Coming off an impressive performance at the 2023 NPC Ultimate Warriors in which he won his Classic Physique debut, the uber-popular powerlifter-turned-bodybuilder still had to trim a few inches off his sizable frame. Unfortunately for Wheels, his peak week efforts to go from 240 to 232 pounds didn’t result in a first-place finish in Orlando, FL, as Ejike Enwereuzor Jr. captured the Amateur Olympia Classic Physique championship on Nov. 2, 2023.

Less than a week later, however, Wheels’ body appeared vastly different than it did when he stood on stage at the Orange County Convention Center. On Nov. 5, 2023, a noticeably larger version of the versatile strength athlete shared a video on his YouTube video detailing how he gained 53 pounds in five days after competing in the Amateur Olympia. Not only did Wheels discuss his use of diuretics, but he also delivered a complete breakdown of the cheat meals he consumed that contributed to such a substantial jump.

Having last stepped on stage at around 265 pounds, Wheels went on a serious cut to get contest-ready for the Classic Physique category. Besides severely reducing his calories and essentially eliminating carbohydrates from his diet for several weeks, his weight-loss process also involved the use of diuretics, which bodybuilders often use during peak week to reduce muscle water retention, increase urine output, and excrete sodium to present a more aesthetic physique. (1)

“This was my first time getting fully depleted for a show,” Wheels explained. “I did use diuretics to make weight and to have that dry, hard look on stage.”

Despite falling short of his goal of earning his IFBB Pro League card, the record-setting powerlifter-turned-bodybuilder certainly proved how powerful combining diuretics with a calorie-restrictive diet can be for quickly transforming your physique. Yet after tipping the scales at 231.4 pounds during weigh-ins on Oct. 30, 2023, and competing in the Amateur Olympia at 238 pounds two days later, Wheels surprised himself by ballooning up to 284 pounds by Nov. 4, 2023.

“I don’t think I’ve consumed enough fluid and solid food to add up to 40 pounds,” he said. “I don’t understand where all the weight came from.”

[Related: Walking for Weight Loss: A Guide to Drop the Pounds]

While Wheels’ massive weight gain may seem shocking, it shouldn’t be based on both his diuretic use and his post-contest diet. After utilizing diuretics twice within three days to make weight for both shows, it would only be natural for his body to begin retaining fluids instead of shedding them. Plus, when you stop taking diuretics and start binge eating like Wheels did, you’re bound to see the number on the scale go up as you replenish your muscle glycogen stores.

In a classic example of the effects of a post-contest cheat meal spree, here’s what the social media star ate that left him 53 pounds heavier.

Larry Wheels’ Full Cheat Meal Lineup

After abstaining from any type of comfort food for quite some time, Wheels went all-in over two days with nine calorie-dense cheat meals:

Day One

• Cheat Meal One: Two bacon double cheeseburgers and one large fry (Five Guys)
• Cheat Meal Two: 16-pounce ribeye steak and sweet potato mash (Ruth’s Chris Steak House)
• Cheat Meal Three: One bag of Pop-Tarts
• Cheat Meal Four: Two cups of noodles

Day Two

• Cheat Meal Five: Cinnamon roll pancakes, hash browns, and sunny-side-up eggs
• Cheat Meal Six: Cinnamon roll bagel with cream cheese, orange juice, and a bowl of cereal
• Cheat Meal Seven: Bacon double cheeseburger with French fries and lemon cookies
• Cheat Meal Eight: Fried chicken sandwich, six bone-in wings, three chicken tenders, and French fries — plus chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream for dessert (Buffalo Wild Wings)
• Cheat Meal Nine: 14-inch margherita pizza, garlic knots, and a salad

Ultimately, Wheels estimated that he consumed about 20,000 calories within the first 24 hours after stepping on the Amateur Olympia stage. But after taking a no-holds-barred approach to eating and seeing the number on the scale shoot up by more than 50 pounds in such a short amount of time, he sounded ready to get back to a more disciplined lifestyle.

“It’s time to screw my head back on straight and eat clean,” he said.

Featured Image: Larry Wheels / YouTube

References

1. Escalante, G., Stevenson, S.W., Barakat, C. et al. Peak week recommendations for bodybuilders: an evidence-based approach. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 13, 68 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-021-00296-y

The post Larry Wheels Gained 53 Pounds in 5 Days After Finishing Second at 2023 Amateur Olympia appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

Noticeably leaner across the board, Wheels has clearly worked hard to prepare for the next phase of his bodybuilding journey. With his sights set on earning his International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro Card at the 2023 Amateur Olympia on Nov. 1, 2023, the winner of the 2018 NPC Gold Coast Muscle Classic Heavyweight division gave a glimpse at his trimmer frame in a chest day workout vlog posted on his YouTube channel on Oct. 25, 2023.

