Larry Wheels admitted that Open Bodybuilding has brought back a spark in the gym.
Fitness star Larry Wheels has done a lot during his career. This includes earning his Pro Card as a bodybuilder and wants that journey to continue on stage. Wheels began as a Classic Physique competitor, but does not see that being the road he goes down moving forward.
Wheels joined 2x Mr. Olympia Derek Lunsford for a workout recently and the duo began discussing the future. For Wheels, that future could be in Open to get away from a weight cap.
“I’m in that first couple years you’re talking about where I want to add significant muscle tissue to do Open. I didn’t like my look in Classic. It felt a bit too thin for me frame.”
Wheels put his bodybuilding dreams on hold in 2024 after relapsing and going back on his steroid cycle. He finished as the runner-up at the 2023 Amateur Olympia and wanted to improve. Wheels ended up making a return to bodybuilding in 2025. He was victorious at the Musclecontest Bullman Pro Qualifier in May. He earned his Pro Card after the win in Classic Physique.
Wheels confirmed that he wants to get back on stage this year. There is no official date yet but he shared the goal is in the fall or winter. To prepare, Wheels is “aggressively bulking” to add muscle to his frame.
Larry Wheels Talks Benefits Of Open Bodybuilding
Larry Wheels continued his discussion with Lunsford and it was around his goals moving forward. He did not feel like he was able to build his best physique under the weight cap in Classic Physique.
“I had to have so much restraint lifting because I was in such a massive deficit to make weight at 242 for Classic Amateur. And it took all the fun out of lifting for me. I was at only like 1,000 calories a day for months at a time. I was like I can’t enjoy training like this, it sucks.”
Derek Lunsford knows what it likes to make the jump into the Open successfully. He was crowned 212 Olympia champion before moving up and grabbing two Sandows in the biggest division, becoming the first competitor to win in multiple divisions. Lunsford believes that this mental block is real in competitors but it is important to know your ceiling.
Lunsford agreed that for Wheels, there is room to grow with his frame.
“You’re definitely going to have that mental block. The more that you do it, the more you realize it’s part of the process. You have to be flat to be shredded and when you’re shredded, you actually look bigger on stage. For your frame, it can hold a lot more size and weight and I think that weight cap would restrict you from being your best.”
So, what is the end goal?
That question will be answered soon, but Larry Wheels has found that spark for competing again — and has his sights set on some lofty goals including 300 pounds.
“With Open, it sparked that excitement again. I wasn’t excited to keep grinding 242 and do Classic Pro. But doing Open and seeing maybe 300+ maybe on stage one day, that’s gets me excited. Seeing something I haven’t seen before.”
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