Bodybuilding veteran Lee Priest believes drug cycles in the Men’s Open have gotten too expensive. Taking to YouTube on April 16, 2026, he shared that it can be affordable and called out younger gym-goers for taking excessive amounts.
Despite lacking stature, Lee Priest made waves in the IFBB Pro League with unparalleled conditioning. Throughout his tenure in the 1990s and 2000s, he tested himself against all-time greats like Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler.
Steroid cycles have changed since his era, and Priest believes they’ve gotten out of hand. Adopting a less-is-more mentality, he broke down how to run a cycle without suffering financially.
Lee Priest Says Drug Cycles in Men’s Open Have Gotten Too Expensive
In the video, Priest explained that drug cycles don’t always have to be expensive. He shared that top Open Pros like Phil Heath and Samson Dauda have gotten by on smaller amounts. In contrast, he noted that younger gym-goers are abusing growth hormone.
“You know me, I’ve always been honest with my drug cycles and that. It doesn’t have to be expensive. The amount of gear even some of the Pros are using, with their genetics, they have like a Phil Heath or Samson… Samson is only on smaller amounts, and I believe him,” said Lee Priest.
“He’s cut back. He said, even Fouad would say he uses half what he does now. It doesn’t have to be expensive. All these young kids are taking too much growth.”
Looking back on his career, Priest revealed that he only spent $1,400 on steroids for three shows.
“I added it up, because Scott, who is married to my ex, when he was on that show, and he told you, when I got ready for the Arnold, the Ironman, the week later the Arnold, the week later San Francisco, the most I ever spent on three shows, my cycle cost me $1,400 for all three shows.
I just think these guys are overdoing it, taking too much, and making it more expensive than it has to be. You don’t need that much gear.”
While Priest maintains he’s been honest about his steroid use, the fitness community raised questions about other bodybuilders. According to Joe Rogan and PED expert Derek of More Plates More Dates, old-school bodybuilders were deceptive about steroids and couldn’t admit they were on gear.
Even with expected cost-of-living bumps, Priest believes steroid cycles can be affordable in 2026. He cautioned that even the world’s best bodybuilders are taking small amounts.
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