Topics: Basketball, Health, LeBron James, NBA, Sleep, Sport, Netflix, Documentaries
LeBron James has revealed the overlooked secret behind his fitness, as he turns 41 years old.
The basketball star has been in the NBA since 2003, playing for the Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers.
He’s won four NBA championships and four Finals MVP awards — including the rare achievement of winning Finals MVP with three different teams — and has also been named league MVP four times.
And while basketball players typically retire in their mid-to-late 30s, James is still going strong as he turns 41 today (December 30).
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In his most recent game on Sunday (December 28), James and Luka Dončić led the Lakers to an emphatic 125-101 home win over the Sacramento Kings.
Dončić starred with 34 points, seven assists and five rebounds, while James scored 24 points on 11-of-13 shooting, reports ESPN.
While rumors have circulated that LeBron might retire after the current season, there's no denying his longevity is seriously impressive.
And in the Netflix documentary series Starting Five, which released last year, James revealed exactly how he keeps himself in check.
While he uses advanced technology to recover from his strict exercise regime, there's one aspect that's arguably even more important.
The Olympics reports he uses both hyperbaric and red light chambers, as well as cryotherapy to assist the body in repair.
The sporting star also uses hot and cold therapy, in the forms of hot tubs and cold plunge baths, too.
But the majorly overlooked practice is one we're all guilty of skipping out on; sleep.
"We tried it all in 20 years. But the most important thing is what he gets for free, and that’s sleep,” James’ personal trainer Mike Mancias told the Netflix documentary.
James agreed, adding: “Sleep is the best recovery that you can have.
“It’s basically equivalent to you putting your phone on a charger when you go to bed. Am I able to do it every single night? Of course not.
"But if you try to get the most sleep that you can get, that is the only way you’re gonna get back to 100 per cent.”
In fact, it's so important that a nap is part of his match routine, with 12 pm to 2 pm reserved solely for some shut-eye.
Mancias also highlighted the importance of taking days off to recover.
“Off days are vital. You have an off day, which means you can rest so you’re not on the court pounding. And off days, it gives us an opportunity to work on the body," he added.
This 'work' might include massages, stretching and compression boots to help blood flow.
And this approach to prioritizing sleep and rest has clearly paid off.
In 2023, James made history by becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, overtaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and he continues to set records for longevity and consistency, including being the first player to reach 50,000 combined regular-season and playoff points.
So, the next time you catch yourself thinking that rest isn’t productive, just think of LeBron James.
