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There are many reasons that LeBron James is considered one of the two greatest players in NBA history.
James leads the league in scoring all-time. He is a four-time NBA MVP, and four-time NBA champ. He’s a 20-time NBA All-Star and 13-time first-team All-NBA selection.
But perhaps the most impressive aspect of James’ career is that at age 39, in his 22nd NBA season, he’s still one of the league’s elite players.
How does it do it? Well, it all starts with an insane $1.5 million healthcare routine.
At 39, LeBron James spends $1.5 million a year to stay fit.
In the latest Netflix series “Starting 5” they revealed his biohacking regimen. These are the exact methods that kept him dominating the NBA for 20+ years.
Let’s break down his 7-figure biohacking routine: 🧵 pic.twitter.com/z9f6LYQUdi
— Ben Smith (@bensmithlive) November 3, 2024
Healthcare coach Ben Smith reviewed James’ routine, including details revealed in interviews as well as in the new Netflix series Starting 5.
What Smith learned is that James goes above and beyond to make sure he performs better in year 22 than most players have in their entire NBA careers.
The first thing Smith addresses is nutrition. James lives on a low-sugar diet and tries to keep his sugar intake to primarily natural sugars.
Cut out sugar, go heavy on carbs and hydration for performance.
• Breakfast: Egg white omelet with smoked salmon + gluten-free pancakes with berries
• Lunch: Whole wheat pasta, salmon, and vegetables
• Dinner: Chicken parm with a rocket salad + a glass of Cabernet pic.twitter.com/JmuWDHeXBX
— Ben Smith (@bensmithlive) November 3, 2024
He then addresses James’ workout routine, which focuses on building muscular stamina by using high-rep, low-weight workouts that target multiple muscle groups at once.
When it comes to recovery, James uses tools such as regular ice baths to reduce soreness and inflammation. James also uses a hyperbaric chamber, which Smith says “delivers pure oxygen at high pressure, forcing more oxygen to dissolve in blood plasma. This increased oxygen in the bloodstream reaches more tissues and organs, super-charging the body’s healing by providing extra energy for cell repair and reducing inflammation.”
But the biggest element that Smith points to for recovery is James’ sleep routine.
“Sleep is crucial for LeBron’s recovery. He’s well aware of this and aims for 12 hours of sleep each night,’ Smith writes. “He typically takes naps several times a day—on flights or between training sessions.”
James sleeps in rooms that are between 68-70 degrees. He does not have a TV or phone with him, and uses blackout curtains for complete darkness.
On top of it all, James uses additional recovery and preparation methods to keep his body at its peak physical performance.
He also utilises the power of:
• Soft tissue work
• Red-light therapy
• Compression boots
• Hot-cold contrast bathsAnd it’s not surprising. Being elite requires elite methods. pic.twitter.com/Z1GNghksas
— Ben Smith (@bensmithlive) November 3, 2024
LeBron James is one of the best athletes the world has ever seen. But he also has an immense dedication to being great. Combine those things and it’s easy to see why, even at age 39, James is one of the best basketball players on the planet.