CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Some called it chance, some may deem it good fortune or even dumb luck, but I tend to believe it was a healthy dose of irony that set the 2008 World's Strongest Man competition right here in Charleston.

After all, we have taken more than our share of low blows from the outside world in terms of our state of health. Even Men's Health magazine named our beautiful river city the unhealthiest place for men to live - several times.

So when Egypt exited and Charleston entered as host city, I smiled and gave thanks to Phil Pfister, the 2006 WSM champion who obviously has even more muscle than we knew by positioning us for such an international event.

Hosting worldwide competitors and all that goes with it in this unique, gravity-defying contest is no simple task especially with so little notice. But Gov. Manchin and Mayor Jones used their power to seal the deal.

The top 28 strength athletes will go head to head at a variety of sites in Charleston Sept. 6-14. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so clear your calendars and plan to witness up close and personal the men who continually rewrite the definition of strength.

Since the World's Strongest Man contest began in 1977, only two Americans have won the title: Bill Kazmaier, who is a three-time champion (1980, 1981 and 1982); and Phil Pfister, who claimed the title in dramatic fashion two years ago in China. Both men will be here - Kazmaier as commentator and Pfister as competitor.

To add appeal to the irony, there is one other West Virginian competing in the WSM event. Brian Siders, the world's strongest power lifter, will also vie for the title. I learned this during a conversation with yet another world-class athlete from our state, Arden Cogar, who is North America's top timber sports athlete. I have been fortunate to witness some of Cogar's and Pfister's intense training and asked them to share their insights about commitment and what it takes to compete at such a Herculean level.

Cogar, who competes in about 20 events a year says, "Excelling in sport takes commitment - a commitment to look at not only your physical output, but also your physical input. In other words, food. Your body is a machine that needs good fuel. You have to understand how your body responds to that fuel to get the most out of your performances. It also takes an understanding of what you can do and how often you can do it. Knowing your body is the most important thing - knowing what you can handle with an understanding of the frequency with which you can handle it."

Training to be the best at timber sports focuses on getting strong and fit during the fall and building a foundation of event training during the winter. As the competition grows closer, Cogar's workouts become more sport-specific.

Cogar describes himself as a part-time competitive lumberjack and a full-time lawyer, husband and father. He said his passion to be the best requires micromanagement of time and sacrifice. He doesn't watch television and allows himself only one unhealthy meal a week.

As he ages, Cogar adds, "I simply can't do what I did in the past, and that realization was a hard pill to swallow. I have to eat less, do more and lift lighter - all the while balancing a fine line between overtraining and getting better."

Pfister approaches training and commitment much like Cogar as he, too, has a family and a full-time job. Take a peek at one of Pfister's workouts and you'll stare in disbelief. These incredible displays of brute strength, however, are only appetizers on his workout menu.

In addition to lifting unreasonable amounts of weight, Pfister and other West Virginia strongmen got together to complete nine events in three days - carrying cars, pulling trucks and airplanes and throwing kegs to prepare their bodies to compete with other worldwide contenders.

Pfister reveals that he spends 10 to 20 hours a week alone stretching and recovering from his workouts. Imagine that commitment. This includes water work, light weight work, massage and stretching with a foam roller. He also is increasing his sleep in the weeks before the event.

When asked about the World's Strongest Man contest, Pfister was more inclined to talk about the family fun that will be set up at the contest venues Sept. 6, 7, 12 and 13.

He said, "Chesapeake Energy, along with three social service agencies, is putting together the Strong Families Festival, featuring kid-friendly activities and will serve a variety of children's needs. There will be something for everyone including inflatables, games and giveaways on Magic Island, Kanawha Boulevard and Coonskin Park."

Cogar said Siders just received his invitation to compete in the event about two weeks ago. "A short time to prepare for an event, but nothing a man who squats over 1,000 pounds can't handle."

He said he hopes all of West Virginia will come out to support Pfister and Siders.

Now, Charleston, no excuses. Make your commitment to witness this amazing exhibition of power, endurance and unimaginable strength. What you'll see is nothing short of an Olympic effort, and we need to support our home-grown guys who are evidence that Charleston is not such an unhealthy place to live after all.

Cindy Boggs, fitness presenter, author and Activate America director, has been an ACE-certified coordinator/instructor since 1989. Send your questions about fitness, training or health to YMCA of Kanawha Valley, 100 YMCA Drive, Charleston, WV 25311, or e-mail cindys...@aol.com. Look for Cindy's fitness advice book, "CindySays ... You Can Find Health in Your Hectic World" on her Web site www.cindysays.com or contact the YMCA at 340-3527.