Larry Wheels Workout and DIET
Bodybuilder
Born: 1994
Larry Wheels is the professional name of Lawrence Williams. He grew up poor in the Bronx, New York. Wheels spent time in foster care and began working out to protect himself. A self-made athlete, he became a pro powerlifter and set 2 world records in 2017. Wheels developed an interest in bodybuilding and he won his first amateur competition in 2018. He was featured in the 2021 documentary Strength Wars: The Movie. Wheels has a website where he offers training programs with workouts for novices to pros, as well as a diet regimen. He has an endorsement deal with MHP supplements. Wheels has millions of followers on social media. He is 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs244-255 lbs.
Known For:
Larry Wheels’ Diet
Summary
Wheels had to teach himself how to handle every aspect of his training, including diet. When bulking, he eats about 5,500 calories each day including 400g of protein and 400+g of fat and spread out over 8-9 meals. For cutting, he’ll reduce his intake down to 4,400 calories and 90g of fat. Some his staples are beef, avocados, chicken, salmon, sweet potatoes and rice. Treats include cereal, lasagna, pb&j and the occasional Pop Tart. He usually has 3 whey protein shakes per day. He openly admits to using steroids in preparation for competitions. He mixes up BCAA XL Energy in a 5-gallon jug and drinks it throughout the day.
Estimated Macros
- Medium Fat 30%
- Medium Carb 30%
- High Protein 60%
Diet Details
Stoke the Furnace
Wheels has a lot of mass to maintain, which means a lot of fuel. He eats every couple of hours, alternating protein shakes with healthy, whole foods. Besides the standards like chicken, beef and rice, he’ll have eggs, yogurt, oatmeal and fruit.
On Steroids
Wheels has been open about his steroid use. He says everybody does it, so he’s not going to lie about it. He has cut back and only uses them 6 weeks before a competition, rather than 16, to help him not feel burned out.
It’s Not All Protein
Wheels eats a lot, but it’s not all boring chicken breast and rice. He loves Cookie Crisp cereal, french fries, lasagne, and Pop Tarts.
What to Eat
Eggs
Oatmeal
Fresh Fruit
Beef
Fruit Juices
Salmon
Chicken
Avocados
Sweet Potatoes
Milk
Rice
Pasta
Yogurt
Whey Protein
Supplements
Water
What to Avoid
Alcohol
Drugs
Junk Food
Fast Food
Chemical Ingredients
Artificial Additives
Wheels on His Diet
‘When I’m not [working out], I’m thinking about my meals.’
Wheels on Steroids
We all know that is a big part of competing at a world-class level. We all take it, we all do it.’
Wheels on Steroid Use
‘No drinking, no drugs other than steroids…[I make] monthly visits to the doctor to make sure it’s not getting dangerous.’
Larry Wheels’ Workout Routine
Weekly Routine
Needs Must
Fear for his personal safety was Wheels’ impetus to get strong as a kid. He started doing pull-ups, push-ups, and sit-ups daily.
No Special Equipment Needed
Growing up, Wheels was poor and couldn’t afford to buy equipment or join a gym. With his mother’s help, he constructed a weight set out of a coupe of 40-lb. cinder blocks and a broomstick.
Prime Priorities
As soon as Wheels could afford it, he joined a gym. He still had to figure out all the training by himself. By all accounts, he did a pretty good job.
Principles to Lift By
Wheels alternate training for power lifting and bodybuilding to create an incredibly strong yet balanced physique.
Bodybuilding Business
For his bodybuilding routine, Wheels focuses on 1 body part per day, and takes the weekends off.
Powerlifting Program
When doing his powerlifting, Wheels alternates days of work and days of rest. Monday is squat day, Wednesday is bench press day, and Friday is for deadlifting.
Get Help
Wheels use assistance for several of his powerlifting exercises. His workouts are not for beginners.
Proper Warm-Up
Wheels often does a single rep using max weight, but he always warms up thoroughly ahead of time. He has learned the hard way about the importance of injury prevention.
Rest Is Essential
Early in his career, Wheels made the noob mistake of never taking a day off from training. After plateauing at around 190lbs. he learned that rest is essential to growth and to avoid injury.
