Rare amazing pics of Flex Wheeler 10-12 weeks out the Arnold '98

[underbody]

Rare amazing pics of Flex Wheeler 10-12 weeks out the Arnold '98 (Thanks to Chad Nicholls - made with Polaroid)

 

[underbody]

From Chad

I've always wanted to post these pics, but never had them scanned in. This is old school back when we were doing everything through snail mail with actual photos (Polaroids)! The pics in the black trunks are 12 weeks out from the '98 Arnold. I remember when I first received them I called Flex and told him that I wasn't sure we would make it. He told me he'd follow everything to a "T" and to have faith. I did and the photos in the blue trunks were literally taken 2 weeks later - I remember when I got them - I thought I had never seen anyone's physique transition like that in 2 weeks time. I went from thinking we were going to struggle to get in shape, to realizing I was about to be a part of something extremely special. We all know now that Flex went on to win the '98 Arnold and, in my opinion, that was one of the most beautiful physiques to grace a stage.

 

[ArmStrong]

Good shots of Flex.

 

[underbody]

Flex Wheeler today!

 

[pakiman]

This sport of ours is really a story of haves and have nots _ odd as it may sound but in BBing hard work will only get you so far! At the top level you are going to run into genetic freaks. Flex was the most gifted of them all.

Originally Posted by BALCO Laboratories, Inc.
October 1, 1998

Re: Flex Wheeler

To whom it may concern:

I am writing this letter per the request of Flex Wheeler.

I would first like to briefly provide you with some background information regarding BALCO Laboratories. BALCO has been working with elite Olympic and professional athletes for over fifteen years. BALCO has provided testing and consultation for over 250 NFL players including the entire 1998 Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos team and the entire Miami Dolphins team. BALCO works with professional athletes in many sports including teenis (Michael Chang, Jim Courier, etc.), hockey, bodybuilding (10 of the 16 1998 Mr. Olympia contestants), track and field, soccer and basketball (Seattle SuperSonics).

BALCO Laboratories has been testing and monitoring Flex on a routine basis during the last year. We have performed tests including blood chemistry (SMAC), complete blood count (CBC), PSA, anabolic hormone levels, genotyping as well as comprehensive testing for nutritional elements. Flex's test results have been compared to twenty-four other professional bodybuilders and overall he has one of the healthiest profiles. Basically, Flex is in excellent health and has demonstrated the discipline necessary to maintain a peak level of conditioning.

Flex was a participant in a study we recently conducted in collaboration with the Department of Human Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh involving 62 men who made unusually large gains in muscle mass in response to strength training (extreme responders). Flex was one of only nine extreme responders that had the very rare "myostatin mutation." Myostatin is the gene that "limits muscle growth." Specifically, Flex had the rarest form of myostatin mutation at the "exon 2" position on the gene. This simply means Flex has a much larger number of muscle fibers compared to the other subjects or the normal population. We believe that these are the very first myostatin mutation findings in humans and the results of this landmark study have already been submitted for publication. Flex was also found to have a very unusual type of the IGF-1 gene. In fact, Flex was the only participant in the study that did not have a "match." All of the other extreme responders had at least three other subjects with a matching IGF-1 gene. Based upon Flex's very unique genetic profile, we plan to expeditiously publish a scientific paper that reveals his complete genotype in specific detail. The publication of his remarkable genetic data should generate an enormous amount of media exposure.

Hope this information will be helpful and please call if I can be of assistance.

Sincerely,

/s/ Victor Conte
Victor Conte
President
BALCO Laboratories, Inc.

 

[pakiman]

Milos reveals a few secrets about Nasser el Sonbaty, Flex Wheeler and some of the 'supplements' used to get Pro's to blow up

 

[underbody]

Rare Camcorder Footage of the 1998 Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic.
Flex weighed in at a ripped 232-238 pounds. Many experts say this was Flex Wheeler's all time best.The lighting is not great like in 1993 but people that were there said Flex looked his most defined. Arnold Schwarzenegger at the time said this was the best physique ever on a bodybuilding

 

[underbody]

This sport of ours is really a story of haves and have nots _ odd as it may sound but in BBing hard work will only get you so far! At the top level you are going to run into genetic freaks. Flex was the most gifted of them all.




Originally Posted by BALCO Laboratories, Inc.
October 1, 1998


Re: Flex Wheeler


To whom it may concern:


I am writing this letter per the request of Flex Wheeler.


I would first like to briefly provide you with some background information regarding BALCO Laboratories. BALCO has been working with elite Olympic and professional athletes for over fifteen years. BALCO has provided testing and consultation for over 250 NFL players including the entire 1998 Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos team and the entire Miami Dolphins team. BALCO works with professional athletes in many sports including teenis (Michael Chang, Jim Courier, etc.), hockey, bodybuilding (10 of the 16 1998 Mr. Olympia contestants), track and field, soccer and basketball (Seattle SuperSonics).


BALCO Laboratories has been testing and monitoring Flex on a routine basis during the last year. We have performed tests including blood chemistry (SMAC), complete blood count (CBC), PSA, anabolic hormone levels, genotyping as well as comprehensive testing for nutritional elements. Flex's test results have been compared to twenty-four other professional bodybuilders and overall he has one of the healthiest profiles. Basically, Flex is in excellent health and has demonstrated the discipline necessary to maintain a peak level of conditioning.


