Very little is known about the training of the ancient Spartans. Luckily for us, I literally wrote the book researching their methods.

Here are two exercises and one supplement that they used, ALL of which YOU can use today to feed the inner Spartan.

And be sure to check out my book if you want to see the most detailed breakdown of Spartan physical training in the world.

1. Weighted running. The Spartans DOMINATED an ancient Olympic event called the ‘Hoplitodromos’, a 400-800 meter sprint wearing full armor. They could also ruck for days without stopping.
2. Calisthenics. Simple bodyweight exercises like pushups and pull ups built strength, endurance and mobility, along with carrying logs and stones.
4. Greek mountain tea, known today as ‘iron wort’, was a staple of Spartan nutrition. They believed it decreased inflammation, increased immune activity and promoted recovery. And today it’s readily available, even on Amazon.

This information comes from my book on the evolution of physical training, which includes the most detailed breakdown of spartan fitness practices in the world.

You can learn more here:

#sparta #spartan #ancientgreece

45 Comments

  1. Greek Mountain Tea is said to help the following: aid digestion, fight common flu and colds by strengthening the immune system, help with allergies, act as an anti-inflammatory or body aches and pains, and help with anxiety.

  2. best warriors of all time? oh man lets just pretend romans, macedon, greece, european knights, varangians/viking/saxon huscarls, samurai, polish winged hussars and parthian cataphracts didn't exist. "Best" warriors ever is honestly a broad term. There were many "best" throughout history that you can't really compare. And best at what?

  3. None looked like these depictions. Even in the 1920 the world's best athletes looked absolutely nothing like the gym bros we imagine athletic people to be. Bulking is a very recent phenomenon. And even today it's definitely not hypertrophy training that makes you athletic. It makes you LOOK athletic.

  4. Gladiators did not specifically drink mountain tea (Sideritis) as we know it today, but they did have herbal remedies and drinks for health and recovery. Historical records suggest that Roman gladiators, often referred to as hordearii (meaning “barley men”), consumed diets rich in barley and legumes and drank tonics made from herbal infusions to improve stamina and aid recovery.

    Herbal teas like those from fennel, chamomile, or other Mediterranean plants were more commonly documented. While mountain tea is native to the Mediterranean region and may have been available during that time, there is no concrete evidence linking it directly to gladiator consumption. However, given its anti-inflammatory and health-boosting properties, it’s plausible that similar herbs were part of their regimen for physical recovery.

  5. They got annihilated by men lovers. The movie skyrocketed a misconception. They were strategist and had a strict class organization inside their community, that's about it.

  6. I love how everybody thinks Spartans and Roman soldiers were bodybuilders 😂😂😂😂 these people probably weighed in at a hefty 140lbs 5’ 6” maybe even less 😂😂😂😂 there is no record of the Spartans being a physical specimen jacked and muscular like the movie 300 😂😂😂😂 you people today would be very disappointed in what these normal people back then actually looked like.

  7. VIKINGS !!!! THEY WHERE AND STILL THE BEST !!! They was navy seals in there era air land and sea !!! They sailed with just a few boats 🚤 to unknown lands and conquered!!!!

  8. The formidable Spartan was result of selective breeding. The land before known as Rome, was known for arranged marriages. They enforced individuals to pair based on their statistics,& criteria of expertise.
    This ensured not only healthy offspring, but ones that held opposing talents. Then there children would exposed to wilderness.

    Unfortunately school was created to domesticate such offspring

  9. best worrior was Myrmidones…..not spartan….spartans have the respact from all the greece….and becuse they though…but best worriors was mermidones…mermidones they achilles army….

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