Magic Johnson took a long hiatus from the NBA after he announced to the public his HIV diagnosis in 1992. Magic was compelled to retire early. However, he made a comeback in 1996. He was 36 years old and had to go through strenuous workouts to be able to regain his fitness and play well.
The Lakers legend’s workout became infamous that it got picked by Associated Press which detailed Magic’s regime. A 27 pounds heavier Magic Johnson worked with Marchell Henry, a famed bodybuilder. They had been working together for three years.
Henry stated Magic Johnson would do a chest workout in the following order:
“Bench press: 135 pounds in the first set, followed by 185, 205, and finally 225 pounds“.
3 other sets followed with their own repetitions of varying weights that would ensure overload progression.
Henry was convinced that Magic would get in the best shape and that it would not “take him long”.
He also found a mentor in former NBA player, Lester Connor who helped Magic hone his athleticism.
The media reported that one of the probable reasons for this kind of dedication from the NBA legend was that he didn’t “leave the game on his own terms“. It was reported that it always bothered him. Coupled with the fact that the Los Angeles Lakers also wanted their best point guard back.
Magic Johnson stuck to a routine
Johnson’s daily routine would include an hour-long workout session with weights, followed by two hours of honing basketball skills, and about 700 situps. The coaches would throw in a 3-and-a-half-mile jog to the mix.
Johnson was seemingly so laser-focused on getting back on track that even whilst traveling, he traveled with weights.
He focused on cutting sugars and junk from his diet and experimented with fat-free and sugar-free food, while also consuming clean protein.
In the last 3 weeks prior to his comeback game, Magic Johnson requested them to “really bang him, get him ready for the physical contact“. Workouts were catered to and were hard. It included 150 free throws, 50 left hooks, and another 50 right hooks.
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In his first game after his break against the Golden State Warriors, Magic Johnson scored 19 points with 8 rebounds. The Lakers won that night, 128-118. “We were sitting up there like two proud Papas“, Connor revealed his and Henry’s emotion after the game.
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