Over the last few years, former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal has undergone a remarkable body transformation, shedding weight and surpassing his fitness objectives. His documented journey towards a leaner physique, punctuated by a series of enticing gym photos, stands in stark contrast to his early days in the league, where bulking up was the demand.
In a recent conversation on the Let’s Go podcast with Tom Brady and Jim Gray, Shaq revealed that during his transition from college to the NBA with the Orlando Magic, he initially weighed around 285 pounds. However, the demands of the game quickly necessitated a significant weight increase, resulting in a substantial “130-pound bulk” during his first season.
Shaquille recalled the challenges he faced, including the infamous “Hack-a-Shaq” strategy employed by opponents. He emphasized how his weight progressively escalated, reaching 300 pounds and eventually 315 pounds with a rigorous weightlifting regimen. Under the guidance of coach Phil Jackson during his first championship, his weight peaked at a staggering 345 pounds, followed by a brief surge to 385 pounds after an indulgent summer break.
Upon his transition from the Orlando Magic to the LA Lakers, Shaq’s weight continued to rise, reaching a remarkable 415 pounds. However, a change came when he signed with the Miami Heat, where the renowned coach Pat Riley put him through intensive army drills, helping him shed significant weight and stabilize at 325 pounds. The fluctuation in his weight became a prominent theme in his early career, characterized by its remarkable highs and lows.
His dietary habits also experienced a significant shift over the years. Shaq previously disclosed to Men’s Health in 2021 that his pre-game diet once consisted of two club sandwiches, frie y habits also experienced a significant shift over the years. Shaq previously disclosed to Men’s Health in 2021 that his pre-game diet once consisted of two club sandwiches, fries, and a pineapple soda. However, at 51 years old, he has since adopted a healthier approach, incorporating salmon, lean chicken, and turkey into his meals, albeit in substantial portions befitting his 7’2″ frame.
“They started Hack-a-Shaq with me early,” he said. “So I was lifting weights, and I was 300, and then 315. Phil Jackson came in, the first championship I was 345, then I had a great summer, came back 385 for the second one.”
And then when I got traded away, Pat Riley had me doing army drills, and I got back down to 325,” he continued. “It was up and down.”
This bulk was aided by his pre-game diet back then. “Every day before games, I would have two club sandwiches, fries, and a pineapple s, and a pineapple soda. However, at 51 years old, he has since adopted a healthier approach, incorporating salmon, lean chicken, and turkey into his meals, albeit in substantial portions befitting his 7’2″ frame.
“They started Hack-a-Shaq with me early,” he said. “So I was lifting weights, and I was 300, and then 315. Phil Jackson came in, the first championship I was 345, then I had a great summer, came back 385 for the second one.”
He added that by the time he had left Orland for the LA Lakers, he weighed 415 pounds. But that changed when he signed with the Miami Heat. “And then when I got traded away, Pat Riley had me doing army drills, and I got back down to 325,” he continued. “It was up and down.”
This bulk was aided by his pre-game diet back then. “Every day before games, I would have two club sandwiches, fries, and a pineapple soda,
