Lee Priest advises how to prevent injuries and why to listen to your body instead of chasing heavy weights

We all have to change our approach to training as we get older, and that includes bodybuilding star Lee Priest. In a video released on December 4, 2024, he talked about why it's important to listen to your body and avoid lifting heavy weights to prevent injuries.

During his peak career, Lee Priest boasted one of the most imposing figures in the Men's Open. Despite his shorter height, he compensated with stunning muscle mass, fullness and great form. During his career, he defeated top IFBB pros, including eight-time crowned Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman, who called his defeat by Priest the worst moment of his athletic career.

From battles with addiction to injuries, Priest has faced many obstacles on his bodybuilding journey. Although he decided to retire from the competitive scene years ago, he remains a prominent and influential figure in the bodybuilding community, sharing his experience and advice with lifters of all levels.

Lee Priest explains how to avoid injury as you get older and why it's better to listen to your body than lift heavy weights

Zobrazit příspěvek na Instagramu

Příspěvek sdílený Dangerfield Grundler (@bilbo_natty535)

Priest would still be lifting heavy weights even if he were injury free.

"The thing is, when you have an injury, you have limitations. If I didn't have an injury, I'd still be lifting heavy weights too," Priest shares. "It's not that I need to get smarter, it's that I need to get smarter. Like right now with my shoulder, I still have a tear there, but I've made progress back."

Although lifting heavy loads has its benefits, Priest points out that if you're older and suffer an injury, it will take longer to heal.

"I'm almost close to a 40-pound barbell again, I could take a 50-pounder, yes, but my shoulder could snap. I could be a tough guy if I wanted to and push it, but as you get older, you'll also find that injuries take a lot longer to heal too. It's just a matter of being smarter, not getting stuffed. It's just about knowing what your body can handle and what works for you and not getting injured until you feel better."

Listening to the body is key for anyone who trains regularly, he says, as it helps determine whether to lift heavier weights or approach training more sensibly.

"When I wasn't injured, I just listened to my body and some days yes, I would still go for the super heavy stuff, but then there are days when you're warming up, you're getting into it and you're like, hear that little voice, today is not a day I should be superman, today is a day I should be more sensible."