX2® is an innovative solution for those experiencing hair loss and thinning. It was developed by Oxford scientists in 2009 and has been sold in over 100 countries. The TRX2® formula is naturally-based, has no side efects, and is suitable for both men and women. It’s the first hair loss regimen to contain Carnipure™ (L-carnitine - L-tartrate), BCAAs, and niacin. These ingredients work by stimulating potassium channels to deliver nutrients to the hair follicle. Moreover, three of the key ingredients in TRX2® – selenium, zinc, and biotin – are oficially recognised by the European Commission as contributing to the maintenance of normal hair. Hair treatments often promise a lot without delivering, but TRX2® is backed by cutting-edge science and has been thoroughly tested. The efects can be impressive! Start using TRX2® as early as possible for faster results. Oxford Biolabs® has now also introduced TRX2® Advanced Care Thickening & Styling Cream, designed for instant volume and locked-in moisture. Two long-awaited Advanced Care products, – TRX2 Volumising Shampoo and TRX2 Bio-Active Conditioner, are now available and suitable for all hair types. Pricing starts from £17 and you will be able to get a 5 % discount using the coupon code “MH”, when ordering on oxfordbiolabs.com
To advertise in this feature call Hearst Magazines Direct on 020 3728 6260
THE MH DIRECTORY Look good and feel great with this selection of life-enhancing products
POWERBALL GYROSCOPIC STRENGTHENERS Harness the power of Powerball’s gyroscopic resistance to build massive grip, wrist and arm strength. Increase your muscle endurance with Powerball’s unique isometric strengthening. The handheld Powerball can develop over 27kgs (or 60 times its own weight) in punishing resistance. Powerball’s rotor can spin at over 22,000 RPM (faster than a F1 engine) powered just by your arm and wrist. The faster Powerball’s rotor spins the more resistance the user feels. This pocket sized gym is the perfect Christmas gift for everyone regardless of age or fitness level. Especially… • Sports people – Powerball is used by professional athletes the world over to improve their game. • Strength training – add a new dimension to your strength training; Powerball is the complimentary training aid that will benefit anyone serious about strength building in the upper limbs. • Rehabilitation, prehab & injury prevention –for all arm injuries from fingertip to shoulder, Powerball will help you stay injury free a recover faster. These world class rehabilitation and injury prevention devices are trusted by athletes, musicians and countless professionals around the globe to keep their arms healthy and strong. Over 4 million sold worldwide and 1000’s of 5-star reviews online. Find out more about these incredible devices @ Powerballs.com and use discount code “STRONGARMS” for 20% OFF. Or find us on Amazon.
ABSOLUTE COLLAGEN DAILY SKINCARE RITUAL FOR MEN Not just beneficial for skin! Great for nails, bones, joints, ligaments. Each 10ml liquid dose contains almost 8 grams of protein - great for muscle repair and postworkout. Trichology trials showed Absolute Collagen impacted hair thickening, shedding, balding and scalp health. Great news for you guys with beards too! Just £1.92 per day with free UK delivery. www.absolutecollagen.com Or call to order 020 3962 0370 Quote MH for 10% of, not on subscriptions
A BOLLOCK BALM FOR MEN... ...who care about their personal hygiene. Fresh Bollocks is a light, silky-smooth bollock balm that’s easy to use, fresh, fragrant and deodorising with no unsightly residue. An essential addition to modern man’s grooming routine. The perfect Christmas present, now available on Amazon. www.freshbollocks.com
To advertise in this feature call Hearst Magazines Direct on 020 3728 6260
MH CLASSIFIED
SHIRTS EXPERTLY DESIGNED TO HIGHLIGHT YOUR PHYSIQUE Tapered are here to finally provide you muscular fitted, proportional clothing, ready to wear – no more going to the tailor and giving your measurements. We’ve got an exclusive collection of shirts for you that will let you show of your hard work and look stylish at the same time. Visit www.taperedmenswear.com or social media @taperedmenswear and use code MH10 for 10% of your order.
GWC WATCHES
TAKE YOUR PERFORMANCE TO THE NEXT LEVEL Think and act with greater clarity. Your mindset controls how you see, do and perceive everything. Next Level Mindset Coaching changes your unproductive habits and pushes you to build the mindset you need to achieve what you want. Make it happen at www.nextlevelcoaching.space
Gilchrist Watch Co. is home to a hand-chosen, trend driven and afordable collection of timepieces for the modern gentleman. The strikingly minimal Mesh Chrono from Megir boasts a steel mesh band, precision stopwatch and calendar wheel at 4 o’ clock. 3 variations, £59. Shop the collection at www.gwcwatches.com. Use code MHDEC for 10% of.
MERCI MAMAN Show her your love is endless with the Personalised Infinity Chain Bracelet from Merci Maman (from £69). Perfect for a special occasion or a ‘just because’ gift, each unique piece is hand-engraved with your personalised words and delivered in their signature gift box. Created with love in London and available in 925 Sterling Silver, 18K Gold Plated and 18K Rose Gold Plated, visit their website at www.mercimamanboutique.com to find out more.
THE ULTIMATE SPORTS GARAGE FROM DURA Transform your garage and create a beautifully organised space for your sports equipment. Dura design, manufacture and install products to create spaces ideal for year-round training. These include modular storage cabinets, a ‘clip-on’ wall system for bulky items, and luxurious flooring and lighting options. For a FREE brochure or design advice, call 0845 371 0048 or visit www.duragarages.com/h4men.html
To advertise in this feature call Hearst Magazines Direct on 020 3728 6260
ONE WORD ANSWER #51 QUESTION
I
n 1974, Muhammad Ali sent George Foreman to the canvas with a left-hook, straight-right combo; four years later, he reclaimed his heavyweight title from Leon Spinks with volleys of jabs. Ali’s hands were versatile, even outside the ring. At a book signing in 2004, he performed parlour tricks for fans, tightening his big, heavy fist around a handkerchief and making it disappear. The human fist, historian Garry Wills wrote, is “a fragile little birdcage of bones”. Used properly, however, it’s a powerful tool that can help you punch far above your weight – with no violence necessary. The mere act of clenching, for example, can enhance memory*: balling up your right hand activates the left side of your brain, associated with encoding information, while clenching your left triggers your right hemisphere’s recall function. Making a left fist also focuses your mind when under stress. In a German study**, athletes significantly improved their performance in high-pressure situations when they did so. In a process called “hemisphere-specific priming”, the gesture kick-starts regions of your brain linked to mechanical actions, discouraging the kind of over-thinking that can lead to panic. Another paper† reported that you can boost your ability to “withstand immediate pain, overcome food temptation, consume unpleasant medicines and attend to… essential information” – all by hacking cognitive processes through the action of clenching your hand muscles. So, when you’re against the ropes, do as the Greatest did and make a good fist of it.
ANSWER
Fist
138 MEN’S HEALTH
WORDS: YO ZUSHI | PHOTOGRAPHY: THOMAS HOEPKER / MAGNUM PHOTOS | *MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY | **JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY | †JOURNAL OF CONSUMER RESEARCH
What hand gesture can ease pressure, boost memory and help you strike new goals?
SYNCHRONISED
CONTENTS 48
CLOCKING IN We go inside Bremont HQ for an exclusive look at what makes the British brand tick
Editor Toby Wiseman – Style Director Eric Down – Creative Director Declan Fahy – Deputy Style Editor Shane C Kurup – Style Assistant Riccardo Chiudioni – Art Director Will Jack – Art Editor Jessica Webb – Chief Subeditor Yo Zushi – Subeditor Leah Craig – Photo Director Vici Cave – Picture Editor Frankie Hill – Managing Director Alun Williams – Production Manager Roger Bilsland
28
BLUE IN THE FACE
26
From cobalt to indigo, blue is the watch industry’s new black. This is our edit of the trending colourway
ABOUT THE SIZE OF IT Good things come in small packages, with the heritage brands challenging the supersize norm. It’s time to dial it down
24
THE TIME LORD Aurel Bacs is the collector’s auctioneer. Find out how he brought down the gavel on the most expensive watches ever sold
MH : 11
17
PRECISION STRIKE Tag Heuer’s latest Carrera Tourbillon sets the standard for accuracy, at a price that doesn’t bite
59
MAKE IT COUNT Eight inspiring men describe the knife-edge moments that changed their lives for ever
34
WATCH WORDS A fine watch, like a great novel, should capture your imagination. Bookmark one with a story to tell
20
UNDER THE HOOD The chronograph remains as covetable as ever. Take an inside look at the timeless toy
42
BACK TO THE FUTURE Why the latest movements in watch design are rifing on the 1970s
19
FULL METAL JACKET Mixing metals is back on trend. These elegant two-tone watches will help you double up without looking flashy
MH : 12
COVER STARS
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Our six collector’s covers celebrate the timepieces that combine bright engineering with enduring quality. Here are this year’s stand-out pieces
WORDS: SHANE C KURUP
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BARRY MAKARIOU POST-PRODUCTION BY VIBE STUDIO
TISSOT V8 ALPINE SPECIAL EDITION £365
BREITLING PREMIER B01 CHRONOGRAPH £6,600
Motorsport has long been closely allied with horology and Tissot’s latest Alpine dofs a cap to the track timers of the 1960s. A precision Swiss quartz movement and on-the-button chronograph ensure this special edition fires on all cylinders.
Breitling’s reinvention this year has seen the brand focus on what it does best: watches for fly boys. This hot-of-therunway Premier salutes a 1940s archive style, but is upsized to a more strapping 42mm, making it a modern cockpit classic.
