You’ve probably seen the videos. A guy pressing weights that look photoshopped. One-arm deadlifts that make physics professors weep. If you’re wondering who is Larry Wheels, you’re about to meet the strength athlete who turned Caribbean cinder blocks into a multimillion-dollar fitness empire. Understanding who Larry Wheels is means diving into one of strength sports’ most authentic success stories.
Larry “Wheels” Williams isn’t just strong. He’s the guy who made powerlifting look cool on Instagram before everyone else caught on.
From Poverty to Powerlifting Prodigy
Larry Williams grew up bouncing between temporary homes in New York City. His single mother struggled to maintain custody, and at 12, he moved to St. Martin to reunite with her. No stable home. No proper school. Just a tall, skinny kid with an Adam’s apple that stuck out like a sore thumb.
The local teenagers weren’t exactly welcoming. Bullying became part of his daily routine, and boredom filled the rest. St. Martin’s gyms didn’t allow anyone under 16, so Larry got creative. He attached cinder blocks to a broomstick and started lifting in his backyard.
That makeshift barbell changed everything. He’d do situps, pushups, and pullups until he couldn’t move. Then he’d ride his bike around the island until exhaustion hit again. Exercise became his escape, his therapy, and eventually, his calling.
When he returned to New York at 17, Larry joined a real gym. Within months, he realized something wild: he was already the strongest person there. Not the most experienced. Not the most technical. Just naturally, freakishly strong.
Breaking World Records Like They’re Speed Limits
Here’s where the Larry Wheels story gets insane. At 18, he entered his first Revolution Powerlifting Syndicate competition in the 275-pound weight class. He weighed only 247 pounds. He won anyway. That’s not beginner’s luck—that’s a genetic lottery ticket cashed in early.
By 2017, Larry set the combined world record in the 242-pound weight class. He totaled 2,171 pounds across the deadlift, back squat, and bench press. The next year, he crushed his own achievement by moving up to the 275-pound class and lifting 2,275 pounds total.
But powerlifting competitions weren’t enough for this guy. Larry started posting his training sessions on Instagram, and the internet lost its collective mind. A 585-pound one-arm deadlift. A 225-pound one-arm bench press. A 440-pound overhead strict press. These weren’t just impressive lifts—they were meme-worthy moments that turned him into a social media sensation.
His Instagram following exploded past half a million. Every week brought new personal records, new feats of strength, and new reasons for armchair lifters to question their life choices.
The Dark Side of Getting Strong Fast
Larry didn’t get strong by accident. He trained every single day. He ate everything in sight. And he started using steroids—lots of them. Too many, actually. His body eventually fought back with a list of side effects he describes as conversation-worthy for hours.
Injuries hit him two or three times a year. Hamstring tears. Lower back pain. Nothing required surgery, but the cumulative damage was adding up. Larry admits he wasn’t ego lifting, but his passion for going heavy put his body through hell.
The turning point came when he found coach John Gaglione. Based in Long Island, Gaglione specialized in working with Division I wrestlers and competitive powerlifters. He understood Larry’s goals and, more importantly, taught him proper technique and training moderation.
Gaglione transformed Larry’s approach to lifting. The injuries decreased. The strength gains became more consistent. And Larry learned that smarter training beats harder training every single time.
In late 2018, Larry posted a 14-minute YouTube video titled “Steroids: The Raw Truth!” He talked openly about his steroid use, the personal issues that led him there, and the risks involved. His message was clear: educate yourself before you wreck yourself. He never recommends steroids to beginners, calling it too risky for anyone starting their fitness journey.
Bodybuilding, Strongman, and What’s Next
Powerlifting made Larry famous, but he wasn’t content staying in one lane. If you still want to know who is Larry Wheels beyond powerlifting records, his bodybuilding journey shows his versatility. In February 2018, he entered his first bodybuilding competition—the NPC Gold Coast Classic. He won the heavyweight division.
The transition wasn’t easy. Bodybuilding diets are stricter than powerlifting meal plans. Larry found that dropping below 300 carbs per week caused a rapid decline in strength. His solution? Keep it simple: ground beef, white rice, and carrots.
But Larry’s ambitions don’t stop at bodybuilding. He’s got his eyes on the World’s Strongest Man competition. In 2019, he trained in Iceland with Thor Björnsson, the 6-foot-9 giant who played “the Mountain” on Game of Thrones and won the 2018 World’s Strongest Man title.
The Business of Being Strong
Larry moved from New York to Los Angeles with his girlfriend. Part of it was the weather. Part of it was access to better training partners. But mostly, it was business. Thanks to sponsorships and online training programs, Larry no longer works jobs he hates.
His Instagram feed is a masterclass in personal branding. Every post showcases mind-blowing strength while keeping followers engaged with his personality. He’s not just lifting weights—he’s building a media company around his name.
Larry’s training philosophy is simple but effective. He deadlifts twice a month. He squats once a week. He benches once a week. This year, he hit a 900-pound deadlift, a 650-pound bench, and an 850-pound squat.
What Makes Larry Different
Plenty of people are strong. Plenty of people have big social media followings. But who is Larry Wheels in the context of modern strength sports? He’s the rare athlete who refuses to pick a lane.
He’s not just a powerlifter. He’s not just a bodybuilder. He’s all three, executed at world-class levels. His story resonates because it’s brutally honest—homemade weights, poverty, bullying, steroids, injuries, and redemption.
Larry’s advice to aspiring powerlifters is simple: YouTube can be your teacher if you don’t have a coach. That’s how he learned proper technique before finding Gaglione. He’s proof that dedication and smart training can teach you the basics.
The Legacy in Progress
Larry’s 20s have been a whirlwind of records, competitions, and viral moments. When people ask who Larry Wheels is today, they’re looking at an athlete still in his prime with unlimited potential. His options are wide open. Could he leave powerlifting behind for good? Could he conquer bodybuilding and become the World’s Strongest Man?
He’s set up to chase it all. No more waiting tables. No more personal training gigs. Just full-time focus on his training, his business, and his goals.
For someone who started with cinder blocks and a broomstick, Larry’s come impossibly far. The kid who was bullied for being too skinny is now regularly called the world’s strongest bodybuilder.
So who is Larry Wheels? He’s the guy who proved that your starting point doesn’t determine your destination. He’s the athlete who turned Instagram into a platform for world records. And he’s the businessman who built an empire by being unapologetically himself—flaws, steroids, injuries, and all.
Whether you’re into powerlifting, bodybuilding, or just respect anyone who turns childhood trauma into fuel, Larry’s story hits different. He’s not selling you a dream. He’s showing you the blueprint, scars included.
