Consider Chris Heath forearmed and dangerous.

He's threatening to any ambitious soul wanting to match muscle power in his specialty: arm-wrestling.

The former "computer geek" has turned into a 21st century Hercules, much like mild-manner scientist David Banner becomes "The Hulk" on the silver screen.

The big difference is this isn't fiction, and the transformation doesn't figure to change anytime soon.

Heath, 37, has won numerous arms wars on the local and state levels. Now his cross-hairs are on a shinier prize -- The Arnold Classic set March 6-8 in Columbus, Ohio.

"That's the biggie," said Heath, who qualified for the national event by finishing third in an Arnold qualifier in Atlantic City, N.J. Next up is an Aug. 30 event in Greenville, N.C.

"I wouldn't say it [arm-wrestling] has hit mainstream, but it's a pretty big sport in some areas -- especially Europe," Heath said. "You can win some money."

With rigid regulations, arm-pulling often is held in conjunction with bodybuilding, weightlifting and mixed-martial arts competitions.

Setting the stage: Now a robust 215-pounder, Heath is one you might not recognize at the school reunion.

At Dinwiddie (Class of '89), he played baseball but was too thin for football.

"I was about this big around," he said, holding up a pencil. "As a senior, I was 6-1, 145."

Following graduation, he took computer courses at ECPI and spent 10 years programming before opening Tri-City Truck Accessories in Colonial Heights a few years ago.

He traces his arm-wrestling interest to Joe's Place in Petersburg, where he dabbled in the sport, and to a Web site, www.myarmtv.com, where he became a message-board regular.

"You can watch pulls from all over the world," he said. "You learn all about it."

Partners needed: Heath has his own "wrestling table" at a Chester home he shares with wife Beth and golden retriever, Mad Max. What he doesn't have is practice partners.

"I either drive two hours to Northern Virginia or an hour-45 to Virginia Beach," he said. "You've got to do it, because table time is key."

Heath, who competes both right and left-handed, lifts weights at American Family Fitness/Colonial Heights and at his home with a pulley device specifically designed for his sport.

Heath suggests an unusually long forearm gives him an advantage in leverage.

"A good sized hand doesn't hurt, either," he said.

Movie moments: What young boy hasn't arm-wrestled on a school desk or cafeteria table?

The original "Old Man and the Sea" (1958) opens with fisherman Spencer Tracy engaged in an arm-wrestling tussle -- a prelude to his struggles to follow.

In the 1986 movie, "The Fly," transforming Jeff Goldblum shatters a foe's arm in a horrific arm-wrestling scene. In 1987, a buff Sylvester Stallone glamorized forearm power in "Over the Top."

Heath suggests he's more Stallone than Tracy or Fly.

"I use what you call the top-roll method," Heath said.

With a smile, he added: "That's what Stallone used to beat that guy."