Fifteen Pound Sand Dumbbells

After an episode of AIH that left me frail and weak my parents gave me a pair of ten pound sand filled dumbbells and a copy of "Muscle And Fitness". My passion for strength development was ignited. I haven't put those dumbbells down in thirty plus years. The strength that I developed with those fifteen pound dumbbells along with and more importantly the physical and emotional well being that accompanies strength training, gave me an overwhelming sense of calm wrapped in a blanket of invincibility. After finishing a grueling body building routine spelled out by the legendary Frank Zane on the pages of "Muscle and Fitness", I felt I could handle any and every challenge the day could present.

I want to hear from you! It's your turn to share. I want to hear about the first time you stepped into a gym or picked up your first dumbbell. I want to know how that first workout made you feel. I want to hear about first experience with strength training and the impact the experience has had on your life.