Larry Wheels, now an immensely renowned bodybuilder, powerlifter, and YouTube personality, has a backstory that many are unaware of. This American fitness mogul started from modest roots and ascended to prominence with sheer determination. Let’s delve into the motivating tale of Larry “Wheels” Williams.
Transitioning from lifting makeshift weights crafted from broomsticks and cinderblocks and pushing himself to the brink on his bike, to becoming a record-breaking powerlifter on a global stage, Larry Wheels’ story is a beacon of hope for those navigating through tough times.
The Modest Origins of Larry Wheels:
The tale starts with a frail black boy named Larry Williams. Growing up as the sole child of a single mother in the Bronx, New York, his father abandoned him at one, and his mother lost custody when he was six. Consequently, young Larry lived with his grandmother and in foster care until he reached 12 years old.
At twelve, Larry Williams moved to St. Martin in the French Caribbean to reunite with his mother, living on the beachfront. Financial constraints hindered him from attending the private English school, leaving public school, and learning French as his sole option.
Instead, Larry chose to begin weightlifting, marking the genesis of Larry Williams’ transformation into Larry Wheels. Boredom and bullying drove him to create weights from a broomstick and cinder blocks. Larry reflects on his childhood by saying, “My Adam’s apple popping through my neck.”
At 14, Larry Wheels commenced his training and began pushing his limits. Finding friends among local peers was challenging as they often mistreated him. Consequently, he would often exhaust himself riding his bike, repeating this routine until he turned seventeen.
First Role as a Fitness Instructor:
Soon, Williams became dedicated to fitness. Upon returning to New York with his mother, he immediately joined a gym. He briefly waited tables alongside his mother, before securing a position as a trainer at a luxury gym, signaling the end of his struggles.
Williams recalls, “At 17, I realized I was already the strongest person in the gym.” He continues, “I didn’t want to squander this talent and questioned myself, ‘What am I on earth for?’ I wasn’t academically inclined, hated school, studying, and homework. My passion always lay in getting stronger at the gym.”
Powerlifting Record Holder:
After attaining exceptional strength, Larry Williams began entering powerlifting competitions. In 2016, he set the combined world record in the 242-pound weight class, totaling 2,171 pounds. However, he attained widespread recognition in November 2017, breaking the combined world record for the 275-pound weight class by lifting 2,275 pounds between the deadlift, back squat, and bench press at a Revolution Powerlifting Syndicate (RPS) event.
Although he weighed only 247 pounds during the competition, he competed in the 275-pound class and emerged victorious. This achievement catapulted him to the highest ranks of powerlifting, and he soon became a social media star. The rise of Larry Wheels had only begun here.
Subsequently, Larry Wheels made his professional debut at the RPS New Jersey State Championship, clinching a victory. Over the next seven years, he won numerous powerlifting competitions. His most significant triumph was at the 2020 Arnold Classic, where he won with a record total of 2,370 pounds.
Shift from Powerlifting to Bodybuilding:
Following his success in powerlifting, Larry Wheels relocated to Los Angeles and began training for bodybuilding contests. He aimed to increase his social media presence and set new personal challenges. In 2018, Larry competed in his first amateur bodybuilding contest in the NPC and emerged victorious.
His goal was to demonstrate the limits of human potential by participating in bodybuilding events with his powerlifting physique. In 2019, he also trained with the World’s Strongest Man 2018 winner and Game of Thrones actor, Thor Björnsson.
In 2020, Larry Wheels was featured in the documentary “Strength Wars: The Movie.” He continues to compete in amateur bodybuilding events, focusing on the Classic Physique division. He secured the overall Classic Physique title at the 2023 NPC Ultimate Warriors and placed second in the 2023 Amateur Olympia.
Challenges with Drugs, Steroids, and Injuries:
While Larry Wheels surged in the realms of powerlifting and bodybuilding, he encountered various hurdles. At 16, he developed a dependency on narcotics after being introduced to them by a gym acquaintance. The same associate also introduced him to anabolic steroids.
Initially, Wheels perceived these substances as a blessing, noting his body’s remarkable response. This newfound strength was initially thrilling. However, he later grasped the adverse effects and began turning towards a healthier path. Recently, he has swapped steroids for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
His public persona also pushed Larry Wheels to abandon steroids in favor of a more natural physique. “One major issue with my strength feats on social media is the risk of others considering performance-enhancing drugs,” Williams mentions in his video. “I would never advise newcomers or those starting their fitness journey to use them. The risks far outweigh the benefits.”
Besides these issues, Larry Wheels also dealt with injuries from his record-setting lifts, which strain his body. He often endures these minor setbacks two or three times yearly, but luckily, none have been severe. The tale of Larry Wheels is Electrifying.
Larry Wheels: The Influential Fitness Personality & Entrepreneur:
By 2024, Larry “Wheels” Williams gained prominence as a celebrated fitness influencer, social media phenomenon, world-record powerlifter, amateur bodybuilder, arm wrestler, and business proprietor. His social media presence includes over 5 million Instagram followers, 2.6 million TikTok followers, and nearly 3 million YouTube subscribers.
Larry is also the proprietor of the fitness apparel and programs brand PR Lifestyle. His journey is far from over as he aims to become a professional bodybuilder and clinch the World’s Strongest Man title. From his challenging childhood, Larry Wheels has emerged as a remarkably triumphant individual.
What Does Larry Wheels’ Workout Plan Look Like?
Larry Wheels follows a workout regime five days a week, comprising three days of intense training and two days focusing on isolation exercises. Occasionally, he trains only three days weekly, with rest days in between to ensure complete muscle recovery during strenuous powerlifting sessions.