Joining forces with IFBB Pro Luis Sierra at Team Zero Gravity Fitness in Claremont, Calif., Wheels kicked off the session with a quick physique update. After pointing out that he weighed about 265 pounds (120.2 kilograms) the last time he competed in bodybuilding, Wheels said, “I’ve never been this conditioned in my life.”

Currently tipping the scales at 240 pounds (108.9 kilograms), he needs to trim eight more pounds (3.6 kilograms) off his sizable frame before he steps on stage. But with the 2023 NPC/IFBB Pro League Ultimate Warriors contest taking place in Anaheim, Calif., just four days before the 2023 Amateur Olympia, Wheels didn’t want to risk getting injured by going too heavy during the workout.

Still, he and Sierra, along with Team Zero Gravity founder and head coach Ryan Bentson, completed a series of four chest exercises that provided a fantastic pump. The workout begins at the 2:45 mark of the video.

Plate-Loaded Chest Press Machine

Starting off on a TuffStuff Fitness chest press machine prototype designed by Bentson, Wheels warmed up with a 45-pound (20.4-kilogram) plate per side. He pushed his pecs further using a progressive overload method, adding another 45-pound plate per side for his second set.

Although Bentson noted that the machine can feel heavy quickly, that didn’t stop the trio from increasing the weight again. Gripping the handles so that his palms faced inward, Wheels had no trouble completing a third set that included an additional 25 pounds (11.3 kilograms) on each side. Even when the group swapped out the 25-pounder for a 45-pound plate, he completed every rep with relative ease compared to his training partners.

Perhaps that shouldn’t have been a surprise given Wheels’ powerlifting background. He told Sierra that he’s used 250-pound (113.4-kilogram) dumbbells for bench press training and 185-pound (84-kilogram) dumbbells for the seated shoulder press. However, lifting that heavy can be a challenge when you’re at the end of a contest prep and depleted of muscle-fueling glycogen.

Interestingly, although Wheels revealed that he’s been eating an incredibly low 1,000 calories per day (including zero carbohydrates) for the previous three weeks to drop from 270 pounds (122.5 kilograms), he doesn’t find cutting nearly as difficult as bulking.

“When you’re doing bulking right, you wake up full, you go to bed full, you’re never hungry,” Wheels explained. “If you’re hungry and you’re bulking, you’re not bulking hard enough. When I’m bulking, there’s never a point in the day where I’m enjoying anything.”

After finishing up their final set, the group moved on to another machine that worked the chest in a much different manner.

Plate-Loaded Incline Flye Machine

Next, Wheels and his training partners worked on the plate-loaded incline flye machine to get a full stretch of the pecs. Despite being “flat” due to a lack of glycogen in his muscles, Wheels had visible striations in his chest as he performed the exercise.

Ordinarily, bodybuilders will consume carbohydrates shortly before a contest to produce a fuller look. However, with Wheels needing to make weight for the Amateur Olympia just 48 hours after he hits the stage in Anaheim, Bentson said he will compete in the first show without any carbs in his system.

In between sets, Wheels practiced his poses, showcasing a well-balanced physique that should surely look even more impressive when he’s filled out for his second show.

Plate-Loaded Incline Press Machine

The second-to-last exercise targeted the upper pecs, anterior deltoids, and triceps. Starting with a pair of 45-pound plates per side, the group ramped up the intensity with every set. A shirtless Wheels looked right at home working with 180 pounds (81.6 kilograms) worth of plates on each side for five repetitions on the penultimate set.

To finish off this portion of the workout, the group utilized a “burn out,” in Wheels’ words. The weight was reduced back to the starting point, 90 pounds (40.8 kilograms) per side, and the athletes aimed to complete as many repetitions as possible, with Wheels tallying 19.

High-to-Low Cable Crossover

The workout ended with cable crossovers — an isolation movement that applies a high amount of tension to the pecs. This chest flye variation brought out the striations in Wheels’ chest and arms even more, especially as he squeezed his pecs together.

During the final part of the session, Wheels discussed the differences between getting contest-ready and following a less-strict lifestyle.

