The man of today is different from his father and very different from his grandfather. But this doesn’t mean he is no longer a man. He still has male needs and desires, things he likes and things he doesn’t.
As we consider how men have evolved in the last 50 years or so, let us look at four male lifestyle trends as it pertains to cars, travel, health, and home improvement.
Cars: Back to Basics
The Aston Martin DB5 is considered by many to be the most iconic vehicle in the James Bond movie series. Making its first appearance on 1964’s megahit Goldfinger, it featured a four-liter engine, 282 brake horsepower, and a top speed of 233 kilometers per hour.
More than sixty years later, it is still seen on many roads in countries as diverse as Germany, Japan, and Argentina. So are classics like the 1967 Chevy Corvette, the Mercedes SL 300 Gullwing, and the Acura NSX.
But why is that? Why are so many men interested in old cars? The answer is a combination of nostalgia, sex appeal, and being cool. Today, males worldwide are buying vintage relics, taking them to their trusted auto repair and detailing shop, and bringing them back to highways and roads all across the globe.
Travel: Solo Traveling
The vast majority of solo travelers are women. Nobody knows why. Perhaps women are much more mature than their male counterparts and are mentally stronger. Another reason could be that men tend to be more introverted. As such, traveling alone would often be boring and not very fruitful. Finally, both men and women share an equal sense of adventure, but women seem to have a greater degree of courage in pursuing what they want.
In this day and age, the trend of female solo travelers is changing. The modern man is much more in touch with his individuality and desire to find perspective in life. He is just as interested in meeting new people and building meaningful relationships. Most importantly, he is no longer afraid of the stigma that comes with traveling alone, namely that he is a loser and cannot find anyone to accompany him.
As a man, if you are considering taking the plunge and visiting South America, China, or Africa on your own, be mindful of your safety. And give yourself a chance to discover not only a foreign destination but also a few things you didn’t know about yourself.
Health: A Meaningful Balance
Tampa Bay Buccanneers’ quarterback Tom Brady is 43 years old. He has been playing one of the most demanding positions in all sports for over 20 years. A few weeks ago, he won a record seventh Superbowl championship and was named the game’s most valuable player.
Tom Brady is an exception to the rule. The careers of most NFL players last less than four years. The main reasons for this are age and attrition. After all, there are few activities as grueling as American football, a sport filled with sharp movements and head-turning collisions.
But even if he is an exception, there are also others. The 21st man is not only interested in a rock-solid physique and six-pack abs. He is also keen on flexibility, longevity, and mental health. He understands that being fit and healthy requires a consolidated routine that includes pre-workout warm-ups, cardiovascular exercise, resistance training, post-workout stretching, and mental preparation.
Home Improvement: Functional Man Caves
Having a spacious, well-equipped man cave is every guy’s dream. Whether he uses it for hours upon hours of playing video games or the purpose is to relax, sit back, and enjoy a full-body massage, men want a space where they can be themselves and act freely on any impulse they might have.
The concept of this is nothing new. Even in the age of actual caves, men had spaces to kill animals, make fires, and engage in whatever it was that they engaged in for entertainment purposes.
Still, when it comes to home improvement, we are seeing a shift from traditional man caves to multi-functional facilities. Men understand that life is not only about relaxing and enjoying a couple of beers with a few buddies. They also need the spaces in their homes to be multi-faceted, suitable for parties but also work, and easy to maintain.
Four current lifestyle male trends are classic and vintage cars, traveling on your own, finding a balance between health, fitness, and well-being, and living spaces that are comfortable, convenient, and useful.
For a man, they represent some of the most important areas of his life and essentials goals to strive for.
