Sep 14, 2019

Last updated on Dec 18, 2019

A Behind the Scenes Look at Lebron James' Training

Start Incorporating the 4 Fundamentals of Lebron James’ Training to Become a Better All-Around Athlete

How can you train like Lebron James? What does Lebron James’ Training routine look like?

Total Body Cardio Equipment
Challenging and Unconventional Functional Exercises
Stability and Core Training
Investing in the Best Recovery and Prevention Protocols

Keep Reading to Learn More …

Consistently ranked as the best player in the NBA over the last 3 years and within the top 10 fittest male athletes worldwide (James ranked #2 in 2017¹ only ranking behind soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo), its no wonder why everyone’s curious to learn how to train like Lebron James.

After all, it’s Lebron James’ training that allows him to consistently dominate the NBA for over a decade now!

The answer to how Lebron James, now in his mid-thirties, stays in such impressive shape lies in what he does off the courts.

Luckily, he’s a big user of social media and occasionally reveals his favorite workouts, equipment and gear. So, we compiled all his top secrets right here to give you what you need to train like, the King his self, Lebron James.

Cutting-Edge Total Body Cardio Equipment

A big thing that’s helped make Mr. James the stud that he is – is his girlfriend.

VersaClimber is her name.

Hey, we’re just directly quoting the man his self:

@kingjames on Instagram — Jul 8, 2016

“Me and my girlfriend!! All I need. Versa Climber is her name. #LoveHer #BackAtIt #StriveForGreatness”

The VersaClimber is a lesser known piece of workout equipment that gained some hype for a small stint, as The Lebron Workout Machine, when James posted this clip on Instagram.

Yet, its strangely popular since forever among athletes and celebrities. Peyton Manning, Kyrie Irving, Mike Trout and even Lady Gaga are all “in-the-know” when it comes to the VersaClimber and are regular users of the machine.

So what exactly is this giant stationary stair-ladder contraption, you ask, and why do superstar athletes, like Lebron, love it so much?

Simply put, its a total-body cardio machine which mimics climbing. Jason Walsh, owner of RISE NATION, a VersaClimber-focused studio based in Los Angeles that’s heavily frequented by A-list celebs when they need to get in shape for a movie role, explains that the VersaClimber is unique in that when you’re using it,

“You’re in a natural position. You’re utilizing the upper and lower body together in unison, the way you’re supposed to. It’s reinforcing proper movement patterns. During training and everyday life, we can get so far from moving the right way. That really screws the body up and leads to weaknesses and injuries.”

— Jason Walsh

You basically get all the benefits you would from hours running on a treadmill or a stairmaster, plus similar benefits of using a rowing machine and a rope pull machine. Because of this very purpose, vertical climbers are a smart buy — they’re essentially the most popular exercise machines combined into one.

So, it’s easy to understand why the vertical climber is a staple in Lebron James’ cardio workouts and central to Lebron’s training routine.

Now, if you’re like us, you’re thinking the Versaclimber sounds perfect. Like, almost too good to be true. And, there has to be a catch.

Well, you’re right. The catch is that they cost upwards of $2000!

Fortunately, we have some great news for you. There’s actually a far less expensive machine you can use to gain the rewards of Lebron James’ training with a Versaclimber.

So, don’t worry if you’re not willing to dish out thousands of dollars on a Versaclimber. Since, you can reap all the same benefits at a fraction of the cost, by opting for a simpler, albeit just as effective, Relife Vertical Climber.

Relife Vertical Climber

It’s safe to say, the Relife Climber is the best cost-efficient vertical climber that you can buy as of 2020. Just like the Versaclimber, it mimics the movements of natural climbing, maximizes fat loss by burning calories at a rapid pace, and allows you to experience a high-impact total body workout in a small amount of time.

Which explains why it’s currently rated Amazon’s Best Choice for a vertical climber and boasts hundreds of positive buyer reviews.

Not to mention, they’re a hundred times easier to put together and store than other workout machines.

Which also means there’s no excuse to let it sit in its box for weeks until you find a couple of hours to assemble it. You know, sort of like you did with that ultra high-tech (and high-priced) treadmill you bought yourself a few years ago 😉.

Nor, do you need to start shifting around the furniture in your home just to find room for the machine. Because, the Relife Climber is foldable for easy storage. Just slide it below your bed or prop it up neatly against a wall in the corner once you’re done a workout.

The RELIFE VERTICAL CLIMBER:

Easy to Assemble and Use. Relife even has a video on their Youtube channel guiding you through their simple assembly. Should take you no more than 20 minutes to put together once it arrives!
Durable, easily-adjustable and foldable for easy storage, makes the Relife Climber a simple, yet uniquely powerful, all-in-one machine to build functional strength, boost cardio, and train your legs, abs, chest, arms, and back all at once!

So, if you wish not to spend a kingly measure of wealth on a lavish Versaclimber, don’t fret, you can still train like the King, with a cutting-edge Relife Climber. That too, at just the cost of a pence when compared to the price tag of a Versaclimber. The Relife Climber is built for a king, yet reasonably priced for even a pauper. Its the smart way to train like a pro athlete, even if you don’t have access to all the extravagant equipment of the pros.

Challenging and Unconventional Functional Training

In another post that Lebron James shares of his workouts, we see him balancing on his knees on a swiss exercise ball while working his shoulders with a Bodyblade.

@kingjames on Instagram — Jun 20, 2017

“Core and mind stability!! Getting my cadence from the side. #StriveforGreatness 🚀 #MyOffSeasonIsMySeason 👑 #IHaveToContinueToImprove”

Well-known for incorporating challenging and unconventional fitness equipment and techniques, a good chunk of Lebron James’ training is always dedicated to functional exercises, core strength and stability. Its specifically this type of training that helps him move with such magnificent speed and explosiveness for his size.

