“To Stretch or Not To Stretch”: Continued Progress

“Improved Blood Flow

Circulation of blood throughout the body allows oxygen and nutrients to be transferred to the organs and muscles for proper function, strength, movement, and flexibility. In turn, this reduces muscle soreness.




Cons:

Improper Technique

Not knowing how to properly stretch can lead to body aches and pain. Having the wrong form for a stretch positions the body in a way it would actually cause harm instead of benefit. For example, when reaching down to your toes with both hands it is important to keep the back straight. Bending or arching it will create tension and discomfort in the future.




Prolonging Stretches

There is misconception that there is a correlation between the amount of time you hold a stretch to the amount of soreness that is avoided the next day. However, excessively stretching does not prevent soreness at all; it makes you more susceptible to injury. Holding your muscle in one position should never exceed more than 30 seconds.




Incorrect Stretching for Exercises

Stretching is not as simple as it appears. From ballistic, dynamic, passive, and static, the list continues on for the different types of stretching that exists. They each have their own purpose. Whereas dynamic would benefit an athlete more than a bodybuilder, static stretches better reward the latter over power-driven workouts.




Conclusion: Stretching is individualistic. Each person needs to focus and listen to their body’s needs. If performing high-impact workouts, it may be necessary to incorporate stretching into your exercise session. The type of stretch conducted for the activity is more important than stretching at all. Improper stretches will be less beneficial as they actually predispose the body to injury. Overall, individual fitness goals influence what is needed. You need to make the smart, informative decision on whether or not stretching is for you.”

I feel as if I will need to add to the conclusion or to the article overall once I create the layout for the magazine article so I will be working on that next so I can create it and finalize it. 

I also plan on getting the pictures soon for the magazine. The amount I need will be finalized once I make the layout but the concept should wil all be the same. It will involve one singular person doing the stretches or not stretching at all. This will keep the message direct, while not making the page too hectic. They will probably be placed along a white background and wear light, bright colors. The mis-en-scene will be discussed in its own blog once the pictures are created. 

"To Stretch or Not To Stretch" Progress

This is the draft to the article I am writing.

"To Stretch or Not to Stretch

Subheading: Feeling pain before, during, or after your workouts? There’s a reason why, and it might not be the answer you’d think.

Intro: Stretching is the act of extending a certain muscle or body part to its full-range. The stigma attached to the word, “stretching,” assumes it is a necessary step in a proper, healthy workout routine. It tends to take up at least ten minutes from your training; this article will take you the same amount of time, but will save you years of poor training techniques and body aches. However, stretching will not have the same beneficiary impact for an individual depending on their fitness goal. We will expose the advantages and disadvantages to stretching in order for you to access the prominent question: to stretch or not to stretch?

Pros:

Increased Flexibility
This is everyone’s go-to explanation for why stretching is essential, and everyone who says so is correct in their assertion. Flexibility improves performance because the joints are moving in a full-range motion, in turn lowering the risk of injury.


Decreased Pain
Lengthening the targeted body parts reduces the tendency to stiffen. Overall, the motions made in exercises avoid the pain commonly associated to torn, or pulled, muscles. This supports strength gain as muscular tension is reduced, which tends to inhibit the muscle’s growth after training.


Improved Blood Flow"

I want to do three for each and a conclusion at the end explaining stretching depends on the types of stretches and each individual's fitness goals.

Changes Made to Contents Pages

After briefly discussing my finished Contents page with another individual, I was given feedback that I was missing the page number on the individual pages. Since the pages are placed side by side, it would look better if the page numbers were placed on the left bottom corner for the first page and the right bottom corner of the second page. To contrast from the rest of the black and red color scheme, I used the same color blue #00c4cc (the code for the specific color) I had used for the information tabs. Here is the completed contents for the magazine, missing the images still.

First page to the Contents. It is placed immediately after the Cover Page of the magazine; therefore, it will be page number 2.

Second page of the Contents. It is placed beside the first page of the Contents; therefore, it will be page number 3. 

