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Is Lebron James on Steroids? (Deep Investigation)

Tyler Sellers
Published by Tyler Sellers | Senior Coach
Last updated: September 25, 2023

Nicknamed "King James," Lebron James is considered one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history, only second to Michael Jordan.

In 2021, James became the first player in NBA history to earn over $1 billion while being active in the NBA.

His exceptional athletic abilities, endurance, and performance on the basketball court have led people to speculate whether he’s on some performance-enhancing drug.

I spent a good deal of time observing this athlete, watching his games, and learning about his workouts, and I've analyzed whether Lebron James is taking steroids or not.

Quick Summary

  • Lebron James isn't on steroids and has never tested positive for drug use since he started playing as a professional NBA player.
  • People suspect Lebron is on steroids because of his improved performance as he ages, his receding hairline, and his being aggressive on the basket court.
  • Following Lebron's workout routines, and his diet plan can give you a body like his.

Reason Why Lebron James Might Be On Steroids

shirtless bodybuilder

There is no concrete evidence showing that this Los Angeles Lakers player has taken performance-enhancing drugs in his entire career. However, he displays certain physical and behavioral traits commonly found in steroid users.

1. Receding Hairline

Around his third year in the NBA (2003), James' hairline went through some noticeable thinning around the sides, but it wasn't anything too serious. However, moving forward to 2007, around the same time he took the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Finals, he had "devil horns" (the two receding bumps on the temple).

A study showed that performance enhancers from some drug guy could disrupt endocrine regulation leading to changes in hair growth regulation [1].

One could argue that the receding hairline could be genetic. While not giving conclusive evidence, it does raise suspicions as to whether he was taking any steroids throughout his career.

2. Aggressive and Irritable Behavior on Court

lebron james upset

One of the interesting things I noticed about James’s basketball games is his aggression and irritability at certain points.

There was even a game where Lebron threw a Gatorade bottle out of anger.

The force with which he threw it made some of the spectators flinch in fright.

He yelled at other basketball players, cussed at referees, acted disrespectfully, and showed an aggressive style of play on the court in one game too many.

Perhaps these are things that happen in the heat of the moment, yet they seem to happen quite often with Lebron James.

And since an increase in testosterone is linked to the display of aggressive behavior, one would assume that he is possibly taking performance enhancers [2].

3. Improvement in Age

Lebron James is the only player from his class who, to me, still seems to be getting better. While the rest of his cohort are either retired or slowing down, Lebron’s skill and strength only seem to be going up as he gets older.

Testosterone levels slowly decline as you grow older, which means that all athletic ability and strength could also slowly fall [3].

But not only has Lebron put on more muscles in his 19-year career, but he also seems to be getting more athletic.

We can’t say for sure that this is a result of performance-enhancing drugs, but it sure does raise questions about whether he takes them.

Lebron James’ Stats

Lebron James has won four NBA championships, four MVP Awards, four Finals MVP Awards, and two Olympic gold medals.

He holds the NBA record for scoring the most points in the playoffs. Additionally, he's ranked third in all-time points scored and eighth in career assists.

  • Age: 37 (born 30 December 1984)
  • Height: 6’8” (203 cm)
  • Weight: 242 lbs (110 kgs)
  • Chest: 46 inches (116.8 cm)
  • Waist: 36 inches (91.4 cm)
  • Biceps: 17 inches (43.2 cm)

Related: Lebron Diet and Workout Routine

 

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“There are very few LeBron James and Kobe Bryants.”

- Steve Alford, American Basketball Coach

Is It Possible To Achieve Lebron James’ Body and Athletic Abilities Naturally?

biceps and tape measure

Yes. Lebron James’ physique can be achieved by anyone of his frame and his athletic abilities by following his workout routine and diet plan.

Lebron's workout consists of weight training and high-intensity interval training.

This plan allows him to maintain high levels of strength and endurance necessary for an NBA player.

His lifting routine involves heavy with low reps, and his diet plan is heavy on fruit and vegetables and low on sugars. With consistency and dedication, most people can achieve Lebron James's physique in the long run.

Although for most people, genetics is a limiting factor for achieving a Lebron-like physique without performance-enhancing drugs, some natural and well-rounded legal steroid alternatives might be a way to circumvent these limitations.

Lebron James' supplement stack can increase your stamina, strength, and testosterone production and make your muscle growth more effective without any common health risks of anabolic steroids. However, it's best to consult a medical professional before taking these to ensure the ingredients are safe for you.

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FAQs

Was Lebron Ever Banned for Steroid Use in His Career?

Lebron James has never tested positive for steroid use, and neither was he banned for it. The NBA has been testing players for using performance-enhancing drugs for many years now, and Lebron has never failed a drug test.

Does Lebron James Lift Weights?

Lebron James lifts weights at least three times a week to build and maintain his muscle mass. His workouts involve heavy weights with low reps and exercises such as squats, deadlifts, and bench presses.

Is Lebron James on Steroids?

The answer is probably no because there isn’t any record confirming LeBron tested positive for performance enhancers in his career as a Los Angeles Lakers player. Although he does display some signs of steroid use, they’re not strong enough evidence to conclude he’s taking any performance enhancers.

Nevertheless, his strength and athletic abilities are achievable without performance enhancers like steroids. For those longing to look and perform like Lebron James, in addition to a strict workout and diet regimen,  our recommended legal steroid alternatives for men are a good start.

I recommend this steroid alternative to my clients because it helps safely boost testosterone levels and increase muscle growth, strength, and overall performance without the health risks posed by illegal PEDs.


References:

  1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4430701/
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3693622/
  3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11158037/
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