TUDOR BLACK BAY FIFTY-EIGHT £2,560
LONGINES SKIN DIVER £1,910
TAG HEUER CARRERA CALIBRE 16 £3,600
The Fifty-Eight dials the Black Bay’s handsome face down a notch to the mid-century size of 39mm. Add to that an in-house movement with a 70-hour power reserve, plus a polished gilt detailing, and you won’t be taking it of any time soon.
The aged lume makes this archive reissue look like a genuine heirloom that aficionados seek, while the 62-hour power reserve means it will still be ticking on Monday after a weekend of the wrist. It’s already making a big splash.
This track-ready Carrera – released to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the iconic model – retains the sporty, vintage appeal of the original but comes with all the technological trimmings of a modern ticker. Prime your engines, gentlemen.
MH : 15
ROLEX DATEJUST 36 OYSTERSTEEL AND EVEROSE GOLD £8,900 Rolex’s answer to this year’s two-tone trend, the new Datejust combines the king of Swiss watchmaking’s fabled workmanship with a hand-built, bulletproof movement – making it a timepiece for life.
MINUTES THE LATEST MOVEMENTS IN THE WORLD OF WATCHES
HOUR OF THE SNAKE Tag Heuer’s new Carrera Tourbillon Chronograph offers premium Swiss engineering at a price that won’t require a remortgage. And with its coveted Viper’s Head stamp, you’ll own freehold horological bragging rights
SNAKE FROM SNAKEYSUE.COM
PHOTOGRAPH BY LUKE KIRWAN – WORDS BY SHANE C KURUP
you don’t need to be a Premier League striker or an oligarch to put down a deposit on it. And what you get for your hard-earned brass is a work of horological art that has undergone 16 days of rigorous accuracy tests at the Besançon Observatory in France, netting it the establishment’s coveted “Viper’s Head” certification, which has only been awarded to 500 watches in the past 12 years – a statistic that makes watch aficionados drool. Add to that a chronograph and a hard-as-nails ceramic case, and what you have is an ice-coldblooded timekeeper. Snake oil, this most certainly is not. Tag Heuer Carrera Tête de Vipère Chronograph Tourbillon Chronometer £16,000
If you’re unsure of what a “tourbillon” is – aside from meaning “whirlwind” in French – it is a minuscule cage that houses a watch’s balance wheel and continually rotates, neutralising the stress of gravity on the movement. The point? That Swiss obsession with accurate timekeeping. Of course, this level of engineering comes at a price. Tourbillon movements can take up to 18 months to assemble from hundreds of hand-polished parts and usually come with a starting price tag of £40,000. This year, however, Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer has smashed convention with its new Carrera Tourbillon. At £16,000, it still might not be for your everyday wearer, but
MH : 17
MINUTES 03
02
04
01
FULL METAL JACKET
If you think steel’s too stark but gold is a touch Eurotrash, it’s time to double up. As this year’s glut of bombastic, mixedmetal timepieces shows, 1980s two-tone is back on the beat WORDS BY CHRIS HALL – PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROWAN FEE
Mixed-metal watches are divisive. They’re certainly distinctive but, to some, they are overwhelmingly redolent of the yuppie Thatcher years. What goes around comes around, however, and the 1980s vibe informed much of what was on offer at this year’s watch fairs. Like them or not, conspicuously contrasting metals are back on trend, and resolutely on wrist. Which is no bad thing. After all, there’s more to twotone watches than making a brash statement. Mixing elements, for example, can be a long-term investment: a bracelet with steel outer links protecting a central line of
MH : 19
gold makes it more resistant to knocks and scratches. Rolex, no stranger to innovation, goes the extra mile with its GMT-Master II ( 01 , £10,350) by smelting its own proprietary version of pink gold, “Everose”, containing platinum for long-lasting colour. Everyone’s favourite gym-honed psychopath Patrick Bateman was a fan – among his most prized possessions was a two-tone Rolex Datejust. Homicidal tendencies aside, there’s no denying the man had style. At the other end of the spectrum, Swatch has been getting in on the two-tone action with its automatic Sistem Tux ( 02 , £160), which sports gold accents on the bezel, crown and strap, giving it a classic elegance – and at a price that won’t give your bank manager an embolism. If you’re still hesitant about going the whole metallurgical hog, you can test the water with Breitling’s Superocean Héritage II Chronograph 44 ( 03 , £6,140). Its rose-gold accents contrast with the black bezel and dial, giving it a subtle point of difference without shouting too loudly. Of course, steel and gold are no longer the only materials in town. Hublot riffs on the bimetallic theme with the Big Bang Unico King Gold Ceramic ( 04 , £30,400), adding a black ceramic bezel to its chronograph. As well as looking incomparably slick, ceramic is almost impossible to scratch, bringing reassuring solidity to the precious metallic mix. With more ways to mix it up than ever before, it’s time you started striking the right tone.
“TWO-TONE ISN’T JUST A STATEMENT: IT CAN ALSO BE A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT”
The digital age has called time on myriad analogue devices, but the chronograph – a timepiece with an inbuilt mechanical stopwatch – remains as coveted as ever. This is your anatomical cheat sheet on a horological gadget that has stood the test of time PHOTOGRAPHY BY LOUISA PARRY – WORDS BY STEPHEN DOIG
01/ SCALE IT UP As Steve McQueen proved in the 1971 racing movie Le Mans, chronographs (in his case, a Tag Heuer Monaco) are worn best by men of action. They feature a variety of scales because different measurements of time need specialised mechanisms. There’s the 60-second scale that lets you calculate the second from when the countdown begins but, beyond that, you’ll often find a variety of scales on the outer rim. Here’s what they’re good for.
A/ TACHYMETER A common feature on driving and pilot watches, this useful function converts time and distance into speed. Start the tachymeter using the pusher and stop it after you have travelled, for example, one mile. The position where the second hand stops indicates your average speed.
B/ TELEMETER Should you ever find yourself under siege, this is the scale for you. It uses sight and sound to measure distance. Start the stopwatch when you see cannon fire, say, and note the reading when it’s audible. The second hand will tell you the distance between you and the big guns.
C/ PULSOMETER Long before you started monitoring your health with your Fitbit, mechanical watchmakers were ofering pulsometers. Often situated where the tachymeter normally resides, this scale shows your heart rate. Start the chronograph and count the beats for 30 seconds.
02/ WHAT LIES BENEATH The dial’s aesthetics may be what initially catches your eye, but it’s the intricate mechanisms beneath the surface that make everything work in harmony, like the submerged legs of a graceful swan. The complex workings of the chronograph are a mystery to most, but dissect one and you’ll find that it makes more sense. When they’re activated by the pusher, levers under the dial pull the wheels of the chronograph into motion. Among the most important of these is the column wheel, which rotates with every click of the pusher. This, in turn, moves the clutch, a device
MH : 20
that controls the transfer of energy to the mechanism. These are usually horizontal, but the true watch snob wants a timepiece with a vertical clutch. Although not as pretty to look at, its gears are always interlocked (with a horizontal clutch, the gears work separately), resulting in a far smoother pusher action and less wear on the movement. But that’s not all a chronograph can do. It may also include a timer to record your laps: a gear train is driven by two mainspring barrels, which spring back and start timing once a third button is pushed, while the other hand clocks the seconds. This is the ultimate horological multitasker.
03/ TIMELY EVOLUTION Mankind’s thirst for the latest tech didn’t begin when Steve Jobs launched the iPhone. Watchmakers have always understood our craving for innovation and, for centuries, they’ve explored new ways to turn the chronograph from a simple stopwatch into a complex measuring tool – resulting in ever more esoteric variants.
04/ ON THE BUTTON
BELL & ROSS BRV2-94 RS18 £4,300, JUNGHANS MEISTER TELEMETER £1,950, LONGINES COLUMN-WHEEL SINGLE PUSH-PIECE PULSOMETER CHRONOGRAPH £ 2,920 | ILLUSTRATIONS: NICK HARDCASTLE
As has been established, chronographs do more than tell the time – but some have made history, quite literally scaling new heights.
THE LOUIS MOINET COMPTEUR DE TIERCES
I/ MONOPUSHER
II/ FLYBACK
This is the simplest type of chronograph and is a direct descendant of the mechanical stopwatch. It usually has a pusher located around the two o’clock mark, which incorporates the start, stop and reset-to-zero functions all in one button. For the chronograph, this is where it all began. Monblanc Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec £6,500
The clue is in the name: the flyback allows you to time events back to back, without having to go through the process of pushing stop and returning to zero. Instead, all you need is one click to reset the second hand, even if it’s in motion. This one’s definitely for fast movers. Zenith Pilot Cronometro Tipo CP-2 Flyback £6,400
In 2012, a timepiece sold at an auction proved that French watchmaker Louis Moinet had invented the first chronograph in 1816 – five years earlier than previously thought – to measure astronomical movements.
THE BREITLING COSMONAUTE US astronaut Scott Carpenter took Breitling to infinity and beyond when he wore its Navitimer Cosmonaute on Nasa’s MercuryAtlas 7 mission, making it the first chronograph in space.
III/ RATTRAPANTE
IV/ CENTRAL
Although it may sound like some kind of French rodent, this “double chronograph” lets you time a second event while the chronograph is already in action. Activating the split-second pusher, one hand stops while the second hand continues; by reactivating it, it will “rattrapante”, or catch up. A Lange & Söhne 1815 Perpetual Calendar £170,100
Most chronographs treat its stopwatch function as secondary to the business of telling the time. Central chronographs shift that focus to make it the main feature. This watch has two timing hands placed in the centre, one for minutes, one for seconds, in colours contrasting with the standard time-tracking hands. Fabergé Visionnaire Rose Gold £29,950 MH : 21
THE PIAGET ALTIPLANO CHRONOGRAPH Measuring just 8.24mm in height, this horological marvel manages to fit in four hands looping over one another – and, with a 4.6mmthick movement, it is the thinnest chronograph in the world.
