🏋️ larry wheels deadlifts the weight of a small polar bear

Howdy! A Happiest of Fridays to you and yours. Some of the strongest, fittest people in existence made sure this week was a doozy. 

Larry "Wheels" Williams is a YouTuber/powerlifter/strongman extraordinaire. His latest deadlift feat could point to a dynamite competitive return on the strongman front. 

James "Flex" Lewis, one of bodybuilding's all-time greats, recently hung up his posing trunks and retired. He had a poignant reflection on that tough decision. 

Do you want strong, powerful glutes? Of course, you do! You'll want to learn about the merits of the trusty hip thrust. 

Let's hop right in. 

Strongman

Larry Wheels Goes Hard With His Deadlift, Offers Preview of Strongman Return

It's been a long time since Larry "Wheels" Williams was a part of any formal competition. His last powerlifting meet was over two years ago. His last strongman event? More than three years have passed since. 

Despite such an absence, Wheels hasn't neglected his strength. In fact, if one of his recent deadlift sessions is any indication, Wheels might be prepared to turn heads again in a sanctioned competition soon. 

On May 31, 2022, Wheels deadlifted a staggering 422 kilograms (930 pounds) for what he says was a PR triple. He completed the pull from a conventional stance while wearing a lifting belt and lifting straps. And to be candid: It sure seems like he could've done more!

The massive deadlift is a part of Wheels' preparation for the 2022 Middle East's Strongest Man, which will take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on August 27-28, 2022. It will mark his official return to strongman. Wheels has consistently maintained he will strive for a new deadlift PR there. Perhaps, he'll even try to join the legendary 1,000-pound deadlift club. 

Read here about Wheels' competitive resurgence while he tries to pull for glory. 

Bodybuilding

James "Flex" Lewis Reflects On A Remarkable Career 

James "Flex" Lewis started his bodybuilding career when he was just 19. Over approximately the next two decades, he became one of the sport's greatest-ever competitors. His seven 212 Olympia titles are the best evidence of such greatness.

But with such a resume, it couldn't have been easy for the 38-year-old Lewis to make the difficult decision to retire. He recently reflected on what retirement meant to him and his life moving forward on his podcast Straight Outta The Lair.

Lewis was frank in the episode published on May 30, 2022, on his YouTube channel. Once he concluded that his days on a stage were done, he said he "owned the decision." But when it was time to share the news with everyone else, he understandably got a little antsy. Hey, it's a new life stage. We can definitely all relate. 

Here's more on everything that went into Lewis' retirement straight from the horse's mouth. 

Training

How the Hip Thrust Can Take Your Glutes to New Heights

If you weren't already aware, our glutes are pretty much an active presence in every part of our lives.

When you stand, your glutes help keep you upright. When you walk, stroll, jog, or run, they're helping you push forward. And if you're one of the unlucky few with any back pain, here's a newsflash: Strong glutes help with that, too!

If you're looking for a way to strengthen your glutes, one of the best ways is the hip thrust. Once you understand the hip thrust, it's a relatively simple movement to perform. But getting to that point of crystallized understanding while you unlock your hips and fortify your glutes will take some effort beforehand. 

From how to actually perform the hip thrust and its different variations (dumbbells! glute bridges!) to mistakes to avoid, here's everything you need to know about this potential boon for your glutes.  

Everything Else

A World's Strongest Man to Remember

• We know the 2022 World's Strongest Man is yesterday's news. That said, let's reflect upon the 10 most memorable moments from this year's premier strongman event. 

• The Toronto Pro is one of the biggest competitions in pro bodybuilding. Call it a hunch, but watch out for Lisa Kudrey and Mohamed Shaaban.

• The CrossFit SemiFinals continue this weekend around the world, and they're doing it with Interim Chief of CrossFit Alison Andreozzi at the helm.

• Weightlifter Akbar Djuraev is quickly becoming a household name. The young phenom recently hit an unofficial World Record clean & jerk to back that up.

• A recent study determined that when you train partly decides the benefits you'll see from your hard work. And guess what? The ideal training time does indeed differ for men and women.

• Want big shoulders that could help you, potentially, lift your friends over your head? (Not that we would endorse such things.) Master the overhead press, then thank us later.