What happened
Former bodybuilding legend Lee Priest, now 54, is shifting focus from competition to longevity, aiming to live to 100. Inspired by family history and a new perspective on training, he prioritizes health and consistency over extreme intensity. Priest's journey highlights a growing movement towards sustainable,...
Lee Priest (Photo Credit: YouTube: Ben Pakulski - Muscle Intelligence Instagram: @fitnessvoltnetwork)Bodybuilding veteran Lee Priest’s priorities have shifted later in life. On Jan. 19, 2026, he discussed his longevity and health, highlighting that he plans to live to 100. Lee Priest was a bodybuilding staple throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
Despite his shorter stature, he held his own against superstars of the Men’s Open, including eight-time Olympia winner Ronnie Coleman, Jay Cutler, and Dexter Jackson. Priest never officially retired. He renewed his IFBB Pro card in 2025; however, he revealed that he can’t make a comeback due to chest atrophy.
In his latest endeavor, he shared his thoughts on getting older and how he plans to extend his lifespan. In the video, Priest expressed his desire to make it to 100 years old. He revealed that longevity runs strong in his family line. “I always said, I’m going to 100. Why do I want to get to 100? It’s just a number in my head.
My grandfather passed away from malpractice, and he was in his 80s and still training. He passed away last year at 99. My mom now, she’s 74 and still looks young. We got longevity.”He does accept that steroid use might have shaved a few years off his life. Get Fitter, FasterLevel Up Your Fitness: Join our 💪 strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter.
Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!“A bit of steroid use… maybe I cut a bit of years off, who knows? It’s funny when you’re young, when you’re 20s, I don’t care when I die, I don’t give a shit, then you get to 30, I want to get to 40, I get 40, I want 50, I’m 50, now I want to get to 60 and to 70.
It’s funny how it changes like that.” As for training, Priest is less strict anytime he hits the gym. On a chest day, he might switch to arms if he gets bored: “I still like training, it’s in my system. We all have those days, I don’t want to go to the gym, fuck it. I get up and go anyway. Even the days you don’t want to go, you go, and I don’t go crazy.
Before it was like chest day.Now, I’m like I’m going to do chest, I get four sets into dumbbells, I’ll walk off and do biceps. Every day I’m doing a bit of something. If I get a good pump and don’t hurt myself, that’s a win,” he said. Priest isn’t the only bodybuilder focused on longevity beyond the stage.
Bodybuilding coach Milos Sarcev recently made headlines, thanks to his ripped physique update. At 62 years old, Sarcev is the picture of health and strength. Priest hopes to continue aging gracefully and prioritizes consistent training. Aside from watching over his health, he intends to remain a prominent figure in the bodybuilding community.
RELATED: Lee Priest Talks Andrew Jacked, Martin Fitzwater, and Nick Walker at 2026 Arnold Classic: “If Andrew Is On, He Could Win It”Watch the full video from the Ben Pakulski – Muscle Intelligence YouTube channel below: ---If you have any questions about this news, please feel free to contact Doug by leaving a comment below.
Doug Murray is a News Editor for Fitness Volt with a focus on strength sports, including bodybuilding and powerlifting. His experience covering diverse sports, including MMA, for publications like Sportskeeda and CagesidePress informs his in-depth reporting.
Source coverage
As a seasoned observer of the bodybuilding landscape, I find this news piece on Lee Priest particularly insightful. It details a significant shift in his priorities, moving beyond the competitive arena to a dedicated focus on longevity and overall health. Let me break down the essential elements, focusing on the...
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Deeper analysis
Full source content
Lee Priest (Photo Credit: YouTube: Ben Pakulski - Muscle Intelligence Instagram: @fitnessvoltnetwork)Bodybuilding veteran Lee Priest’s priorities have shifted later in life. On Jan. 19, 2026, he discussed his longevity and health, highlighting that he plans to live to 100. Lee Priest was a bodybuilding staple throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
Despite his shorter stature, he held his own against superstars of the Men’s Open, including eight-time Olympia winner Ronnie Coleman, Jay Cutler, and Dexter Jackson. Priest never officially retired. He renewed his IFBB Pro card in 2025; however, he revealed that he can’t make a comeback due to chest atrophy.
In his latest endeavor, he shared his thoughts on getting older and how he plans to extend his lifespan. In the video, Priest expressed his desire to make it to 100 years old. He revealed that longevity runs strong in his family line. “I always said, I’m going to 100. Why do I want to get to 100? It’s just a number in my head.
My grandfather passed away from malpractice, and he was in his 80s and still training. He passed away last year at 99. My mom now, she’s 74 and still looks young. We got longevity.”He does accept that steroid use might have shaved a few years off his life. Get Fitter, FasterLevel Up Your Fitness: Join our 💪 strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter.
Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!“A bit of steroid use… maybe I cut a bit of years off, who knows? It’s funny when you’re young, when you’re 20s, I don’t care when I die, I don’t give a shit, then you get to 30, I want to get to 40, I get 40, I want 50, I’m 50, now I want to get to 60 and to 70.
It’s funny how it changes like that.” As for training, Priest is less strict anytime he hits the gym. On a chest day, he might switch to arms if he gets bored: “I still like training, it’s in my system. We all have those days, I don’t want to go to the gym, fuck it. I get up and go anyway. Even the days you don’t want to go, you go, and I don’t go crazy.
Before it was like chest day.Now, I’m like I’m going to do chest, I get four sets into dumbbells, I’ll walk off and do biceps. Every day I’m doing a bit of something. If I get a good pump and don’t hurt myself, that’s a win,” he said. Priest isn’t the only bodybuilder focused on longevity beyond the stage.
Bodybuilding coach Milos Sarcev recently made headlines, thanks to his ripped physique update. At 62 years old, Sarcev is the picture of health and strength. Priest hopes to continue aging gracefully and prioritizes consistent training. Aside from watching over his health, he intends to remain a prominent figure in the bodybuilding community.
RELATED: Lee Priest Talks Andrew Jacked, Martin Fitzwater, and Nick Walker at 2026 Arnold Classic: “If Andrew Is On, He Could Win It”Watch the full video from the Ben Pakulski – Muscle Intelligence YouTube channel below: ---If you have any questions about this news, please feel free to contact Doug by leaving a comment below.
Doug Murray is a News Editor for Fitness Volt with a focus on strength sports, including bodybuilding and powerlifting. His experience covering diverse sports, including MMA, for publications like Sportskeeda and CagesidePress informs his in-depth reporting.
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