Exercise Style
A Larry Wheels Routine
Powerlifting
Monday: Squat
Warm up
Reverse band back squat: 1 rep x 3 sets
Plank: 3 sets to failure
Glute ham raise: 3 sets to failure
Wednesday: Bench Press
Warm up
Bench press: 1 rep x 3 sets
Super yolk push/press: 5 reps x 3 sets
V-handle seated cable row: 10-15 reps x 3 sets
Standing cable external rotation: 10-15 reps x 3 sets
Friday: Deadlift
Warm up
Do 1-10 reps
Bodybuilding Schedule
Mon: Chest
Tues: Back
Wed: Shoulders
Thurs: Legs
Fri: Arms
Sat-Sun: Rest
Wheels on Bodybuilding and Powerlifting
‘Mentally, I was getting burned out. Powerlifting can be draining. Bodybuilding is kind of a mental break.’
Wheels on Another Attraction of Bodybuilding
‘It’s a way to expand my name. A powerlifter also winning bodybuilding shows or a strongman competition? That’s different.’
Wheels on Getting Ready for a Bodybuilding Contest
‘To keep balance, I start my prep for a bodybuilding show about 16 weeks out.’
Wheels on Being a Champ
‘On the Monday after my last world record, I was back in the gym.’
Larry Wheels’ Supplements
Whey Protein
Creatine
BCAAs
Fish Oil
Multivitamin
Pre-Workout
Larry Wheels’ Lifestyle
Recovery Matters
Wheels has suffered multiple injuries, including a ruptured pec, a torn biceps, and shortness of breath while shooting Strength Wars that resulted in his being carted away in an ambulance.
Rough Start
Wheels had a tough childhood. His mother lost custody of him when he was 7. He initially lived with his grandmother, but then ended up in foster care until age 12 when he decided to go live with his mother on the Caribbean island of Saint Martin.
Lonely Years
With the only education options in Saint Martin being taught entirely in French or at unaffordable private school in English, Wheels wound up not attending school, which also resulted in his being very lonely and bored.
Get to Work
After 3 years in St. Martin, Wheels and his mother moved back to the Bronx where he started working in a restaurant so he could afford a gym membership.
Mettle from Metal
Wheels says he only ever wanted to lift, and that if he’d had a regular, middle-class life he might have been overwhelmed by options and never accomplished anything.
Two-Ounce Win
At the Arnold 2020 Powerlifting competition, Wheels lifted a combined 2,370 lbs., edging out the previous champ Eric Lilliebridge by a mere 0.1 lbs.
Steroid Blues
Wheels says steroids made him miserable. Side effects included severe stomach and muscle cramps, loss of appetite, low libido, and lethargy. He cut back to 500 mg of testosterone per week and 150 mg of anadrol per day. The anadrol still gives him high blood pressure. He competes in leagues which do not drug test.
Wheels on Life in St Martin
‘I lived right on the beach. For an adult, it’s a dream come true. But as a child…I literally had nothing to do except lift weights.’
Wheels on Passing The Time
‘I’d go ride my bike to tire myself out, come back home and work out, go tire myself out some more on the bike, then come home again and sleep.’
Wheels on His Homemade Workout Kit
‘I made it work.’
Wheels on Career Alternatives
‘I guess I could have tried to be a firefighter or NYPD. But the way my life went, powerlifting and bodybuilding were the only things I had an edge in. So I gave them everything I had.’
Wheels on Striving
‘In the mind of the champion, there is never enough.’
Wheels on Steroids
‘With anadrol, I have no notable side effects, other than high blood pressure, which I can feel when I go to tie my shoes in the morning and my head blows up like a tomato.’
Recommended Products
References
https://www.muscleandfitness.com/athletes-celebrities/interviews/wisdom-larry-wheels-williams/
https://generationiron.com/larry-wheels-profile/
https://generationiron.com/larry-wheels-training-diet-program/
https://generationiron.com/larry-wheels-record/
https://barbend.com/larry-wheels-bicep-injury-atlas-stones/
https://barbend.com/larry-wheels-steroids/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRuySlLBGu8
https://www.muscleandfitness.com/supplements/boost-workout/larry-wheelss-supplement-stack/
