"Fighting Fit" Magazine
Discussion
I've mentioned this in a couple of responses to other threads but wonder if anyone else on here has read, or subscribes to, it? Just received the Dec/Jan copy today.
It's from the publishers of Boxing News, £4.35 for an issue (bi-monthly) but cheaper per copy as a subscriber. It focuses on training and nutrition specific to sports, especially MMA and boxing but includes lots on other aspects too, even in passing, and some interviews/profiles of athletes. There are some good, regular (and seemingly well qualified trainers) as writers + professional guest writers from sports every month.
Personally I think it's fantastic and thought others might be interested hence the 'tip-off', especially as so many on here seem to be into MMA, boxing or other sports where stuff like interval training, 'cross-fit', anaerobic training, core work etc. is a priority.
Disclaimer wise I don't work for them, honest! The only vested interest in sparking interest is I don't want it to go bust and get pulled! I wonder how much they make (or lose?) on it given what I'd imagine to be a relatively small target market and the expensive looking glossy production values. Anyway, for anybody interested in sports and fitness and after a good read I'd suggest giving it a try . .
It's from the publishers of Boxing News, £4.35 for an issue (bi-monthly) but cheaper per copy as a subscriber. It focuses on training and nutrition specific to sports, especially MMA and boxing but includes lots on other aspects too, even in passing, and some interviews/profiles of athletes. There are some good, regular (and seemingly well qualified trainers) as writers + professional guest writers from sports every month.
Personally I think it's fantastic and thought others might be interested hence the 'tip-off', especially as so many on here seem to be into MMA, boxing or other sports where stuff like interval training, 'cross-fit', anaerobic training, core work etc. is a priority.
Disclaimer wise I don't work for them, honest! The only vested interest in sparking interest is I don't want it to go bust and get pulled! I wonder how much they make (or lose?) on it given what I'd imagine to be a relatively small target market and the expensive looking glossy production values. Anyway, for anybody interested in sports and fitness and after a good read I'd suggest giving it a try . .
Martial Arts Man said:
It'll be gone within 12 months. Anyone wanna bet a £10 for charity?
This is a really hard sector to run a successful magazine in (I know, I used to own a few).
So, any takers?
Well, I'll be really gutted if it does go. I get Fighters Only, Boxing News, Boxing Monthly and if Flex or M&F have decent articles on sports related training those too but I'd give them all up to keep Fighting Fit. This is a really hard sector to run a successful magazine in (I know, I used to own a few).
So, any takers?
I do wonder how they can afford the production values/quality unless it sells more than I could imagine likely. If I keep plugging it maybe they'll get 3 more buyers - that should do the trick!
Which mags did you own (as a publisher? Or am I reading it wrong?)
ShadownINja said:
Martial Arts Man said:
It'll be gone within 12 months. Anyone wanna bet a £10 for charity?
This is a really hard sector to run a successful magazine in (I know, I used to own a few).
So, any takers?
I owe myself £10. I bet you'd write that in this thread. This is a really hard sector to run a successful magazine in (I know, I used to own a few).
So, any takers?
Am I that predictable?
Lost_BMW said:
Martial Arts Man said:
It'll be gone within 12 months. Anyone wanna bet a £10 for charity?
This is a really hard sector to run a successful magazine in (I know, I used to own a few).
So, any takers?
Well, I'll be really gutted if it does go. I get Fighters Only, Boxing News, Boxing Monthly and if Flex or M&F have decent articles on sports related training those too but I'd give them all up to keep Fighting Fit. This is a really hard sector to run a successful magazine in (I know, I used to own a few).
So, any takers?
I do wonder how they can afford the production values/quality unless it sells more than I could imagine likely. If I keep plugging it maybe they'll get 3 more buyers - that should do the trick!
Which mags did you own (as a publisher? Or am I reading it wrong?)
I have no doubt that the initial circulation of FFmag is quite high; they all start that way. One of the new entrants last year allegedly pumped out 90,000 copies only to sell less than 5K!!!
