Flex Wheeler

Kenneth Wheeler (born August 23, 1965, Fresno, California, United States), better known as Flex Wheeler, is a former American IFBB professional bodybuilder.

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Biography

Wheeler began training as a teenager, initially with martial arts in mind. However his natural development persuaded him to pursue bodybuilding. Despite this he is on record as regarding himself as a "martial artist first, a bodybuilder second." (1) It also accounts for his remarkable flexibility in a physique so large. Even so, he has been described by Arnold Schwarzenegger as one of the greatest bodybuilders he ever saw.

After a short career as a police officer, Wheeler focused full time on becoming a professional bodybuilder, taking the nickname 'Flex'. He competed for the first time in 1983 but it was not until 1989 that he secured a first-place trophy at the NPC Mr California Championships. Since then, he has placed second at the 1993 Mr. Olympia, narrowly missing a win (something he was to repeat in 1998 and 1999. He has also frequently won the Ironman Pro along with the Arnold Classic, the France Grand Prix, South Beach Pro Invitational, Night of Champions and Hungarian Grand Prix.

Wheeler had the reputation of being arrogant and over-confident especially on stage, however he has attributed this to compensating for his natural introversion as a child and young man. (2)

In 1994 he was involved in a near-fatal car accident that could have left him with lifelong paralysis. He started from scratch again, returning with remarkable speed to the top ranks of the sport.

It has been discovered that much of Wheeler's muscular development was aided by a genetic mutation which inhibited the production of myostatin, a key limitor of muscular growth.

In 1999 Wheeler discovered that he had Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a form of kidney disease. Despite press speculation as to the cause of the failure, Wheeler pointed out that the condition is hereditary, not self-inflicted. Wheeler announced his retirement from competitive bodybuilding in 2000, but continued to compete until 2002. He received a kidney transplant in 2003.

Since retirement Wheeler has focused again on martial arts, his specialism being Kemp-Kwon-Do, a variant of Kempo and Tae Kwon Do. He participated in a demonstration fight at the 2005 Arnold Classic.

In 2007, Flex was interviewed by freelance journalist Rod Labbe for Ironman Magazine's LEGENDS OF BODYBUILDING series. Entitled "Yesterday and Today," it covers his extensive career and reveals how a Legend can conquer adversity and triumph against incredible odds.

Wheeler has admitted he has used steroids for 18 years, suffering serious health problems from it. He has undergone a kidney transplant. ^[1]

Competitive stats

• Height: 5'9"
• Off Season Weight: Around 247lbs.
• Competition Weight: Around 232 lbs.

Competitive history

• 1985 AAU Teen Mr America 1st (MT)
• 1989 NPC California Championships 1st (LHW)
• 1989 NPC Nationals 5th (LHW)
• 1990 NPC Junior Nationals 2nd (HW)
• 1991 NPC Nationals 2nd (HW)
• 1991 NPC USA Championship 2nd (HW)
• 1992 NPC USA Championships 1st (HW and Overall)
• 1993 IFBB Ironman Pro Invitational 1st
• 1993 IFBB Arnold Classic 1st
• 1993 IFBB Mr. Olympia 2nd
• 1995 IFBB Ironman Pro Invitational 1st
• 1995 IFBB Arnold Classic 2nd
• 1995 IFBB South Beach Pro 1st
• 1995 IFBB Mr. Olympia 8th
• 1995 IFBB Grand Prix Spain 5th
• 1996 IFBB Ironman Pro Invitational 1st
• 1996 IFBB Arnold Classic 2nd
• 1996 IFBB Night of Champions 1st
• 1996 IFBB Canada Pro Classic 2nd
• 1996 IFBB Florida Cup Pro 1st
• 1996 IFBB Mr. Olympia 4th
• 1997 IFBB Ironman Pro Invitational 1st
• 1997 IFBB Arnold Classic 1st
• 1997 IFBB San Jose Pro 1st
• 1998 IFBB Ironman Pro Invitational 1st
• 1998 IFBB Arnold Classic 1st
• 1998 IFBB Mr Olympia 2nd
• 1999 IFBB Grand Prix England - 2nd
• 1999 IFBB Joe Weider's Pro World 2nd
• 1999 IFBB Mr. Olympia 2nd
• 2000 IFBB Mr. Olympia 3rd
• 2000 IFBB Hungarian Grand Prix 1st
• 2000 IFBB Arnold Classic 1st
• 2000 IFBB Ironman Pro Invitational 2nd

See also

• List of professional bodybuilders

References

1. ^ Edward Epstein: The muscle marketplace San Francisco Chronicle, 8 March 2005