A Trainer to Players like LeBron James and Victor Oladipo Shares the Recovery Secrets of NBA Stars

Minutes after losing to LeBron James and the Cavs in the first round of the NBA playoffs, Indiana Pacers' star Victor Oladipo texted his trainer, "When do we start? I'm ready to take it to another level." That trainer is David Alexander, who serves as fitness guru to Oladipo and, previously, James. Alexander owns DBC Fitness in Miami, which features a long list of high-profile clients that also includes NFL stars Von Miller and Antonio Brown.

The gym's underlying fitness philosophy is based on "biomechanics" and begins with a detailed assessment of a new client's body that includes 60 orthopaedic measurements, including knee flexion, curvature of the lumbar, and thoracic extension. Then, Alexander and his team apply math and science to create a program designed to optimize movement for that athlete's specific body. And if that seems like it's over your head—don't worry, it's over ours, too—just consider the results: Victor Oladipo had a breakout All-NBA season this year, and LeBron James, in his fifteenth season, might still be at the peak of his powers. (LeBron's current personal biomechanist is Donnie Raimon, the Movement Analyst and Academic Director of Alexander's DBC Fitness.)