Mag publishing is a cut-throat world; if you don't sell enough, you get cut from the shops. No ifs, buts or maybes. In fact, even if you do sell loads, it is hard to stay on the shelves (another topic for another thread).
The real problem is that the advertisers in the ringsport sector are traditionally used to paying very low rates and have relationships with existing publications combined with insufficient funding to advertise across all platforms. It is a leap of faith to spend, what I presume will be enormous page fees, with a new publication. It is worth noting also that the kit suppliers are suffering as badly as everyone else economically, right now.
The other thing to remember is that ringsport in the UK is tiny, participants-wise. How many folk will buy this mag month in month out for a period of time? The pros....nope, they have their own coaches. The "wannabe fighters".....maybe for a while, but these flights of fancy rarely last long in this game. This is my concern.
Despite what the UFC would have you believe, I can count on my fingers the number of "proper" gyms in the UK. The numbers of participants in MMA, or for that matter KB, MT or Boxing, is miniscule. And to make matters worse, participants in these sports don't ever actually buy all the kit that the advertisers in the Ringsport world sell. If you've ever been to serious gym, you will know that money is always tight and kit is often shared and then used till it dies. Added to this is that most instructors of any martial art only allow their students to buy training kit directly off them (usually citing lies about insurance etc), rather than directly from a retailer. It's a tough game. I just hope that BoxingNewsFolk know all this....!
A problem I faced regularly in the past was that most fighters/gyms/instructors will only buy one copy of a magazine and let everyone peruse it at their leisure. This is a problem for everyone involved in the chain. The number of readers cannot be proven to advertisers and the publisher only get's one mag's worth of revenue.
To give you some idea, I reckon that FF prob costs 60-70p to print, per copy. Distributors will take 50% of the cover price. This model clearly works if you have substantial sales, but otherwise, it can be very tough. The costs just add up, sending and paying journos to produce excellent copy, photographers worth their salt are expensive etc etc etc.
We always ran our mags on the basis of low costs, decent circulation and mostly contributors pieces and photos (edited by one copywriter). The high quality, high cost model in this sector is a massive gamble!
FO is an exception, but ambitious publishers beware....they get a lot of "help" from certain large, global promoters (no names
) in many ways that would lead me to receive a writ (not for the first time) if I told you.The funny thing is, I had the idea for this training focussed magazine a number of years back; at the time, (and things were much healthier back then, before all the supplement co.s reigned back their spending and everyone thought themselves the next Dana White etc). I just thought it was too big a risk (new publications of this order require at least 100K to get off the ground....) at the time.
I hope it goes well for them with all sincerity. I have just been in this game for too long not to be sceptical.
There have been, FO excepted (first in and all that),ZERO martial arts or ringsport magazines to launch successfully in over 10 years.
Only time will tell I guess. It would certainly be nice to be proven wrong. I have vested interests that would gain incredibly if the sector was to grow in a way we have yet to see.
Oh, BTW, I have a non-disclosure agreement regarding my old publishing company in place. I'll tell you in 4 years
Still trying to find it locally!
Power Slam has started branching out into MMA. Of course they covered the odd cross over from the original UFC events back in '93, but now they have a regular section. Most likely now thanks to the big wrestling names who think they can earn the same money in MMA.
Power Slam has started branching out into MMA. Of course they covered the odd cross over from the original UFC events back in '93, but now they have a regular section. Most likely now thanks to the big wrestling names who think they can earn the same money in MMA.
Halb said:
Still trying to find it locally!
Power Slam has started branching out into MMA. Of course they covered the odd cross over from the original UFC events back in '93, but now they have a regular section. Most likely now thanks to the big wrestling names who think they can earn the same money in MMA.
It should be in your local newsagent's order catalogue.Power Slam has started branching out into MMA. Of course they covered the odd cross over from the original UFC events back in '93, but now they have a regular section. Most likely now thanks to the big wrestling names who think they can earn the same money in MMA.