Topic of my Two-Page Spread: Stretching

The article I decided to focus on for my two-page spread is “To Stretch or Not to Stretch.” I want to layout my article as a pros vs. cons page where the effects of stretching are introduced, such as stimulation of blood flow throughout the body, flexibility being increased, etc

I researched stretching before and after exercising and I think I want to incorporate them both and make it a collective article focusing on stretching overall. I will make a list of the two with concepts I’d like to describe below.

Stretching effecting the active body:

Pros

-Increased flexibility
-Improves performance by joints moving in full range motion
-Lowers risk of injury
-Lengthens muscles
-Reduces tendency to stiffen
-Supports strength gains
-Decreases pain

Cons

-Incorrect type of stretching before certain activity
-Static stretching may cause injury
-Prolonging stretches
-Cold muscles held in stretching positions may cause injury
-More than 30 seconds is excessive
-Doesn’t prevent soreness


Overall advice for the article:
-Stretching is individualistic
-Focus and listen to your body’s needs
-The type of stretch for activity is more important than stretching at all
-improper stretches will be less beneficial
-For power-driven workouts, dynamic over static
-individual fitness goals influence what is needed

Finished the Two Content Pages!

The contents page of the magazine is finished with the layout and information, such as the correct page numbers and article titles. The four different areas, features, health, athletics, and training, each have at least three articles. Each area has at least one picture. I included the location of the PO address and contact information, website URL, editor in chief, photographers, and contributors at the bottom right of the page in blue color to contrast from the red and black, while keeping the color scheme to the theme. The contributors list will be added to once the people photographed for the images are made.

Coming Up With the Article

I have to finish creating the other layout and I will make a blog post about it. This week coming up I want to work on the article, meaning I need to decide what I can do. Since I don’t have the pictures yet, I am not limited to a certain topic of Health, Training, or Athletics. To narrow it down to three topics, it would be:
-Health: An Ode to Keto Dieting
-Training: How to Avoid Muscle Cramping
-Training: To Stretch or Not to Stretch

The last two would be the easiest to photograph images for. For example, #2 would include a demonstration of someone going through the steps of avoiding a muscle cramp. So, stretching, drinking water, taking magnesium and potassium, rolling out the muscle, etc.

The third would consist of individual stretches and their effects on the body.

Contents Page Two

I had some brief ideas of how to set up the second page of the table of contents. I am currently in the middle of designing two. One of the keeps the text all along the left side column and pictures on the right side, whereas the other one uses a combination of the two. My issue with the ladder is that the first table of contents page keeps everything nicely ordered and isn’t confusing to read through because the text is all aligned on the right side of the page. Pairing the first page with the first idea I had for the second page will keep all the text in the center focus of the magazine with the pictures surrounding it, which is the opposite of the cover page. This alludes to the magazine being open, since the contents is the first page.

This is the image of the combination of the images on both sides, mostly focusing on the layout rather than the information since it is a copy from the first page in order to avoid having to remake text boxes with their specific color, font, and size. It is time-efficient simply to align them.

I have to finish creating the other layout and I will make a blog post about it.

Contents: Planning Page Two

Doing the table of contents first has proved efficient for my project because it includes the most tedious dedication and meticulous decision making process in order to ensure everything fits the design.

I continued brainstorming the titles for the second part of the table of contents, which will include the two sections of athletics and training. In addition, it will include the editors and contributions section that references the individuals responsible for the creation process of the magazine.

Athletics:

-Zion Williamson’s Own Devil: Nike’s
During the Duke v. UNC Division 1 College basketball game, the pronounced Duke Star, Williamson, injures himself as his Nike shoes break in the beginning of the game.

-Real Madrid Says Goodbye to Solari
The Spanish team renounces their current coach, Santiago Solari, and appoints their former coach, Zinedine Zidane, on March 11th. Zidane claims he couldn’t say no to RM CF’s president Florentino Perez’s offer.

-24 Teams Set to Compete in the France 2019 Women’s World Cup
Six confederations come together to play in 9 venues between June 7th to the final game on July 7th.



Training:

-To Stretch or Not to Stretch
The importance of stretching your muscles are weighted out. Stretching increases blood flow within the body, but is it really necessary?


