If you’ve scrolled through fitness Instagram anytime in the past decade, you’ve almost certainly seen a Larry Wheels video — a blur of chalked hands, screaming fans, and weights that seem to defy physics. His rise from a teenage powerlifting phenom to a global social media star is as much about personality as it is about raw strength.
Age: 30 (born Dec 3, 1994) ·
Height: 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) ·
Weight: 260 lb (118 kg) competition ·
Bench press max: 585 lb (265 kg) ·
Deadlift max: 840 lb (381 kg) ·
Squat max: 900 lb (408 kg)
Quick snapshot
- Born December 3, 1994 (Fitness Volt (strength sports profile))
- Set world-record total of 2,370 lb at the 2020 Arnold Classic (Fitness Volt)
- Married Sheyla in 2024 (Instagram (official account))
- Won Classic Physique pro card in 2025 (BarBend (fitness news))
- Exact net worth – estimates range from $1 M to $5 M
- Whether he’ll return to competitive powerlifting after his 2023 bicep tear
- The real measured circumference of Manfred Hoeberl’s arms
- 2016: First major powerlifting total (2,171 lb) (YouTube (competition footage))
- 2020: All-time world record 2,370 lb at Arnold Classic (YouTube (competition footage))
- 2025: Bodybuilding pro card win; separation from Toure Roberts (YouTube (competition footage))
- Competing in Classic Physique pro shows
- Continued social media content (5 M+ Instagram followers)
- Potential return to powerlifting if injury rehab allows
Scroll through the seven key facts about Larry Wheels — each one backed by a named source — before we dive into the story behind them.
| Attribute | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Larry Williams | Wikipedia (biographical record) |
| Nickname | Larry Wheels | Same |
| Born | December 3, 1994 (age 30) | Fitness Volt |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) | Fitness Volt |
| Weight (competition) | 260 lb (118 kg) | Fitness Volt |
| Bench press | 585 lb (265 kg) | BarBend (fitness journalism) |
| Deadlift | 840 lb (381 kg) | Fitness Volt |
| Squat (best official) | 900 lb (408 kg) | Fitness Volt |
| Total (2020 Arnold) | 2,370 lb (1,074 kg) | Fitness Volt |
| Instagram followers | 5 million+ | Instagram (official profile) |
Why Is Larry Wheels So Famous?
Early life and introduction to strength sports
Larry Williams, better known as Larry Wheels, was born in Manhattan, New York, to French Antillean parents (Wikipedia (biography)). He moved to Saint Martin as a teenager before returning to the U.S. At 18, he entered his first RPS powerlifting meet, winning the 275‑lb class while weighing 245 lb (Fitness Volt).
Powerlifting world records
- In 2016, he totaled 2,171 lb in the 242‑lb class, then described as a world record (YouTube (Larry Wheels channel)).
- In 2017, he set a world record total of 2,275 lb in the 275‑lb class without wraps (Fitness Volt).
- At the 2020 Arnold Classic, he broke the all‑time powerlifting world record with a total of 2,370 lb at 308 lb bodyweight (Fitness Volt). That total included an 870‑lb squat, a 645‑lb bench press, and an 855‑lb deadlift.
YouTube and Instagram growth
Wheels began posting raw training videos in 2016. His combination of freakish strength and engaging personality attracted millions of followers. As of 2025, his Instagram account has over 5 million followers (Instagram).
Collaborations with other strength athletes
He has trained alongside Eddie Hall, Hafþór Björnsson, Stefi Cohen, and Julius Maddox, giving fans cross‑over content that amplifies his reach.
Larry Wheels built fame by being the rare athlete who could deliver elite powerlifting numbers and charismatic social media content simultaneously. Most lifters excel at one; he dominates both.
The implication: His notoriety is not accidental — it is the product of world‑class strength, savvy platform use, and a personality that makes heavy lifting feel accessible to a mainstream audience.
What Happened With Larry Wheels?
Injury setbacks and recovery
- In 2021, a quad injury — suffered while squatting approximately 900 lb in training — forced him to withdraw from the RPS Long Island Insurextion (BarBend (competition report)).
- In 2023, he suffered a bicep tear. The injury ended his powerlifting campaign and pushed him toward bodybuilding.
Split from Sheyla / Toure Roberts
Wheels married Sheyla in 2024 after a year‑long engagement (Instagram (wedding announcement)). By early 2025, the couple announced they had decided to go their separate ways. A Yahoo Entertainment report citing sources close to the couple confirmed the divorce is ongoing.
Recent training updates
Despite the bicep tear, Wheels continued posting training content. In April 2022, he paused‑pressed 300 kg (661 lb) — a new personal record (BarBend). Since 2022, he has not competed in a sanctioned powerlifting meet (BarBend).
After six weeks of prep, Wheels won his Classic Physique pro card at a 2025 amateur qualifier (BarBend). He placed 10th in the same day’s pro show. The real test will be whether he can climb the pro ranks.
The trade‑off: Wheels traded powerlifting records for a bodybuilding pro card. The move gives him a new competitive arena but means his elite powerlifting days are likely behind him.
Is Larry Wheels Still Married?
Marriage to Sheyla
Wheels married Sheyla in 2024 after more than a year of engagement (Instagram (official announcement)). The relationship was public, with both posting frequently.