“I’m a lot happier at 280. I’m a lot happier when you eat what you want, whenever you want,” Wheels said. “Looking good is great for the odd time that I look in the mirror and make a video. Outside of that, it’s a constant battle mentally of ‘can’t have that’ and ‘can’t have this’ and it’s just not as fun as being huge and eating whatever you want.”

Ultimately, though, the decorated athlete acknowledged that he’s on a mission to see what he’s capable of. Still determined to become the strongest professional bodybuilder of all time, Wheels stated that he hasn’t abandoned his goal of eventually completing a 1,000-pound deadlift.

Efficient Contest Prep Chest Workout

Although no specific number of reps or sets were provided, you can utilize this short-but-sweet chest workout as a baseline for your own muscle-building goals. Aim for three to four sets of eight to 12 reps of each exercise, and don’t be afraid to use a relatively challenging weight on the chest press and incline press, as they’re multi-joint movements which incorporate your shoulders and triceps, as well as your chest.

• Plate-Loaded Chest Press Machine  
• Plate-Loaded Incline Fly Machine
• Plate-Loaded Incline Press Machine
• High-to-Low Cable Crossover

Given all the success he’s enjoyed as a strongman, powerlifter, bodybuilder, and fitness influencer, no one should doubt Larry Wheels’ ability to deliver a winning performance. However, he certainly faces a tough challenge to go from being a 270-pound strength athlete to a 232-pound Classic Physique competitor in what’s become arguably the most popular division in the sport of bodybuilding.

Featured Image: Larry Wheels / YouTube

The post Larry Wheels Crushes Chest Workout One Week Out from Pursuing Classic Physique Dream at Amateur Olympia appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On Mar. 18, 2023, Wheels posted two revealing photos on his Instagram to showcase his bodybuilding training progress. In the brief caption, the athlete asks rhetorically if he’s “looking classic yet,” indicating that the post is a teaser of how far he’s come in his plans. In one photo, Wheels has both of his arms outstretched as if to show off a seemingly lengthy wingspan. In the other picture, he performs a vintage pose of flexing both biceps.

In both images, Wheels tenses his abdominals in a vacuum pose — a hallmark of the Classic Physique division. It’s apparent from both images that Wheels has lost an undisclosed measure of weight while trimming down. Ultimately, the update is a stunning showcase of a transformation for a man far more known for his strength, power, and mass in the gym and in sanctioned competitions.

At the time of this writing, it is unclear exactly when Wheels plans to debut as a Classic Physique bodybuilder. The athlete has only previously noted that it would happen sometime in the year 2023.

That leaves open a bevy of potential opportunities to compete alongside athletes like two-time Classic Physique Olympia runner-up (2020-2021) Terrence Ruffin, 2022 Classic Physique runner-up Ramon Rocha Queiroz, Urs Kalecinski, and another newcomer in Andrei Lincan. Reigning Classic Physique Olympia champion Chris Bumstead is strictly focusing on winning a fifth consecutive title in the next iteration in November. Wheels would have to earn prior qualification with a triumph in another contest to feature on bodybuilding’s most prominent stage as a Classic Physique competitor.

Whenever Wheels does plan to compete in the Classic Physique class, it’s bound to be the culmination of a long and winding recent journey. After recent health developments like transitioning from steroid use to Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT), a back injury that knocked him out of competition in the summer of 2022, and plans of starting a family, Wheels is staying ambitious but realistic with his fitness goals.

Being part of the Classic Physique category might have been the next logical step, given its potentially less strenuous demands on the body. Wheels’ last appearance as a bodybuilder was a first-place performance in the Men’s Open division during the 2021 National Physique Committee (NPC) Mid-Florida Classic.

Some athletes might tease lofty goals but, eventually, let them dissipate and fall by the wayside. This potential outcome clearly couldn’t be further from the case for Wheels, whose hype for the Classic Physique division continues to build.

Featured image: @larrywheels on Instagram

The post Larry Wheels Teases Ripped Transformation for Classic Physique Division appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On Mar. 9, 2023, Wheels was interviewed by RxMuscle about his upcoming athletic endeavors. In a planned return to bodybuilding, the former Men’s Open participant revealed he would be preparing to compete in the Classic Physique division sometime in 2023. A recent Instagram post on his own page would verify these plans, where Wheels wrote that he’s “starting prep” for the competitive category.

Per NPC News Online, Wheels last competed as a bodybuilder during a Men’s Open first-place performance at the 2021 National Physique Committee (NPC) Mid-Florida Classic.

