Larry Wheels presented this collaboration as a joke: a photo in which he is holding Anatoly in his arms after “hiring” the world’s best janitor for his new gym. The outfit added a touch of humor to the photo, but Vladimir Shmondenko — the powerlifter who created this character and built the Anatoly Fit project — wasn’t there just for the costume.
Larry already knew exactly who was hiding behind the janitor’s uniform. He and Vladimir worked out together on a grueling deadlift routine and appeared together in several pranks involving “fake trainers”. Their workout in California gave viewers a closer look at what happens when Anatoly’s humor collides with Larry’s world of weightlifting.
Who Are Anatoly and Larry Wheels? Two Different Paths in Powerlifting
Anatoly is a character created by Ukrainian powerlifter Vladimir Shmondenko. Vladimir has earned a reputation through many years of independent training and participation in powerlifting competitions. Anatoly appeared later, turning this experience into a joke about first impressions: viewers are introduced to this humble character even before they see the athlete himself.
Larry Wheels, whose real name is Larry Williams, built his career by showcasing his achievements in full view of everyone. Viewers see the discs on the bar, the preparation for each lift, and the effort required to lift that weight. His powerlifting results initially brought him recognition, while bodybuilding, arm wrestling, and lengthy workout videos introduced him to a much wider audience.
This is precisely where the difference between their formats lies. Larry demonstrates the scale of the challenge even before the climb begins; Vladimir, on the other hand, uses Anatoly to keep the audience in suspense until the right moment. Their audience, as always, comes for the same reason — to witness extraordinary strength — but the path to that moment is completely different.
How Did the Anatoly and Larry Wheels Collaboration Take Shape?
Their first major joint video was an intense deadlift workout in Dubai. There was no janitor’s uniform or staged coaching instructions. Vladimir simply joined Larry's workout and did nine sets of five reps, just like Larry, using the same working weight — 240 kg. Later, Larry joined in on Anatoly’s pranks, playing the role of a celebrity client of a clearly unqualified coach.
Over time, their communication style also changed. During the workout in Dubai, Stefania Totolo helped with translation, since Vladimir’s English was still limited. At One Gen, Larry immediately noticed how much Vladimir’s English had improved. This allowed their last joint session to become a full-fledged training session, rather than just another brief cameo built around a climactic moment.
What Happens in the Full Anatoly and Larry Wheels Workout?
The video from One Gen Gym is a completely real workout, not just a prank. For 55 minutes, Vladimir works out his arms alongside Larry and the gym’s co-founder, Ryan Bentson. Between sets, the conversation goes far beyond just the exercises.
Below are Vladimir's stats as of the time this was filmed:
Vladimir's weight is approximately 79 kg, and his height is 180 cm.
He can deadlift 290 kg, squat 210 kg, and bench press 150 kg (several repetitions).
For bicep curls, he uses two dumbbells weighing 90 pounds each.
His best performance in full-range pull-ups is 42 reps.
When doing dumbbell curls, Vladimir lifts 90 pounds in each hand. Together, the two dumbbells weigh about 81.6 kg—slightly more than his own weight (79 kg). Larry adjusts the weight to account for his greater body weight, calculates that he’ll need 125–130 pounds in each hand, and then tries to lift 130-pound dumbbells himself.
Barbell curls present a different kind of challenge. Both men engage their hips in the barbell’s movement and discuss the strain this style can place on the tendons. This technique is unlikely to make it into a training manual — and neither of them pretends otherwise. They’re testing how heavier weights move, rather than trying to set a record for strict curls.
Why Did This Collaboration Stand Out From Anatoly’s Usual Pranks?
Most of the videos featuring Anatoly revolve around a single mystery: someone at the gym mistakenly takes the janitor for a newbie. This tension disappears in Larry’s case, since he knows exactly what Vladimir is capable of. The question changes. Instead of waiting to see if Larry will be fooled, viewers get to watch two experienced weightlifters tackle the same challenge.