MINUTES
Battery power has long been considered unbeatable for endurance and accuracy – but a new generation of watches is rewriting the rules of analogue stamina
02
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOBE LAWRENSON – WORDS BY SHANE C KURUP
01/ SINGULAR FORTITUDE MeisterSinger is attempting to single-handedly strip back timekeeping to its purest form. Quite literally: a sole pointer hand passes over the numerals. The innards are equally singular – two winding barrels give the movement a lifespan of 120 hours. A transparent back lets you inspect its workings, while a power indicator shows you just how much juice you’ve got left.
*LUXURYWATCHREPAIRS.COM | ILLUSTRATIONS: NICK HARDCASTLE
MeisterSinger Circularis Power Reserve £4,995
01
03
03/ STAYING POWER
02/ THE LONG HAUL
Styled in a 1960s fashion, this watch is a classic looker – but it’s what lies beneath the cool exterior that matters. The precision of its automatic movement has been certified by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute, and its power lasts five days – stamina made possible by ultra-light silicon hairsprings, which sap away less energy than standard metals. Just like when you press 50kg instead of 90kg at the bench.
As an independent brand, Oris is free to be more experimental. The ProPilot Calibre 111 is the latest result of its tinkering: its manual winding movement, developed in-house over a decade, can store 10 days of power, due to a tightly coiled 5ft 11in mainspring. The dial’s oversized numerals make it instantly recognisable as a fly boy’s watch, giving it effortless cool.
Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic £2,500
Oris Big Crown ProPilot Calibre 111 £3,800
TAKE THE LONG VIEW Oliver Pollock, founder of Luxury Watch Repairs*, ofers his expert tips to ensure your analogue ticker goes the distance
If you’re not wearing an automatic watch regularly, wind the crown 20-25 revolutions every couple of days to prevent the oils from congealing.
It’s a myth that you can overwind a manual mechanical watch. A full wind will ensure an even dissipation of energy and improve accuracy.
If you leave your mechanical watch on its side at the end of the day, rest it on its crown – it’s much easier to replace or repair when it gets worn than the case.
MINUTES
MH: Auctioneering aside, can you explain what you do at Phillips? AB: My job was – and still is – to bring input to the growth and expansion of the watch department at Phillips. As a second job, I facilitate bringing in, vetting and estimating the values of watches that come through the auction system. MH: Presumably, being well connected is a prerequisite for the role… AB: I speak to 50-100 collectors a week, at the least. Of course, during peak times, I speak to 50-100 a day. I’ve got the names of 3,000 collectors stored on my phone. It’s just a guesstimate, but the pool of watches that these people own is collectively worth billions of dollars. I know who has what. I’ve sold many watches for them and have sold the same watch multiple times. MH: Can you give us an example of such a watch? AB: The reference 6062 – an extremely rare Rolex from the early 1950s that was only made for five years. It was owned by the Vietnamese emperor Bao Dai. It’s yellow gold and has a black dial with diamond markers on the even hours. I sold that watch for the first time in 2002 for $235,000. The highest price ever achieved for it was $5m (1). MH: One journalist described that rise in price as “pretty insane”. AB: Actually, I don’t think it’s insane. What was an Apple or Amazon share worth in 2002? And what is it worth today? The people who buy these watches have even outperformed their asset investments. MH: How do you hear about watches such as the Bao Dai? AB: Well, I discovered that one when a friend said, “I
TIME LORD Aurel Bacs might be horology’s most famous man you’ve never heard of. Here, the senior consultant at Phillips auctioneers explains what it feels like to bring down the gavel on the most expensive watches ever sold ILLUSTRATION BY JAMES CAREY – WORDS BY MATT HAMBLY
know one of the sons of the final emperor of Vietnam, and he’s got a very special Rolex.” He was very discreet. He just said, “Come to Paris and look at it.” All I knew was that it was yellow gold, but it could have been a yellow gold Rolex Datejust, not even worth $5,000. We went to the most beautiful bank vault I’ve ever seen. It was like a scene from a movie. He opened the box and pulled out that watch. I looked at it and said to myself, “Oh, my God. This is just amazing.” It’s gorgeous. Really, an amazing watch. MH: How do you go about verifying a watch like that? AB: There are multiple ways to vet a vintage watch. The first step is simply to give it a general check-up. But there is some research that you just can’t do at a client’s country house. It would need to be looked at by a watchmaker, various experts and an advisory board. MH: How often are you surprised by a watch? After a record-breaking sale, do you start to increase your initial estimates? AB: I would say that I’m a little on the conservative side when it comes to estimates – perhaps that’s just how I was brought up. But never in a million years would I have believed that, one day, I would
Records of Time
(1) Vietnamese chief of state from 1949 to 1955, Bao Dai was responsible for renaming his country “Vietnam”. His name became synonymous with his Rolex watch. In 2017, the Bao Dai became the most expensive Rolex ever sold at an auction.
(2) Bacs broke his own record later that year, when he auctioned Paul Newman’s personal stainlesssteel Rolex Cosmograph Daytona for a staggering $17.8m.
MH : 24
sell a Rolex Paul Newman Daytona for $18m (2). MH: What was going through your head as you stood at the rostrum, while the price went up and up and up? AB: I mean, the $10m bid that came in at 10 times the opening bid would already have been a world record for a watch. I don’t think your distinguished publication can print the precise word that came to my mind. My first reaction was that I probably hadn’t heard it correctly. When I realised that I had, I thought, “What am I going to do next?” MH: What did you decide? AB: Do you know that auctioneers can – without providing any reason – refuse or ignore a bid? On one hand, there’s nothing better for an auction house than to sell a Paul Newman watch for $10m, but what an anticlimax! One bid – sold. People had travelled across the world to see a battle, and it would have been over in an instant. To me, it felt as if I was dialoguing with myself for an hour, but I continued and said, “We start the bidding at $10m.” Thankfully, there were multiple phone bidders. I felt five pounds lighter, my palms dried and my body temperature returned to normal. MH: What was the first watch you owned? AB: My first proper mechanical watch was a 1980s IWC in steel.
I still have it and I’m extremely fond of it. I have perhaps 5-10 watches that would be the last I’d want to give away, and that would be one of them. MH: You obviously have an extensive collection of watches… AB: I don’t know. Do I? I mean, how would you know? MH: I made an assumption based on the fact that you own at least 10 watches you’d never give up. AB: First of all, my wife and I love watches – but we don’t think of ourselves as collectors. I don’t know what the word “collector” means. For me, somebody could be a collector with five watches, but they could also own 100 and not be one. I’ve got 100 ties. I’m not a tie collector. MH: That’s a fair point. Do you ever get recognised? AB: I can’t go incognito to a watch show or shop. So, the reality is, yes, I’ve been recognised at impossible places around the world. I’ve been approached in Cambodia by someone who said, “You’re the guy who sold the Paul Newman for $18m.” Those are humbling moments. MH: Finally, do you think that spending $18m on a watch can ever be justified? AB: Let me ask you the same question first. If you really want to have a Picasso in your home, you can do it for £5 by buying a poster, or £50m by buying the real thing. Can you justify the difference? There is no rationale. Watches, to me, are a form of art. Everybody is free to spend their hard-earned money how they please – and there are far crazier ways to spend $18m than on a watch.
