• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Generation Iron

Generation Iron Fitness & Strength Sports Network

  • Movies
  • Original Content
  • Reviews
    • Supplements
      • Pre-Workout
      • Fat Burners
      • Testosterone Boosters
      • Creatine
      • Protein
      • BCAAs
      • Multivitamins
      • Omega-3
      • Joint Supplements
      • Super Greens
      • Meal Replacement
    • Recovery
      • Best Cold Plunges
      • Best Saunas
      • Best Foam Rollers
      • Best Massage Guns
    • Programs
      • Best Online Workout Programs
      • Best Workout Streaming Services
      • Best Home Workout Programs
  • Equipment
    • Cardio
      • Treadmills
      • Best Exercise Bikes
      • Best Stair Climbers
    • Fitness Accessories
      • Best Apparel
      • Best Gym Bags
      • Weightlifting Shoes
    • Strength
      • Best Dumbbells
      • Best Barbells
      • Best Kettlebells
      • Best Squat Racks
      • Best Weightlifting Belts
      • Best Home Gym Equipment
      • Complete Home Gyms
    • Training
      • Best Knee Sleeves
      • Best Wrist Wraps
      • Best Weightlifting Wraps
      • Best Weightlifting Gloves
  • More
    • About Us
      • Our Team
      • Our Experts
    • Advertise
    • Franchise With Us
    • Exercise Guides
    • Athlete Profiles
    • Podcasts
    • Power 30
    • Bodybuilding Awards
    • Supplement Awards
  • Shop
News

Flex Wheeler Released From Hospital, Discusses Battle With COVID-19

by Greg Patuto Published on Nov 10, 2021

Flex Wheeler Released
This post may contain affiliate links (disclosure policy).

Legendary bodybuilder details battle with COVID-19 after released from hospital.

It was not an easy road for Flex Wheeler but the bodybuilding legend has defeated COVID-19. Wheeler was recently released from the hospital and shared yet another update on his health. This time, it was not from a hospital bed but from his hotel in Orlando.

On Wednesday, Wheeler shared a 12-minute video where he shared details about how he contracted COVID-19 and his long battle with the virus. He began by explaining how he caught the virus in the first place.

Wheeler explains that he was in England for the 2021 Arnold Classic and this is where he caught the virus. Wheeler did not begin to experience symptoms until he was home and preparing to fly out to the Olympia. He returned home from England on Monday and was prepared to fly to Orlando on Wednesday.

“Wednesday on my flight, I just started feeling horrible. My body started aching and cranking and I remember, like, reaching for my lat, my trap and my arm cramped. Goddamn, you know. It feels like I’ve been working out but I haven’t worked out in a really long time. It just got worse,” Wheeler said.

“By the time i had gone up to my room wednesday, i just went straight to bed. i hardly left my room at all.”

“I was screaming in my sleep because I had such severe body aches.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by IFBB LEGEND FLEX WHEELER (@officialflexwheeler)

Flex Wheeler was preparing to work with production during the 2021 Olympia. He had competed in six Olympia competitions throughout his career with four top-three finishes, including three as a runner-up. Wheeler was victorious during the Arnold Classic four times. Wheeler has drawn plenty of praise from Arnold Schwarzenegger himself.

While Wheeler was not preparing to compete, he was still going to be part of the event. Instead, his symptoms continued to get worse and this is when he decided to do something about it.

“I woke up Friday at 5 in the morning and the entire bed was drenched again. I was like’ you know, you’re up here worried about your pride or being embarrassed and you’re gonna f around and die here in this damn hotel bed.’ So I called 911.”

Flex Wheeler met the emergency officers and he was diagnosed with COVID-19 at the hospital. This is where Wheeler remained and received treatment for several weeks.

Wheeler continued to explain how he felt worse each day and it began with his lungs. Wheeler underwent a kidney transplant in 2003. He retired from bodybuilding that same year in order to remain on top of his health. To this day, Wheeler is still medicated because of his condition.

The doctors explained to Wheeler that he would have to be taken off his kidney medication so that his lungs, which were deteriorating, could be treated properly.

“They told me they had to put my kidney at risk because my immune system had not come online yet to fight and that my lungs were getting worse and worse every time they take an X-ray or a CAT scan,” Wheeler explained.

“They would show me the scarring and the white tissue. They said ‘if you don’t get ahead of this curve, you’re going to be on a ventilator and it’s downhill from there.”

This was a decision that the doctors made to save Wheeler’s lungs. At the same time, some damage might have been done to his kidneys in the process. This was a decision that had to be made to keep Wheeler in his best interest.

Wheeler finished his video by thanking the doctors and medical staff that took care of him during his recovery.

“I’m just thankful for all the doctors, all the nurses, all the overwhelming messages that I got from all the internet mediums, and the outpour of love and respect and appreciation. It didn’t fall on deaf ears. I can never show you how much I appreciate that.”

Flex Wheeler expressed his excitement in returning home from Orlando. He will continue to monitor his health and improve from this moment on.

For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About Greg Patuto

Greg has covered the four major sports for six years and has been featured on sites such as Sports Illustrated, Fox Sports, SB Nation, NJ.com, and FanSided. Now, he is transitioning into the world of bodybuilding and strength sports.

View All Articles

Primary Sidebar

Get the Latest

Stay informed with the latest news, product reviews, & expert advice.

Popular Reviews

  • best protein powders

    The Best Protein Powder Supplements of 2025 (Tried and Tested)

  • Best Creatine Supplements For Bulking & Muscle Growth of 2025 (Personally Tested)

  • top x pre workout

    The 14 Best Pre-Workout Supplements of 2025 (MD Reviewed)

  • Performance Lab SPORT BCAA

    The Best BCAA For Bodybuilding Health & Performance Goals

Trending Articles

  • female fitness models

    18 Best Butts On The Internet (Updated 2024)

  • ronnie coleman the king workout

    Ronnie “The King” Coleman’s Complete Bodybuilding Workout

  • The Ultimate Mike Mentzer Workout and Diet

  • Chris bumstead's 2024 workout and diet plan

    Chris Bumstead’s 2025 Complete Bodybuilding Workout & Diet Plan

Popular Now

  • best protein powders

    The Best Protein Powder Supplements of 2025 (Tried and Tested)

  • Best Creatine Supplements For Bulking & Muscle Growth of 2025 (Personally Tested)

  • top x pre workout

    The 14 Best Pre-Workout Supplements of 2025 (MD Reviewed)

  • female fitness models

    18 Best Butts On The Internet (Updated 2024)

  • best citrulline supplements

    The Best Citrulline Malate Supplements for Performance and Pump

  • ronnie coleman the king workout

    Ronnie “The King” Coleman’s Complete Bodybuilding Workout

Generation Iron

Generation Iron is the first and only digital network delivering health, fitness, bodybuilding, and strength sports content. We deliver premium content with the biggest names in fitness and provide expert coverage, reviews on top brands, workout tips and trends in the worlds of fitness, health and strength sports.

Strongman Corporation
Vladar

Sections

  • Trending News
  • Original Movies
  • Original Content
  • Supplement Reviews
  • Equipment Reviews
  • Exercise Guides
  • Nutrition Guides
  • Athlete Profiles

More

  • About Us
  • Our Team
  • Our Experts
  • Advertise
  • Franchise With Us
  • Podcasts
  • Power 30
  • Shop

CONTACT

Generation Iron Brands LLC
134 West 29th Street Suite 902
New York, NY 10001
Email: [email protected]

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • X / Twitter
  • YouTube

© 2025 · Generation Iron · Disclaimers · Privacy Policy · Accessibility