Not to mention, it also helps protect him against significant long-term injuries – even in his mid-thirties!

If you’re not familiar with training with a Swiss exercise ball or a Bodyblade, then the exercise he’s doing may look a bit silly. However, what you see Lebron doing in the video is actually very effective in building total body strength and stability. Especially, in his core and shoulders!

And, it’s incredibly harder than it looks.

Personal trainer on ABC’s Extreme Weight Loss Chris Powell explains what makes this exercise so great,

“This move is designed to focus on proprioception — spacial awareness and deep core stabilization. The center of movement originates in the core, then extends outward to the ‘sling systems’ (arms and legs) to run, jump, and shoot. LeBron is doing this exercise because it is training his core to react to an unstable environment and fire rapidly — so when he puts himself on the court, he can react quickly to any unstable environment and deliver a peak performance.”

— Chris Powell

Bodyblade

The Bodyblade is that flimsy rod Lebron’s holding that looks like a double-edged sword.

What makes this item special is the way that it automatically contracts one’s muscles rapidly – literally up to 270 times per minute!

And, it hits not just the big prominent muscles like your delts, but also all the smaller muscles and joints like the rotator cuff tendons. This is a guaranteed method for protecting yourself from almost all types of shoulder injuries and (re)building mobility and functional strength in your shoulders.

Its ridiculously easy to use. All you do is drive the blade back and forth.

Yet, the benefits are abundant and include:

Increased overall strength, balance and coordination
Improved joint stability, flexibility and wellness
Increased cardiovascular fitness
Stronger, more reactive core
Increased muscle endurance

Clearly, Lebron James is on to something here. The Bodyblade is a smart, simple and inexpensive item with so much to offer.

Stability and Core Training

As for what King James is seated on in his Instagram post?

That’s a Swiss exercise ball, of course. A throne for those with superior core stability and mental focus.

It takes a lot of work to balance oneself on the Swiss ball and to simultaneously use the bodyblade.

Or, especially to balance heavy kettlebells at the same! As we see Lebron doing here:

@kingjames on Instagram — Sep 1, 2017

“Core stability on ball to finish up the workout! Everything starts and ends with the core. No core no nothing! 👑 #striveforgreatness 🚀 #savagmode 😈“

Swiss Exercise Ball

Clearly, the swiss ball is an essential piece of equipment in Lebron’s workouts. Which makes perfect sense, as regular training on the swiss ball builds up core strength and stability and as Lebron so succinctly explains,

“Everything starts and ends with the core. No core no nothing!”

— Lebron James

And, the science backs up Lebron’s brilliant proclamation, as physical therapist Dr. Rajpal Brar explains,

“The core works together with the lower back to control movement and it sets the foundation for the rest of your body. There’s a saying in the physical therapy world — ‘proximal stability for distal mobility’. In other words, a stable base (the low back and core) unlocks better movement of the extremities. Therefore, having a stable foundation is critical.”

— Dr. Rajpal Brar²

The swiss ball is also a key piece of workout equipment for Mr. Six Pack his self, Cristiano Ronaldo, for the same reasons as Lebron. Namely, the fact of how it targets the entire core more efficiently, effectively and safely in comparison to your regular run-of-the-mill floor-based abdominal exercises as proven by recent studies conducted by a team of sports researchers published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research.³

So its a smart move to train like the pros; and ditch the daily countless ab crunches, doing nothing, but increasing the risk of a hernia for you.

Get yourself a swiss exercise ball and start actually building your abdominal muscles. Its one of the safest, effective and efficient way to do so.

Investing in the Best Recovery and Prevention Protocols

Playing back-to-back games regularly while performing at such an impressive level is no easy feat. As a result, Lebron treats recovery and injury prevention as a top priority.

In fact, Dr. Brar identifies PREVENTION as the one word that summarizes Lebron’s mentality towards his health and training.

James even keeps his post-game recovery protocol down to a science. Since, its his recovery regimen that allows him to continue to clock in some of the highest number of minutes played during the span of his career.

Normatec Recovery

One key secret item in his sacred post-game recovery routine are his pair of Normatec MVP Recovery System Boots.

Essentially, Normatec MVP Recovery System Boots work the same as compression tights and sleeves. Except, they use advanced technology to take compression recovery to a whole other level.

In short, compression is an efficient way to flush out deoxygenated blood, lactic acid and other waste products that build up after strenuous exercise. Thereby, allowing for oxygenated and nutrient-rich blood to flow back in. This is accomplished by increasing the velocity of the blood pumping through the veins and dilating the arteries to allow for greater overall blood flow.

Normatec boots maximize recovery via compression like no other device or piece of clothing. This is because of its programmed compression system that uses air pressure to mimic muscular contraction and massage the legs to clear out inflammation.

Ever since Lebron James revealed this key piece of equipment in his post-game recovery repertoire, many NBA players and athletes (such as Kevin Durrant) bought themselves a pair to also speed up their recovery process.

Its not surprising to see that other celebrities are also following suit. Like, Drake — seen treating himself to a good old self-massage courtesy of his Normatec boots to recover after an exhausting concert.

Conclusion

So, there you have it. There’s a lot to learn from this in-depth look at how Lebron James trains.

As we always say at Sixpack Snacks, if you want to be the best you need to train like the best!

Here’s a recap of Lebron’s Essentials:

Versaclimber (the cheaper alternative is a Relife Vertical Climber)
Bodyblade
Swiss Stability Ball
Normatec MVP Recovery System Boots

Pick up the items you need, and start training like the King.