“I DO LOVE WATCHES – BUT I’M NOT A COLLECTOR. I DON’T KNOW WHAT THAT WORD MEANS”
Bacs’s sale of Rolexes owned by Paul Newman and Bao Dai changed the rules of watch values
MINUTES HUBLOT CLASSIC FUSION TITANIUM 38MM £5,500
PANERAI 42MM LUMINOR DUE 3 DAYS POWER RESERVE £5,500
BREITLING NAVITIMER 1 AUTOMATIC 38 £3,350
You’d be forgiven for not noticing, but watches have shrunk in the past few years. Watch design evolves more slowly than high street fashion or technology, and shifts in scale, materials, functions and colours tend to be gradual. Even amid a discernible trend, brands will still be making models in the previous year’s coveted metals and sizes. Here’s the headline statistic: average watch diameters have come down from 42mm and above to 40mm or smaller. A reduction of 2mm might not sound like much, but the end result is a watch that’s around 15% smaller. This development has even piqued the interest
of Breitling and Panerai, brands long associated with 50mm-plus models. Not long ago, Panerai’s move towards smaller cases caused quite a stir, when it launched its 42mm Luminor Due. Purists complained that this was a step too small for a brand whose history is uncompromisingly macho, but the thinking behind it is hard to fault, given how much more wearable the new size is. It was a similar story with Breitling’s new Navitimer collections, which form the core of the brand’s relaunch this year. These doff a cap to the brand’s archive aviator models, and there are still 45mm-plus versions if you can’t stomach the idea of downsizing. Now, however, we can also choose more considered iterations, such as those at 41mm and 38mm. That last size might seem uncomfortably small to a generation accustomed to sheer heft, but it’s worth remembering that this was the norm until the 1980s. And, with all the retro reissues appearing on the market, it’s a size we’ll be seeing more of in the years to come. Hublot is a brand with a reputation for acting quickly on design trends, and if it’s still better known for big, bold designs such as the Techframe Ferrari or the Fifa World Cup smartwatch, the Classic Fusion covers all the bases, with sizes ranging from 33mm to 45mm. Within the collection, there’s another
“WATCH SIZES HAVE FALLEN BY 15%. THEY’RE LESS MACHO, BUT FAR MORE WEARABLE”
JAMES GURNEY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SALONQP
WRIST ASSESSMENT
DIAL IT DOWN Brands are finally challenging the supremacy of supersize watches – a shift that has won the approval of SalonQP’s James Gurney. In horology, he writes, good things come in small packages
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROWAN FEE
MH : 26
must-have: the “UltraThin”, a term that generally means anything up to 10mm in height. Tiny numbers make more of a difference than you might imagine, and the slimmest – under 4mm – can feel oddly slight if you’re used to something more substantial. That said, Bulgari’s Octo Finissimo is a masterclass in how to design to smaller dimensions (it’s a scarcely credible 40mm by 5.15mm). Its simple dial is balanced by a complex case and a sandblasted steel finish that earmarks it as a future classic. If such svelte engineering doesn’t convince you that dialling down is the way forward, nothing will – but, in this case, small is unquestionably beautiful. BULGARI OCTO FINISSIMO AUTOMATIC £11,300
Blue Steel
From rich cobalt to cool indigo, blue is the watch industry’s new black. At once elegant, characterful and full of attitude, our edit proves a blue face is nothing to be down about PHOTOGRAPHY BY LUKE KIRWAN – WORDS BY SHANE C KURUP
MAURICE LACROIX AIKON AUTOMATIC DATE £1,390
Combining clean-lined elegance with tank-like brawn, this distinctive piece has an angular, modernist face with a sporty soul that will always keep pace with the times. In fact, its versatility is perhaps its greatest virtue – this model comes with the brand’s EasyChange strap system, allowing for a quick switch MH : 28
to steel when you’re running to an early gym class, or leather when you’re taking on the boardroom in sharp tailoring. Add to that the Swiss-made mechanics, a handsome textured dial and an outlay that won’t leave your wallet famished, and it’s pretty much the perfect one-shot purchase.
MONTBLANC HERITAGE SPIRIT ORBIS TERRARUM £13,400
This show-stopping world timer from Montblanc lives up to the brand’s classic yet innovative ethos. An in-house movement means its skeleton is tailored exactly to its design, giving it the smart distinction of a Savile Row suit. But what makes it stand out are its map dial, depicting the Earth’s lines of latitude
and longitude (as well as 24 global metropolises), and an outer ring sporting a night-and-day indicator. Despite the ornate design, it’s surprisingly legible – and with its ability to track every time zone, you’ll feel as though you’ve got the world in the palm of your hand. Well, on your wrist, anyway.
BLUE STEEL
LUMINOX ICE-SAR ARCTIC 1000 SERIES £399
Swat teams, Navy Seals and the Indonesian special forces are all kitted out by Luminox. Why? Because the brand’s always-on, patented light system makes its watches legible at all times of the day – essential if you’re on a time-sensitive operation in challenging conditions. This model, made in collaboration with the Icelandic Association
for Search and Rescue (ICE-SAR), is cased in Carbonox, a carbon-based material that’s tough yet lighter than steel. You might not need yours for rescuing stranded souls in frozen wastes, but its pedigree gives it instant big-boy style credentials nonetheless.
IWC BIG PILOT’S WATCH ANNUAL CALENDAR “LE PETIT PRINCE” £32,500 MH : 31
Beyond its archive good looks that recall the golden age of aviation, what lies beneath the handsome face of this IWC pilot watch is a testament to the brand’s horological prowess. A movement with a staggering 168-hour power reserve
allows it to keep ticking for a whole week on your wrist, saving you the faf of resetting the complex annual calendar. And, thanks to a crystal engineered to withstand shifts in air pressure, if you ever decide to follow your dream of becoming the next Lieutenant Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, it will survive any barrel rolls with ease. What fly boy could resist?
BLUE STEEL
JAEGERLECOULTRE POLARIS AUTOMATIC £6,650
MH : 32
With a glut of retro revivals on the market this season, even Jaeger-LeCoultre couldn’t resist a slice of the action. The 2018 Polaris – a fresh reworking of its iconic 1968 diver – is certainly one you’ll want to take the plunge for. Its mid-century ruggedness has lost none of its appeal and the modern take’s striking sapphire-blue dial brings it bang up to date in the style stakes. Although you’re unlikely to reach its 100m depth limit while wearing it, it’s comforting to know that it will be impervious to moisture should you forget to take it of when you hit the pool.
GLASHÜTTE ORIGINAL SENATOR EXCELLENCE PANORAMA DATE MOON PHASE £9,100
A sunburst dial, 21-carat gold-embellished innards and a whimsical moon phase complication make this quietly elegant Glashütte a shoo-in for the man who appreciates the finer things without needing to shout about it. Switzerland may consider itself the centre of the horological universe, but this is made in the German capital of watchmaking – from which the brand takes its name – to equally flawless standards. Incidentally, its midnightblue hue is also a great shade for a dinner suit, with which this handsome ticker will partner perfectly.
Watch Words
A beautiful watch, like a well-thumbed novel, is carefully plotted, immediately grabs your attention and is designed to surprise. Whether your taste runs to adventure, sci-fi, or thriller, MH’s horological library features instant classics you’ll return to time and again. Which will you bookmark? PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAUL ZAK – WORDS BY ALEX DOAK
ULYSSE NARDIN FREAK VISION POA The Freak’s carousel mechanics serve as the hours hand, yes, but also as a Petri dish for Ulysse Nardin’s exploits in materials science – with synthetic diamond components and now a huge silicon balance wheel.
KOMONO WALTHER RETROGRADE £199.95 With its pared-back face and pressure-gauge-like sub-dials, the Walther Retrograde has space age written all over it. Crucially, its precision Japanese quartz movement will ensure you’re always ahead of the curve.
BALL WATCH COMPANY FIREMAN NIGHT TRAIN III £1,370 The ever-expanding US railroad must have felt like the stuf of Jules Verne when Webster C Ball was keeping its signalmen synchronised. He’d surely approve of this tritium-luminous instrument bearing his name.
BELL & ROSS BR V2-94 RACING BIRD £3,400 The Parisian brand’s forays into high-speed transport started with a bike fit for Judge Dredd and have continued with its own plane. The accompanying watch beams with Dan Dare rafishness.
SCIENCE FICTION
CITIZEN MEN’S SPORT ECO-DRIVE BU2020-29X £249
Luxury watches may trade heavily on heritage, but they survive by keeping an eye on the horizon. Cogs and springs may sound archaic, but they remain as technical as Captain Nemo’s Nautilus
This world timer is powered by the brand’s Eco-Drive solar technology. But where does the light get in, given that busy dial? And how does it harvest low artificial light? It really is a glimpse of the future.
MH : 34
2018 BUYER’S GUIDE
BREITLING NAVITIMER 8 B35 UNITIME £6,210 This year’s star Navitimer 8 has all the swagger of a dogfighter. Not only are its good looks inspired by the cockpit chronograph dials of the 1930s, but a world-timer function means you’ll be a master of the hours wherever you are.
ADVENTURE If Amazon Prime’s Jack Ryan had you reaching for your dog-eared Tom Clancy paperback before jetting of to the Atlas Mountains, chances are you require a robust field watch VICTORINOX INOX MECHANICAL £649 At first, little distinguishes this from the quartz version of the bulletproof Swiss army INOX. But the “automatic” stamp tells you all you need to know: for an extra £300, Victorinox is throwing proper Swiss mechanics into the bargain.
TIMEX ALLIED THREE GMT £159.99 It was Rolex that pioneered the rotating-bezel “GMT” in 1953, the bonus here being that Timex makes it feel as if you were wearing a watch from the same factory. Set the 24-hour hand to your home time when on intrepid exploits and read from the day/night coloured ring.
MONTBLANC 1858 GEOSPHERE £5,100 TISSOT T-RACE TOUR DE FRANCE £380
The plucky adventurism of Seven Summits mountaineers is celebrated here with two gently domed maps of the northern and southern hemispheres. As long as your geography is up to scratch, you’ll always know the time wherever you are in the world.
Tissot has added distance cycling to its roster, becoming the oficial timekeeper of the Tour de France. Velophiles will surely appreciate the stopwatch functionality – if not, then at least the victorious colourway.
MH : 35
JAQUET DROZ GRANDE SECONDE MOON BLACK ENAMEL £22,750
ROMANCE
A glowing moon in the night sky can be as romantic as it gets, and thanks to the expansive grand feu black enamel of the dial, the intricately carved details of our solitary satellite glow particularly brightly here.
A handcrafted timepiece will bring out the sentimental side of even Switzerland’s pragmatic horological exponents – to be enjoyed as indulgently as Shelley’s most tender verses
AUDEMARS PIGUET ROYAL OAK TOURBILLON EXTRA-THIN POA The original Royal Oak of 1972 was a heady cocktail of breakthroughs, including its tapisserie dial, which, back then, gave it a modernist edge. Now, its poetic sunburst form showcases a tourbillon in glorious technicolor.
GUCCI ERYX £1,640 Alessandro Michele’s joyous tenure at Gucci just keeps on giving. Purists may scof at the patterned gold PVD coating – which is as thin as their patience for fashion watchmakers done good – but no one can deny the integrity of the Swissmade mechanics inside.
BULGARI OCTO ROMA £11,900 It doesn’t get more romantic than Elizabeth Taylor’s favourite jeweller, whose transformation into a horological wunderkind still hasn’t detracted from Bulgari’s love afair with Rome. The rose gold here is as warm as the sunset on the Pantheon.
