Yahoo Sports LeBron James’s Bonkers Recovery Routine Includes Cryotherapy and a Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber
LeBron James just revealed his secret to staying spry on the court after 22 seasons.
The 39-year-old NBA superstar recently opened up about his strict recovery routine in Netflix’s new docuseries Starting 5, The New York Post reported. In 2016, sportswriter Bill Simmons said on his podcast that the four-time champion allegedly invests $1.5 million on longevity treatments to ensure he stays on top of his game. However, up until now, James had never addressed the rumor.
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“LeBron spends like a million and a half dollars a year on his body…Everything he does in his life is constructed to have him play basketball and to stay on the court and to be as healthy as possible and to absorb punishment when he goes into the basket and he gets crushed by people,” Simmons remarked at the time.
When pressed about it on the show, James didn’t confirm the claim. However, he didn’t really deny it, either. “I’ve heard this crazy notion about how much money I spend on my body each year,” the Laker said. “I kind of just chuckle. That is a number that I will not disclose, but, more importantly, I think it’s just the time.”
For James, taking care of his physique off the court involves a grueling biohacking regimen that incorporates everything from cryotherapy to decrease chronic inflammation to spending 90 minutes in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, which enhances blood flow, increases circulation, and minimizes swelling. James also shared that he often uses red light therapy and wears Hyperice’s Normatec 3 compression boots to soothe his legs.
James’s trainer Mike Mancias also weighed in on the matter, noting that “off days are vital” for physical and mental recovery. The most important health hack, though, is high-quality rest. James added that he frequently limits his screen time and prioritizes sleep over everything else.
When game day rolls around, James is up bright and early at 6:30 am and kicks things off with a cold plunge. Then, he warms up on the court, settles down for a nap around noon, and moves on to stretching exercises. Unsurprisingly, diet also plays a huge part in how James has been able to maintain his performance all these years, so you won’t find him chowing down on anything fried, sugary, or highly processed.
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