Larry “Wheels” Williams is a bit of a jack of all strength sports. He’s dabbled in everything from powerlifting and strongman to arm wrestling over the years, and now it looks like he’s focusing back on his bodybuilding pursuits.
But Wheels won’t return to the Men’s Open division; instead, he’s shifting his focus to a Classic Physique bodybuilding debut sometime in 2023. Watch his interview with RX Muscle below:
[Related: 10 Memorable Performances From the Arnold Classic Bodybuilding Contest]
Larry Wheels Moves to Classic Physique
In the interview, which was filmed during the 2023 Arnold Sports Festival, Wheels reveals that he just moved to Los Angeles and is training with the legendary Charles Glass, who has earned the nickname “The Godfather of Bodybuilding.” And according to Wheels, the change in divisions comes down to both his chances of winning and his health.
“Open Bodybuilding, I didn’t see [how I] can be very competitive because, at my height, I need to put on an unrealistic amount of muscle,” Wheels says. “That just wasn’t happening — and if I was to pull that off, I’d be extremely unhealthy in doing so. [With] Classic, I’m already as big as I need to be. If not, I have to gain a few more pounds and then cut down to the cutoff at 220 or 230.”
[Related: 2023 Arnold Classic Men’s Open Results — Samson Dauda Triumphant]
Wheels says that his overall goal is to take a “healthier approach” to his career and feels that Classic Physique offers a chance for more longevity.
Larry Wheels’ Bodybuilding Career
Wheels’ first foray into bodybuilding came at the 2018 NPC Gold Coast Muscle Classic, where he took first in the Heavyweight division and in the Overall. In November of that year, he came in 11th in the Super Heavyweight division at the 2018 NPC Nationals. Fun fact for you bodybuilding trivia buffs — Hunter Labrada won that show and earned his IFBB Pro Card in the process.
According to a post on Wheels’ Instagram, he’s beginning his Classic Physique prep on March 10, 2023, with trainer Ryan Bentson. He said he’s not disclosing which show he’s eyeing just yet, but the plan is to take the stage before the year is over.
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Featured Image: @larrywheels on Instagram
