Whatever LeBron James is doing to stay physically and mentally strong as he enters his 22nd NBA season, it’s working, and people are taking notice. In a new Netflix documentary series, starting from 5, On the lives of five of the league’s dominant figures through the 2023-24 season, reporters commented that the 39-year-old four-time NBA champion only gets 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 still able to play at this level.”
In 2016, it was reported that the NBA star spends $1.5 million on his body every year, according to Bill Simmons, who spoke to a confidant and shared it on his podcast. James addressed the statement directly in the docuseries, and would neither confirm nor deny the investment.
“I’ve heard this crazy idea about how much money I spend on my body every year. I kind of just chuckle. That’s a number I won’t give away, but more importantly, I think this is the right time,” James says. Thanks to his dedication and time spent on his rigorous biohacking routine.
“He pushes the boundaries of what a player considers to be at his best,” says NBA reporter Dave McMenamin in the series on how the All-Star became one of the few to achieve long-term GOAT status.
What biohacking routine does LeBron James follow?
On match days, James wakes up around 6:30 a.m., immerses himself in cold water for 10 to 15 minutes, warms up on the court in the morning, and takes a nap between noon and 2 p.m. Then James will do a series of activities, including Stretching exercises. Massage and strengthen his core muscles hours before seven in the evening.
James maintains a strict routine even in the off-season. He eats a diet rich in organic, whole foods, eliminating sugar, fried foods and highly processed foods (the star promotes a post-match glass of wine, in every series).
Recovery is also a cornerstone for James.
“Days off are vital,” says James’ coach Mike Mancias. “Days off give us a chance to work on the body.”
James swears by cold plunges for muscle recovery and recovery. He also performs red light therapy to help treat muscle and joint pain. He routinely goes into a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, a coffin-like tube as James’s wife describes it in the series, intended to restore oxygen levels in those who have had carbon monoxide poisoning (it has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat specific conditions, although Many Living hackers They include it in their routines to improve immune health and blood flow).
James also does cryotherapy, where you are exposed to extremely cold temperatures, sometimes down to -250°F to release endorphins and reduce oxidative stress (it has not been approved by the FDA to treat any condition in particular). He also wears the Normatec leg compression system, which his trainer says helps his legs feel good and refreshed.
But James’ most important health hack, according to the star himself, is the one that may be most accessible to fans: sleep.
“The most important thing is what he gets for free, which is sleep,” Mancias says.
“Sleep is the best recovery you can get,” adds James, who limits his screen time and keeps his room cool to facilitate better rest. “It’s basically the equivalent of putting your phone in the charger before going to bed.”
He admits that he doesn’t get perfect sleep every night, but that’s what he prioritizes. “If you try to get as much sleep as possible, that’s the only way you’re going to get back to 100%,” says James.