• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Breaking Muscle

Breaking Muscle

Breaking Muscle

  • Fitness
  • Workouts
    • Best Shoulder Workouts
    • Best Chest Workouts
    • Best Leg Workouts
    • Best Leg Exercises
    • Best Biceps Exercises
    • Best Kettlebell Exercises
    • Best Back Workouts
    • Best HIIT Workouts
    • Best Triceps Exercises
    • Best Arm Workouts
  • Reviews
    • Supplements
      • Best Pre-Workout
      • Best Bodybuilding Supplements
      • Best Supplements for Weight Loss
      • Best Creatine
      • Best BCAAs
      • Best Multivitamin for Men
      • Best Collagen Supplement
      • Best Probiotic
      • Best Non-Stim Pre-Workout
      • Best Magnesium Supplements
      • Athletic Greens AG1 Review
    • Protein
      • Best Protein Powder
      • Best Whey Protein
      • Best Protein Powders for Muscle Gain
      • Best Mass Gainer
      • Best Protein Shakes
      • Best Organic Protein Powder
      • Best Pea Protein Powder
    • Strength Equipment
      • Best Home Gym Equipment
      • Best Squat Racks
      • Best Barbells
      • Best Weightlifting Belts
      • Best Weight Plates
      • Best Weight Benches
      • Best Dumbbells
      • Best Adjustable Dumbbells
      • Best Kettlebells
      • Best Home Gym Machines
      • Best Resistance Bands
      • Best Cable Machines
      • Best Trap Bars
      • The Best Pull-Up Bar
    • Cardio Equipment
      • Best Cardio Machines
      • Best Rowing Machines
      • Best Treadmills
      • Best Weighted Vests
    • Certifications
      • ISSA Review
  • News
  • Exercise Guides
    • Legs
      • Back Squat
      • Bulgarian Split Squat
      • Goblet Squat
      • Zercher Squat
      • Standing Calf Raise
      • Hack Squat
    • Chest
      • Bench Press
      • Dumbbell Bench Press
      • Close-Grip Bench Press
      • Incline Bench Press
    • Shoulders
      • Overhead Dumbbell Press
      • Lateral Raise
    • Arms
      • Chin-Up
      • Weighted Pull-Up
      • Triceps Pushdown
    • Back
      • Deadlift
      • Trap Bar Deadlift
      • Lat Pulldown
      • Inverted Row
      • Bent-Over Barbell Row
      • Single-Arm Dumbbell Row
      • Pendlay Row
News

Larry Wheels Crushes a 661-Pound Paused Bench Press

The versatile Wheels can add this unique strength feat to a quality profile of work.

Written by Robert Zeglinski Last updated on April 4, 2022

Larry “Wheels” Williams is no stranger to the strength sports sphere. A bodybuilder, powerlifter, strongman, and popular YouTuber (roughly 2.25 million subscribers), Wheels is one of the more recognizable names in a community of elite athletes. On April 3, 2022, Wheels made waves with his strength when he achieved a one-rep, 661-pound paused bench press in training.

Per Open Powerlifting, Wheels’ mark eclipses his best-ever traditional bench press in a powerlifting competition by 16 pounds. He’s also pressed 675 pounds, raw, in training. And this lift was also raw, while Wheels wore elbow and wrist wraps for his paused bench press. Given the bench press variation that some might consider more challenging, it’s an impressive strength showing. 

Check out Wheels’ staggering lift below, courtesy of his Instagram page: 

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Larry (@larrywheels)

[Related: Eddie Hall Talks Future, Eating ‘Humble Pie’ After Boxing Match With Hafthor Björnsson]

Benefits of the Paused Bench Press

The primary distinction between the paused bench press and the traditional variation is time.

A powerlifter will take a short pause during a paused bench after lowering a loaded barbell to their chest. It is only after the break that they lift the weight back up. In contrast to the standard bench press, which is touch-and-go — the lifter does not pause the rep at the bottom. 

One reason powerlifters elect to sometimes train with a paused bench is to strengthen the bottom phase of their standard bench press. And competitive powerlifters are required to implement a pause. During a sanctioned event, the lifter has the dual expectation of performing the full range of motion of the bench press, and making sure the barbell is entirely motionless in a short pause at the bottom before locking out the rep. Anything less, and an officiant may not recognize the rep.