Beyond trying his hand at bodybuilding again, Wheels’ rationale for featuring in the Classic Physique category seemed logical. After recent health developments like transitioning from steroid use to Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT), a back injury that knocked him out of competition in the summer of 2022, and some exciting developments in his personal life, Wheels appears ready to place more of a premium on his health.

None of this planned shift means Wheels won’t push full steam ahead anymore, but it does appear to suggest he’ll be more practical. Transitioning to the Classic Physique division is a part of that mission.

“Where I’m at with my journey right now is taking a healthier approach to achieving my goals,” Wheels said. “I’m recently engaged. I intend on having a family.”

At a height of 6-foot-1, on par with four-time Classic Physique Olympia champion Chris Bumstead, Wheels maintained a realistic perspective. He doesn’t think vying for Men’s Open victories is worth it based on his physical dimensions, due to the larger-sized physiques typically rewarded in the Open division. The same sentiment holds true to any of his strongman or powerlifting pursuits in the sense that Wheels doesn’t have to push his body to the limit as much.

That’s because sheer mass isn’t the primary aim of the Classic Physique division, and it presents Wheels a potentially more sustainable path to success.

“Doing Classic [Physique], I’m already as big as I need to be,” Wheels said. “If not, I have to gain a few more pounds and then cut down to the cutoff at 220 or 230 [pounds]. I think I look great and could actually be competitive, and arguably unhealthy but not to the extent to the extreme if I were to do Open bodybuilding, World’s Strongest Man events, or try and achieve another powerlifting World Record. I think I can have more longevity in Classic Physique.”

Moving up and down divisions in bodybuilding can be challenging. It asks the athlete to change their approach to nutrition and the gym. However, if anyone has proven they have the requisite versatility, it’s Wheels — a bona fide strength sport jack-of-all-trades.

Featured image: @teampersonalrecord on Instagram

The post Larry Wheels Will Compete in Classic Physique Division in 2023 appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

Wheels’ latest update from his foray into TRT and new strength life featured the athlete running through a full mock powerlifting meet. The idea was to test where his current one-rep maxes stand on the powerlifting staples of the squat, deadlift, and bench press. On Jan. 7, 2022, the athlete shared a video on his YouTube channel detailing said performance and his overall thought process.

Wheels performed his bench press and deadlift completely raw, save for a lifting belt, and used knee wraps for his squat. Here’s an overview of Wheels’ mock powerlifting performance:

Larry Wheels | Jan. 2023 Mock Powerlifting Meet Results

• Squat (W/Wraps) — 330 kilograms (727.5 pounds)
• Bench Press (Raw) — 230 kilograms (507.1 pounds)
• Deadlift (Raw) — 350 kilograms (771.6 pounds)
• Total (Raw W/Wraps) — 910 kilograms (2,006.2 pounds)

One of the other main reasons Wheels decided to conduct this meet was to compare his top TRT lifts with when he was on steroids and at a similar body weight. The athlete does possess higher personal records (PRs) for each of these lifts, but those were at a heavier body weight.

When it comes to Wheels’ TRT squat while using knee wraps, he actually lifted 1.1 kilograms (2.5 pounds) more than his previous squat with wraps PR from January 2014, per Open Powerlifting. According to Wheels in the video, in regard to his bench press, his lift of 230 kilograms (507.1 pounds) was 30 kilograms (66.1 pounds) less than his top bench press at a similar body weight while on steroids. Finally, Wheels didn’t hide his displeasure with his deadlift of 350 kilograms (771.6 pounds), but comparatively, it held up well to his previous steroid-assisted PR of 374.7 kilograms (826 pounds) (again at relatively the same body weight).

To close the meet (and the video), Wheels reflected on how far he’s come with TRT, this meet, and after stopping his extended steroid use. It seems as if one of the biggest names in strength sports is enjoying how his new personal endeavor is unfolding.

“This prep has been very enlightening, seeing what I’m capable of on TRT … I’m enjoying the process. I feel great. I think I look better than ever. Skin, sleep, mood, everything is stable.”

Featured image: Larry Wheels on YouTube

The post Larry Wheels Crushes a Full Mock Powerlifting Meet on TRT appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On Jan 2. 2023, Wheels posted a video to his Instagram of himself completing a 360-kilogram (793.6-pound) raw deadlift while barefoot and wearing a lifting belt. Per the caption of Wheels’ post, it’s his heaviest pull while using TRT and is also one of his final steps before the mock meet, of which the precise date is undisclosed. Wheels noted that he had a bodyweight of 255 pounds for the pull. (Note: Wheels writes that the deadlift is 795 pounds, but that may have been an errant typo).

