Arena

Despite having an image of a naked woman on its front cover, the men's magazine Arena isn't all sleaze and sex. It was re-launched last year with a layout, graphics, and outlook. Out went the 'ladsmag' and in came the sophisticated lifestyle guide. As much as it wants too though, the magazine can't stop talking about sex, and they often refer to women negatively. I've not noticed any of the other men's magazines doing this quite as much as Arena does. For example in this months issue (February) there is one sexist article, 'boyz to hen' which labels women as mouthy slappers. Similarly, the article 'Alpha Female' acts as if it's wrong and unnatural for a man ...  Read the complete review

Not as padded with adverts as the rest of the magazines, you certainly do get some value for money. It still has shots of women in various states of undress although it may be considered more arty especially when the likes of Ellen Von Unwerth make their occasional presence felt. And you still get the sensalitionalist articles ands opinions about certain celebrities and true-life events. There is a feeling that you’ve read some of this stuff from elsewhere particularly the ‘winners and losers’ section which is similar in style with Loaded’s ‘rogues gallery’. Of the main men’s magazines out there, I’d go with Arena if I ...  Read the complete review

Arena man is a rare, if not endangered species, and although timid, can occasionally be found in his natural habitat of exclusive Hoxton bars and art galleries. His chief interests include fashion, design and other aesthetic issues, and despite a great deal of scrutiny, the details of his mating habits remain largely unknown. Arena positions itself in the hugely competitive men's magazine marketplace as the highbrow lifestyle title, which is evidently quite problematic as essentially it's trying to play the same game as Esquire and GQ without having the inclusive editorial style of either. Whereas its competitors have realised that in order to flog ...  Read the complete review