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Maverick Carter, who is LeBron James’ close friend and business partner, has estimated that James spends nearly $1.5 million per year to maintain his body. He has strict routines that he follows, a ton of equipment in his home and plenty of people on his payroll whose primary responsibility is ensuring that James’ body can make it through an 82-game season (and seven consecutive NBA Finals runs) without breaking down.
While that may seem like a ton of money to spend on his body, it’s a smart investment for James. Rather than spending his paycheck on luxury items, he’s doing everything in his power to ensure that he can continue playing for as long as possible and keep collecting a huge salary every year.
Players – and not just the high-paid superstars – are spending more money than ever on their body and trying all kinds of things that could potentially give them an edge. In recent years, one such treatment that’s become extremely popular is cryotherapy, which many athletes (including James) use regularly.
The treatment is simple: The athlete spends two-to-three minutes in the cryo chamber, which is set at a temperature of negative-250 degrees. They must wear protective gear (thick gloves, socks and sandals) so that the player’s fingers and toes are safe. It’s basically an upgrade over the cold tub; Philadelphia 76ers swingman Justin Anderson told HoopsHype that it’s 10 times better than the tub.
Cryotherapy speeds up injury recovery, relieves pain and soreness, reduces lactic acids, helps inflammation, decreases spasms, releases endorphins and improves range of motion (since it loosens muscles that were tight or sore, which is a common issue for NBA players as they go through a rigorous 82-game season).
Kobe Bryant, Shawn Marion, Jason Terry, Rashard Lewis and Grant Hill were believers in cryotherapy relatively early, getting the treatment during their playing days. (Marion would sometimes sing at the top of his lungs to try to take his mind off the temperature, which causes temporary discomfort). The Dallas Mavericks had their entire team do cryotherapy during their 2011 NBA playoff run that culminated in a championship over the Miami Heat. |
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| Lisa Jakub |
It's estimated that 16 million people in the U.S. have struggled with depression - and I include myself in that statistic. It's real, and it's not shameful, and there is help available. You can bring it to the light, you can tell the truth, you can go to a meeting, you can reach out to a friend. None of us are alone. |
| Samuel Beckett |
Just under the surface I shall be, all together at first, then separate and drift, through all the earth and perhaps in the end through a cliff into the sea, something of me. A ton of worms in an acre, that is a wonderful thought, a ton of worms, I believe it. |