Lee Priest has witnessed the sport change for better or worse since hanging up his posing trunks. In a recent YouTube video, Priest explains why the Arnold Classic has become the number one bodybuilding show of the year, eclipsing the annual Mr. Olympia competition.
Since Arnold Schwarzenegger’s historic prize money hike of $500,000 for the 2025 Arnold Classic, fans, and bodybuilding veterans have argued over which show has become king in the IFBB Pro League. Historically, the Mr. Olympia contest is seen as the ‘Super Bowl’ of bodybuilding, and until recently, offered more money to its Open winner than the Arnold Classic.
In light of Schwarzenegger’s unprecedented prize money boost, some believe the show is on its way to establishing itself as the number one event of the year. Bodybuilding great Flex Wheeler has suggested that Mr. Olympia could end up secondary to the Arnold Classic, thanks to the revamped prize money, a sentiment Lee Priest appears to agree with.
Lee Priest Explains Why Arnold Classic ‘Has Always Been The Number 1 Show’
Priest believes the annual Arnold Classic is a ‘much better’ show than the Mr. Olympia for athletes and fans.
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“I’ve always said it’s much better. I used to get in trouble for that. As far as the athletes and the fans, I figure it’s much better catered to them. You’re well looked after more and stuff like that.
When you talk about the Olympia, they talk about it’s the Super Bowl, you would think that’s the best show ever but I pretty much got treated like shit back then when it was run by Robin Chang and all that. Whereas the Arnold really caters more to the athletes no matter what sport it is, the fans.”
Even though Mr. Olympia is known for its prestige, Priest believes the Arnold Classic has quickly caught up.
“I think the Arnold has always been the number one show as far as treatment of the athletes go. Yes, prestige might be in the Olympia’s name but even now, I think the Arnold Classic title, a lot of people love that title as well.”
As for the location, Priest explains that Schwarzenegger hosts the festival in Ohio each year because that was where the late co-founder Jim Lorimer lived.
“I think Ohio is pretty much the same. It doesn’t really change much, which is I understand Arnold having it there. I guess the city probably gives him a good deal and it’s a big money thing for the city. I remember they had it there because that’s where Jim Lorimer was from at the time, but Arnold has increased the prize money now for $500,000 for the next one, which is more than the Olympia.”
“Would he ever move it somewhere else like California? But I guess if you’ve been there so long, the venues and hotels give you a sweet deal to bring that many people to town. I think it’s one of the biggest income money things in the town when it’s on for the year.”
Priest contends that the Arnold Classic lineups have become similar to the Open talent that competes at Mr Olympia. He does believe Las Vegas, Nevada to be a better venue than Columbus, Ohio thanks to favorable weather.
“If you look at the Arnold Classic lineup, you had Hadi in it this year who has been a Mr. Olympia. So, apart from the current Mr. Olympia, generally, the lineup is the same.”
“I’d probably prefer Vegas because there’s more to do and the weather,” said Priest. “Sometimes it snows there but as far as weather goes, you’d probably take Vegas.”
“It’s a bit more expensive now. I remember it used to be really cheap but now, a lot of things are going up over there, food and that. If you go to some of the diners, like Dennys it’s cheaper but some of the restaurants [are expensive].”
This isn’t the first bodybuilding veteran to compare the Mr. Olympia and Arnold Classic. Recently, 1990s Open standout Shawn Ray looked at both events and argued why Mr. Olympia is still the premiere bodybuilding event of the year. He believes in time, the Mr. Olympia brand will ‘answer the call’ and respond to Schwarzenegger’s $500,000 prize increase.
“They don’t stack up brick by brick. These are two different shows. The Arnold has over 20,000 athletes from fencing to strongman to painting to ballroom dancing and of course, they have bodybuilding but let’s be honest, the Olympia is about the competition.”
Taking the new prize money and athlete treatment into consideration, Lee Priest believes the Arnold Classic has the edge over the Mr. Olympia shows. As a celebrated IFBB Pro, Priest’s voice holds considerable weight, adding depth to conversations about the sport’s trajectory.
You can watch the full video from the Sam’s Fitness – Gym Equipment YouTube channel below:
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