GRAND SEIKO 9F 25TH ANNIVERSARY LIMITED EDITION £4,500 Seiko may have pioneered electronic quartz technology for the wristwatch back in 1969, but don’t overlook its Grand Seiko imprint’s reputation for high craft, with engineering and engraved dials to rival Rolex and Breguet.
MH : 36
2018 BUYER’S GUIDE
CARTIER SANTOS DE CARTIER £7,800 One of the first wristwatches and a purpose-built pilot’s watch, Louis Cartier’s 114-year-old solution for his aviator friend Alberto Santos-Dumont is reborn this year, this time in tastefully bling bicolour, with a new instant-swap strap clip.
MASTERPIECE Just as the shelves of any home library would be incomplete without a literary classic, so building one’s perfect watch wardrobe begins with the horological canon
PATEK PHILIPPE 5159G PERPETUAL CALENDAR £72,310 This perennial classic has been engineered with a 1,461-day mechanical memory to stay in sync with months of varying lengths. Only a brand such as Patek could turn such a complex movement into a piece worthy of a horological Booker Prize.
OMEGA SEAMASTER DIVER 300M £3,520 The finest iteration of the Seamaster’s 70-year lineage is back: the blue-bezel, wave-dial model that costume designer Lindy Hemming thought perfectly suited James Bond back in 1995. Omega has been on 007’s wrist ever since. Need we say more?
PANERAI RADIOMIR 1940 3 DAYS CERAMICA £9,600
ROLEX MILGAUSS OYSTERSTEEL £6,300
That voluptuous cushion shape is rightfully iconic. It has barely been altered since the 1930s, when Panerai adopted a watertight Rolex pocket watch to kit out the Italian navy’s frogmen, riding the SLC torpedoes. A must-wear.
Designed in the 1950s as an antimagnetic watch for scientists to wear in the lab, the Milgauss is a Swiss icon. This model’s distinctive colour scheme and lightningbolt hand gives it instant distinction – like the tomes on your first-editions shelf.
MH : 37
2018 BUYER’S GUIDE
JUNGHANS MAX BILL EDITION 2018 £490 As with the work of Junghans’s fellow countryman Nomos, form follows function in the Max Bill range, named after the designer who kicked things of with a modernist clock in the 1950s. This year’s green date detail is sparse, but just so.
NOMOS GLASHÜTTE TANGENTE BAUHAUS £1,520 It says it all that Nomos’s zero-to-hero Tangente model hasn’t changed in the slightest since the German upstart was founded 28 years ago. Now, with this special edition, it celebrates 100 years of Walter Gropius’s Bauhaus design collective.
MODERN CLASSICS There’s always a new school of cool – and for every Waugh, Orwell or Atwood, there are as many watchmakers with enough courage to challenge the norm
BRAVUR SCANDINAVIA £895 Like a contemporary Harper Lee, Bravur channels mid-century modernism with its latest democratically priced automatic – designed as rigorously as you’d expect for a proud Swedish brand, but still powered by solid Swiss mechanics.
TAG HEUER FORMULA 1 GULF SPECIAL EDITION £1,300 Created in the mid-1980s as an entry into Tag Heuer’s range of sports chronographs, Formula 1 is a luxury proposition in its own right – it even bears Gulf Oil’s iconic livery, thanks to Tag’s blue (and orange) blooded pit-lane pedigree.
MONDAINE ESSENCE IN BLACK £149 Rooted in a time-worn classic – the Swiss railways’ platform clock – Mondaine manages to experiment with its Bauhaus codes in ever-imaginative ways, this time with an ultra-renewable polymer case crafted from castor oil.
MH : 38
VISCONTI OPERA GMT BLUE £3,000 The Italians pull no punches, revelling in all-out maximalism, as this Visconti illustrates. There’s no mucking about inside, though, as it’s driven by a Swiss workhorse, the Sellita SW330-1.
FANTASY Traditional watchmaking in the age of the smartwatch is about as fantastical as a Tolkien saga, which is pretty much the point – so why not rejoice in this flight of fancy?
GREUBEL FORSEY TOURBILLON 24 SECONDS EDITION HISTORIQUE RED GOLD £365,000 With all the sorcery of a wizard, this sports a tourbillon cage that spins rapidly to negate the efect of gravity on the movement. If Gandalf wore a watch, this would be it.
THOMAS SABO REBEL ICON £259 Time waits for no man, they say, and for that reason watchmaking is peppered with morbid exercises in memento mori – reminders that death is always lurking. Thomas Sabo’s Gothic jewellery simply puts a rock’n’roll spin on things.
GRAFF GYROGRAFF METIERS D’ART TOURBILLON POA Graf might be known for its precious stones, but it also turns out some fantastical watches. This model has a white-gold dial, laser-carved to pick out the map lines of the Middle East, before being hand-set with diamonds.
CORUM BIG BUBBLE MAGICAL 52 ANIMA £6,150 We all sighed with relief when Corum revived the Bubble back in 2015. This year, it stepped up the relaunch by showcasing a menagerie of bizarre visions, viewed through one huge, cuf-busting bulge of sapphire crystal.
MH : 39
ORIS BIG CROWN POINTER DATE £1,270
HISTORICAL As Hilary Mantel proved with Wolf Hall, the past is a rich seam from which to draw – something watchmaking has thrived upon, with vintage reissues by the wristful
You can practically smell the avgas on this rheumyeyed flying machine. Geared towards Switzerland’s magnificent men, it’s a tribute to the Dewoitine D26 training aircraft used by the Swiss air force from 1931 to 1948.
SHINOLA THE GUARDIAN £575 You can forgive Shinola – a brand inspired by Motown’s former industrial prowess – for drawing not from an old American pocket watch but architecture instead. The Art Deco Guardian Building on Griswold Street in Detroit, to be precise.
LONGINES LEGEND DIVER BLACK PVD £1,870 Those in the know trace the current craze for mid-century reboots back to Longines’s admirably faithful Legend Diver of 2007, whose 1960s styling is now treated to a black PVD coating, marrying vintage and futuristic in devastating fashion.
CERTINA DS PH200M £565 In the 1960s, the new hobby of scuba diving provided every Swiss watchmaker with a new sector to exploit. Half a century on, Certina is taking the plunge again with a revival of a longoverlooked treasure that is simply to dive for.
TUDOR HERITAGE BLACK BAY S&G £2,720 Drawing from older versions of sibling-brand Rolex’s Submariner, Tudor’s expert mixology of 1950s and 1960s details has made Black Bay a modern classic – now more suited to the admiral’s table, thanks to the subtle infusion of yellow gold.
MH : 40
2018 BUYER’S GUIDE
CHRISTOPHER WARD C1 GRAND MALVERN JUMPING HOUR £1,395 Christopher Ward states that the movement in its C1 model makes it the most accurate jumping hour on the market. It might have a clean face, but its inner workings match the intrigue of a Stieg Larsson.
BLANCPAIN FLYING TOURBILLON JUMP HOURS £108,600 The mark of a master watchmaker is the ability to craft a tourbillon: tumbling the ticking balance assembly by 360 degrees every minute demands near-alchemical technical abilities. In this case, combined with a jumping hour indication, it’s poetry in hypnotic motion.
ZENITH DEFY ZERO G POA Fans of Patrick O’Brian’s naval romps will appreciate this as much as any mystery fan, since the gyroscopic assembly harbours a vivid maritime connection, mimicking the gimbals on which 19th-century marine chronometers were mounted, keeping the timepiece perfectly flat.
THRILLER As layered as a le Carré or Grisham, the “complicated” watch tells more of a tale than time alone. But whodunnit? These watchmakers, for a start…
IWC PORTUGIESER PERPETUAL CALENDAR 150 YEARS £32,950 IWC’s genius at large Kurt Klaus (an Agatha Christie character in himself) is famed for his perpetual calendar of 1985, mechanically programmed for 500 years. It’s still ticking strong in this, IWC’s 150th anniversary year.
GLASHÜTTE ORIGINAL SENATOR COSMOPOLITE £16,400 The dial markings here seem as mysterious as an astrologer’s chart. But it’s more scientific than that, with the two windows at eight o’clock indicating your global destination in both daylight saving and standard time.
