The consensus among NBA observers is that Michael Jordan is the finest player in franchise history. The majority of this reasoning is predicated on the reality that Jordan won six NBA titles in six attempts and was named Finals Most Valuable Player each time.
Prior to his NBA championship, Jordan received widespread acclaim as the preeminent player of his era in the 1980s. This was due to the fact that he possessed extraordinary offensive and defensive capabilities.
Moreover, his execution of the game while in the air demonstrated an unparalleled degree of elegance and ingenuity that remains unparalleled to this day. Truly, everyone aspired to “Be Like Mike.”
With the exception of the “Bad Boys” Detroit Pistons, that is. The Pistons had no intention of praising Jordan; rather, they intended to demolish him, which they partially succeeded in doing.
The Detroit Pistons devised a tactic called “The Jordan Rules,” the objective of which was to outperform His Airness on every occasion he ascended to the basket. Now, Jordan defeated Detroit on numerous occasions, including the 1986-87 and 1987-88 seasons with scores of 61 and 59, respectively.
Despite this, the Pistons were successful in their strategy of pummeling Jordan, who was relatively underweight in the 1980s. They exhausted Jordan to the point where his comrades did nothing to assist.
The Bulls required Jordan’s supporting cast to improve their performance and assist MJ. Another modification was necessary in order to challenge the formidable Pistons.
Jordan was required to modify his exercise regimen in order to gain more musculature. By doing so, His Airness would be able to withstand the contact from the Pistons’ players with less of an impact, particularly in regards to injuries.
By the 1990-91 season, Jordan had gained 15 pounds of muscle due to his new exercise regimen. In addition to Jordan’s increased body mass, several of his colleagues, most notably Scottie Pippen, improved their play.
The Eastern Conference Finals were won 4-0 by the Bulls over the Pistons, advancing them to their inaugural NBA Finals. There, they would prevail 4-1 over the Los Angeles Lakers, led by Magic Johnson.
Having examined how Jordan’s exercise regimen not only facilitated his victory over the Pistons but also contributed to the gain of 15 pounds of muscle, we must now pose one last inquiry… What exercise regimen did Michael Jordan follow that enabled him to overcome the Detroit Pistons and earn six NBA championships?
The workout regimen of Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan collaborated with renowned trainer Tim Grover, who devised an ideal exercise regimen capable of elevating Jordan’s performance to a higher level. The exercise regimen that enabled Michael Jordan to defeat the “Bad Boys” Detroit Pistons is detailed below.
Core Exercises: Medicine ball sit-ups, push-ups with hands on a physioball, leg raises, and calf raises—three sets per week, ranging from ten to fifteen repetitions of each exercise.
Strength training consists of the following: deadlifts, standing alternate dumbbell presses, biceps curls, overhead presses, power cleans, squats on a balance board, bench presses, and single-leg Romanian deadlifts. Perform each exercise three days per week for three to five sets with four to eight repetitions.
Stride Workout: For condition and agility exercises, perform each stride workout twice per week.
Perform five 400-meter sprints with a three-minute rest period in Week 1.
Perform six 400-meter sprints with a three-minute rest period during Week 2.
Perform six 400m sprints with a two-minute rest period during week three.
Court Workout: Complete the Suicide Drill in sixty seconds in its entirety. After three repetitions, allow two minutes to elapse between sessions.
Suicide Drill consists of the following: Run from the baseline to the free throw line, and then return to the starting line. Run from the baseline to half-court and backwards. Run back to the baseline after returning to the opposite free-throw line. Conclude with a full court run backwards.
Perform as many Sideline Drills as possible within sixty seconds. After three repetitions, allow two minutes to elapse between sessions.
After reviewing the G.O.A.T.’s preparation strategy to vanquish the Pistons and the entire league, one more thing warrants attention: Jordan’s daily meal preparation.
As reported by the Chicago Tribune:
A portion of oatmeal seasoned with raisins, strawberries, and blueberries; scrambled egg whites; and a glass of orange juice comprise the breakfast.
Fitness shake consisting of Gatorade, protein powder, and fresh fruit at midmorning.
Sandwich on chicken breast or lean hamburger with roasted potatoes or pasta; a small green salad for lunch.
In the mid-afternoon, consume a fitness shake or, prior to competition days, a meal consisting of steamed fresh vegetables, chicken breast or lean sirloin, pasta or baked potato.
“Whatever he desires for dinner,” Tim Grover clarified.
Michael Jordan was intent on defeating the Detroit Pistons, his opponents. Following three consecutive playoff losses at the hands of Detroit, Jordan was determined to surmount this challenge at any cost.
By placing his trust in his teammates, Jordan was able to alter his nutrition, exercise regimen, and overall performance, which culminated in one of the most remarkable runs in NBA history. It takes effort to attain the status of the G.O.A.T., and Michael Jordan worked harder than anyone else.
