Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2018 i Men's Health South Africa

DRINKS 15 & 26 MAY WHISKY & WINE You drink wine, right? Whisky? You need to snag tickets to the Kaya Wine and Whisky Affair in Joburg. The event celebrates the world’s best barrel-born drinks with a selection of over 100 wines and 75 whiskies. Pro tip: keep your ears pricked for the Half-Time Bell – it signals the arrival of extremely rare spirits, which are yours to sip for just 15 minutes. Visit webtickets.co.za. FOOD FRESHEST CATCH:TUNA The gold standard of muscle meals, packing 25g of protein and less than 5g of fat into a single 85g (730kJ) portion. This month starts with a global ode to this fish in the form of World Tuna Day. It’s both an invitation to tuck in and a reminder that sustainably managed…

Francois van Coke is playing to the crowd. There’s no guitar, microphone or amp, just a loaded barbell – and a few people listening to his gravelly, award-winning baritone. But then the mood changes. The people disperse, and it’s just Van Coke and the barbell, his easy-going smile replaced by a focused glare. He grips the bar and 3, 2, 1, lifts with the same confidence and concentration he shows each time he picks up his guitar. He’s here to sweat, not sing; but this is his stage, and he’s here to perform. As a child, Van Coke was very active; he played rugby, reaching his peak in Standard 5 when he played Craven Week. He continued to play through high school, and even after school, in club rugby. But…

YAMAHA XT250 The venerable old XT is the original dual-purpose bike. No-nonsense, single-cylinder 4-stroke 250cc, good for low-down grunt. Much loved and trusted. yamaha.co.za R59 995 VESPA GTV SEI GIORNI Not cheap, but the looks make up for it: the ultimate retro style machine, with a mudguard headlight – opt for the chrome luggage rack option too for total cool. vespa.co.za R159 950 HONDA CRF250 RALLY Another single-cylinder, Honda’s CRF250 Rally buys some visual and reputational credibility from its legendary big brother, the African Twin. honda.co.za R84 999 TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE S Triumph takes the fight to the Harley of the same name, offering just as much heritage but a lot more track kudos. Street fight ahead… triumphmotorcycles.com Price still to be released. KAWASAKI VERSYS-X 300 The big daddy Versys 1000 is the best-value…

Rob Shaul doesn’t judge workouts the same way you do, and he doesn’t care about the size of your biceps. As a trainer, his only concern is how you perform when it counts. “Fitness training must have a ‘mission direct’ impact,” says Shaul, a US Coast Guard Academy grad. It’s that impact that mountain athletes and the military seek when they venture to his Mountain Tactical Institute in Jackson, Wyoming, where the population (9 577) barely outpaces the elevation (1 901m). They come to be schooled in functional fitness that’s geared towards survival in dangerous professions. “Training should improve mission performance,” Shaul says. Here’s how to elevate your workouts to achieve that standard. THE BIG PICTURE Understand what you’ll need to fulfil your goals. Anyone can put together a circuit…

1. Static Hold Stand on a box beneath your pull-up bar and jump to the top position of the pull-up. Hold there for as long as you can, squeezing your back muscles. Aim for three 20-second holds. 2. Negative Pull-up Stand on a box beneath the bar and jump to the top position. Hold for just a moment; then slowly lower yourself. This lowering process should take 5 seconds. Do 3 sets of 5 like this. 3. Inverted Row Grab TRX handles above you; lean back until you’re at a 45- degree angle to the floor. Pull your elbows backwards and return to the start. That’s 1 rep. Do 3 sets of 15.…

Dead-Hang Pull-up At the bottom of the pull-up, you fully relax all your shoulder and back muscles, and pause. From there, you pull up. PROS You’re using a full range of motion, which means you get a good stretch on all your back muscles. The pause minimises cheating. CONS You’re leaving your shoulder ligaments vulnerable to strains. Constant-Tension This is the gold standard pull-up described at left; you maintain tension in your back at the bottom. PROS You get to strengthen your back and arms while keeping your shoulder ligaments safe. CONS The move is far harder than it looks; eight good constant-tension pull-ups can challenge most fit guys. Kipping Pull-up A version in which your shoulders swing forward and snap back, building momentum to propel you upward. PROS This…

