While some appear to be excited about the introduction of the new Fit Model division, Lee Priest isn’t a fan. In a recent Instagram post shared on December 23, 2024, he called the new category pathetic, highlighting that the IFBB Pro League should feature the top one percent of athletes, not serve as an outlet for aspiring beginners.
Lee Priest is among the few athletes to embed themselves as a legend within the sport. Having boasted a physique that featured a perfect blend of muscle fullness, symmetry, and conditioning, Priest achieved great success on the bodybuilding stage. Despite never earning a Mr. Olympia title, Lee Priest was able to push some of the best bodybuilders, even beating the former eight-time Mr. Olympia champion Ronnie Coleman in a competition.
Given his experience on the professional bodybuilding stage, Lee Priest provides a unique perspective on the sport that he shares with up-and-coming athletes. One thing Priest never does is shy away from difficult topics or sugarcoat his opinions. Whether discussing why obesity isn’t a disease or transgender athletes in women’s sports, Priest gives it to you straight.
Lee Priest Takes Issue With ‘Pathetic’ Fit Model Division: “It’s Not Needed”
With Tyler Manion’s recent announcement regarding the introduction of the new Fit Model Division, Lee Priest isn’t holding back his opinions, going as far as calling it pathetic. Check out his thoughts below:
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“Cause it’s pathetic. It’s ok if you wanna keep it in the amateur ranks. A stepping stone that you already have is called novice division.”
“As I said, it’s not needed if the judges have stuck to the criteria marking down loaded stomachs, they wouldn’t have needed the Classic.”
He believes this category was created because competitors in Bikini have become too muscular over the years.
“You have Bikini and now you gotta make this one because Bikini’s got too muscular so how are they judging? Judge the judge and stop making these decisions.”
He argued that the IFBB Pro League should only showcase the best of the best talents. Simply put, he suggests that it’s lowering the bar for athletes in a sport that should only celebrate the ‘top one percent.’
“The professionals are the elite of the elite. You look at some of the PRO’s and they look like bad amateurs. I said before I make the 20 seconds 100m dash for people that can’t run under 10.
Lower the hoop for those who aren’t tall enough. Would I make a bigger baseball bat for those who can’t hit with a thin bat? Your list could go on and on but professionals are there for a reason, because they are the top one percent” Priest said.
This isn’t the first time Lee Priest has drawn attention to the growing number of divisions that he believes are diluting the sport. In the past, he has argued to get rid of categories like the Men’s 212 to streamline the sport. Priest believes that if an athlete is good enough, they should be able to compete with Open-level bodybuilders, regardless of their height or weight.
“The good shorter guys, Shaun Claridas, Dereks, even Kamal was 212 wasn’t he, these guys have done well in Open classes. If you’re a good bodybuilder, it doesn’t matter your height, your weight, Shaun Clarida has proven that. If you’re good, you can stand in an Open lineup. Get rid of it.”
Lee Priest had referred to Shaun Clarida as a perfect example of a 212 bodybuilder holding their own in the Men’s Open and currently, Clarida is doing just that. After placing third at the 2024 EVLS Prague Pro, Shaun Clarida is now preparing to compete in the Open at the 2025 Arnold Classic.
Ultimately, Lee Priest asserts that adding new divisions is watering down bodybuilding, allowing less experienced or amateur athletes to make their way onto the professional stage. What do you think? Let us know down below!
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