Lee Priest believes site enhancements are watering down the sport. On Dec. 18, 2025, he discussed the rampant PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) and synthol accusations in the sport.
The 2025 Mr. Olympia contest left us with plenty to talk about. On Day Two of the prestigious weekend, Derek Lunsford cemented himself as a two-time Olympia winner, defeating Hadi Choopan and Chinedu Andrew ‘Jacked’ Obiekea in the finals.
In the show’s aftermath, Lunsford has been accused of using site enhancements like synthol and PMMA to enhance his physique. His coach, Chris Aceto, has denied these allegations. Days later, Lunsford also spoke up, revealing that he doesn’t even know what PMMA is. He also said if he had to resort to such measures, he wouldn’t be a bodybuilder. With time to spare, Priest unpacked the latest controversy shaking up the sport.
Lee Priest Calls PMMA, Synthol ‘Ridiculous,’ Shares Thoughts on Lunsford Rumors
In the video, Priest started by addressing breast implants in the sport, noting how they impacted contests through the years.
“If you don’t have breast implants, when you diet down, your chest pretty much goes because it’s fatty tissue and you’re left with the muscle. In other classes, they would say if you get breast implants, you’ll do lot better because it’ll enhance your physique.
I know people say, yeah, Lee, but the breasts aren’t judged, it’s not a muscle, it’s just implants. Then, I say, where do we draw the line with that? said Priest. “Let’s just say these girls place pretty much the same at shows. The girl who is in fifth goes fuck, I’ll get it. Now the girl in fifth gets it, and it makes her body look more feminine. Now, the girl that gets fifth suddenly wins… obviously, it makes a difference. Even though it’s breast implants, the judges think she looks more feminine.”
Newly minted two-time Women’s Physique Olympia winner Natalia Coelho was also accused by former champ, Sarah Villegas, of using site enhancements.
“To me, she’s a champion and it just… yeah, she can be angry because we’ve all had decisions and been beaten over silly shit. I know if you’re a champion and you get beat by someone who is all of a sudden, they beat you and it’s because of this, I know you can be mad, but it just didn’t look good for her because she’s a great champion.”
Priest believes muscles should be grown through eating, training, and supplementation, not through artificial enhancements:
“If you get into bodybuilding, if you can’t build the muscle by training and eating, and yes, of course, I know they are not meant to be used, but we take steroids. If you can’t do it like that, if you have to inject foreign shit into your body to look a certain way, you shouldn’t be doing this sport.”
He called PMMA and site enhancement use ‘somewhat cheating’ and highlighted the health dangers involved.
“One, yes, it’s somewhat cheating, but two, just the dangers involved. Doing what we do anyway with steroids and diuretics is dangerous enough. Why would you want to put a substance whether it’s PMMA or synthol into your body? I don’t get it. Fuck, go do something else. It’s just ridiculous,” Priest said.
Priest touched on Lunsford’s accusations and said it’s simply not worth it.
“I just don’t get these things. Whatever you’re using, I know people have accused Derek of it because his arms look watery. I think Flex used to use it. To me, it’s like, if your arms are looking watery, they are going to look fatter and smaller. If your arm is ripped, even if you have a small arm, if it’s ripped, it looks bigger.”
“The little advantage you get from this shit, it’s just not worth it.”
Chris Cormier has also given his opinion on the PMMA controversy. He believes Coelho’s hamstrings were ‘questionable’ at the Mr. Olympia, clapping back against Terrick El Guindy, who insists she did not use site enhancements.
While site enhancements have been a part of the sport for years, Priest isn’t a fan. He believes athletes should showcase muscle that they earned through training, diet, and supplementation.
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