Separation announcement
In early 2025, Wheels posted on Instagram that the couple had decided to separate. A Yahoo Entertainment article (sources close to the couple) reported that divorce proceedings are underway.
Current relationship status
As of mid‑2025, Wheels appears to be single, focusing on bodybuilding and content creation. His Instagram feed no longer features Sheyla.
The catch: While Wheels has been open about the split, the exact reasons remain private. The episode adds a layer of personal controversy to his public image.
Who Had 26 Inch Arms?
Manfred Hoeberl and the 26‑inch claim
Manfred Hoeberl, an Austrian bodybuilder active in the 1990s, is often cited as having 26‑inch arms. The measurement, if accurate, would be among the largest ever recorded. No verified source provides an official tape measurement.
Larry Wheels’ own arm size
Wheels has stated his arms measure around 20–21 inches. At 5 ft 10 in and 260 lb, that places him in the top tier of arm size among active powerlifters and bodybuilders.
Feasibility of 20‑inch biceps
Natural male bodybuilders can reach roughly 16–17 inches. Twenty inches with low body fat is extremely rare and typically requires a combination of elite genetics, heavy resistance training, and, in most cases, performance‑enhancing substances.
The 26‑inch arm claim is not verifiable through official records. It belongs to the same lore as exaggerated strongman feats. Wheels’ own 20‑inch arms are already exceptional — few people on earth have naturally larger measurements.
Why this matters: The fascination with arm size reflects a broader curiosity about human physical limits. Wheels’ arms, while not 26 inches, are among the most impressive in modern strength sports.
Who Lifted 6270 Pounds?
The 6270‑lb lift: context and record
The figure 6,270 lb (2,844 kg) is attributed to Lithuanian strongman Žydrūnas Savickas, who performed a hip‑sled lift. It is not a single deadlift or squat but a machine‑assisted exercise that allows far heavier loads.
Larry Wheels’ own heavy lifts
Wheels has deadlifted 840 lb, squatted 900 lb, and bench‑pressed 675 lb (Fitness Volt). His 2,370‑lb total at the 2020 Arnold is one of the highest ever achieved in sanctioned powerlifting.
Comparison to historical strongmen
Strongmen like Savickas train for events that don’t fit inside powerlifting rules — hip sleds, truck pulls, stone lifts. The numbers aren’t directly comparable. Wheels’ powerlifting totals, however, sit among the best in history for his weight class.
The takeaway: 6,270 lb is a real strongman feat, not a powerlifting number. Wheels’ 2,370‑lb powerlifting total is more relevant for anyone comparing raw barbell strength.
Larry Wheels Timeline
- 1994: Born in New York to French Antillean parents (Wikipedia)
- 2016: Began posting lifting videos on social media; totaled 2,171 lb in the 242‑lb class
- 2017: Set world record total of 2,275 lb in the 275‑lb class (Fitness Volt)
- 2020: All‑time world record total 2,370 lb at the Arnold Classic (Fitness Volt)
- 2021: Withdrew from meet due to quad injury (BarBend)
- 2022: Paused‑pressed 300 kg (BarBend)
- 2023: Bicep tear; began transition to bodybuilding
- 2024: Married Sheyla (Instagram)
- 2025: Won Classic Physique pro card; separated from Sheyla (BarBend)
Clarity Check
Confirmed facts
- Larry Wheels was born December 3, 1994.
- He set a world‑record powerlifting total of 2,370 lb in 2020.
- He married Sheyla in 2024.
- The couple separated in early 2025.
- He won his Classic Physique pro card in 2025.
What remains unclear
- Exact net worth – estimates vary widely.
- Whether he will return to competitive powerlifting.
- The true tape measurement of Manfred Hoeberl’s arms.
- The cause of the 2023 bicep tear (overuse? specific event?).
- Final terms of the divorce settlement.
Quotes
We have decided to go our separate ways.
– Larry Wheels, Instagram post (2025)
Sources close to the couple confirm divorce proceedings are ongoing.
– Yahoo Entertainment (divorce report)
Wheels won his pro card with only six weeks of prep.
– BarBend (competition coverage)
Why This All Matters
Larry Wheels represents a new breed of strength athlete: one who uses social media to turn elite powerlifting into a mainstream career. But the 2025 bodybuilding pivot and personal turmoil show that even the strongest lifters face trade‑offs. For fans who followed his record‑breaking totals, the question is not whether he can lift 2,370 lb again — it’s whether the next chapter will be as compelling as the first. For aspiring strength athletes, the lesson is clear: leverage your unique strengths, but don’t expect the same platform to carry you forever.
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For a deeper dive into his early career and world records, check out Larry Wheels biography and records which details his rise from a teenage prodigy.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Larry Wheels?
He was born December 3, 1994, making him 30 years old as of 2025.
How tall is Larry Wheels?
He is 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) tall.
What is Larry Wheels’ net worth?
Net worth estimates range from $1 million to $5 million. No official figure has been released.
How much does Larry Wheels weigh?
His competition weight is around 260 lb (118 kg).
Who is Larry Wheels’ father?
His father’s name is not publicly known. Wheels was raised by his mother after his parents separated.
What is Larry Wheels doing now?
He is competing in Classic Physique bodybuilding shows and creating content for his 5 M+ Instagram followers.
What is Larry Wheels’ ethnicity?
He is French Antillean-American, born in Manhattan, New York.
Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Oz Briefly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.