Powerlifter, strongman, arm wrestler, and now bodybuilder Larry Wheels made his Classic Physique debut with a win at the NCPC Ultimate Warriors. A few days later, that momentum carried him to make an attempt for his IFBB Pro League pro card at the 2023 Amateur Olympia on Nov. 2, 2023, in Orlando, FL. Wheels finished just shy of earning his pro card, earning the silver medal behind champion Ejike Enwereuzor Jr.
A week prior to stepping on stage at Wheels’ admitted leanest ever, he shared what the process of his peak week was like and how his body evolved during his caloric deficit. Check it out in the video below, courtesy of Wheels’ YouTube channel, as well as a breakdown of his chest training:
[Related: Trailer for “Breaking Olympia,” a Documentary About 7-Time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath, Released]
Wheels mentioned that the last time he was on a bodybuilding stage in the Men’s Open division, he weighed around 265 pounds. During his recording of the video above during peak week, he weighed 240 pounds, with eight pounds to lose for his 2023 stage weight of 232 pounds.
I’ve never seen glute lines, [and] I’ve never seen stretches in my chest [until now].
By “glute lines,” Wheels was referring to being lean enough to see the muscle fibers of the glutes when performing a side chest pose and any pose from the back. By “stretches” in his chest, Wheels was referring to the striations across his pecs, again achieved from being so lean. Wheels is “a lot happier” when he weighs 280 pounds and can eat whatever he wants. Sustaining a caloric deficit is challenging, both physically and mentally, and Wheels admitted to the constant mental battle of resisting the urge to consume more food.
[Related: What’s the Diet Urs Kalecinski Used to Win Bronze at the 2023 Classic Physique Olympia?]
Wheels’ Decision to Move to Classic Physique
When Wheels first competed at 2018 at the NPC Gold Coast Muscle Classic and NPC Nationals, he appeared in the Men’s Open division. However, he didn’t believe he could be competitive in the Open class given his height of 6’1″ would require that he put on “an unrealistic amount of muscle.” To achieve the muscularity required to be competitive in the Open division, Wheels’ felt it would require “extremely unhealthy” means and decided against it.
To compete in Classic Physique Wheels could still pack on some muscle during a bulk and then cut down to his ultimate stage weight of 232 pounds. Given his runner-up finish in Orlando that many felt could have been awarded the gold and a pro card, Wheels’ judgement was well-placed.
Larry Wheels’ Chest Workout
Below is the chest workout Larry Wheels performed during his peak week for the 2023 Amateur Olympia:
- Machine Chest Press Parallel Grip
- Pec Deck Flye
- Machine Incline Press
- High Cable Chest Flye
Although Wheels didn’t come out on top to secure his pro card, his physique impressed bodybuilding coach and judge Terrick El Guindy, who believes Wheels’ has a future bodybuilding career in the Classic Physique division.
Featured image: @larrywheels on Instagram
