'HULKING' UP\ MUSCLE COUPLE HIGH ON A.V. FAST FOOD.

Byline: Greg Botonis Staff Writer

LANCASTER - Listening to Lee Priest talk about his favorite fast-food restaurants, it would be tough to tell that he and wife Cathy are frequently called ``the best built couple in the world.''

Except, that is, for their massive biceps and sculpted bodies - good enough for International Federation of Body Builder champions.

The Lancaster couple have earned bodybuilding's biggest titles since they were teenagers but both admit to having a soft spot for restaurant food.

``People ask me how much I train during the off season and I say I walk to the Kentucky (KFC),'' said Cathy, a native of French-speaking Canada, laughing.

``When we're in training, we eat boiled chicken, rice, salad and stuff like that,'' said Lee, 30, who is from Australia. ``During the off season we eat out. We have all the restaurants we need up here. I've thought about working at Kentucky so I can get one of those Team KFC hats and discounts on food.''

Lee and Cathy moved to Lancaster a year ago to get away from the hectic nature of Venice Beach, where they lived for nearly seven years.

``It's like a never ending freak show down there,'' said Lee, whose 5- foot-4 frame packs in 220 pounds during competition season. ``I'm from a small town in Australia and Venice was just too much. We moved to Lancaster because we like the people. They're quieter and more laid back. Also when the wind blows, the dust kind of reminds me of the outback.''

Since moving to Lancaster, Lee has been working as a model for the Universal Studios' upcoming movie ``Hulk,'' due to be released next summer, about the superpowerful, anger-driven comic-book mutant.

Lee was placed in front of a screen several hours a day and given direction to move about, throw things, crush things, scream and flex. The images of him were then digitized, Lee said.

``I had a lot of fun doing it,'' Lee said. ``I'm kind of a shy person so when they asked me to yell, I didn't know if I could do it. But it all worked out.''

Lee made a name for himself in bodybuilding when he was just 15 and won a state title in Australia. Lee was raised in the world of bodybuilding: he trained with his mother, a former Mrs. Australia, and with his grandfather, who continues to train at age 78.

``I'd go to school, come home and do my homework and go to the gym,'' Lee said. ``That's been my whole life.''

After taking the title of Mr. Australia at 17, 18 and 19, Lee wanted to turn pro but officials said he was too young.

That's when he came to the United States and started competing in national and world titles in the pro class of the IFBB.

Since then, Lee has remained in the top five of nearly every competition he has entered including bodybuilding's biggest competition, Mr. Olympia.

Cathy has been interested in bodybuilding since as a teenager in Quebec she saw a photo of Cory Everson, the reigning Ms. Olympia throughout most of the 1980s. At just 95 pounds, Cathy had a tough task. But six months after she started training, the 18-year-old won her first competition. She is now one of the most recognized names in bodybuilding.

Although the couple say they spend much of their time at home working out in their home gym Lee built, they do admit to having a fondness for the Powerhouse Gym on 10th Street West in Lancaster.

``When we're training, we're working out at home or (Powerhouse),'' Lee said.

``The people here are real nice,'' Cathy said of the gym.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Cathy and Lee Priest became tired of Venice and are now living happily in the Antelope Valley, where the people are friendly and the fast-food restaurants are plentiful.

(2) Lee and Cathy Priest have been bodybuilders for years.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer