Finding the Facts in Fitness Magazines

I am a bit of a magazine junkie.

I think it has something to do with my very short attention span. Articles are quick and easy to read and I can pick it up and put it down at will.

I am especially fond of food and fitness magazines (big surprise) and enjoy reading about recipes and that latest in exercise.

But wait...



How do you know if you can rely on the fitness information you find in your favourite magazine?  Here are a couple of things to think about.

How Credible is the Magazine?
Some magazines are meant to be fun and taken with a grain of salt.  Others are offering serious fitness advice, so you want to see if they have the resources to back up their claims.

Ask yourself:
Does the magazine have a reputation of being well-respected and factual?
Do they have an advisory board or roaster of top experts in the industry?

Who Wrote It
When I am pitching a story idea, I list all of my qualifications and consult 2-3 sources.  Especially for topics that fall outside of my expertise.  Information about the author is not always available in the magazine, but you should be able to Google most published writers.

Ask yourself:
Did the article quote an expert source?
Are these sources credible?
Does the article have a byline so you can learn more about the author?

Opinion Vs. Fact
Some articles are simply the author voicing his/her opinion on a particular subject. This should be noted somewhere in the article.

This could also include an interview style article, where the interviewee is sharing tips (Like the example above from Fitness Magazine).  The information may very well be sound advice, but do your own research to see what other experts have to say about the topic.

Ask yourself:
Is this an opinion or interview piece?
Does the information come from a respectable source that I trust?


Remember that the face of fitness in constantly changing.  What we believe to be true today, may be proven false tomorrow.  Always do your homework and consult for health practitioner if you unsure.


Which health magazine is your favourite?  Do you believe everything you read in magazines?

Stay Healthy,
Tracy