How Michael Jordan's Brutal Training Regime & Diet Kept Him Fit

Michael Jordan took obsession to a whole new level during the 1980s and 90s.

He was determined to be the top basketball player on the planet, and in the latter half of his career made fitness a top priority in his strategy of becoming the best.

After employing his personal trainer Tim Grover in 1989, Michael Jordan set up The Breakfast Club with a few of his team-mates.

The group would gather between 5am and 7am to workout in Jordan’s home gym before practice.

They made this a strict routine that they stuck to every day, even on match days, and always followed the workout with a breakfast - hence the name.

Here’s a look at how Michael Jordan and the rest of The Breakfast Club trained as well as what the man himself ate each day.

Michael Jordan’s Strength Training Routine

Jordan would do high numbers of reps - often 10-15 - for around three sets per exercise.

Exercises would include bicep curls, deadlifts, good mornings, power cleans, and bench presses.

They would also do squats on a balance board to promote core stability and balance, two very important attributes in basketball because of the frequent changes in direction.

Jordan also did core workouts two or three times per week because his trainer Grover says having a strong core enables you to get the most out of the rest of the muscles in your body.

Michael Jordan’s Diet

Jordan stuck to the old saying “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” getting a good amount of protein and carbohydrates in after his morning workout.

He might have a shake as a snack in the morning and afternoon, as well as a decent-sized lunch and light dinner.

Breakfast: Large bowl of oatmeal with strawberries, blueberries and raisins; scrambled egg whites and a glass of orange juice.

Mid Morning snack: Fitness shake of Gatorade, protein powder and fresh fruit.

Lunch: Chicken breast sandwich or lean hamburger; pasta or baked potato; small green salad.

Mid-afternoon snack: Fitness shake on practice days. On game days Jordan would have a pre-competition meal of chicken breast or lean steak with pasta or baked potato and steamed fresh vegetables

Dinner: A light meal of whatever Jordan would be craving.