Larry Wheels: from powerlifter to bodybuilder, who is this extraordinary athlete?

Larry Wheels is an exceptional athlete with an incredible physique. An avid sportsman from an early age, he excels in a wide range of disciplines, including powerliftingarm-wrestling and, more recently, the bodybuilding. However, this young jack-of-all-trades also experienced health problems that could have seriously compromised his career. I invite you to discover his extraordinary career in this article.

Who is Larry Wheels?

Born on December 3, 1994 in the Bronx district of New York City, Larry Williams - better known as Larry Wheels - is an athlete practicing various sports disciplines: athletic strength, arm-wrestling and body-building.

Larry had a rather difficult childhood. Living alone with his mother, this only son was finally placed with his grandparents at the age of 6, following a family incident. He was finally able to return to live with his mother 6 years later.

Very early on, young Larry wanted to to get stronger to protect himself from harassment. As the minimum age for joining a gym was 16, he began training on his own, at home, mainly with bodyweight.

Once he reached the age of 16, and after earning his first salary, he joined a local weight room to start working out. develop your physique.

By turns a powerlifter, bodybuilder and arm-wrestler, Larry Wheels is also, and above all, a man of action. fitness influencer extremely popular. Followed by nearly 5 million people on his Instagram accountEvery time we publish on our social networks, we generate tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of interactions.

Larry Wheels: the strength sports prodigy

An accomplished strength athlete

On the strength of his impressive progress, the young American quickly began to break the counter in the weight room.

The Larry Wheels' measurements speak for themselves: 1.85 metres for 130 kilos!

He took part in his first powerlifting competition in 2013, at the RPS InsurreXtion II, lifting a total of 821 kilos.

In 2016, in the 110-kilogram category, he achieved the feat of lifting a total weight of 985 kilos at the Reebok Record Breakers in California (350 kilos in the squat, 260 kilos in the bench press and 375 kilos in the deadlift). At just 21 years of age.

In competition, he has since shattered his personal bests, with performances that are simply mind-boggling:

• Squat 394.6 kilos at the XPC Arnold in 2020
• Bench press 292.5 kilos, also at the XPC Arnold in 2020
• Deadlift 400 kilos at the 2018 USPA Kern US Open

In parallel, Larry Wheels also tried his hand at sports arm wrestling. Anything but a surprise, given his extraordinary size. He even went so far as to challenge the famous Thor Bjornssonstrongman better known as La Montagne in the series Game of Thrones. A confrontation that ended in defeat for Larry, after a hard-fought battle.

A promising start in bodybuilding

Larry Wheels has made a remarkable foray into the world of bodybuilding by winning his very first competition at amateur level, the 2018 NPC Gold Coast Muscle Classic held in California. At the time, he was competing in the heavyweight category.

In 2021, he also finished on top of the podium at the NPC Mid-Florida Classic.

Although Larry Wheels chose to continue his bodybuilding career in order to obtain a pro card, he has now turned to the category Classic Physicsthe same as the Canadian Chris Bumstead.

From a weight of around 125 kilos, he had to lose weight. As a result, he presented a lean, perfectly shaped physique at the NPC Ultimate Warriors 2023, taking the gold medal in his new division at 104 kilos.

A performance that did not, however, qualify him for professional status. Larry Wheels has signed up with Mr Olympia 2023 Amateur. The competition saw him finish in a fine second place, another milestone on his road to the professional world.

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Major health challenges

Diagnosed with severe kidney disease

Despite his many sporting successes, Larry Wheels has also experienced more difficult times.

In August 2023, he confided on its YouTube channel have been diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis.

This disease is responsible for the destruction of skeletal muscle tissue, and can lead to serious kidney complications. Everyday symptoms include severe muscle pain, swelling, nausea and darker urine (due to kidney failure).

The American athlete had to be hospitalized to allow his kidneys to evacuate the toxins present in his body.

In 2022, he also announced that he would stop using steroids anabolics, which he had been taking since the age of 17, to preserve his health. This mechanically caused a drop in his production of testosterone (this is calledhypogonadism).

That's why he underwent testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), a highly developed medical procedure on the other side of the Atlantic that maintains the body's production of this hormone.

Discover 12 (bad) habits that can actually lower your testosterone levels.

A healthy weight that's hard to maintain

Maintaining his bodybuilding weight is another major challenge for Larry Wheels. To have a chance of shining in Classic Physique, he has to be dry and weigh in at around 108 kilos. But this is unusual, as he has weighed as much as 130 kilos when he was powerlifting.

He must therefore impose a drastic diet on himself before each competition in order to lose weight. A caloric deficit that leaves its mark, both physically and mentally.

After taking part in the Olympia Amateur 2023, Larry Wheels gained over 24 kilos in just 5 days. A weight gain the result of total psychological relaxation. As soon as the competition was over, the bodybuilder consumed an excessive number of calories. On the first day alone, he estimates he consumed over 20,000 calories !

Burgers, French fries, pancakes, bagels, cheese, cereals, cookies, sweets... you name it! A well-known phenomenon in the world of bodybuilding, since it's the binge eatinga compulsive eating disorder. After several trying months of strict discipline, her desire for reward took over everything else.

Larry Wheels ignored all the advice on rebounding. Indeed, it would have been preferable to consider a reverse diet to find a metabolism normal.

In addition to the health risks of such overeating, it's certain that the American athlete will have to be more rigorous if he is to survive in the world of professional bodybuilding, if he manages to earn his IFBB card.

Conclusion

Larry Wheels is a fantastic athlete, demonstrating remarkable versatility between several disciplines. After breaking new ground in powerlifting, he has made a successful transition to bodybuilding. If he can maintain his rigor, his imposing physique and ability to showcase every muscle should open the door to a successful career.