They'll be able to sort it for you.
Unfortunately I can't say I'm surprised at your concerns and the (daunting) figures you quote and wonder how long I'll still get my fix!
I've only ever seen it twice in shops - luckily bought the 1st copy and realised it was going to appeal enough to get it every issue so took advantage of the (pretty good) subscription offer.
Looks like I might have to take up walking the streets with a sandwich board pushing it! In the meantime in the doing my bit thing for those who haven't caught it is a link to their website
http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/BN08/FightingFit/
I've only ever seen it twice in shops - luckily bought the 1st copy and realised it was going to appeal enough to get it every issue so took advantage of the (pretty good) subscription offer.
Looks like I might have to take up walking the streets with a sandwich board pushing it! In the meantime in the doing my bit thing for those who haven't caught it is a link to their website
http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/BN08/FightingFit/
Martial Arts Man said:
Halb said:
Still trying to find it locally!
Power Slam has started branching out into MMA. Of course they covered the odd cross over from the original UFC events back in '93, but now they have a regular section. Most likely now thanks to the big wrestling names who think they can earn the same money in MMA.
It should be in your local newsagent's order catalogue.Power Slam has started branching out into MMA. Of course they covered the odd cross over from the original UFC events back in '93, but now they have a regular section. Most likely now thanks to the big wrestling names who think they can earn the same money in MMA.
They'll be able to sort it for you.
If it is good I will order back copies. Have to say bit surprised at the amount of MMA mags, alongside this and Fighters Only.
Halb said:
Martial Arts Man said:
Halb said:
Still trying to find it locally!
Power Slam has started branching out into MMA. Of course they covered the odd cross over from the original UFC events back in '93, but now they have a regular section. Most likely now thanks to the big wrestling names who think they can earn the same money in MMA.
It should be in your local newsagent's order catalogue.Power Slam has started branching out into MMA. Of course they covered the odd cross over from the original UFC events back in '93, but now they have a regular section. Most likely now thanks to the big wrestling names who think they can earn the same money in MMA.
They'll be able to sort it for you.
If it is good I will order back copies. Have to say bit surprised at the amount of MMA mags, alongside this and Fighters Only.
Honestly 'don't think you'll be disappointed.
Halb said:
Well I went to a decent one, WH SMith and it had it, with Pud on the front. Looks good from brief scan, wont have time to read kit now till Tues.
If it is good I will order back copies. Have to say bit surprised at the amount of MMA mags, alongside this and Fighters Only.
Have you had chance to read it and make any judgments yet?If it is good I will order back copies. Have to say bit surprised at the amount of MMA mags, alongside this and Fighters Only.
Do you rate it?
Yes I do. Thought it was very good. Only glimpsed at the fitness pointers but I like what I read.
Also liked the Marius article. Was not aware that he was not the greatest at maximal strength. Made me look more at the IFSA, Arnold classic and Fortissimos. I shall deffo get the next issue.
What exercises were covered in the first three?
Also liked the Marius article. Was not aware that he was not the greatest at maximal strength. Made me look more at the IFSA, Arnold classic and Fortissimos. I shall deffo get the next issue.
What exercises were covered in the first three?
Halb said:
Yes I do. Thought it was very good. Only glimpsed at the fitness pointers but I like what I read.
Also liked the Marius article. Was not aware that he was not the greatest at maximal strength. Made me look more at the IFSA, Arnold classic and Fortissimos. I shall deffo get the next issue.
What exercises were covered in the first three?
Glad to hear you liked it - thought I'd need to owe you the cost if you didn't given how much I pushed it!Also liked the Marius article. Was not aware that he was not the greatest at maximal strength. Made me look more at the IFSA, Arnold classic and Fortissimos. I shall deffo get the next issue.
What exercises were covered in the first three?
I'll have to dig out the copies and get back to you re. the exercise etc. (it's one of the few magazines I can afford - space wise - to keep so I'm going to build a 'library' of it for as long as it survives.)
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