-Know Your Way Around the Ropes
Let our personal fitness trainers show you the ins and outs of working out in the gym.


-How to Avoid Muscle Cramping
Follow this step-by-step process to ensure your muscles never cramp again. Feel fresh and 

-Tip 5 Mistakes in Your Workout Routine
What you’re doing wrong everyday and how you can fix it.


Editors and Contributions:

-Editor: Erika Casadevall

-Photographers: Erika Casadevall

-Notable Contributions: (Those pictures in my images and places used)

I need to review magazines on my free time to see if I am missing any important information that can be included here.

Contents Layout Created

I have created the first page of the contents for the magazine. This is a layout with the intended fonts and spacing I want to use. The font for the title of the magazine and contents page is Archivo Black. The font for the title of the separate sections, such as Features and Health, the article titles, and their description is Amiko. The section titles will use the same color red as in the title of the magazine to keep consistency within the product, whereas the magazine article names and description will be black and an off-black color to create a separation that is clean and appreciated by the target audience.

I spaced out the images on the first page to include two horizontal that will go with the top section and two vertical that go along with their own story. Everything is lined out, so I’m not completely sure about the placement of the images yet. I will try to get my peer’s opinions on Friday when we have our group discussions where I can receive feedback on my magazine.

In the bottom right corner, I include the address from where the magazine is distributed and headquartered, as well as their telephone number. Readers can use this information to reach out to the magazine. This demonstrates the magazine appreciates feedback from their readers so they are always working to be better. The website below demonstrates the magazine is available online, additional to the print version.

The "FIT" Contents Idea Isn't Too Fitting

Since I have not started the photography process yet, I decided to start making my table of contents layout first without including the pictures. Initially, I had the idea of including a layout of pictures in the form of “FIT” to emphasize the message of the magazine; however, I reconsidered the outcome this would have on the magazine’s target audience.

Positives:

• Gives an artistic style to the contents
• Includes images next to the article titles in a creative fashion
• Different layout to entice readers

Negatives:

• Too crowded on the page
• Discourage readers from focusing on the important content on the page (article titles and their location in the magazine)
• Doesn’t follow simplistic and sophisticated design
• Looks too scrapbooky for a health and fitness magazine

After weighing out the pros and cons, I was convinced the simple layout would appeal to the target audience more. It keeps all the information organized and isn’t too overwhelming, while still including all the necessary parts of the contents.

In order to visualize the desired layout I wanted, I used scratch paper to sketch out the designs. I compared the “FIT” images design to the straightforward one by drawing the two in theory. I thought of having a large heading with the letters spaced out more than usual, at the top center of the page that says “CONTENTS.” I want to implement the title of the magazine somewhere above or next to the large title, but I don’t want it to be too distracting. Here’s a list of ideas I had.

1. Use either a red or navy blue color and a smaller sized font placed above the title that says “FEELFIT”
2. Have “FEEL” be in a red/blue, while “FIT” stays black (vice versa) above the title
3. “FEEL” placed in the top left corner, “FIT” in the top right corner (CON: Disparity between the words takes away from the sophisticated design)

I decided on the second one, and added extra letter spacing so it looks cleaner and appealing. “FEEL” will be in red and “FIT” will be in black. The colors I will focus on through the table of contents are reds, blacks, and darker blues. This color scheme needs to be kept consistent through the entire magazine so all pieces work cohesively and nothing looks out of place.

I am working on the rest of the layout now for the contents. Next time I blog about it, I should have an example of it on the next post.

Cover Page Headlines

For my front page of the magazine, I want to keep the color scheme consistent to the rest of the magazine. This would include black, white, red, and blue hues. The font will be the same as the table of contents and the logo that was decided in the previous blog post for the title of the magazine. FEELFIT should carry a brand along with the name that conveys determination and persistence to the target audience.

Some ideas for magazine article titles have been split into three broad topics: health, athletics, and training.