The paused bench press can act as a helpful simulation of a meet’s stipulations.

3 Easy Tips to Improve Your Bench Press

As far as strength challenges, the paused bench press can create strength progress by eliminating one crucial component.

In a touch-and-go bench press, a powerlifter has the benefit of having their strength and the natural stretch reflex — the momentum they generate while lowering their barbell helps with the lift. By pausing at the bottom, the powerlifter takes the stretch reflex out of the equation, and relies entirely on their strength to finish the rep. 

If a powerlifter can utilize the paused bench press well, it’ll likely be to their benefit. Research shows that while the pause increases the chance for failure, it also increases potential strength gains and endurance over time — especially with improved volume. (1)

By training with a paused bench press, someone like Wheels could prepare for a competition and increase his volume simultaneously.

Versatile Power

It’s been over two years since Wheels last competed in a formal powerlifting event. This latest paused bench press seems to reiterate that he does not need meets to showcase his strength. A relatively recent 430.1-kilogram squat (950 pounds) performed with chains, and an 11-rep set of a 337.9-kilogram deadlift (745 pounds) show Wheels has incredible, adaptable power — regardless of whether he shows it in a competition. 

References:

  1. Korak, J.A., Paquette, M.R., Brooks, J., Fuller, D.K., Coons, J.M. (2017). Effect of rest-pause vs. traditional bench press training on muscle strength, electromyography, and lifting volume in randomized trial protocols. European Journal of Applied Physiology; 2017 Jun; 117, p. 1891–1896 

Featured image: @larrywheels on Instagram

About Robert Zeglinski

Robert is a seasoned and adept editor and writer with a keen, passionate penchant for the writing craft. He's been a leader in newsrooms such as SB Nation, USA TODAY, and WBBM Newsradio, with various other content and art production teams, and first made a name for himself in his hometown of Chicago. When not knee-deep in research or lost in a stream of consciousness for a thorough piece, you can find Robert inhaling yet another novel, journaling his heart out, or playing with his Shiba Inu, Maximus (Max, for short).

View All Articles

Recommended Articles

Bodybuilder Larry Wheels in double biceps pose
Larry Wheels Teases Ripped Transformation for Classic Physique Division
Bodybuilder and Strongman Larry Wheels posing
Larry Wheels Will Compete in Classic Physique Division in 2023
Larry Wheels Full Mock Powerlifting Meet January 2023
Larry Wheels Crushes a Full Mock Powerlifting Meet on TRT
Powerlifter Larry Wheels squatting with a safety bar in front of legendary bodybuilder Ronnie Coleman.
8-Time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman Takes Larry Wheels Through a Grueling Leg Workout

Primary Sidebar

Latest Articles

Best Magnesium Supplements of 2023 for Better Sleep, Leg Cramps, and More

30-Minute Treadmill Workouts for Fat Loss, Metabolic Conditioning, and More

The 10 Most Common Pre-Workout Side Effects

Hafthor Björnsson Puts Powerlifting on Pause for Return to Strongman Competition

Latest Reviews

Best Budget Barbells of 2023 for CrossFit, Powerlifting, and More

Best Cable Machines for Home Gyms of 2023 (Wall-Mounted, Compact, Budget-Friendly)

The Best Pull-Up Bar of 2023, According to a Strength and Conditioning Coach

Best Pea Protein Powders for Weight Loss, Muscle Building, and More (2023)

woman lifting barbell

Be the smartest person in your gym

The Breaking Muscle newsletter is everything you need to know about strength in a 3 minute read.

I WANT IN!

Breaking Muscle is the fitness world’s preeminent destination for timely, high-quality information on exercise, fitness, health, and nutrition. Our audience encompasses the entire spectrum of the fitness community: consumers, aficionados, fitness professionals, and business owners. We seek to inform, educate and advocate for this community.

  • Reviews
  • Healthy Eating
  • Workouts
  • Fitness
  • News

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS Feed

© 2023 · Breaking Muscle · Terms of Use · Privacy Policy · Affiliate Disclaimer · Accessibility · About