M H : 41
Time Machine The bold colours and outré lines of the Seventies have been a feature of the Continental catwalks for some time – and now watchmakers have caught the bug. From leading brands reviving forgotten archive gems to those simply taking new design inspiration from the disco years, this is our pick of the retro crop PHOTOGRAPHY BY SUN LEE – STYLING BY ERIC DOWN
01\ SEIKO PROSPEX S23627 LIMITED EDITION £3,000 02\ GLASHÜTTE ORIGINAL SEVENTIES CHRONOGRAPH PANORAMA DATE £10,800 03\ CALVIN KLEIN ACHIEVE £329
01
KIMONO £699 CAMILLA AT MATCHESFASHION.COM, RING £340 AURELIA BIDERMAN AT MATCHESFASHION.COM, SHIRT £225 PAUL SMITH AT MATCHESFASHION.COM, JUMPER (JUST SEEN) UNIVERSAL WORKS £200 AT MRPORTER.COM, JUMPER £360 ACNE STUDIOS AT MRPORTER.COM, RING £275 VERSACE AT SELFRIDGES
02
03
02
MODELS: PAIGE SHORT, KYRAN O’KEEFFE, GREG BLACKFORD ALL AT BODY LONDON | FASHION ASSISTANT: LAUREN MITCHELL | FOOD STYLIST: LUCY-RUTH HATHAWAY AT HERS AGENCY BLAZER £770 PAUL SMITH AT MATCHESFASHION.COM, SHIRT £130 AT LIBERTY LONDON, CARDIGAN £225 ALTEA AT MRPORTER.COM
01\ BULOVA CHRONOGRAPH C 96K101 £549
02\ RADO TRADITION CAPTAIN COOK MKIII £2,140
01
SHIRT £225 PAUL SMITH AT MATCHESFASHION.COM, JUMPER £880 PRADA AT MATCHESFASHION.COM, WHISKEY DECANTER £90 AND TALL GLASS £65 BOTH TOM DIXON AT SELFRIDGES GUTTER CREDIT
TIME MACHINE
01\ ZENITH CHRONOMASTER EL PRIMERO 38MM STEEL AND ROSE GOLD £6,700
02\ HAMILTON INTRA-MATIC AUTO CHRONO 40MM £1,930
02
01
01
FLORAL DRESS £242 DIANE VON FURTSENBURG AT MATCHESFASHION.COM, RING £90 KENDRA SCOTT AT SELFRIDGES, SHIRT £195 GITMAN VINTAGE AT MRPORTER.COM
TIME MACHINE 01\ TAG HEUER MONACO GULF £4,750
FLORAL DRESS £485 APC AT MATCHESFASHION.COM, RING £190 AURELIE BIDERMAN AT MATCHESFASHION.COM, CARDIGAN £225 ALTEA AT MRPORTER.COM, SHIRT £130 LIBERTY LONDON
01
02
01\ ORIS CHRONORIS DATE £1,450
02\ STRATON SPECIALE AUTOMATIC £920
01
Clocking In
What goes on behind the gates of the finest watch factories is invariably a process shrouded in mystery. Fortunately, Synchronised was granted rare access to Bremont HQ, crossing the threshold to discover what makes the trailblazing British brand tick PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG FUNNELL – WORDS BY MIKE SHALLCROSS
MH : 48
IN-HOUSE MOVEMENTS 02
03 04
In the world of watches, an exclusive club of elegance and precision, Bremont is a swashbuckling interloper: like Blackadder’s Lord Flashheart suddenly leaping on stage with Kraftwerk. The young British marque with an irresistible origin story produces a range of chunky, characterful chronometers that are built for adventure, and often from it. After all, what other brand crafts materials from battleships and fighter planes into its watches? To paraphrase another popular watchmaker, you never truly own a Bremont, you merely look after it for your inner little boy – the part of you that never stopped believing in tales of derring-do. There’s a wonderful passage in To Kill a Mockingbird, in which the narrator’s brother Jem is occasionally allowed to wear his grandfather’s
watch to school. On those days, he “walked on eggs”. With a Bremont, he probably could have dashed across a minefield. These watches are tested in polar weather and at oceanic depths – they are even shot out of planes to prove they make the grade. “On a few of our sports watches, the construction is quite unconventional,” says Stuart Duff, Bremont’s head watchmaker. “For those models, the movement is encased in a soft-iron Faraday cage to protect it from high electrical currents and magnetism, and then it is suspended in the case for shock absorbance, ensuring that it’s more robust. “No mechanical watch is indestructible, but you can set certain things into play to increase its resistance. With the Martin-Baker and U-2 models,
the bezels on top of the watches are hardened. Looking at a number of different brands, you can take the back off one of their watches and find it has quite a conventional assembly. What we do here is different.” Based in a small, barn-like building just outside Henley, Oxfordshire, Duff represents the old-world craft of the brand. A thoughtful, carefully spoken man, he was all set to join the Marines as a teenager before a shoulder injury made a career reassessment necessary. “I had seen a trainee watchmaker job advertised for the Signet Group and, as I’d always liked taking things apart, I thought I’d go for it as a temporary measure,” he says. “It was 1989. I enjoyed it so much that I stuck with it.” Almost 30 years later, he still has the bug. His small “workshop” actually has more in common with an operating
“WATCH PARTS NEED TO BE AS PRECISE AS WEAPON COMPONENTS”
MH : 49
(1) A manual watch-polishing station inside Bremont’s Henley-onThames manufacturing workshop (2) Bremont’s head watchmaker Stuart Duf (3) The Witschi Chronoscope M10 is used to test the performance of multiple watches at the same time (4) The workshop’s laser-engraving machine
theatre. The privileged few who are allowed to enter must don white coats and shoe covers, while the watchmakers sit in silence, plugged into headphones and focused on a series of microscopic tasks. The only perceptible movement comes from two cyclomats, or watch-winders, rotating in the centre of the room, laden with foam-bagged watches. They’re essentially miniature Ferris wheels used to simulate the movement of the wrist in order to carry out the most efficient testing.
EXACTING STANDARDS Outside, the early August sunshine is fearsome, but the workshop is luxuriously cool. “We can’t open windows because dust will get in, so we need air con,” explains Duff. “You don’t want to be perspiring in here. Cleanliness is possibly the hardest part of the job. We limit access and
have cleaners in all the time. The slightest speck of dirt can ruin a watch.” Besides overseeing the assembly and after-sales sides of the brand, Duff is handson with Bremont’s coveted limited-edition pieces. He tends to assemble them himself, and should you be the lucky owner of a Victory (which incorporates copper and timber from Nelson’s battleship), or a Codebreaker (which makes use of materials salvaged from Bletchley Park, where mathematicians cracked the Enigma code during the Second World War), he is the only person who can service them. “They have certain complications,” he explains. “I do enjoy working on those. They can be a bit more of a challenge. “I enjoy servicing. It’s quite therapeutic, if you don’t get any interruptions. It’s a lovely feeling, being able to make someone’s prized possession great again. Part of being a luxury watch brand means holding the materials for 25, 30, 35 years, so that clients can always have a piece serviced and returned to its original condition. There are a couple of exceptions, such as the Victory, which contains copper from Lord Nelson’s flagship of the same name. If that gets damaged, we can’t necessarily replace it. “If you have a luxury watch, you need to take care of it and maintain it as you would a car. Some people will wear a watch until it stops dead. But there are all the seals and gaskets to consider. If you leave it and water gets in and damages the dial, it can become expensive.”
There is a subset of Bremont’s special editions that’s even more exclusive – some of its military watches are not even pictured on its website and are only available to serving (and former) soldiers. “We make some special forces ones that we can’t photograph, because it would identify people if they were seen wearing one,” says Duff. “One that isn’t secret is the MBI,” he says, referring to a special edition of the watch developed in conjunction with Martin-Baker, manufacturer of the majority of the world’s ejection seats. While the MBII and MBIII are available to all, the MBI has to be earned the hard way. “It has a red barrel – if you ever see one, it means that the person wearing it has been ejected from a plane in a Martin-Baker ejection seat. They need to prove it before they’re allowed to buy one.” Duff’s favourite Bremont is a P-51, a limited edition from 2011 and a tribute to the Mustang P-51 fighter. He is something of a frustrated watch collector (“I built up a collection, but it tends to go down when you have three children”). But he now has his eye on a U-2/51-Jet, released this year as a sort of companion piece to the P-51, and to celebrate the centenary of the RAF’s 100 Squadron. It’s fascinating to hear him talk 06 about what draws
(5) Duf hard at work assembling the watches (6) Inside the Bremont workshop, in Henleyon-Thames (7) Manufacturing manager Tim Parker stands in front of a DMG Mori EcoMill 600V machine, used to produce thin, complex parts (8) A stainlesssteel watch bezel, seen in a CT500 6 axis-grinding machine
05
The Making of a Brand 2002 Bremont is founded by brothers Nick and Giles English
2002-2006 Bear Grylls and Charley Boorman test the mettle of Bremont prototypes by taking them on expeditions
2007 The first collection debuts with the ALT1-C, ALT1-P, ALT1-Z and the BC range
2008 Bremont becomes the oficial timing partner of the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Epsom Derby MH : 50
2010 Jaguar’s C-X75 is launched with a bespoke Bremont clock on its dashboard
2013 Polar explorer Ben Saunders wears the Terra Nova watch on an 1800-mile trek in Antarctica
2014 Boeing partners with Bremont to design a line of watches made from aviationgrade steel
IN-HOUSE MOVEMENTS him to a watch. “Personally, I don’t find the look of Patek Philippe watches attractive, but it’s the sheer quality of everything that goes into them – you’ve got to take your hat off to that. “I look at watches in a different way to your average Joe. They’ll be saying, ‘That’s a lovely watch,’ whereas I’m saying, ‘It’s the movement inside that is beautiful…’”
07 08
HEAVY METAL In the less bucolic setting of an anonymous industrial estate, manufacturing manager Tim Parker presides over the strength of the brand, manufacturing the parts that keep the watches ticking in adverse conditions. It’s a typical factory setting – a very different world to the cool, quiet workshop where the parts they make will be assembled into Bremont’s creations. The only visible trace of the company is half of the winning wingsail from Oracle Team USA’s historic comeback in the 34th America’s Cup, which runs across most of the length of the ceiling – a nod to the brand’s partnership for the 35th America’s Cup. On a long rack by the door, Parker shows me the raw materials that Bremont’s dreams are forged from: long, cylindrical rods of grade-316 stainless steel. Parker comes to the world of horology somewhat incongruously. His background is in defence. “I’ve been in engineering for 29 years. I started off as an apprentice in a gun factory and went on to work for companies that specialise in aerospace and defence,” he says. “At my last company, we made 20mm naval guns, 30mm aircraft cannons, 84mm rocket launchers and some sniper rifles.” It might seem like a radical change of direction. But Parker sees it as a logical step. “I like manufacturing complex components,” he says. “With
weapons manufacturing, it’s quite important that whatever you make works the first time, wherever you are in the world. Watch components are much smaller, but need to be just as precise – there are similar principles.” Bremont’s objective is to produce as many parts as it can in-house, and the technical challenges of this are formidable. Parker’s description of the production of a plate, on which a watch’s mechanics are mounted, makes most brain surgeons sound a little flighty. “The holes that we drill in it range from 0.3mm in diameter to just over 1mm, but the tolerances are ±3microns, which are extraordinarily tight.” It’s an understatement. To give you a little perspective, the width of a human hair is 75-100 microns. In one corner of the room, four glass-screened machines with chunky PCs bolted to them are in motion. Working around the clock, they will produce up to 800 bezels a month, and they are Parker’s pride and joy. “Bezels are milled with multiple planes. They are complex 3D surfaces,” he says. “I don’t know of anyone in the UK who is manufacturing bezels in the same quantity as we are.” His own timepiece of choice is a ALT1-WT World Timer, a pilot’s watch that even Bremont describes as “wonderfully over-engineered”. “More is more for me,” Parker laughs. He is similarly maximalist in terms of his own role, with an ambition to “make everything ourselves” as the company continues to grow – and to revive a preFirst World War tradition of British watchmaking. “We are manufacturing things now that people said we couldn’t do. It just takes time and effort to develop that expertise.” That adventure continues, and it’s keeping perfect time.
