While it certainly takes a lot to even get into the NBA, becoming LeBron James comes down to dedicating everything you have to your craft, and one aspect of his morning training routine speaks volumes about his dedication.

On February 24, James' former Lakers teammate, Kostas Antetokounmpo, spoke to Euro Insiders and revealed that James was mostly the first on the team to reach the gym. He also disclosed how 'The King' used to complete his "lifting" sessions even before he and the others got there.

Antetokounmpo said, “I used to go to the gym at 7 to beat everybody there, man. LeBron James was already there. He was done lifting already."

When co-host Ben asked what time James comes to the gym, Kostas responded, “I couldn't even tell you. I would probably say like five because he was done lifting. Like when I was getting it to be like, 'Okay, I'm going to be the first one going to get treatment.' He was already done lifting.”

Well, James's work ethic is truly the stuff of legends. When Trainer Chris Johnson, who worked with LBJ for the movie Space Jam: A New Legacy, was asked about ‘The King’s training regimen, he revealed that they used to wake up at 4:00 a.m. to prepare his workouts.

Now, to continue such an intense routine, recovering from daily fatigue becomes indispensable, and James knows which recovery method will help him most in regaining his vitality for the next day.

Lebron James’ Most-Valued Recovery Method

Longevity and durability were always James’ top priorities. He and his team incorporated hyperbaric therapy, red-light treatment, and cryotherapy into his recovery methods. They also used techniques such as hot tubs and cold plunges to accelerate the body’s repair process. However, what was more important for James was sleeping.

“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 tells Netflix, highlighting its importance. Even James himself confirmed it: “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,” James concluded.

James's incredibly decorated career and mainstream success imply that being the top performer in your field often comes down to the basics: training hard and recovering well.

So, are you also thinking of following 'The King's' way to be better in your field?

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Written by

Suryakant Das

Edited by

Souvik Roy