LeBron James has a comprehensive training regimen and dietary plan.
LeBron James was just 18 years old when he entered the NBA with incredibly high expectations as an athlete. He was touted as the heir to Michael Jordan’s throne and a sure thing to become one of the best basketball players of all time. Despite facing unprecedented pressure and scrutiny, LeBron has exceeded every expectation and seemingly gotten better with age. Approaching his forties, he shows no signs of slowing down. He recently became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, and his resurgence with the Los Angeles Lakers has resulted in a playoff charge. Not only that, but he has consistently avoided injuries and maintained his longevity beyond what would be expected of most athletes. Behind LeBron’s high-flying dunks, athletic defensive prowess, and scintillating scoring ability is a dedicated training routine and diet plan that has elevated his game and made him a dominant basketball force who will go down as one of the greatest to ever do it.
LeBron James, a future hall of famer in the NBA, has managed to stay on top of his game even after two decades as a professional athlete. Total Shape, a fitness expert, has compiled LeBron’s workout regime and nutritional plan so that others can incorporate it into their routines. However, be warned that this program is not for the unmotivated. From high-intensity interval training to strict diets, it’s no wonder LeBron has consistently performed at the highest level.
Playing in the NBA is a grueling and arduous endeavor, with 82 regular-season games plus playoffs. Similarly, breaks are also minimized during LeBron’s workouts. The 38-year-old utilizes high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to maximize his strength and endurance, which is necessary for an athlete who needs to regularly sprint up and down a 28-meter basketball court. LeBron works out six times each week, with three of those sessions being weightlifting and the other three focusing on plyometrics and cardio.
LeBron James recommends a 30-minute warm-up before every workout session on an elliptical machine, bike, or treadmill to get loose. His preferred method of warming up is a 10-minute uphill bike ride to build stamina. Similarly, he also ends his workouts with a cool-down. Typically, he does 20 minutes of yoga practice to cool down and absorb the post-workout effects.
Due to the lengthy season and his busy schedule, LeBron’s routine is subject to change throughout the year depending on game days, travel arrangements, and other commitments. However, he upholds many of the same high-intensity principles in every workout. This is what a typical training week for LeBron looks like, in addition to on-court practice and shootarounds.
Monday, LeBron starts the week focusing on his upper body. His Monday workout targets his chest, back, shoulders, and arms for an all-round upper body burn.
Incline Dumbbell Bench Press (3 sets of 10)
Wide grip lateral pulldowns (3 sets of 10)
One-arm military press (3 sets of 10)
One-arm dumbbell rows (3 sets of 10)
Barbell curl and skull crusher superset (3 sets of 10 reps for each exercise)
Tuesday’s workout routine consists of plyometric exercises which involve speed and force. LeBron takes fitness classes that last from 30 minutes to an hour, followed by other plyometric exercises such as stair climbing, lunges, push-ups, jump squats, push-up hops and skipping.
On Wednesday, it’s all about the back, biceps, and traps. LeBron doesn’t slow down on hump day and powers through the week with more HIIT to maximize the burn. The routine includes pull-ups, bicep curls, chin-ups, bent-over barbell rows, and wide grip pull-ups.
As for Thursday’s workout, it is not provided in the given content.
Thursday is focused on cardio exercises for James to get his heart pumping before moving on to another weights session. He starts by jumping rope for 30 minutes, which he considers his favorite exercise. After finishing the cardio part of his workout, he finishes with high-intensity treadmill running that lasts for 15 to 30 minutes.
Here is a breakdown of the weightlifting routine that James follows:
– Pull-ups (3 sets of 10)
– Dumbbell bench press (3 sets of 10)
– Single-arm cable rows (3 sets of 10)
– Cable flies (3 sets of 10)
– Single-arm overhead press (3 sets of 8)
– Leg curls (3 sets of 10)
The upcoming weekend is approaching fast, but LeBron James is not easing up when it comes to leg day. He performs a combination of compound and isolation exercises to target all his leg muscles. He follows his leg workout with a series of calisthenics, including weighted jumps, jumping lunges, box jumps, and push-ups. He completes three sets of 15 reps for each exercise.
On Saturday, as the week begins, LeBron James gets back into plyometrics and another spin class. He also targets his core with a range of exercises using resistance bands.
Sunday.
All athletes, even the greatest of all time, need a break sometimes. After a busy week of training and playing, Sunday is reserved for a rest day. LeBron spends the day with his family and pursuing his passion projects. It just goes to show that occasionally, the best workout is taking a break.
Like all high-performance athletes know, training hard will only get you halfway there. Solid nutrition courtesy of a strict diet plan is just as important. And LeBron clearly agrees with that sentiment. The 38-year-old prioritizes a high-protein nutritious diet for muscle maintenance and a lean physique that allows him to keep smashing records.
LeBron begins his day with protein and fruit. His typical breakfast includes egg whites, omelets, yogurt, smoked salmon, berries, and gluten-free pancakes. That’s quite a lot! But on the days LeBron doesn’t feel like eating much, he says he’ll simply have a bagel with peanut butter.
Lunch and Dinner
LeBron James enjoys both lunch and dinner that are high in protein and green vegetables. His meals may differ depending on his basketball commitments, but he always aims for nutritious options. One of his favorite dinners includes a rocket salad and vegetables with olive oil, paired with chicken breast and a small serving of pasta to provide enough carbs for muscle maintenance.
LeBron also loves a family dinner, especially on Taco Tuesday. Although it may not be the healthiest meal option, tacos hold a special place in LeBron’s heart.
Experts may say that snacking is unhealthy, but LeBron occasionally indulges in healthy snacks such as fruits. He loves them so much that he and his wife owned a fresh fruit juice store in Miami when he played for the Heat. When feeling peckish, LeBron reaches for apples, bananas, and berries. During halftime breaks, he often munches on apple slices topped with almond or peanut butter.