Their videos about “fake trainers” have already shown that this duo knows how to switch roles. Anatoly became a hopeless trainer, and Larry — his incredibly strong client — and together they convinced everyone around them that this prank was real. In One Gen, they no longer needed to rely on this setup. The longer training session provided opportunities for real comparisons, discussions of technical aspects, and jokes between sets.
This also brought their audiences closer together. Anatoly’s followers were able to get to know the athlete behind the uniform better, while Larry’s viewers got to know Vladimir in a way that went beyond just a momentary revelation. The video no longer relied on the element of surprise to remain interesting.
What Does the Collaboration Reveal About Anatoly’s Training?
Training alongside Larry gives you a better understanding of Vladimir’s strength. He doesn’t try to match the biggest athlete in the gym kilogram for kilogram. What’s most impressive is the amount of weight he can handle while remaining significantly lighter. A deadlift workout in Dubai tested his limits during a series of challenging sets; at One Gen, the focus shifted to his arms, back, and grip.
Vladimir isn’t exaggerating with this comparison either. When Larry suggests that he could be among the best athletes in the “pound-for-pound” category, he immediately points to lighter opponents who are posting better results. His current priority is different: to stay strong, lean, and ready for filming, rather than building his life around yet another competitive overall result.
Anatoly vs. Larry Wheels: How Do Their Numbers Compare?
Vladimir shared his stats during a workout at One Gen. In Larry’s case, the table lists his best results from competitions, which he achieved at a significantly higher body weight. The table illustrates the difference in scale, not a direct comparison.
| Metric | Vladimir Shmondenko | Larry Wheels |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 180 cm | 185 cm |
| Bodyweight | 78–79 kg | 125.4–128.6 kg at the meets where these PBs were set |
| Squat | 210 kg | 394.6 kg |
| Bench press | 150 kg | 292.5 kg |
| Deadlift | 290 kg | 400 kg |
Larry was lifting even heavier weights at the gym. He did three reps of deadlifts with a weight of about 422 kg and bench-pressed a little over 306 kg. These can be considered his personal training records, but not official competition results.
The purpose of comparing their stats isn't to determine a winner. It shows why Larry and Vladimir make such an interesting pair in the gym. Larry embodies elite absolute strength, while Vladimir’s records are notable for having been achieved at a body weight of 78–79 kg. When comparing them, the contrast that underlies their joint training becomes evident.
From Watching Larry to Training Beside Him
Even before they met in person for the first time, Vladimir had been watching Larry’s videos. Later, he told Larry that those videos had inspired him when he weighed about 68 kg and was already deadlifting 200 kg. In the end, the athlete he had once watched on screen became his training partner, a guest in his challenges, and someone willing to test his strength in person.
This is exactly the path worth following. No one starts out with Larry’s results or Vladimir’s 320-kilogram deadlift. That’s why his project, Anatoly Fit, focuses on everything that comes before these record-breaking lifts. Specifically, on workouts that match each user’s current level and remain manageable enough to be repeated. The first workout isn’t meant to impress anyone. It’s simply meant to lay the foundation for the next one.
FAQ
Who is Larry Wheels and why did his collaboration with Anatoly go viral?
Larry Wheels is an American powerlifter and content creator who has also competed in bodybuilding and arm wrestling. It drew attention because it mixed Larry’s heavy lifting with Anatoly’s humor.
Where can I watch the full Anatoly and Larry Wheels workout?
The full 55-minute session is available on Larry Wheels’ YouTube channel under the title “Anatoly can curl his own bodyweight?!”.
Who else joined Anatoly and Larry Wheels in the video?
In their last training session, they were joined by coach Larry — Ryan Bentson. He is also a co-founder of One Gen Gym.
Did Anatoly Really Prank Larry Wheels?
Larry already knew Vladimir and deliberately played along with his joke about the fake coach.
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