Nearly 40 years young: LeBron James’ fitness routine and the one thing he wishes he could have more of

James’ insistence on time as the key ingredient to his durability becomes clearer when one considers everything he puts his body through just to prepare it for a game.

He and his team use advanced technology, such as hyperbaric and red light chambers as well as cryotherapy to assist the body in repair.

The basketball legend is also not adverse to a hot tub followed by a cold plunge to try and encourage recovery.

But there is also something else, in addition to time, which is a priceless component of James’ regimen: 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 Mancais tells Netflix highlighting its importance.

“Sleep is the best recovery that you can have,” James confirmed.

“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.”

Indeed so critical is sleep to the basketball player’s health and fitness it has a prime place in his match routine.

Outlining a typical matchday for the Lakers at home, James reserves 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm for naps.

Rest more generally plays a significant role in ensuring the LA Lakers frontman can play his best hoops.

Mancais continues: “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.”

Such “work” might include massages, stretching and also the use of compression boots to help blood flow.