Wheels’ fitness and strength journey since late summer 2022 has been primarily marked by noticeable progress with his lifts while on TRT.

Before notching his heaviest-ever pull while using TRT, Wheels previously squatted 224.5 kilograms (495 pounds) raw for 15 reps in a September 2022 AMRAP attempt. Then, in late November 2022, Wheels was able to squat 305 kilograms (672.4 pounds) raw for six reps. As for his bench progress, Wheels posted late December 2022 videos where the athlete completed a raw 230-kilogram (507-pound) bench press and a (252.6-kilogram) 557-pound bench press with wraps.

Another additional effect of Wheels’ status on TRT is that he has lost a significant amount of weight. The athlete has yet to make clear how much he’s cut his body weight down. For some context, according to Open Powerlifting, Wheels competed in the 140-kilogram weight class during his last powerlifting contest in the 2020 Extreme Powerlifting Coalition (XPC) Arnold and weighed in for that contest at 283.6 pounds. He has since lost roughly 10% of his previous body weight.

After the holiday season and in the new year, many athletes might only be starting to figure out their long-term goals for a complete, clean-slate calendar of events. That doesn’t appear to be the case for Wheels, who has hit the year 2023 on the ground running. Whenever he does finish his mock powerlifting meet, it seems clear Wheels will continue to charge full steam ahead with whatever’s next on his to-lift list.

Featured image: @larrywheels on Instagram

The post Larry Wheels Deadlifts 360 Kilograms (793.6 Pounds) for His Heaviest Pull While on TRT appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On Nov. 28, 2022, Wheels shared an Instagram video of himself capturing a 305-kilogram (672.4-pound) raw back squat while on TRT. Per the caption of his post, Wheels’ intention was to garner as many reps as possible (AMRAP) with the weight. While it appeared like he may have been able to lock out another rep, Wheels stopped squatting after six reps, suggesting that was his AMRAP with the massively loaded barbell. The athlete wore a lifting belt and knee wraps, and completed the set in his socks.

Editor’s Note: Breaking Muscle is not making a moral or ethical statement about the athlete’s actions. This article reports on what the athlete discloses about themselves. Breaking Muscle is not a certified medical resource and does not endorse the use of performance enhancing drugs.

In Wheels’ case, as he continues his new fitness and strength journey, he hasn’t shied away from being an open book in 2022. Especially when it comes to any milestones and potential pitfalls.

Before Wheels revealed he was now on TRT instead of steroids, he shared various staggering training briefs — including a 299.8-kilogram (661-pound) paused bench press in early April 2022, a 425-kilogram (937-pound) deadlift from May 2022, and a 421.8-kilogram (930-pound) deadlift for three reps later that same month.

As he prepped for his strongman return later in the summer of 2022, Wheels disclosed he had suffered an unfortunate back injury while deadlifting heavy weight. In the interest of precaution and a full recovery that didn’t derail other goals, Wheels withdrew from the 2022 Middle East’s Strongest Man contest. He cited a long-term outlook where he would eventually vie for an official 456.3-kilogram (1,000-pound) pull.

Wheels wasn’t done. After his announcement that he would stop steroid use, Wheels completed a 224.5-kilogram (495-pound) AMRAP squat for 15 reps in late September 2022. If that weren’t enough, he worked out with legendary eight-time Mr. Olympia (1998-2005) Ronnie Coleman in early November 2022. Amidst all of this excitement, one thing seems certain — Wheels will keep himself busy regardless of potential adversity and new experimentation.

The weeks and months ahead might prove pivotal for Wheels. As he continues to train while on TRT, he could soon outline what his next competitive goals will be. He might return to preparing for that 1,000-pound deadlift milestone, or he may find himself on a strongman platform. Regardless of his next fitness decision, it’s clear Wheels won’t be afraid to push himself in new fashions.

Featured image: larrywheels on Instagram

The post Larry Wheels Shows Off His Power With a 305-Kilogram (672.4-Pound) Squat for 6 Reps appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

It’s not clear when the workout actually occurred, but Coleman was in Dubai, UAE, for an expo appearance when he trained with Wheels in Binous Gym. The workout was captured on video and shared on Coleman’s YouTube channel, which you can see below.

Coleman served more as a coach for Wheels during this particular session, with Wheels looking to replicate a version of one of Coleman’s most legendary workouts. In 2003, Coleman squatted 362.8 kilograms (800 pounds) for a double in a squat suit and then leg-pressed 1,043 kilograms (2,300 pounds) for eight reps.