Does your body really need a cleanse? Yes. “We’re exposed to hundreds of thousands of toxins on a daily basis that come from internal sources such as infections, as well as synthetic materials like BPA in plastics,” says Dr. Susan Payrovi, a specialist in integrative medicine at Stanford University. But is your body so inundated with toxins, especially after a holiday haze, that it needs help cleaning house? Not exactly. While many companies claim their detox products offer the latest and greatest ways to flush out your system, you’re about to learn the secret of an all-powerful tool that does it best. It’s called (wait for it) your liver. “Evolutionarily we’re lucky, because the liver has millions of enzymes and processes to help us detoxify,” says Dr. Christopher Hoyte, medical…

ANTONY MORATO 011 517 2435 BACHER & CO 011 372 6000 CLICKS 0860 254 257 COLTONJAMESWATCHCOM. COUNTRY ROAD 021 405 4300 DERMALOGICA 021 418 0789 DIESEL 011 630 4000 EUROSUIT.CO.ZA GREEN CROSS 0860 009 855 HERSCHEL SUPPLY CO 011 444 2270 H&M 021 826 7300 HUGO BOSS 021 425 5885 JEEP 011 630 4000 KIEHL’S 086 100 1085 LEVI’S 021 403 9400 LUXOTTICA 0861 486 100 MR PRICE 0800 212 535 OLD KHAKI 021 464 5800 PICOT & MOSS 011 669 0500 REALANDSIMPLEDENIM.COM PRINGLE OF SCOTLAND 011 444 2270 PUMA 021 551 0832 SCOTCH & SODA 011 784 3233 SDM EYEWEAR 011 334 7020 SIXSKINCARE.COM SKINCEUTICALS-ZA.COM TED BAKER 021 418 3113 TREAD & MILLER 0860 665 533 TRENERY 0860 022 002 ZARA 021 446 8700…

The key to feeling younger? Acid. Not dropping it – wearing it. “People think all acids cause damage or peeling,” says dermatologist Dr. Terrence Keaney. But the truth is, they have a wide range of benefits. Some types are hydrating, while others exfoliate or work on lines and pigmentation. You just have to select an acid that’s right for your skin. Read on for five options that can give you a healthier, younger-looking mug. Salicylic acid promotes new skin growth, which tends to slow down starting around age 30. 1 SALICYLIC ACID BEST FOR Destroying stubborn blackheads as well as preventing blemishes in the first place. Imagine taking a power washer to your face: this popular beta-hydroxy acid, found in most acne cleansers and spot treatments, penetrates deep into your…

THE DIABETES DOUBLE WHAMMY A diagnosis of diabetes can be a sign of worse trouble ahead. Researchers recently found that people with type 2 diabetes double their risk of developing pancreatic cancer within the first year of diagnosis. If your diabetes requires aggressive drug therapy, your risk goes up even more. JEDI MIND TRICKS ON ANXIETY To stop sweating small stuff, take a mindfulness class. In a recent study, people with generalised anxiety disorder who did eight weeks of mindfulness-based stress reduction training decreased their levels of inflammation and the stress hormone ACTH. HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR DOC VISIT Don’t be rushed through it. Patients who arrived early for a medical appointment got more face time with the doctor than those who arrived late, a new study…

1 FOCUS ON YOUR CASH Don’t look back, says YNAB’s Mecham. Just plan how you’ll spend every last cent you have today in your current account. 2 GIVE IT 10 MINUTES EACH DAY Monster budgeting sessions suck, so avoid them. Set a daily check-in: morning coffee? After the kids are asleep? 3 EMBRACE BUDGETING AS THERAPY You got into debt because you were avoiding hard choices. Once you confront those choices, you’ll be angry with yourself, with your spouse. Know that. 4 MANUFACTURE SOME EASY WINS Pay off smaller debts first. Your biggest hurdle is not interest rates; it’s your own weak ape brain, which wants to give up. Because budgeting is hard.…

HOW DO YOU COMPARE WITH OTHER GUYS? TAKE A LOOK AT THESE RESULTS FROM OUR READER POLL (974 MEN RESPONDING). How many times a week do you absolutely lose your shit – that is, have either a private or public outburst of some kind? When something great happens to you, how long does the happiness last? What’s your biggest source of unhappiness? How many really close friends – guys who will always be there for you – do you have? How does your number of close friends compare to 10 years ago? Compared with a year ago, rate your overall level of irritability. How frequently do you feel lonely or isolated? When you’re feeling down, what’s your go-to for boosting mood? How would you grade your mental health? “A” means…

