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1 5 - 0 1 - 2 0 0 5 COURAGE: Muscle man's charity pledge
The Evening Telegraph
A BODYBUILDER who was struck down by a muscle wasting disease has vowed to fight back – by raising money for charity.
At his peak, Martin Anderson weighed 20 stones, had a rippling 55-inch chest, and each of his thighs measured 38 inches. But in January 2003, after being struck down with a flu virus, 24-year-old Martin noticed his strength steadily depleting, and eventually visited a doctor.
He said: "I was just getting progressively weaker, so the doctors did some tests. It is some sort of muscle wasting disease, but the doctors are still doing tests to confirm whether it is muscular dystrophy." Now the 24-year-old has to be supported when he walks, either by walking aids or with the help of his wife Sally.
After falling ill, Martin had to give up work as a deputy sales manager at The Link, in the Queensgate centre.
He stopped training while he struggled to cope with his condition, and lost five stone as the illness worsened. Martin, and Sally (26), now live with Martin's parents in Central Avenue, Dogsthorpe, Peterborough. Sally also had to give up her job to help Martin through his illness.
He added: "Sally has been a tower of strength and a real support. It has been hard for both of us, but you find a way through it."
Last year, Martin gathered the strength to begin an access course in humanities and sciences at Peterborough Regional College, and returned to the gym.
Rickie Siggins (32), a personal trainer, has been helping Martin regain his strength in Ultra Bodies gym, in Broadway, city centre. He said: "Martin possess such courage and determination. When he came to train again I think he was at his lowest ebb. His condition has now responded to the training and his strength is making slow progress.
"He really does inspire others. If people had just a bit of the courage he shows they could really make a difference to their own lives. Some people make excuses not to bother keeping in shape, but Martin shows them that anything is possible."
The pair now hope to organise an event to raise money for muscular dystrophy charities.
Martin added: "I wanted to do something over Christmas but I wasn't strong enough. We are hoping to arrange a sponsored bike ride, but I want to be sure I am well enough. I am determined to beat this illness."
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[Definitie:] "An ergogenic aid is any substance or phenomenon that enhances performance."
(Wilmore and Costill) 
