Beat Any New Year Goal
Men's Health South Africa|February 2020
According to a US News & World report, 80 percent of New Year’s resolutions fail by February. Setting intentions without having a plan is one of the reasons why. Whatever your goals, we have the advice you need to ensure you stick to your resolutions all year through. You’ll finish the year stronger than you started.
Scarlett Wrench and Justin Gutherie
Beat Any New Year Goal

01 Perform 10 Strict Pull-Ups

Clocking 10 pull-ups is a serious achievement. Olympic gymnast Nile Wilson explains how to raise your bar this year.

01/ Manage Your Middle

“Most people underestimate how much they use their core during a pull-up,” says Wilson. It’s likely that’s your weak spot. Wilson prescribes weighted planks. Load on a heavy plate and hold for 30-second bursts.

02/ Resist the Machines

Assistance machines offer stability, but that does nothing to prep your core. “Use resistance bands instead, or have a partner help you,” says Wilson. “If you’re almost there, they can support you for that last bit.”

03/ Put Your Back Into It

“Your lats are more powerful than your biceps,” says Wilson. “Focus on squeezing your shoulders together and really tensing your lats.” Engage them before you start to switch on the mind-muscle connection.

04/ Think Negatively

“Try negative reps [just the lowering phase],” says Wilson. “They’ll build the right muscles, even if you can’t pull back up.” Go for a 10-second lowering phase. If that gets too easy? “Add a 5kg weight jacket.”

02 Drop Two Jeans Sizes

As well as giving your old Levi’s a new lease on life, losing fat will trim your risk of a multitude of illnesses. But depriving yourself of food can make your resolve crumble like pudding. We asked chef Tom Kerridge, who lost 76 kilos, for his hacks

Fuel Your Training

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM MEN'S HEALTH SOUTH AFRICAView all
The Last 7  Recipe You'll Ever Need
Men's Health South Africa

The Last 7 Recipe You'll Ever Need

FADS COME AND GO. BUT GOOD EATING AND PROPER NUTRITION CHANGES VERY LITTLE. SO WE COMBED THROUGH ALL THE RECIPES IN MEN'S HEALTH'S 36-YEAR HISTORY TO FIND THE ONES THAT TRULY DELIVER ON BOTH FLAVOUR AND FUNCTION.

time-read
1 min  |
September - October 2024
The Changing Face Of Cancer
Men's Health South Africa

The Changing Face Of Cancer

While cancer rates are falling in older adults, they're increasing among younger age groups. It's a trend exposing holes in both diagnosis and care. It's also raised a new question for experts: how do you get vital and potentially life-saving information to people unaware they need it?

time-read
10+ mins  |
September - October 2024
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 ADVENTURES
Men's Health South Africa

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 ADVENTURES

YOUR TIME OFF IS VALUABLE. TO BOOK YET ANOTHER FLY 'N' FLOP IS TO DO YOURSELF A DISSERVICE. THIS YEAR, BREAK FREE FROM THE POOLSIDE BAR AND GET YOUR KICKS IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS. FROM EXPEDITIONS IN FAR-FLUNG PLACES TO HIGH-OCTANE WEEKENDS CLOSER TO HOME, CONSIDER THESE YOUR FIRST STEPS OFF THE BEATEN TRACK.

time-read
3 mins  |
September - October 2024
4 WAYS TO REBOOT YOUR MINDSET
Men's Health South Africa

4 WAYS TO REBOOT YOUR MINDSET

STRESSED ABOUT THE STATE OF THE WORLD AND/OR YOUR SANITY? WE'VE GOT FOUR SIMPLE BUT ESSENTIAL TOOLS TO HELP YOU ADAPT AND OVERCOME, THIS YEAR AND BEYOND.

time-read
4 mins  |
September - October 2024
TRAIN TO YOUR MAX
Men's Health South Africa

TRAIN TO YOUR MAX

Cardiorespiratory fitness is one of the most important health markers when it comes to your overall wellbeing. Here's how Discovery Vitality Fitness gives you more ways than ever to fire up your engine.

time-read
4 mins  |
September - October 2024
SLUSH FUN
Men's Health South Africa

SLUSH FUN

FROZEN DAIQUIRIS ARE REFRESHI AND ALSO SICKENINGLY SWEET. TRY A FROZEN PIMM'S CUP, WHICH HAS ALL THE FLAVOURS WITH WAY LESS SUGAR.

time-read
1 min  |
September - October 2024
THE HEALTH SNOB'S GUIDE TO COLD-BREW COFFEE
Men's Health South Africa

THE HEALTH SNOB'S GUIDE TO COLD-BREW COFFEE

BOTTLED COFFEE MIGHT BE ABUNDANT, BUT CAFFEINE AFICIONADOS MAKE THEIR OWN. FOLLOW THESE TIPS TO PREP A HEALTHY BREW FOR A REFRESHING PERK-ME-UP.

time-read
2 mins  |
September - October 2024
SUPP CHECK RECOVERY PACKAGE
Men's Health South Africa

SUPP CHECK RECOVERY PACKAGE

COLLAGEN IS TOUTED AS THE GO-TO SUPP FOR BONE, SKIN AND JOINT HEALTH, PLUS FAST INJURY REPAIR. BUT DOES IT DELIVER? TIME TO GEN UP.

time-read
1 min  |
September - October 2024
THE SEMI-COMPLETE USER'S GUIDE TO...THE SINUSES
Men's Health South Africa

THE SEMI-COMPLETE USER'S GUIDE TO...THE SINUSES

FOR AS LONG AS sinuses have been around, aka forever, there has been a ton that scientists haven't figured out about them.

time-read
3 mins  |
September - October 2024
BULLISH
Men's Health South Africa

BULLISH

The Blue Bulls scrumhalf Embrose Papier is striving for greatness. Here's how he's putting in the right reps to make sure mind and muscle are firing in unison.

time-read
10+ mins  |
September - October 2024