Just about every summer Friday at the White House, around 5pm, I’d set up a beaten-up old grill near the North Portico. I’d light wood charcoal, let the grates get screaming hot, and lay on a few steaks. As the meat sizzled, reporters would file out of the press briefing room, smiling as they located the source of the fragrance of caramelising beef. Without fail, someone would joke, “Hey, Sam, what time’s dinner?” They’d just finished grilling the president (by way of his press secretary, at least), and now they wanted what I was grilling. So I’d shout back: “Whenever the president told you to come by.” Sometimes I’d cook hanger or strip steak. But – like most wise people – President Obama was a rib-eye fan. It’s also my…

Johry Batt, Men’s Health February 2018 cover guy and trainer to Francois van Coke, shares his secrets to cracking open Van Coke’s potential. They’ll work for you, too. Batt is a former high-school teacher turned fitness professional with a serious sporting CV. The co-owner of Huba Fitness, he’s been on two of our (and five international) MH covers, and every now and then you can catch him on SABC3’s Expresso Morning Show, during their fitness segment. 1 / BE REALISTIC, AND AIM FOR ACHIEVABLE “Francois has an extremely busy schedule and he’s a family man, so making time to train takes planning and dedication,” says Batt. “We include cardio, interval training, bodyweight exercises, old-school strength training, lower-intensity steady-pace training and boxing – all achievable and sustainable.” 2 / WHERE THERE’S…

Lie with your back flat on the floor, a sandbag on your right shoulder. (Keep most of its bulk on your chest.) Holding it steady with your right arm, extend your left arm straight at a wide angle, palm against the floor. Roll to your left. Kick your right leg up, almost straight; then drive it back down, securing your left foot on the floor. Use the momentum to shift your torso upright; plant your left forearm to stabilise your upper body. Shift your left hand to near your left glute and straighten your left arm. As you do, tighten your glutes and elevate your hips and upper body. Then begin to shift your weight onto your right leg. After you shift your weight, swing your left leg under your…

1. Low-Rep Drill Hang, do 1 pull-up, and let go of the bar, landing on the floor. Do 5 of these your first week. The next week, do 4 sets of 2 reps (in other words, 2 pull-ups before you release and land). 2. Assisted Pull-up Hang a resistance band over the bar; pull the shorter loop through the longer one. Place your feet on the bottom loop. Hang from the bar and do pull-ups. Aim for 2 sets of 8 reps. 3. Scapular Pull-up Hang from a bar with your shoulder blades slightly tightened. With your arms straight, squeeze your shoulder blades; hold 1 second. That’s 1 rep; do 2 sets of 10 to 15 reps.…

1. Weighted Pull-up Forget adding reps –it’s resistance that gets you strong. Ideally, you should wear a vest and do 3 sets of 10 before adding more resistance. No vest? Use a weight plate (shown). 2. Mixed Grip Pull-up This one’s functional: grip the bar with one hand overhand and the other underhand. Now do pull-up reps, fighting to stay balanced; don’t let your hips shift to one side or the other. 3. Plyo Pull-up Pull yourself up quickly, and as your chin nears the bar, let go of the bar for a moment; then grab it again. Too easy? Try this: when you let go, catch the bar using an underhand grip. 4. Rope Pull-up Pull-ups always challenge your grip, but this variation ups the forearm ante. Hang a…

1 JUNK SNACKS Step 1 Shrink! Give up the big bags and buy snack packs, says Dr. Scott Isaacs, author of Beat Overeating Now! Most mini bags have about 830 kilojoules. Step 2 Flip the Chip Kale chips have the same kilojoules per ounce as nacho chips, but they also have 4 grams of gut-filling fibre. Step 3 Add Crunch Carrots, celery, radishes, and jicama can satisfy the lunch crunch you love with almost no kilojoules. Sprinkle them with sea salt if you need it. 2 FIZZIES Step 1 Dial Back Start by cutting down your usual intake. If you have two fizzy drinks a day, limit yourself to just one. It’ll help with the sugar cravings. Step 2 Re-Fizz Artificial sweeteners in diet cooldrinks still make you want sugar,…

Every man should have at least one quality suit. But different events often call for different attire, and keeping multiple suits around is a luxury few of us can afford. Our advice: instead of splurging on a few different suits, invest in one top-notch one. You’ll be surprised how much versatility you can get out of a sharp-looking suit if you buy smart and get the right accessories. Granted, it’s not cheap; but this suit will pay style dividends for plenty of years to come. Wear It Like A Boss: FIT IS KING Check how the jacket fits at your shoulders and chest, and its length. A blazer should fit your shoulders and waist, leaving about 25mm of space for movement. Your sleeve should finish on your wrist bone, so…

