Even though multi-strength sport athlete Larry “Wheels” Williams has relocated to the United States to focus on his health and physique development, he still showcases impressive feats of strength when possible. On Feb. 2, 2023, Wheels displayed his power by bench pressing 200-pound dumbbells for four reps at a self-reported body weight of 255 pounds.
Wheels lifted shirtless but wore wrist wraps and elbow sleeves. After falling back on the bench and stabilizing the weight, he pressed the dumbbells up to lockout, then lowered them until they touched his chest. Check out the set in the Instagram post below:
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Pressing 200-pound dumbbells has been a milestone for some strength athletes. It can be traced back to when eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman pressed dumbbells of that size for 12 reps in his 2000 film “The Unbelievable.” In that same film, Coleman incline-pressed the same weights for six reps. 2021 Arnold Classic winner Nick Walker also inclined a pair of 200’s for 12 reps in 10 reps in August of 2022.
Spotting Wheels on the set was IFBB Pro League Men’s Open bodybuilder Joe Mackey, who is also no stranger to lifting big weights. Wheels and Mackey can be seen training together in the video below from Wheels’ YouTube channel:
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Mackey is considered by many to be the strongest pro bodybuilder active in the sport. In January 2023, Mackey deadlifted 412.6 kilograms (910 pounds) at C.T. Fletcher‘s Iron Wars event.
After spending multiple years focusing on arm wrestling in Dubai, Wheels recently said that his current goal is to refine his physique since returning to the USA. There is no word on if or when he would return to a bodybuilding stage. In addition to refining his physique, Wheels is also dedicating time to the launch of his supplement line with BPI Sports in February 2023.
Mackey has his eyes set on a long-term goal of deadlifting 453.5 kilograms (1,000 pounds). His deadlift PR is 90 pounds shy of that goal at the time of this article’s publication. Mackey has not yet announced if he will compete in a pro bodybuilding show in 2023. If the post and video serve as indicators, it may not be the last time we see these two men collaborate and trade sets in a weight room, given how similar their current goals are.
Featured image: @larrywheels on Instagram