Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić has revealed a significantly leaner physique and a rigorous new summer workout routine, addressing years of speculation and criticism regarding his conditioning. The visible transformation, showcased in a recent Men’s Health cover story, signals a profound commitment to health and performance as he prepares for the upcoming NBA season and EuroBasket 2025.
A History of Scrutiny and a Turning Point
Dončić has faced ongoing public and media scrutiny concerning his weight and fitness levels throughout his NBA career. Reports indicated that his weight fluctuated, with concerns raised about his conditioning, particularly after the 2020 Olympics and prior to the 2021-2022 season, when he reportedly showed up to training camp weighing 260 pounds. Critics, including NBA legend Reggie Miller, openly commented on his physique. The conditioning issues were even cited as a contributing factor in his mid-season trade from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers in February 2025.
However, the disappointing end to his 2024-25 season with the Lakers, culminating in a first-round playoff exit, served as a powerful motivator for the 26-year-old Slovenian. Dončić wasted no time, initiating his offseason training program immediately after the playoff loss.
The New Regimen: Two-A-Day Workouts and Strict Nutrition
Dončić’s summer transformation is the result of an intensive and comprehensive program overseen by “Team Luka,” a trio of wellness specialists he assembled in 2023: trainer Anze Macek, physiotherapist Javier Barrio, and nutritionist Lucia Almendros.
His new routine includes:
- Two-a-Day Workouts: Dončić engages in two 90-minute training sessions daily, six days a week. These sessions often begin with a fasted workout in the morning.
- Comprehensive Training: The workouts blend weight training, agility work, and basketball-specific drills. Exercises include deadlifts, dumbbell bench presses, lateral bounds, resistance band exercises, sprints, and hurdle work. The emphasis has been on strength, agility, and eccentric force, crucial for his ability to decelerate on drives. Dončić also incorporates recreational sports like pickleball and padel to improve balance and reduce joint stress.
- Structured Diet: Dončić has completely revamped his eating habits. He adheres to a gluten-free, low-sugar diet with a strong emphasis on high-protein foods, consuming at least 250 grams of protein daily. He follows an intermittent fasting plan, typically fasting for 16 hours, from 8:30 p.m. to 12 p.m. the following day, consuming his meals within an eight-hour window. This dietary approach also aims to reduce inflammation.
- Recovery Focus: A significant change in his offseason approach was taking a full month-long break from basketball in May to allow his body to fully recover from the grind of the season.
“This is Just the Start”
Dončić expressed satisfaction with his progress, noting, “Just visually, I would say my whole body looks better.” Despite his leaner frame, he believes his strength and athleticism, particularly his balancing and body control, remain high. He even speculates that his vertical jump may have improved.
This renewed focus on physical conditioning is a long-term commitment for Dončić, who stated, “If I stop now, it was all for nothing,” and “This is just the start, you know. I need to keep going. Can’t stop.” Before rejoining the Lakers for training camp, Dončić is expected to represent Slovenia in EuroBasket 2025, further showcasing his transformed physique and enhanced readiness.