Dieter wants to dress well, but has no clue where to start. He grew up without much interest in personal style; and we’re guessing from his ‘before’ picture that he never developed an instinct for how to dress well. We’ve got Dieter’s back. Grooming 101 It’s amazing what a decent haircut and a simple grooming routine can do. Ryno Siebrits at Barnet Fair gave Dieter a classic haircut that suits his face shape, and it’s easy to maintain; trim every two weeks, says Ryno. Your skin is a reflection of how well you look after yourself. Drink plenty of water, and get enough sleep and regular exercise. The key to presenting well is a clean, fresh face: kick off your grooming in the shower, use a face wash day and…

Here’s what finally did it: we needed a car, any car. Some friends had a teenage hatchback and said they’d offload it for a discount, R65 000. We – my wife, Beth, and I – didn’t have that much cash, so we got a R65 000 car loan. At 9% interest. It was an embarrassing plan, and we knew it. But it was better than plan A: a single-speed bike I’d dug out of the garage. We both had jobs – my wife is a physician, even. Still, we didn’t have one hatchback’s worth of liquid savings, and we owed so much in consumer debt that new credit had become expensive. But it was a small victory for my wife. She’d been insisting that we join a discussion on budgeting…

1 Never carry a balance. Always pay your bill in full. Always. 2 Charge it all. Flying isn’t the only way to earn points/miles. 3 Don’t lock into an airline card. Many cards award points usable on any airline. Those cards are often more valuable. Seriously: look it up. 4 Get a premium card – the fee is worth it. Even at R420 a year, the Discovery Miles card is the one you want now. Every time you swipe this card you’ll net yourself points to put towards your next trip. Bonus: this card rewards healthy living, multiplying your points based on your Vitality status. 5 Forget the debit card. It’s not helping: It’s points-less! 6 Load up on cards. That’s okay. A wallet full of credit cards won’t necessarily…

IN THE DUNGEON, I LEARNED JUST HOW AFRAID PEOPLE ARE TO SPEAK UP IN BED. For two years after university, I led a double life. By day I was Jenny, the glorified office secretary – but by night I became Mistress Scarlett, a dominatrix at a sex dungeon, where I learned a lot about secrets. Of course, I’d already had lots of personal experience keeping my own. When I started having sex, I felt overwhelming pressure to please my partner and to be pleased by the same motions that got him off. If I couldn’t achieve climax, then there must be something wrong with me, right? For years, I faked it with my partners, too insecure to tell them what I needed. Sex was about pleasing them; masturbating was about…

1. Photo. I want this to be a Halloween costume, but I have a feeling it’s just a bad digs party dare. Show biceps, but nix the friend and do it in a place where it makes sense – like the beach, not a digs party. 2. Your Job. Really? I’m going to ask what “emotional intelligence” means (no evidence of that in the photo), so have a good answer ready. 3. Bio. Descriptive and direct is good, though some women may be turned off by your flip declaration for a date. But brunch? Crowd favourite. SPRING-CLEAN YOUR EX Old photo of her Cologne she bought you Memento from first date Tattoo you got with her Expensive watch from her NAOMI SAYS: A PIC (NOT A HOT ONE) MARKS THAT…

C.R.I.S.P LIVING Cover guy Mandla Dube's personal formula for success is to keep things ‘crisp’. C. Consistency – “If it’s not something I can do consistently, then it’s not sustainable.” R. Recovery – “What I do when I’m not training is matters a lot. Recovery is 80% of the game.” I. Information – “I have identified credible information sources, that give me the latest trends on training and nutrition.” S. Support – “If your support system is behind your goals, they share your losses and gains; it's easier to stay on your path.” P. Play – “Finding enjoyment in my routine and celebrating my results helps me feel like a winner.” “I became more conscious of my choices; how they affected me.” THE YOUNG GUN Mandla Joshua Dube 27 YEARS…

IT WAS AROUND 8PM ON A SUNDAY NIGHT WHEN my phone buzzed into life next to me. The message was straight to the point: “We’re going to Rwanda tomorrow. You in?” The SA National Championships had just wrapped up after a week of racing in Oudtshoorn; and that evening, a group of guys – cycling diehard and ex-Team Dimension Data coach Hein Badenhorst among them – were celebrating a successful week at nationals with a round of drinks. It was right there that a really heated conversation began, with one simple question: why have no South Africans been invited to compete in the African Continental Champs? The competition was just a week away, and our latest crop of local riders were probably some of the best South Africa had ever…