“WE’RE MAKING THINGS PEOPLE ONCE SAID WE COULDN’T – IT TAKES TIME ”
2015 Kingsman: The Secret Service watches are launched and worn on screen by Colin Firth, Mark Strong and Taron Egerton
2017 The 1918 is launched. It uses materials from wartime aircraft, including a Spitfire and a Hurricane
2018 Tom Hardy wears Bremont’s RAF-inspired U-2/51-Jet in science fiction thriller Venom
M H : 51
MH : 52
COMIC TIMING
MH : 53
MH : 54
COMIC TIMING
MH : 55
MH : 56
COMIC TIMING
MH : 57
DEFINING MOMENTS
60 SECONDS THAT CHANGED MY LIFE
In the world of sport and exploration, a matter of moments can make all the difference between glory and defeat. Here, eight inspiring men share the flashpoints of their illustrious careers WORDS BY SHANE C KURUP
10 SEPTEMBER 2015 10.00AM
GUILLAUME NERY FACES DEEP TROUBLE Pushing himself to the limit at the 2015 Aida Individual Depth Championships, the record-breaking French freediver nearly loses his life in the fathomless depths I was feeling confident after breaking my own record a few days earlier with a dive of 126m. That was just two metres short of the world record – so, at the World Championships precompetition, I decided to top it with 129m. During the descent, I started to feel it was taking too long. I looked down and didn’t realise I was already at 134m. On the way back up, I was swimming slower for the final 20m before I reached
the surface. Then I blacked out. I don’t remember what happened next. My safety divers brought me up: I wasn’t breathing, so they tried to revive me. I’d spent three minutes and 40 seconds underwater. Slowly, I regained consciousness, but my lungs were damaged. I looked at the dive computer and what I saw was terrifying – it had logged me at 139m. I didn’t make the record because I blacked out, but the near-death experience made me decide it was time to stop breaking records. NÉRY WEARS PANERAI LUMINOR SUBMERSIBLE 1950 AMAGNETIC 3 DAYS AUTOMATIC TITANIO £9,300
MH : 59
DEFINING MOMENTS 23 JULY 2017 4.18PM
ALESSANDRO DE ROSE EARNS HIS FIRST CLIFFDIVING VICTORY The daredevil diver faces his fears to triumph at the Red Bull Clif-Diving World Series 2017 in his native Italy As I walked up to the platform, I was thinking, “Will the dive be good? Will I get hurt?” I just had to tell myself I could do it. Jumping is bizarre: you’re terrified to do it, but the adrenalin is so addictive that you want to anyway. I was going through hell as I fell head first, 27m into the sea. It’s scary, but you also feel like a bird flying through the air, and that beats the fear. It was over in seconds. Everything changed for me, because I’d never won anything before.
20 MAY 2013 1.01PM
KENTON COOL CONQUERS THE ROOF OF THE WORLD The explorer becomes the first climber to summit three Himalayan peaks in one push, facing tragedy in the process DE ROSE WEARS TIMEX COMMAND X RED BULL CLIFF-DIVING 54MM RESIN STRAP WATCH £110
13 AUGUST 2016 11.51PM
MICHAEL PHELPS BOWS OUT ON A GOLDEN HIGH History’s most decorated Olympian brings home gold in his final race as a member of Team USA
COOL WEARS MONTBLANC 1858 AUTOMATIC CHRONOGRAPH £3,480
We climbed Nuptse first, which was much harder than I’d expected – it took about 18 hours. The following day, we climbed Everest, which actually went very smoothly. But things became complicated on Lhotse, the final peak. On this climb, we found ourselves
The Americans had never lost the 4x100m medley relay in Olympic history and, deep down, I had a good feeling we were going to win. I wanted to enjoy that last race, that last walk out, that last medal ceremony. I wanted to grasp every single emotion and take a mental photo of that moment. I knew when I dived in that I needed to catch up with people. The breaststroke leg by Team GB’s Adam Peaty was unbelievable, and Australia had a good front half. I started by getting as far as I could underwater – it’s a strength of mine, and I knew how to use it
involved in an attempt to save a person’s life – a Taiwanese climber called Mr Li. I spent all night trying to resuscitate him after he went into cardiac arrest, but I failed to keep him alive. He died in my arms at around four in the morning. That had a profound effect on me. I just wanted to quit, there and then. It was my Sherpa friend Dorje who said, “There’s nothing we can do about it. Let’s finish what we
started.” When we reached the summit, it was snowing so hard you couldn’t see anything. At that moment, I thought, “Thank God, let’s just get it over with. Let’s get down.” The death of Mr Li had thrown me out of kilter mentally, and I just wanted to be out of it. When I got back to base camp and sat down with a beer, I remember thinking, “Did I just do that? Did that actually happen?”
to my advantage. There were some great competitors in the mix, and I was certain that if I was close to anyone at the final 50m, when everyone starts to get tired, we’d have it in the bag. It was my moment to get ahead. I knew we would win. I remember hitting the last wall almost smiling. To be able to share the podium with the men in my team, who counted on each other to do a job and earn that gold, is an amazing feeling. There’s no better way to cap off a career. It was the cherry on top of more than 20 years of competing.
MH : 60
PHELPS WEARS OMEGA SEAMASTER PLANET OCEAN 600M MICHAEL PHELPS LIMITED EDITION £6,100
DEFINING MOMENTS
26 MARCH 2017 10.02AM
DUSTIN JOHNSON MAKES GOLFING HISTORY Victorious at the WGC-Dell Match Play, the world No1 becomes the first golfer ever to have won each of the four World Golf Championships
27 MAY 2018 4.53PM
DANIEL RICCIARDO BEATS THE ODDS TO WIN THE MONACO GRAND PRIX
PHELPS PHOTOGRAPH: CARLOS SERRAO
The Australian Grand Prix driver overcomes his engine troubles to take the crown at the world’s most prestigious Formula 1 race I listen to music religiously before I race. My song for Monaco was “Shoota” by Playboi Carti. Hip hop was my genre of choice that day, but the lyrics of this song were particularly important. They start with the words: “Now is my time.” It was fitting – I believed it was my time. When I lost a chunk of power at lap 28, it was deflating. I
thought, “What have I got to do to win this race?” I’d missed out two years at Monaco; I started to feel I was destined not to win. But then I thought, “OK, the cards have been dealt,” and quickly became more positive. “I’m going win despite my disadvantage,” I told myself. It actually motivated me more. When I had 50 laps left, however, I started growing concerned: “How will I finish? How are the tyres going to last? How can I hold off Sebastian [Vettel]?” So, I set myself a simple goal – to get through the next 30 laps – because if
RICCIARDO WEARS TAG HEUER CARRERA CALIBRE HEUER 01 £4,800 I was still leading after that, I knew no one would beat me. When I crossed the finish line, I felt an enormous sense of relief and redemption. Not just for this race but my previous attempts. I’d finally won.