The Workout

Wheels started with the Safety Squat Bar for his squats, and he worked his way up to a reported 272 kilograms (600 pounds), which he got for 14 reps. 

“That was real good,” Coleman said in the video above. Wheels retorted with a line he likely wanted to say in front of Coleman for years.

“Still warming up. Nothing but a peanut.”

The duo moved to the leg press next. Coleman had been recovering from numerous surgeries since his retirement, but he felt good enough to perform at least one set with Wheels. 

Eventually, Wheels would work up to a set of 535 kilograms (1,180 pounds). The entire set wasn’t shown on camera, but Coleman was seen looking on approvingly at the end.

At one point in the video, Wheels and Coleman discussed his training and ability to do full splits when he competed. The famous videos of his squats and leg presses were in the same workout leading up to the 2003 Mr. Olympia, where Coleman won his sixth of eight titles. The workout was a part of his DVD, The Cost of Redemption. Coleman said he opted to do the heavy leg presses after shortchanging himself on the squats.

“I had about six in me. So, I was like, ‘I’m gonna make up for it.’”

At the end of the video, Coleman used one of his canes to “knight” Wheels as the new “strongest bodybuilder in the world.” Wheels shared that moment on Instagram. 

There is no word as of this writing if or when Wheels will step on a bodybuilding stage again. If that doesn’t happen, that moment will likely be a career highlight for him.

As for Coleman, he’s been undergoing stem cell treatments in recent months, and reports to be training and in better health as well as less pain than he had been for the last several years. 

The post 8-Time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman Takes Larry Wheels Through a Grueling Leg Workout appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On Oct. 10, 2022, Ryjov uploaded an Instagram video of himself completing a 143-kilogram (315-pound) bench press for an astonishing 55 reps during a training session. While unconfirmed, Ryjov implies the feat might be a potential reps World Record for the weight on his loaded barbell. The athlete performed softer lockouts of the majority of reps and wore a lifting belt, wrist wraps, and elbow wraps, which might have been a continued precaution for his injury.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Daniel Ryjov (@danielryjov)

[Related: 4 Workouts With A Single Dumbbell for Muscle, Fat Loss, and More]

Ryjov’s incredible comeback from his triceps injury aside, his jaw-dropping bench press AMRAP (As Many Reps As Possible) display might be even more impressive when put into proper juxtaposed context.

For example, the National Football League (NFL) Scouting Combine record for the bench press is 51 reps from Justin Ernest. However, the weight for that record is 102 kilograms (225 pounds). Ryjov not only logged four more reps than Ernest, he did it with 40.8 kilograms (90 pounds) more on his barbell. Similarly, professional strongmen Brian Shaw and Robert Oberst tried their hands at the NFL Combine record for 225 pounds in July 2020. Shaw captured 44 reps, while Oberst had 42. Similarly, Ryjov has bested both of the elite athletes’ figures while pressing more weight.

This isn’t the first recent instance where Ryjov showed his upper-body strength and power were returning.

One week prior to this recent record, in early October 2022, the athlete scored 100 reps of a 225-pound bench press for a self-proclaimed World Record. (Note: It is unclear whose World Record he passed, though Larry Wheels did bench press 225 pounds for 70 reps in 2018).

In addition, he became the first known person to complete at least 100 reps of a 225-pound bench press. This stunning display followed Ryjov logging 90 reps with 225 pounds in mid-August 2022, where it seemed he was still focusing primarily on recovery from his injury rather than pushing himself to the limit.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Daniel Ryjov (@danielryjov)

[Related: 10 Push-Up Variations for More Muscle and Strength]

Judging by his social media and the accomplishments he shares, it appears Ryjov has been exclusively focusing on augmenting his bench press for a little while. The athlete does have two powerlifting competitions to his name — earning first place at the 2016 Revolution Powerlifting Syndicate (RPS) InsurreXtion V and a first-place performance at the 2017 United States Powerlifting Association (USPA) SMG’s March Mayhem — but has not competed on a sanctioned lifting platform since.

At the time of this writing, Ryjov hasn’t hinted at the next bench-press barrier he’ll try to break through. Though, if he’s returning to a place of total health, Ryjov could indeed be a pioneer with another milestone soon enough.