“I spent pretty much 24 hours in my bathroom, unleashing fury in the loo.” I lay on the bed in the sterile white room, naked but for a thin cotton gown. I stared at the ceiling, then closed my eyes and listened to the sounds of suburbia outside – leaves rustling in the wind, a dog barking, the purr of a lawnmower. “Is it going to hurt?” I asked the woman who had told me to undress five minutes earlier. “It might be a bit uncomfortable at first,” she said as she jabbed something cold and sharp into my arm. I felt a piercing pain, and then a wave of drowsiness came over me… and the next thing I knew, I was rubbing my eyes as the blurry room slowly…

DUMBBELL DECLINE BENCH LUNGE How? Start in the lunge position with your front foot on a bench, keeping your leg extended and holding a dumbbell in each hand for weight. Slowly lunge forward so you feel a stretch in your quads, and hold for one count. Return to your start position. That’s 1 rep. Why? “This strengthens the leg muscles and ankles, allowing them to absorb the downward energy of doing those two-storey jumps to the ground.” DUMBBELL LAT PULLOVER How? Lie face-up on a bench, knees bent, feet flat on the floor, holding dumbbells over your chest with arms straight. Lower the weights behind your head until your arms are parallel to the floor. Keeping your arms straight, pull your arms to your start position. That’s 1 rep. Why?…

Do you avoid the pull-up bar? Have flashbacks to PT class humiliation? You’re not alone. The pull-up remains daunting for plenty of guys. And that’s a shame, because few exercises can strengthen your entire upper body, challenge your core, and improve your posture the way the classic pull-up can. Learning this move is a challenge worth undertaking. This is an exercise you can do anywhere, from your gym’s pull-up bar to city construction scaffolding to the sturdy tree branch in your backyard. We’re here to show you the way. Whatever challenges stand in the way of your pull-up success –matchstick arms, heavy legs, weak grip – we’ll help you fight past them so you can master this staple body-weight exercise. And even if you’re still haunted by PT-class nightmares, you’ll…

MOBILITY Complete 2 rounds of this circuit. The standing wall slide fires up your upper back, while the reverse plank hits your glutes, abs, and lower back. Rest 15 seconds between moves. Standing Wall Slide Stand with your upper back against a wall. Raise both arms overhead (hands beyond shoulder width). Press them against the wall. This is the starting position. Lower your upper arms until your elbows are below shoulder height. Return to the starting position. That’s 1 rep; do 10. Reverse Plank Sit on the floor with your legs extended and feet together. Put your hands under your shoulders, fingers pointing backward. Keeping your arms straight, tighten your glutes and raise your hips so your body is straight from ankles to shoulders. Hold for 30 seconds. STRENGTH To…

When 29-year-old trail runner Pat Heine cut out booze last January, it was to prepare for the 170-kilometre Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc. “I’d seen other runners give up drinking as a way to focus for big races,” says Heine. More than a year later, he’s still dry. “I was feeling better, physically and mentally.” A 2016 study of adults who did a “dry January” found that up to six months later, they were drinking on fewer occasions, and drank less when they did imbibe. We dug into your vices – booze, sugar, and more – to help you make changes that stick. Once exceed moderation, and the most delightful things become the most undelightful. – Epictetus…

SUPERGREENS ANYTIME FRITTATA WHAT YOU’LL NEED 12 EGGS 1 TBSP OLIVE OIL 2 CUPS ROUGHLY CHOPPED BROCCOLI 2 CUPS ROUGHLY CHOPPED KALE 2 CUPS SPINACH ½ CUP FRESHLY GRATED PARMESAN PAPRIKA TO TASTE 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with 2 big pinches of salt and pepper. Set aside. 2. In a large oven-safe non-stick pan on medium, heat the oil. Add the vegetables. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is tender and the spinach wilts, about 5 minutes. 3. Adjust the heat to low and add the eggs. Swirl the pan so the eggs are in an even layer. Cook until the edges of the eggs begin to set, 1 to 2 minutes. Top with the cheese and slide the pan into…

