What LeBron James is doing to stay physically and mentally strong entering his 22nd year NBA it’s the season and people are paying attention. In a new Netflix documentaries, from 5 In the 2023-24 season about the lives of the top five people in the league, reporters commented that the now 39-year-old and four-time NBA champion is getting better with age.
“I’m surprised at myself at this point,” James says in the series. “I’m not tired … I think my dedication to my job is a big part of the reason I’m able to play at this level.”
In 2016, NBA star Bill Simmons revealed that he spends $1.5 million a year on his body, according to what he spoke to a confidant and shared on his podcast. James directly addressed the statement in the docuseries, neither confirming nor denying the investment.
“I’ve heard this crazy idea about how much money I spend on my body every year. I laugh It’s a number I won’t divulge, but more importantly, I think it’s time,” says James, whose long career is thanks to his dedication and time devoted to a rigorous biohacking routine.
“He’s pushing the boundaries of what’s considered a player first,” says NBA reporter Dave McMenamin in a series on how the star has become one of the very few to reach GOAT status.
What is LeBron James’ biohacking routine?
On game days, James will wake up around 6:30 am, soak in the cold for 10 to 15 minutes, warm up on the court in the morning and sleep from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. James will then perform a series of activations, including stretches. , massaging and strengthening the muscles before 19:00 in the evening.
James maintains a strict routine even in the offseason. He eats a diet rich in whole, organic foods and cuts out sugar, fried foods and highly processed foods (the Star offers a glass of wine after the game, according to the series).
Recovery is also a cornerstone for James.
“Rest days are essential,” James’ trainer Mike Mancias says. “Rest days give us the opportunity to work on the body.”
James swears cold immersion for muscle recovery and healing. She also does red light therapy to help with muscle and joint pain. It fits into a regular hyperbaric oxygen chamberlike a coffin shaped tube wife of james describes the series, intended to restore oxygen levels in people with carbon monoxide poisoning (approved by the FDA to treat specific conditions, although many biohackers have incorporated into their routines to improve immune health and blood flow).
James also practices cryotherapy, in which you are exposed to extremely cold temperatures, sometimes as low as -250 degrees Fahrenheit, to release endorphins and reduce oxidative stress (not an FDA approved condition to specifically treat). He also uses the Normatec leg compression system, which his trainer says helps his legs recover and feel fresh.
But James’ top health hack, according to the star himself, is the one that might be most accessible to people: sleep.
“The most important thing is what you get for free, which is sleep,” says Mancias.
“Sleep is the best recovery you can have,” adds James, who limits screen time and keeps his room cool to facilitate better rest. “It’s basically the equivalent of putting your phone on a charger before you go to bed.”
He admits that he doesn’t sleep perfectly every night, but that’s what he prioritizes the most. “If you try to get as much sleep as possible, that’s the only way to get back to 100%,” says James.