Flex was a participant in a study we recently conducted in collaboration with the Department of Human Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh involving 62 men who made unusually large gains in muscle mass in response to strength training (extreme responders). Flex was one of only nine extreme responders that had the very rare "myostatin mutation." Myostatin is the gene that "limits muscle growth." Specifically, Flex had the rarest form of myostatin mutation at the "exon 2" position on the gene. This simply means Flex has a much larger number of muscle fibers compared to the other subjects or the normal population. We believe that these are the very first myostatin mutation findings in humans and the results of this landmark study have already been submitted for publication. Flex was also found to have a very unusual type of the IGF-1 gene. In fact, Flex was the only participant in the study that did not have a "match." All of the other extreme responders had at least three other subjects with a matching IGF-1 gene. Based upon Flex's very unique genetic profile, we plan to expeditiously publish a scientific paper that reveals his complete genotype in specific detail. The publication of his remarkable genetic data should generate an enormous amount of media exposure.[/FONT]


Hope this information will be helpful and please call if I can be of assistance.


Sincerely,


/s/ Victor Conte
Victor Conte
President
BALCO Laboratories, Inc.

Thank you very much for posting this document!

 

[underbody]

Thanks for posting!
I saw this amazing video, on rxmuscle some years ago when dave palumbo went to fibo power.

 

[Mountain-Man]

Great pics and thread

 

[underbody]

Great pics and thread

Thank you!

 

[underbody]

from youtube description video:

"Rare Camcorder Footage of the 1998 Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic.
Flex weighed in at a ripped 232-238 pounds. Many experts say this was Flex Wheeler's all time best.The lighting is not great like in 1993 but people that were there said Flex looked his most defined. Arnold Schwarzenegger at the time said this was the best physique ever on a bodybuilding stage.
A rare look at the contest that brought possibly the most aesthetic pro bodybuilder of all time with his most complete physique in his career. Flex was 218 at the 1993 ASC and by his own account was 238 here. The magazines had him at 232. In 1993 his torso was a bit light compared to his arms. With the added muscle he is near bodybuilding perfection here."

could be interesing...

 

[underbody]

Arnold's Rock and Roll Bodybuilding highlights the 1998 Arnold Classic. Many experts consider this to be Flex Wheeler's best showing ever.
Unfortunately, the TV lighting is not ideal for physique display and it was converted to DVD some 12 years later. Pictures and video are rare for this pivotal contest so enjoy it for what it is; an older grainy VCR tape on Youtube.

 

[MuscleMecca Crew]

Really Great Thread on Flex Wheeler! Don't forget our Flex Wheeler Bodybuilding Bio and more!

 

[KaiGold]

This sport of ours is really a story of haves and have nots _ odd as it may sound but in BBing hard work will only get you so far! At the top level you are going to run into genetic freaks. Flex was the most gifted of them all.

Originally Posted by BALCO Laboratories, Inc.
October 1, 1998

Re: Flex Wheeler

To whom it may concern:

I am writing this letter per the request of Flex Wheeler.

I would first like to briefly provide you with some background information regarding BALCO Laboratories. BALCO has been working with elite Olympic and professional athletes for over fifteen years. BALCO has provided testing and consultation for over 250 NFL players including the entire 1998 Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos team and the entire Miami Dolphins team. BALCO works with professional athletes in many sports including teenis (Michael Chang, Jim Courier, etc.), hockey, bodybuilding (10 of the 16 1998 Mr. Olympia contestants), track and field, soccer and basketball (Seattle SuperSonics).

BALCO Laboratories has been testing and monitoring Flex on a routine basis during the last year. We have performed tests including blood chemistry (SMAC), complete blood count (CBC), PSA, anabolic hormone levels, genotyping as well as comprehensive testing for nutritional elements. Flex's test results have been compared to twenty-four other professional bodybuilders and overall he has one of the healthiest profiles. Basically, Flex is in excellent health and has demonstrated the discipline necessary to maintain a peak level of conditioning.

Flex was a participant in a study we recently conducted in collaboration with the Department of Human Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh involving 62 men who made unusually large gains in muscle mass in response to strength training (extreme responders). Flex was one of only nine extreme responders that had the very rare "myostatin mutation." Myostatin is the gene that "limits muscle growth." Specifically, Flex had the rarest form of myostatin mutation at the "exon 2" position on the gene. This simply means Flex has a much larger number of muscle fibers compared to the other subjects or the normal population. We believe that these are the very first myostatin mutation findings in humans and the results of this landmark study have already been submitted for publication. Flex was also found to have a very unusual type of the IGF-1 gene. In fact, Flex was the only participant in the study that did not have a "match." All of the other extreme responders had at least three other subjects with a matching IGF-1 gene. Based upon Flex's very unique genetic profile, we plan to expeditiously publish a scientific paper that reveals his complete genotype in specific detail. The publication of his remarkable genetic data should generate an enormous amount of media exposure.

Hope this information will be helpful and please call if I can be of assistance.

Sincerely,

/s/ Victor Conte
Victor Conte
President
BALCO Laboratories, Inc.

To be born with genetics like that. Your right bro.. What a gift.

 

[underbody]

Flex Wheeler today!