While the internet has brought about some amazing things in this world, Lee Priest believes it might be holding us back to some degree. In a recent YouTube video published July 13, 2024, Priest explained how smartphones can prevent gym progress. He also discussed the importance of sticking with a training or diet regimen for an extended period of time before deciding to switch it up.
Priest is a decorated bodybuilding veteran who succeeded in the sport despite some genetic limitations. Although he lacked towering stature, he made up for it with jaw-dropping muscle fullness and conditioning rarely seen in the competitive landscape.
Lee Priest Says Phones Take Away from Training, Reveals When It’s Best to Change a Diet/Workout Routine
In retirement, Priest remains committed to helping fans and other athletes, whether it’s offering guidance grounded by his own experiences or extending wisdom inside the gym. This has led him to discuss how smartphones affect workouts and why it’s important to stick with a routine even if you don’t see results right away.
“I think sometimes with the internet, they just said there was survey on there where kids’ brains aren’t as functioning. They’re getting a bit brrrr. They call this the smartphone. I always said that’s the joke. They call it a smartphone because they knew it was going to make us stupid and dumb us down, which it has.”.
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!
“I can remember so many numbers, now I can’t remember one fucking phone number. And I think this is what’s happening now with training too because there is so much information out there.”
Priest says initially people gathered information for training through magazines.
“We used to get the magazines and you’d see a guys’ bicep routine, might have been Eddie Robinsons’s maybe Arnold’s and you’re like ‘I’ll give that a go and you go do it and you’re like that feels good’ and then maybe a month later because the following month could be someone’s legs, someone’s back, then two months later, they might be like Brian Buchanon who had great arms in the day, his arm routine, and you go ‘Hmm but I’ve been doing this Arnold one for one or two months. So let me try this now.’
In addition to magazines, gym-goers would learn from one another, whether through socializing or simply taking in their surroundings.
“So you’d only get bits of information periodically when the magazines came out. Or if you’re in the gym, people used to talk more, they weren’t in their little closed-off worlds.”
“That’s why I hate when people wear headphones and music. You’re in your own world you’re not listening to what’s going on around you. You take in the noise of the gym. Look, even if they have shitty music playing, don’t pay attention just take in the atmosphere of people training” Priest explained.
He says people today are in their ‘own little world’ at the gym often donning headphones.
“Now we’re in our own little world, they wear these big fucking ear warmers and they’re doing shit on their phones, it’s like come on people.”
Priest also explained how individuals tend to drop their routines quickly which leads to no results.
“Try and find what works for you and take some exercises like I said, take notes but also give it a bit of time. Give it a go for at least two months, at least, to see how it goes. Don’t just go, ‘Oh two weeks, it’s not working I don’t feel it, I’ll go to something else.”
As it turns out, Lee Priest isn’t the only celebrated Pro bodybuilding star to discuss how smartphones impact training. Former six-time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates recently tackled the epidemic, suggesting that it’s the single worst thing you can do when it comes to acquiring gains inside the gym.
“Listen, please, the worst thing you can do, I see you doing it, looking on your phone. Don’t do that. Look, guys, you’re connected to that fucking phone 24 hours a day.”
With decades of experience inside the gym, Lee Priest was able to get shredded without the use of social media or the internet. He believes it’s best to limit the use of phones during training and be wary of inaccurate information.
RELATED: Lee Priest Discusses His Neck Surgery, Painkiller Addiction, Steroids, and Mental Health
To watch the full video, click the link below:
You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and
YouTube for even more content.
