There is something poetic about LeBron James playing in his 23rd season. He was a huge fan of Michael Jordan as a young kid, and even chose Number 23 on his jersey as a tribute to “His Airness.” Year 23 might be the last in LeBron’s illustrious career. However, he is doing everything he can to make sure his body is ready to compete in a long and grueling season. James is the latest superstar athlete to try the new trendy workout: reformer pilates.
LeBron James Turns to Trendy Workout for Year 23
Earlier in July, there were videos of Giannis Antetokounmpo working out on a pilates reformer machine. Now, it is LeBron’s turn to try it. In the last several years, reformer pilates has become one of the most popular workouts, both for amateurs and professional athletes.
LeBron is no stranger to trying to do everything he can to push his body to the limits. For years, there were rumors that he was spending $1 million per year on nutrition and exercise. He debunked that theory in one episode of his Mind the Game podcast.
Nevertheless, in a recent workout video, we see LeBron and his wife, Savannah James, working out in a pilates studio. At one point, James is on the reformer machine. They are working out with a private trainer, Stefania Uche Okolie, a pilates teacher in the Los Angeles area. After Luka Doncic got into shape for next season, now it is LeBron’s turn to up the ante and make sure he is ready to compete deep into the playoffs.
How Does the Pilates Reformer Help Athletes like LeBron?
Pilates exercises have slowly entered the mainstream as a go-to workout over the past few years. Kourtney Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, and similar celebrities praised the benefits of pilates, including more energy, muscle tone, and strength. A pilates reformer is a large piece of exercise equipment that looks similar to a padded table or platform with springs, ropes, pulleys, and a sliding carriage.
The key benefit of the reformer machine is resistance, with springs attached to a moving platform. Springs allow changes in resistance, and by pushing or pulling with arms/legs, athletes can initiate movement and get a full-body, strength-building workout.
Because people have to move against the spring tension and the pulley system, the machine helps put the body into better alignment. For athletes who have been playing professionally for years, putting their bodies into alignment is key to avoiding injuries and sustaining mobility over a long season. The reformer pilates machine helps the body re-pattern default movements more efficiently.
Can James and the Lakers Compete for a Championship?
A healthy Luka is a scary player. What is more interesting is that this season, Luka will be coming back from a competition with the Slovenian national team. So far, whenever Luka has played for Slovenia, he has come back stronger, better, and more focused. The Lakers will be one of the beneficiaries of the EuroBasket this summer. A healthy Luka is a top-five player in the league.
Last season, LeBron proved that when healthy, he is still among the best 15 players in the league. With two top-15 players on their roster, the Lakers should be competitive. They also got some nice additions that benefit both James and Luka. Deandre Ayton is the center they lacked last season, and Marcus Smart can take on defensive assignments on the perimeter.
Health will be a huge factor for the Lakers, which is why seeing LeBron trying everything, even reformer pilates to stay in shape, should make fans happy!
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