Larry Wheels: Biography, Strength & Personal Life

Anyone who has spent more than a few minutes on fitness Instagram has likely come across Larry Wheels — a lifter who seems to compete in every strength sport that exists. Powerlifting, bodybuilding, arm wrestling, strongman: he has done them all, and the public has followed every rep, every record, and every personal twist along the way.

Date of Birth: December 3, 1994 · Height: 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) · Weight: Approx. 280–300 lbs (127–136 kg) · Instagram followers: 5 million+ · TikTok followers: 2.9 million+

Why is Larry Wheels so famous?

Larry Wheels’ multi-sport strength career

• Competes in powerlifting, bodybuilding, arm wrestling, and strongman — a rare crossover (Fitness Volt)
• Holds multiple world records in raw and equipped powerlifting (Wikipedia)

Wheels began lifting as a teenager in the Bronx and quickly rose through the ranks. By his early 20s he had set records that put him on the radar of every major strength publication.

Larry Wheels’ social media presence

• Over 5 million Instagram followers and 2.9 million TikTok followers (Instagram)
• Active YouTube channel with workout content and collaborations

His ability to pull viewers into training sessions, arm-wrestling matches, and personal updates turned him into a mainstream fitness personality.

Is Larry Wheels still married?

Larry Wheels’ marriage to Cheryl

Larry Wheels married Cheryl in 2022. The couple kept their relationship relatively private, though Wheels occasionally posted about her on social media.

Larry Wheels’ divorce announcement

• Wheels confirmed the split during a livestream with UFC cutman Brad Tate in 2023 (Times of India)
• He said they had grown apart and that he wanted to make sure she was financially okay
• Cheryl kept the property, according to reports

The separation was widely covered by fitness media, with a resurfaced prenup discussion fueling public curiosity.

Who’s stronger, Eddie Hall or Larry Wheels?

Eddie Hall’s strength background

• Former World’s Strongest Man winner (2017) (Wikipedia)
• Known for the 500 kg deadlift world record

Larry Wheels’ strength background

• World records in powerlifting (raw and equipped) (Fitness Volt)
• Competes at 280–300 lbs, but built for explosive lifting rather than strongman endurance

Direct competition or lifting comparisons

In 2022, the two faced off in an arm-wrestling match that was billed as a friendly bout after prior public tension (YouTube). The match did not settle the broader strength debate, as arm wrestling tests a specific skill set.

Seven metrics, one pattern: in raw powerlifting, Wheels has the edge in the squat and bench press; in strongman events, Hall’s size and conditioning give him the advantage.

The table below lays out the numbers from each athlete’s career bests.

The pattern: Hall is the heavier, more specialized strongman; Wheels is the lighter, more explosive powerlifter. No single test can crown a king of all strength.

Why do strong men have big bellies?

Physiology of strongmen

• Strongmen often carry excess body fat for leverage and core stability (NIH research)
• Large belly provides a stable base for carrying heavy loads

Diet and caloric surplus

• Massive calorie intake is required to maintain strength and body weight
• Excess fat is a natural byproduct of the high-calorie, high-protein diet

Core stability for heavy lifts

• Abdominal muscles create intra-abdominal pressure that protects the spine
• Extra fat does not directly contribute to strength, but it is often correlated with the lifestyle

This phenomenon is not exclusive to strongmen — powerlifters and weightlifters also carry extra weight for similar reasons.

What ethnicity is Larry Wheels and what is his background?

Larry Wheels’ parents

• Larry Wheels is of French Antillean descent (Martinique) (Wikipedia)
• Born to a teenage mother; raised primarily by his grandfather

Larry Wheels’ childhood

• Grew up in the Bronx, New York
• His father figure was his grandfather, who encouraged him to lift weights

Wheels has spoken about his upbringing in interviews, describing a tough neighborhood where strength training became both an escape and a path to success.

Timeline

• December 3, 1994 — Born in Bronx, New York (Wikipedia)
• 2010s — Began powerlifting; set multiple world records (Fitness Volt)
• 2022 — Married Cheryl; arm-wrestled Eddie Hall (YouTube)
• 2023 — Announced separation from wife (YouTube commentary)
• 2024 — Continues active social media presence and training

Clarity

Quotes

We separated. It just grew apart.

— Larry Wheels, via livestream with Brad Tate (Times of India)

I still want to make sure she’s financially okay.

— Larry Wheels, on the split (Times of India)

For the fitness audience following this story, the implication is clear: Larry Wheels’ personal life remains a source of public fascination, but the strength sports world is more interested in what he does next in the gym.

Frequently asked questions