MH : 61
The WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play is a great but gruelling five days. It’s a test of your physical and mental fitness, particularly as you play so many rounds. I started with my confidence at an all-time high. I cruised through my first five matches, but the weekend was tough. Hideto Tanihara played really well in our semifinal match and kept it close until the end but, fortunately, I survived. My final match against Jon Rahm was wild, and I eventually won with a slim one-up lead. I felt immense pride when I realised what I’d accomplished, especially as I was the first to do it. Winning these matches is never easy and always a huge achievement. JOHNSON WEARS HUBLOT BIG BANG UNICO GOLF £26,000
DEFINING MOMENTS
31 OCTOBER 2015 2.16PM
MAX WHITLOCK MAKES BRITAIN PROUD AT THE 2015 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS The gymnast becomes the first British man to win gold on the pommel at the World Gymnastics Championships, beating Olympic team-mate Louis Smith in the process I had recently recovered from glandular fever and had something to prove to myself, as I hadn’t competed well all year. I felt pressure, because it was a home competition in Glasgow, and we had a lot of support. I made the pommel final and reached the top eight, but the crazy thing is that, walking through the tunnel, my coach and I decided to change my routine to increase the difficulty level and improve my start score. I increased it by a tenth: it’s a small margin, but it elevates the risk factor. We felt it was the right move to make at that point, but the pressure went up. That moment stands out for me, because I went and performed that routine to the level I wanted to. The difficulty had been raised by a tenth, and I actually won by a tenth. That decision resulted in a gold medal for Team GB. WHITLOCK WEARS LONGINES CONQUEST VHP GOLD COAST 2018 COMMONWEALTH GAMES £720
15 JULY 2014 5.01PM
ASH DYKES COMES CLOSE TO DEATH CROSSING THE GOBI DESERT The self-taught adventurer almost dies alone in the Gobi Desert during a 1,500-mile, unsupported expedition from west to east Mongolia After walking for weeks, I was slowly dehydrating myself. The Gobi was roasting: 40°C and higher. I was delirious, starting to hallucinate, and I had a bad temperature. By this point, I’d had no more than a litre of hot water to drink for four days. My lips had started to blister; my eyes were red and bloodshot. It felt as though my insides were turning to dust – it was awful. The only way out of this dark
MH : 63
situation was to stand up, strap on my 120kg trailer and carry on walking. It was like pulling a concrete block through hell. I got my watch out and timed myself, spending no more than five minutes under the trailer for shade. Then, on the dot, I would walk up to 200m. When I finally reached the community I was aiming for, I was taken into a room and collapsed on the bed as the locals brought in lots of fluid. The room filled up with 11 or 12 people, and they sat there looking at me in a way that said, “Holy shit, this guy’s just
DYKES WEARS BALL WATCH COMPANY ENGINEER II MAGNETO S £2,720 come from the Gobi, walking.” I took maybe 10 gulps of water, and I was full because my belly had shrunk. I just remember drinking it and closing my eyes and thinking it tasted like a banana milkshake. It was just heaven to be able to drink it in the shade, under shelter.
SYNCHRONISED
STOCKISTS A BREMONT ALT1-ZT/51 IN THE MAKING
A
B
C
Acne Studios at mrporter.com A Lange & Söhne alange-soehne.com Altea at mrporter.com APC at matchesfashion.com Audemars Piguet audemarspiguet.com Aurélie Bidermann at matchesfashion.com — Ball Watch Company ballwatch.com Baume & Mercier baume-et-mercier.com Bell & Ross bellross.com Blancpain blancpain.com Bravur bravurwatches.com Breitling breitling.com Bulgari bulgari.com Bulova bulova.com — Calvin Klein calvinklein.co.uk Camilla at matchesfashion.com Cartier cartier.co.uk Certina certina.com Chanel chanel.com Christopher Ward christopherward.co.uk Citizen citizenwatch.co.uk
D
F G
H
I J
Corum corum-watches.com — Diane von Furstenberg at matchesfashion.com — Fabergé faberge.com — Gitman Vintage at mrporter.com Glashütte Original glashuette-original.com Graff graffdiamonds.com Grand Seiko grand-seiko.com Greubel Forsey at marcuswatches.com Gucci gucci.com — Hamilton hamiltonwatch.com Hublot hublot.com — IWC iwc.com — Jacob & Co jacobandco.com Jaeger-LeCoultre 13 Old Bond Street, London W1S 4SX Jaquet Droz at arije.com Junghans at watches-ofswitzerland.co.uk —
K
L
M
N
O
P
Kendra Scott at selfridges.com Komono komono.com — Liberty London libertylondon.com Longines longines.co.uk Luminox luminox.com — Maurice Lacroix mauricelacroix.com MeisterSinger meistersinger.com Mondaine mondaine.com Montblanc montblanc.com — Nomos Glashütte nomos-glashuette.com — Omega omegawatches.com Oris oris.ch — Panerai 30 New Bond Street London W1S 2RW Patek Philippe patek.com Paul Smith at matchesfashion.com Phillips Auctions phillips.com Prada at matchesfashion.com —
MH : 65
R
S
T
U
V
Z
Rado rado.com Richard Mille richardmille.com Roger Dubuis rogerdubuis.com Rolex rolex.com — Seiko seiko.co.uk Shinola shinola.co.uk Straton Watch Co stratonwc.com Swatch swatch.com — Tag Heuer tagheuer.com Thomas Sabo thomassabo.com Timex timex.co.uk Tissot tissotwatches.com Tom Dixon at selfridges.com Tudor tudorwatch.com — Ulysse Nardin ulysse-nardin.com Universal Works at mrporter.com Urwerk urwerk.com — Versace at selfridges.com Victorinox victorinox.com Visconti at jurawatches.co.uk — Zenith zenith-watches.com
PUZZLER
A TEST OF TIME Have you been paying attention or clocking off? Keep those grey cells ticking with our horological puzzles, which incorporate clues hidden throughout this issue of Synchronised
1
2
6
9
10
11
12
13
14
16
17
18
15
19
20 21
22
23
24
25 26
27
29
Watch Words Test your sartorial smarts with our crossword. Then, rearrange the letters in the grey squares to spell a type of chronograph that can record two times at once (11). The answers are at the bottom.
Across
B/
8 5 6 7 2 4 1 1 3 5 4 8 3 2 6 2 1 4 5 3 8 7 8 9 4 2 2 5 1 3 8 7
Beat the Clock Fill the grid using numbers from one to nine. Each number must appear once in every column, row and 3x3 square. When completed correctly, the numbers in grey squares, reading top to bottom, will answer the following question: In what year did Rolex invent its water-resistant Oyster case technology?
Down
2/ Rotate, turn (your wrist 1/ Luxury watchmaker behind to wind a watch) (5) the Techframe Ferrari and Big 3/ Swiss brand behind the Bang MP-11 (6) T-Race, and oficial timekeeper 3/ “Little brother” of Rolex that of the Tour de France (6) makes 6 Down (5) 4/ Face of a watch or clock (4) 8/ Fashion _______, those who 5/ A style revived from the past, follow watch fads slavishly, rather such as Omega’s Seamaster Diver than appreciate a classic piece (7) 300m, an update on designs worn 9/ Cuppa – there’s always by the British army during the time for it (3) Second World War (5) 10/ Hope or ambition (to one 6/ _____ Bay, diver series by 3 day own the Ulysse Nardin Across, including 2018’s Pepsi (5) Freak Vision) (10) 7/ City near Switzerland known 12/ Tome – A Brief History of as France’s watch capital (8) Time by Professor Stephen 8/ Deadly snake lending its name Hawking, for example (4) to the 13 Across tourbillon (5) 13/ Tag Heuer sports watch range, 11/ _____ to disagree (that when inspired by the famous race event it comes to watches, big is bad of the same name, that celebrated and small is sexy) (5) its 55th anniversary this year (7) 12/ Public transport vehicle that 14/ A chronograph watch’s screwnever seems to arrive on time (3) in, drive-in or rectangular stud (6) 14/ Pleased, thrilled (that your 16/ Minor irritation (that your boss noticed your Thomas mate has the Cartier Santos DONE? USE THE Sabo Rebel Icon) (5) reissue you wanted for LETTERS IN THE 15/ To have put money Christmas!) (6) GREY SQUARES TO SPELL A WATCH down to hold a limited18/ _______ Memovox, THAT RECORDS TWO edition timekeeper (8) 1968 diver that inspired TIMES AT ONCE 17/ Watch with a third hand Jaeger-LeCoultre’s new showing another time zone (1,1,1) sports collection (7) 19/ Cuban ballroom dance in 21/ Not hard to the touch, but which timing is everything (5) smooth like a leather strap (4) 20/ Disreputable in a rakish way, 23/ Type of watch suited to like that charmer pedalling fake jet-setters, with a 4 Down that Cartiers from his coat lining (6) can display 24 time zones (10) 21/ Company behind 24 Down, 26/ Company still ticking over whose “Grand” arm made the 9F after 150 years, known for its 25th Anniversary Edition (5) perpetual calendar (1,1,1) 22/ Truths, certainties – the first 27/ Brand behind DS PH200M, chronograph worn in orbit was one of a number producing Breitling’s Navitimer Cosmonaute mid-century-inspired divers (7) in 1962, for example (5) 28/ _____ McQueen, actor who 24/ Afordable quartz watch wore a Tag Heuer chronograph brand by 21 Down (5) in 1971’s Le Mans (5) 25/ Glowing solution applied 29/ The Rolling ______, rock icons to watch hands (4) who sang “Time Is on My Side” (6)
SUDOKU ANSWER: 1926. CROSSWORD ANSWERS: ACROSS 1 HUBLOT, 3 TUDOR, 8 VICTIMS, 9 TEA, 10 ASPIRATION, 12 BOOK, 13 CARRERA, 14 PUSHER, 16 NIGGLE, 18 POLARIS, 21 SOFT, 23 WORLDTIMER, 26 IWC, 27 CERTINA, 28 STEVE, 29 STONES. DOWN 2 TWIST, 3 TISSOT, 4 DIAL, 5 RETRO, 6 BLACK, 7 BESANCON, 8 VIPER, 11 AGREE, 12 BUS, 14 PROUD, 15 RESERVED, 17 GMT, 19 RUMBA, 20 LOUCHE, 21 SEIKO, 22 FACTS, 24 LORUS, 25 LUME. HIDDEN WATCH RATTRAPANTE
MH : 66
GAMES EDITOR: CHERYL FOREMAN | ROGER DUBUIS EXCALIBUR SPIDER PIRELLI DOUBLE FLYING TOURBILLON £278,000
Haute horology is all about attention to detail, so challenge yours by spotting the six diferences between these two images of Roger Dubuis’s Excalibur Spider Skeleton watch.
6
5
8
Face Of
9 7 3
4
7
28
A/
3