Here is Larry Wheels’ typical weekly workout schedule:
Monday: Chest:
- Barbell flat bench press (5 sets, 6-12 reps)
- Incline dumbbell bench press (5 sets, 8-12 reps)
- Decline barbell bench press (5 sets, 8-12 reps)
- Lat pulldown (5 sets, 10-12 reps)
- Pec deck machine (5 sets, 10-12 reps)
Tuesday: Back:
- Wide grip bodyweight pull-up (4 sets, 10-15 reps)
- Bent over cable lat pulldown (5 sets, 8-12 reps)
- Behind the neck lat pulldown (5 sets, 10-15 reps)
- Seated machine row (5 sets, 10-15 reps)
- Single-arm machine row (5 sets, 10-15 reps)
- Hammer Strength seated row (5 sets, 10-15 reps)
Wednesday: Shoulders:
- Standing behind the neck shoulder press (5 sets, 6-12 reps)
- Seated dumbbell press (5 sets, 8-12 reps)
- Incline Smith machine shoulder press (5 sets, 8-15 reps)
- Side lateral raise machine (5 sets, 10-15 reps)
- Reverse pec deck (5 sets, 10-15 reps)
Thursday: Legs:
- Barbell squat (6 sets, 5-8 reps)
- Barbell squat with resistance bands (6 sets, 5-8 reps)
- Barbell deadlift (6 sets, 5-8 reps)
- Smith machine squat (6 sets, 5-8 reps)
- Back extension (4 sets, 10-15 reps)
Friday: Arms:
- Cable triceps push-down (4 sets, 10-15 reps)
- Seated dumbbell triceps extension (4 sets, 10-15 reps)
- Weighted bench dips (4 sets, 10-15 reps)
- Lying down cable curl (4 sets, 10-15 reps)
- Standing plate curl (4 sets, 10-15 reps)
- EZ bar curl (4 sets to failure)
Keep in mind that Larry Wheels is a versatile athlete, competing in various disciplines like powerlifting, bodybuilding, arm wrestling, strongman events, and more. Therefore, he often modifies his workout plans to suit his specific goals. It’s advisable not to follow his regimen blindly.
What Does Larry Wheels’ Diet Entail?
During bulking phases, Larry Wheels consumes a high-calorie diet, totaling about 5,500 calories per day, which includes over 400 grams of fat. His staple foods for bulking are rice, avocados, and beef. When cutting, he drastically reduces his caloric intake and focuses more on vegetables and fruits.
Regardless of the phase, his diet consistently features chicken, salmon, and sweet potato. Cinnabon rolls are his preferred cheat meal. He typically eats 8 to 9 times a day, including snacks. For supplements, Larry relies on whey protein, pre-workouts, BCAA, creatine, and multivitamins.
Here is a sample of Larry Wheels’ diet based on his interviews and YouTube content:
Breakfast:
- Eggs
- Oatmeal
- Fruit Juice
Snack:
- Whey Protein Shake
- Multivitamins
Lunch:
- Cookie Crisp Cereal
- Rice and Beef
- Milk
Snack:
- Lasagna
- Yogurt
Dinner:
- Grilled Chicken Burger
- French Fries
- Salads
Snack:
- Whey Protein Shake
- Fresh Fruits
Final Take: The Ascendence & Ascend of Larry Wheels:
This narrative chronicles the journey of Larry Wheels. Despite facing significant obstacles during his youth, he remained resolute in the face of adversity. Life presented numerous hurdles to him as a young adolescent, but he confronted them with determination and poise. Ultimately, he discovered his calling and rose to become a globally recognized fitness icon and inspiration for many.
His tale serves as motivation for those enduring challenging periods. They say difficult times shape strong individuals, and Larry Wheels embodies this inspirational saying. He now finds satisfaction in his role as a social media influencer and strives to live up to it.
Disclaimer: Larry Wheels adheres to a strict training schedule and consumes a high-calorie diet due to his career in powerlifting and bodybuilding. We strongly recommend our readers not to imitate his workout or dietary plans without consulting with their personal trainers to create a tailored regimen.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Below are some of the most common questions about Larry Wheels:
What is Larry Wheels renowned for?:
Larry Wheels gained fame from setting powerlifting world records during the 2020 Arnold Classic, where he achieved a total weight of 2,370 pounds. Additionally, he won his first powerlifting competition in the 275-pound class, despite weighing only 247 pounds, with a then-record total weight of 2,275 pounds.
Is Larry Wheels among the strongest individuals on Earth?:
Standing at 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 255 lbs, Larry Wheels is considered one of the strongest men globally, holding the powerlifting world record with a raw total weight of 2,370 lbs, comprising an 870 lbs squat, 645 lbs bench press, and 870 lbs deadlift.
Is Larry Wheels natural currently?:
In his YouTube video “Steroids: The Raw Truth! LarryWheels,” Larry admitted to still using certain steroids, though in much smaller quantities compared to his teenage years. “I prefer to use the bare minimum to get me through,” he stated. He attributed this choice to his role as a social media figure and his desire not to set a negative example for his followers.
Is Larry Wheels on testosterone now?:
In an interview, Larry Wheels disclosed that he is undergoing Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) since his body cannot produce adequate testosterone independently due to prolonged use of anabolic steroids. His body struggles to recover, build, or preserve muscle mass without a sufficient testosterone level.
Does Larry Wheels participate in Mr. Olympia?:
Larry Wheels aspires to compete in Mr. Olympia soon but has yet to turn professional. He participated in the 2023 Amateur Olympia and secured second place in the Classic Physique division, narrowly missing out on the chance to turn pro. He aims to achieve professional status this year by clinching the title.