Health

• An Ode to Keto
• Lose Weight and Dominate
• Drop 10 lbs in 10 Days!
• Fit into Life

Athletics

• Zion Williamson’s Devils: Nike
• Q&A with Pro-Athlete - - -

Training

• To Stretch or Not to Stretch
• How to Avoid Muscle Cramping
• Know Your Way Around the Ropes
• Top 10 Mistakes in Your Workout Routine
  
  

With these, and more I come up, I can fill the headlines for the cover page around the main photograph. It would help to shorten the titles and have little descriptions for some.

F E E L F I T

I started brainstorming names for the magazine in the beginning of this week and decided to focus the title on the word “fit.” During the group discussions where we each talked about our plans and developing our portfolio project, they gave me the idea of using alliteration in the title to appeal to the audience and engage their attention. By using this technique, it catches the reader’s eyes because it is the focus of the mast of the magazine. The marketing of the title is very important because it is usually the only aspect of the magazine that is visible when being sold in stores. Therefore, the stylistic choices the title is presented in is equally as important because it reveals the magazine’s intended tone it wishes to project. For example, bolder, larger font = powerful tone, whereas smaller, curly font = softer/lighter tone. Obviously the health and fitness magazines stay away from the curls because it doesn’t embody the robust display that appeals to their gym-junkies; the only curls they want are with their biceps.

This led me to the infused title of FEELFIT, because it has qualities of both health and fitness. I intend for the letters to be spaced out more than usual to develop the tough, yet sophisticated tone to appeal to the men and women in my target audience.

Photography is an Art

I came into the weekend with a different mindset and perspective. I viewed everything through the lense of a health and fitness magazine, especially the people and objects around me. 

I visited South Pointe Park in Miami Beach with my family and saw a group of friends doing yoga among each other. I was extremely impressed when a couple continued their exercise with poses with the two of them. For example, the male laid his back on the floor and used his legs to balance the woman symmetrically above him. This would be a great photo for the cover page which demonstrates both a male and a female conveying the purpose of the magazine together. 

Additionally, I thought about the importance of lighting and setting for the photos in the magazine. Although some will be photoshopped to just the specific object or person in the shot because the area around them is arbitrary, others will need the setting to create tonality. If an articles focuses on the effects of weight training and I want to include an image of someone working out in a gym, the color scheme and lighting matter. Here are some colors I intend to focus on because of their meaning:

-Red: energy, passion, determination

-Blue: power, strength 

-Black: sophistication, strength

-White: success, new

-Green: renewal, energy, growth

To focus the lighting in the photographs, I can use multiple flashlights to get the desired angle I want. Additionally, if i’m photographing outside and the backlighting is an issue there are some ways to overcome this. 

-Use a reflecting screen, such as one used in cars to protect from the sun’s heat when it is parked

-Diffuse the sun

I need to begin taking the photos and working on the design of the magazine. I plan on doing this next week so stay tuned with an update of my progress. 

Groups Help Brainstorm

This week I met with four other group members to discuss the progress we have all made in our portfolio projects. Although I was the only one doing a magazine layout, all the advice and constructive criticism help me develop my ideas for the health and fitness magazine. The initial idea I had for the cover page was to include one individual as the main picture and have headings of articles surrounding the individual. However, since my target audience is both male and female they thought it would be best to include two individuals, one of each gender, so that it appeals to the entire consumer. whether they post together or are photographed doing an exercise together, having both individuals will develop the essence of the magazine.

When I proposed my idea for the table of contents to include a picture layout in the form of the three letters “F“ “I“ “T”, they liked the idea. They pointed out an issue with the layout that the “I” would be in the in the middle of the two pages on the crease of the magazine. My solution to solve this problem would be to either figure out another word or symbol I could use, or to place the it either on the right side of the left page or the left side of the right page.

We also brainstormed some ideas for the magazine title. I wanted to keep it simple and not too long but not too short either. The name might also be more prominent and easy to remember if it uses alliteration. Here are some ideas:

• FITLIFE
• Fast Fit
• Feel Fit
• Wellness
• Ripped&Fit

I need to come up with ideas of how the photographs will be taken and what I want my main article to focus on. Overall, the groups were useful because I gained four new perspectives.