Featured image: @danielryjov on Instagram

The post Watch Daniel Ryjov Demolish a 315-Pound Bench Press for 55 Reps appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

Wheels says he used the safety squat bar because of shoulder inflammation from some arm wrestling and traditional back squats with a straight barbell. Wheels set out for an AMRAP (As Many Reps As Possible) squat set but apparently “left a few reps in the tank” as an added precaution because he hadn’t squatted in a while. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Larry (@larrywheels)

[Related: Back Squat Vs. Front Squat: Which, When, and Why]

Wheels’ leg endurance and power feat is related to his preparation for a “mock” powerlifting meet while on Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT). While he hasn’t disclosed a concrete date, Wheels plans to test out his strength on the powerlifting staples of the squat, bench press, and deadlift. 

Wheels’ Switch to TRT

In a late-August 2022 video on his YouTube channel, Wheels revealed that he would stop using steroids “indefinitely.” He maintained that he had been on some degree of performance enhancing drugs for the last decade and wanted to see what he could accomplish without their assistance. As a substitute, because the athlete’s body no longer produced testosterone naturally, he started using TRT.

With a goal of using 175 milligrams of TRT per week, Wheels would continue pushing forward with his general fitness. If a future blood work appointment with a doctor makes clear that Wheels needs less TRT, he will then decrease his dose accordingly. 

Some early results from Wheels’ transition to TRT include the athlete showing off a noticeably leaner physique in September 2022 after apparently using the therapy for about a month. A week later, the athlete would simultaneously test his raw bench press and squat strength. He would cap his bench press routine by finishing a five-rep set of 224 kilograms (494 pounds). In the first instance that Wheels had squatted since injuring his back and withdrawing from the 2022 Middle East’s Strongest Man, his last set was 269.9 kilograms (595.1 pounds) for five reps. 

For context, according to Wheels’ social media, the most he’s ever bench pressed raw was a successful 307-kilogram (675-pound) rep from May 2022. Meanwhile, Wheels once squatted 430.9 kilograms (950 pounds) during a September 2021 training session. 

[Related: How to Do the Bulgarian Split Squat for Leg Size, Strength, and Mobility]

Editor’s Note: Breaking Muscle is not making a moral or ethical statement about the athlete’s actions. This article reports on what the athlete notes about themselves. Breaking Muscle is not a certified medical resource and does not endorse the use of performance enhancing drugs.

In late-July 2022, after revealing his back injury, Wheels had noted that his long-term training goal was  to attain a 453.6-kilograms (1,000-pound) deadlift. This might have been around when he started using TRT. At the time of this writing, without steroids in the picture, the athlete has not clarified whether he would still push for that hallowed mark in the immediate future.

For now, it seems Wheels wants to focus on what his body is capable of on its own. 

Featured image: @larrywheels on Instagram

The post Larry Wheels Squats 495 Pounds For 15 Reps appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

[Related: The Best Arm Workouts for Beginners, With Dumbbells, and More]

Cable Y Lateral Raise

The location of the video wasn’t shared in the video, but a recent Instagram post that Jacked shared about the workout tagged Binous Gym in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In the beginning of the YouTube video, Wheels joked that he could remember being bigger than Jacked when they previously trained together in 2019 and 2020.

Jacked began the session with cable lateral raises, taking his arms up into a “Y” formation. The extra range of motion targets the rear delts as well as the side delts.

Rear Lateral Raise on Incline Bench/Single-Dumbbell Two-Arm Front Raise

Wheels and Jacked then moved on to a superset performed on an incline bench. They started with rear lateral raises with dumbbells followed by a front raise with one dumbbell held in both hands. Portions of the workout weren’t shown on camera.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Chinedu Andrew J (@andrewjacked)

[Related: How to Do the Overhead Dumbbell Press for Wider Shoulders and Upper-Body Strength]

The weight of the dumbbells that they used for the first exercise wasn’t shown, but they were lifting a 30-kilogram (66-pound) weight for the second movement. Both men raised the back pad of the adjustable bench for the front raises in order to achieve a greater range of motion.

Seated Machine Press/Cable Upright Row

They performed another superset pairing that included machine presses and cable upright rows. Jacked briefly spoke to the camera and explained that he called this session ‘a maintenance workout.’

“I don’t want to push anything to the max at this point,” he said. “We’re just keeping everything the same.”

Dumbbell Lateral Raise

The final shoulder exercise was a standing lateral raise with 20-kilogram (44-pound) dumbbells. Only one set from each man was shown on the video.

