Powerlifter Larry Wheels and his wife had some fun at Ashton Hall’s expense during a recent gym session and live recording, after the viral morning routine creator showed up ready to lift in platform boots that appeared to add several inches to his height.
Hall, known for his widely circulated morning routine videos, joined Wheels for a deadlift and bench press workout. During the live broadcast, it was his footwear that quickly became the main talking point.
The boots, which Wheels estimated added at least “three and a half” inches, turned into a running joke throughout the session.
As the two worked through deadlifts together, Wheels took a moment to explain why lifting in elevated footwear can create a disadvantage.
“If you were to take those off, the closer your foot is to the ground, the more stability you have,” he said, pointing out that the extra height was working against Hall. “It decreases your stability.”
He went on to break down the mechanics behind it, comparing the situation to a known training variation. “It’s like me doing a deadlift off of this plate,” he explained. “That’s creating a deficit, meaning a longer bar path. So you’re actually pulling the bar through a longer range of motion. It’s like a three, almost four-inch heel. So you’re doing like a deficit deadlift.”
At one point, Hall himself acknowledged how unusual the setup looked. “Lifting in these heels is crazy,” he said, laughing.
Wheels immediately piled on with his own reaction. “Bro, in high heels I would never,” he joked.
According to Wheels, the added height could have been costing Hall a noticeable percentage of strength on the lift. “You’re making it way harder,” he said, estimating the heels alone might reduce performance by around ten percent.
Wheels’ wife was also present during the session. The playful teasing continued as she stood beside Hall and addressed the audience directly.
“Who’s taller, chat? I’m wearing Dunks,” she said, inviting viewers to compare their heights.
When the conversation shifted to height, Hall clarified that he stands 5’8″ (173 cm) without the boots. When Wheels asked whether his height estimate included the boots, Hall clarified, “With the heels on, I’m probably like 6’1.”
Asked why he chose to wear them in the first place, Hall offered a simple explanation: “It’s a Florida thing.”
Despite all the jokes and ribbing, Hall stuck with the boots for his top set, reasoning that the added difficulty only made the accomplishment more impressive. He successfully pulled 495 pounds (224 kilograms) with five plates on the bar.
“No belt, no gloves, no straps,” Wheels said, giving credit where it was due. “You’re on a three-inch deficit.”
