# Larry Wheels

Larry Williams (b. December 12, 1994), more commonly known by his nickname Larry Wheels, is an American former powerlifter and current fitness influencer. Born in The Bronx, Williams later moved to Saint Martin as a teenager before returning to New York City and later moving to Los Angeles.
As a powerlifter, Williams achieved world records for the total (i.e., combined squat, bench, and deadlift) in three weight classes. A prolific competitor, Williams has also competed in other strength sports including bodybuilding, strongman, and arm wrestling, appearing at major professional and amateur competitions.
Williams has been open about his struggles with addiction to anabolic steroids throughout his career, attracting both respect and controversy. Early in his career, he was simply open about his use, including detailing his cycles and suppliers; later, he spoke out about his regrets and the difficulties he experienced as a result of excessive steroid use beginning as a teenager.

## Early life

Williams was born in The Bronx. He had an unstable childhood, with his father leaving the family before while he was an infant and his mother dating several abusive men, ultimately leading to Williams living with his grandmother at the age of six.
Williams eventually relocated to Saint Martin at age twelve to live with his mother. As all the schools in Saint Martin were either French-language institutions or expensive private schools, Williams did not receive a formal education during this time. In response to bullying, he began working out, originally at home as the local gym had a minimum age of sixteen.
Later, he returned to New York City, where he could begin working out in a gym. He claims that "[he] realized at age 17 [he] was already the strongest guy in the gym." Recognizing his potential, he quickly moved to competitive powerlifting after the age of eighteen.

## Powerlifting career

Williams entered his first powerlifting show at the age of 18, posting an 1,810 pound (821 kg) total. Williams set his first world record in the 242-pound weight class in 2017, posting a 2,171-pound total. Williams would compete in the 275-pound weight class the next year and set another world record with a 2,275-pound total. Throughout his career, Williams has consistently competed in raw (i.e., without the use of a supportive suit for squat, bench, or deadlift) powerlifting divisions, initially in raw-with-wraps divisions but mainly in raw-with-sleeves divisions.
In Williams's final career competition in 2020, he posted a 2,370-pound total at a bodyweight of 283 pounds; this was the third-heaviest raw (in sleeves) total ever at the time, regardless of weight class, and broke the previous 308-pound-weight-class record by only a tenth of a pound. Williams's 645-pound bench remains a record in the 308-pound weight class for a full competition.
Williams last competed in 2020 and has since made no plans to compete. He would, however, continue to discuss goals in strength training such as a 1,000-pound deadlift. In 2022, he announced his decision to quit using anabolic steroids, which would mean losing a significant amount of strength.

## Bodybuilding career

Williams competed in his first bodybuilding show, the National Physique Committee Gold Coast Muscle Classic, in 2018. He took first place overall. At that year's NPC National Championships, Williams would place 11th. He continued to compete yearly from 2019 to 2021.
In 2023, Williams announced his plans to pursue an IFBB pro card by competing in that year's amateur Mr. Olympia competition. He would ultimately place second in his class, leaving him ineligible to compete for the overall title. In 2024, Williams announced that he was retiring from competitive bodybuilding due to relapsing on anabolic steroids. Citing concerns for his mental and physical health, he announced that he would no longer pursue a pro card and pulled out of a planned competition.

## Strongman

Williams competed in strongman events at several points throughout his career. Williams began his strongman career in 2019, appearing at the Odd Haugen Classic, in a performance labeled "ferocious" despite missing the podium. Giants Live would invite him as a guest lifter to several shows that year: first, to The World Log Lift Championships, where he attempted to tie the American record of 214 kg set by Rob Kearney, ultimately falling short. He would record a 202.5 kg log lift at the event, leaving him tied for fifth. Notably, Williams competed at a much lighter weight than other competitors: while some strongmen weigh 400 or more pounds, Williams has consistently remained well under 300 for his career. Williams was also scheduled to appear at the 2019 World Deadlift Championships, but was forced to withdraw due to an injured bicep.
Williams later planned to appear at the 2022 Middle East's Strongest Man, intending to complete a 1,000-pound deadlift at the show. He was forced to withdraw due to injury. Williams has since made no statements on a return to competitive strongman.

## Steroid abuse

Williams began taking steroids as a teenager. Initially, he intended to use it to "replace" drugs and alcohol, "replac[ing] one vice with another." He experienced several severe side-effects, including "severe muscle cramps, depression, lethargy, loss of appetite, and low libido," saying that "[his] body decided to fight back" due to his overuse. He spoke openly about his fear of others imitating him in using steroids in a video "Steroids: The Raw Truth!"
Williams has tried to quit or cut down on his steroid use at several times in his career, seeking to use "the bare minimum" at several points while powerlifting. Williams later quit steroids and began testosterone replacement therapy as his body could no longer naturally produce testosterone. He first attempted to quit in 2022.
Williams has dealt with several relapses since then, particularly during his preparation for bodybuilding shows, leading him to quit competitive bodybuilding as he sought to quit his steroid abuse altogether. Williams received criticism from some voices in the bodybuilding community, with competitor Víctor Martínez arguing that he was looking for sympathy while continuing to abuse steroids to gain a competitive edge.