LIGHT- COLOURED JEANS WINTER In a denim world of edgy black and summer white, grey makes for a happy medium. It’s a refreshing change from typical blue, and the lighter shade delivers a cool-yet-relaxed worn-in feel. Take your cue from our styling: contrast is key, and with the right amount of layering, you too can look like you’ve just stepped out of our style pages. Sunglasses R3 200 Gucci at SDM Eye-wear, Blazer R5 590 Antony Morato, Bates Utility Jacket R1 099 Old Khaki, Jersey R629 H&M, Watch R7 995 Hugo Boss at Bacher & Co, Belt R499 Zara, Jeans R329 H&M, Happy Hour Sneakers R1 999 Diesel SUMMER A statement shirt is the answer to everything. Add stripes, and you have the ultimate summer look. The set-up: a patterned…

YNAB When he was at varsity, Jesse Mecham wanted his wife to be able to stay home with their first child, so he built a spreadsheet to track spending. It’s now a clean, powerful phone and Web app (from youneedabudget.com). Commit some time to learning Mecham’s methods; they’re effective, but not immediately intuitive. Higher Education It’s never too late to go back to school. For the Greeleys that meant finding support and tools at their local Methodist Church. For you, that means brushing up on or learning a new set of skills to keep your head above water. Credit.org offers a free short course of education videos (and a quick test to see if you were paying attention) to lay the groundwork for a new, debt-free you. Grandparents If yours…

1 GEOTAGGED MH guy and finance guru Geo Botha shares his rules for long-term wealth: Define your goal “If you’ve no idea where you’re heading, chances are you’ll never get somewhere worthwhile. Establish realistic short- and long-term financial goals, to keep you motivated, and provide a sense of achievement along the way.” Don’t get distracted “Focus is what Warren Buffett and Bill Gates attribute their success to. Short-term distractions and get-rich schemes will always be around. If it’s not part of your long-term strategy, ignore it.” Avoid bad debt “There’s a difference between good and bad debt. Bad debt is taken out to pay for things that you don’t really need – a fancy car, credit card debt, or debt at the clothes shop. This debt carries high…

DON’T TELL How often you masturbate. As long as you have satisfying sex with your partner and feel connected to her, then she doesn’t need to know. (Besides, she probably already does.) 69 % of men hide their masturbation frequency DON’T TELL Your attraction to others. No plans to act on it, right? Then keep it to yourself. It may hurt her feelings and isn’t likely to bring you two closer. 83 % have been secretly attracted to a woman other than their partner DON’T TELL Your one-night stand. But only if it truly was a one-time thing and you have no intention – like, really, none – of repeating it. Can’t handle the guilt? Confess to a therapist, not her. 14 % have had sex with a prostitute without…

REJOICE, EATERS! The era of meticulous kilojoule counting is over. And good riddance, because the conventional “kJ in/kJ out” model ignores one key factor: the quality of your food. Instead, consider a 2017 New Zealand study suggesting that a diet centred on consuming whole foods such as veggies, legumes, whole grains, and fruits – freely, until you’re satisfied – can lead to sustainable weight loss. To break it down even more: “Monitoring the macronutrient composition of your diet – protein, carbohydrates, fat – is more important by far than counting kilojoules,” says Professor Mike Roussell, author of The MetaShred Diet, out now. Do that and you’ll cut the junk, net more disease-fighting antioxidants, and drop the kilos you’ve wanted to lose for years. Part 1 shows you how. Part 2…

HEAT MAP Situated just under 200km shy of the equator, Kigali’s climate is sweltering. Temps often climb into the 40s, and the air is always thick with humidity. Our riders were sweating buckets from the first stroke of their pedals, and begging for water as they crossed the finish line. But dehydration isn’t the only concern. A study published in the Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness found that hotter conditions can impair your VO2 max. However, researchers did not find a link between humidity and decreased performance (though according to AccuWeather, humidity can magnify hot conditions). Our advice: unless you’re racing, take it easier on hot days, especially when the mercury rises above 35. WEAR AND TEAR Long-distance cycling - especially at high speeds - is a great way…

Have Camera, Will Travel Less than a year ago, Craig Howes was a portfolio manager for unsecured credit. Now he’s a fulltime travel photographer and videographer who has started his own content creation agency. So how did he take the leap from corporate to creative? “The leap I took was very much a calculated risk; part of me felt like I wasn’t living life to the fullest. But I waited till the moment I was ready, my skill was where it needed to be and I had some good clients. I’m all for taking risks, but they need to be well thought out to minimise the chance of falling short.” It’s all about starting off slowly and working towards your goal. Craig started off shooting with his iPhone and gradually,…