‘Til the wheels fall off: Powerlifter, bodybuilder, and social media superstar Larry Wheels has built a career around his eye-popping physique and world-class strength. His latest feat? A 675-pound deadlift attempt … with one hand.
Wheels attempted to grip n’ rip the massive pull on Jul. 16, 2024. Wheels, who in recent years has oscillated between pursuing powerlifting and bodybuilding, seems to be in top form performance-wise.
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And while moving a 675-pound barbell is commendable no matter the how, why, or when, Wheels’ latest social media stunt may strain credulity just a bit. We’ll leave it up to you — does this rep count?
Heaviest Single-Arm Deadlift Ever?
Make no mistake, the one-handed deadlift isn’t a “verified” strength training exercise, nor is it explicitly contested in any strength sport. As such, it’s difficult to rank Wheels’ performance here (if you count his rep in the first place).
- Wheels himself has deadlifted 585 pounds with one hand in the past, though his original video has since been scrubbed from social media.
- Powerlifter Chris Duffin holds a 495-pound five-rep max one-hand pull to his name, in addition to being one of a select few to deadlift 1,000 pounds.
- In Apr. 2024, recreational powerlifter Yousef Eddessa demonstrated truly extraordinary grip strength with his one-handed deadlift triple, opting to not rely on lifting straps.
And according to Guinness World Records, a German athlete named Hermann Goerner in 1920 “unofficially” set the “right-hand bar deadlift” record with 727.5 pounds. Goerner also holds a 663.5-pound single-arm deadlift record in an official capacity.
We’ve yet to see a heavier single-arm pull than what Wheels put up, though he did let go of the bar before coming to a fully erect position with his knees and hips locked out.
Did Larry Wheels Quit Bodybuilding?
Wheels has spent the bulk of 2024 discussing plans to make a run in competitive bodybuilding after going off anabolic steroids in 2022, citing health concerns and other circumstantial factors.
However, Wheels owned up to “relapsing”, as he put it, in a Jun. 17, 2024 YouTube video. “Three months ago, I relapsed and have gone back on a full steroid cycle,” Wheels noted.
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Shortly before his announcement, Wheels met up with powerlifter John Haack for a bench press workout, during which Wheels remarked on the perils of lifting heavy during contest prep.
But a one-arm deadlift max has no relevance to success on a bodybuilding stage. Coupled with his candid admission of returning to PEDs, it appears that Wheels has once again put the brakes on his Olympia aspirations.
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Featured Image: @larrywheels / Instagram
