Magazine Group Activity- Jeff, Lori, Nate, Junho

For our group activity we were told to look at different ads that were placed in fitness magazines and for each of those ads we had to figure out which category that each ad represented and also look at the similarities between male and female fitness magazines. The magazine we chose to examine was the fitness magazine Shape which was the August 2008 issue and for the first category Dietary supplements we were able to find that shape magazine had about 14% of ads that had to do with dietary or ads that had dietary in them. We also found that shape magazine had some food ads in it as well, we found about 27% of food ads in that magazine which we found kind off odd because in a fitness magazine you don't think that they would have any food ads in them just ads about fitness or ads helping to maintain a certain body image that people think they need. We also found two ads that had dealt with body equipment we found that very odd as well because you would think they would have more body equipment ads in the magazine as well. We found 6% of clothing ads in the magazine and the highest percentage of ads we found in the magazine which was cosmetics which came to 28%; I don't think they should really put cosmetics into a fitness magazine because it doesn't fit with the purpose of the magazine at all. I don't see how any type of cosmetics will help you stay fit, it will help you with facial features but I don't see how it will help you in fitness. Also some of the themes in the magazines where odd too which were directed towards the women, many of the ads encouraged women to prevent or fight wrinkles or signs of aging. Also they promote eating healthy for women which is a popular ad in women's magazines. In conclusion we were able to find that in women's magazines they bring light on women on their physical appearance and focus on their facial appearance more so than trying to help them stay fit.