Standing Cable Curl

After six total shoulder exercises, Jacked and Wheels shifted to biceps, starting with cable curls using individual handles on two pulleys. They stepped forward so each arm would be behind their torso at the beginning of the movement. This worked the biceps from a different angle and added a stretch at the bottom of the movement.

Cable Rope Hammer Curl

The final movement of the session was another cable exercise, but with a different attachment — using the rope handle and performing a hammer curl to target the brachialis and forearms. The weight they used couldn’t be seen. They maintained a consistent speed throughout their sets without pausing too much at the top or the bottom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Chinedu Andrew J (@andrewjacked)

If you wish to try the exercises that Jacked and Wheels performed in the video, you can follow the example workout below.

• Cable Y Lateral Raise – 3 x 8-10
• Rear Lateral Raise on Incline Bench/Single-Dumbbell Two-Arm Front Raise – 3 x 10-15 superset movements
• Seated Machine Press/Cable Upright Row – 3 x 15 superset movements
• Dumbbell Lateral Raise – 3 x 8-10
• Standing Cable Curl – 3 x 12-15
• Cable Rope Hammer Curl – 3 x 15

Jacked won the Texas Pro on Aug. 13, 2022, and he earned a qualification for the Mr. Olympia contest, which will take place Dec. 16-18 in Las Vegas, NV. Before he competes in the Olympia, he plans to take part in the 2022 Arnold Classic UK contest. That show will be held on the weekend of Sept. 23-25, 2022 in Birmingham, England.

Featured Image: @andrewjacked on Instagram

The post Andrew Jacked Trains Shoulders and Biceps with Larry Wheels  appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

As a result of his unfortunate misstep, Wheels announced that he would withdraw from the upcoming 2022 Middle East’s Strongest Man (MESM), which is set to occur in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on August 27-28, 2022. 

[Related: How to Do the Bent-Over Barbell Row For a Bigger, Stronger Back]

During the routine, the athlete said he felt uniquely strong and attempted to push himself with multiple eight-repetition deadlift sets at 300 kilograms (661.4 pounds) — leading to his back injury. 

“After the second set, I started feeling compression in my lower back,” Wheels said. “This happened because my core was weakened from inactivity because of no training. When you have been neglecting your core, and you go to do deadlifts, your lower back is going to be doing a lot of the work.”

According to Strongman Archives, the 2022 MESM would’ve been Wheels’ debut as a competitive strongman. (Wheels did partake in the 2019 World Log Lift Championships, which is a strongman event.) 

After announcing his plans for the competition in the United Arab Emirates this past early May, Wheels captured a raw 425-kilogram (937-pound) deadlift during another training session. If that were to occur on an official lifting platform, it would’ve been his new competition best. Later that same month, Wheels scored a 421.8-kilogram (930-pound) deadlift for three reps with relative ease. 

Unfortunately, Wheels won’t be able to transfer these stellar demonstrations of leg power and grip any time as he steps back to recover from his back injury. 

Potential Recovery

According to Wheels, his back injury is a Grade 1 strain. He says that a back injury of this variety is “mild with a tear to a small number of fibers.” A person recovering from said strain, “normally has a full range of motion with minimal pain.”

With that in mind, Wheels’ approach to his withdrawal from the 2022 MESM appears to be more about taking precautions to ensure his injury doesn’t regress from the pressure of competition. The athlete confirmed as much when clarifying his decision. 

“For the immediate future, I cannot do this competition in August [2022 MESM],” Wheels said. “… I’d be foolish to think that with just three weeks of training, I’d be able to perform well at the competition. Right now, I need at least another week of building back up, of testing the waters, and making sure my back’s okay. And then, I need to rebuild my conditioning back up. That takes time.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Larry (@larrywheels)

[Related: The Best Back Workouts For More Muscle, For Strength, For Beginners, and More]

The Big Picture

Part of Wheels’ proactiveness is a focus on his long-term ambitions. Whenever he fully recovers from his back injury, the athlete wants to eventually notch a deadlift of at least 456.3 kilograms (1,000 pounds). Though, as he notes, the feat may have to happen in a coming training session as opposed to a formal contest. 

“I am still going for the 1,000-pound deadlift,” Wheels clarifies about his plans. “I’m just going to push the date a bit further. Let’s say instead of doing it in late August, the day of the competition [the 2022 MESM], I will do it in September. Because, to be honest, that’s my priority.”

Featured image: Larry Wheels on YouTube

The post Larry Wheels Withdraws From 2022 Middle East’s Strongest Man After Suffering Back Injury appeared first on Breaking Muscle.