The be·gin·ning of a journey.....

At an early age i use to hear stories about people in my family weight training. I saw a picture once, it was an old black and white of an uncle in a suit, wearing a turban and shaking hands with someone. It was shot in my mums village maybe 40+ years ago. But what struck me about this image was the sheer size of uncle. His arms were huge, even in his suit he looked stuffed in. From what i could see of his chest and side view of his back he looked like a behemoth. His sheer bulk took three quaters of the picture and made the guy standing next to him very small.

I also remember another relative who died under the bench press. From what i can recall he strained his sterum while using chest expanders and didnt even know he did it, but that same day he went into his garage and started to bench press, but he must of passed out or something, because the bar had fallen onto his chest and broke his ribcage. He died under the bar......

I remember my first ever bodybuilding magazine and it was called 'Bodybuilding' Albert Beckles was on the front cover and there was a 4 page spread of Rich Gaspari going for the Mr Olympia title. I can still the images of Rich Gaspari doing single arm tricep extensions and barbell curls.

I remember hassling my dad to buy me a door way chinning bar, Weider adjustable weight bench with leg ext/leg curl and preacher curl attachment. I also hassled him to buy me a DP cast iron 100 kilo barbell set and devouring Bruce Randells booklet that came with the set.  I also remember waking up in the morning and going with my dad in the winter months to work for 4 hours before and after school to earn the money for all this equipment.

My first training program was -

Monday/Friday

Seated press behind the neck 3 x10
Lateral raise 3x10
Rear Fly 3x10
Bench press 3x10
Flat fly 3x10
Incline bench press 3 x10
Incline fly 3 x10
Barbell row 3x10
Chins 3x10
Barbell curl 3x10
Dumbbell tricep Ext 3x10


Wednesdays

Squat 3 x10
Leg Ext 3x10
Leg Curl 3x10
Good moring 3x10

Cruncies 3x15
Twisting cruncies 3x15
Side bends 3x15
Twists 3x15

Wrist curl 3x15
Reverse wrist curl 3x15
Reverse curl 3x15

Standing barbell calf raises 3x15


I would drink a Weider weightgainer after training without fail. And within 3 months my weight went from 10st to 12st and it was soild weight, muscle even. I smile to myself when i think back/about that time in my life, the beginning of my journey and it occurred to me that i have been training for over 25 years. Its been 25 years of gaining knowledge, lifting and doing battle with myself everytime i touched a weight bar.....

Its true what they say 'time does fly when your having fun'......