The following article is all about the methods of the 300 workout that were done to get the cast of the movie 300 in such great physical shape. The lead role of Leonidas who is the king of the Spartan army is played by Gerard Butler. Sparta is about to be invaded by a huge Persian army, unfortunately the Spartan army cannot go to war because they are not given the blessing of the gods and therefore no support from the cities council. Against the will of the gods and council, Leonadis leads a small army of 300 soldiers to fight for his beloved Spartan. Butler had never been called fat, but that is exactly what he was called when he got the lead role in this movie. Despite what he may have started out as, the 300 workout regime got him in phenomenal shape as evident on screen.

It was not only Butler, but the rest of the cast who also all very much looked the part of Spartan warriors. They looked like trained fighters, who had trained their whole lives as warriors. They really did look like a Spartan soldier should, like the most efficient fighters of the land. How did this happen? That is the big question on everyone’s lips. Apparently when the trainers of the 300 workout are asked what the magic ingredient was they answer: hard work! It has been said that the cast trained like madmen for 4 months 5 days a week. With a solid foundation of hard work, let’s look at some other worthy facts in the 300 workout plan that got the actors in such ripped shape.

The goal of the 300 workout was not to beef the actors up, like bodybuilders. These men needed to look like ripped and fit warriors, who were functional and lived off the land. So the traditional bulking up diet was replaced by a tight calorie controlled diet that just barely provided enough fuel for workouts and recovery. Recovery was an important aspect of the 300 workout program. The schedule of not just working out but rehearsal for fight scenes was grueling, often 10-12 hours a day. So to help with recovery a massage therapist was onsite everyday and a kinesiologist was used twice a week.

Another important aspect of the 300 workout was that it was also used as a sort of bonding experience for the cast. Workouts were constantly changed and challenges were common. The trainers wanted everyone working out together and for the cast to see one another trying their hardest in these challenges and at times failing challenges. But this was all part of the plan, for when you fail in front of your comrades and you have been honest with yourself in your effort, it builds trust and that is exactly what the Spartan army was all about. And that is what was needed for the actors to play a unit in the movie.

There was also a great amount of transparency with the 300 workout. Workout numbers were logged on chalkboard for all to see. This built an atmosphere of competition but it also furthered a sort of bond of ‘we are all in this together’. Also it made things accountable and this principle of accountability was also part of the diet. Because workouts, fight training and eating all basically took place in the same room it was all done under the watch full eye of everyone else. So there could be no slip ups. The 300 workout plan sounds like a unique adventure that while I do not doubt was very hard and difficult, I think many of those who participated would look back on it in a positive light.

On the internet there are some mistakes being posted regarding the 300 workout challenge. This was set by the trainers Jon Gabriel as a challenge test. It was an invitation only sort of rite of passage. This was not the routine that was followed or a frequent workout done. If you are interested and think you could be a Spartan warrior give the 300 workout challenge a try.

For more health advice on the gabriel method or to view the 300 workout challenge, go to author Nick Springs’ website which is packed full of the best fitness and exercises recommendations like gabriel method scam and lose fat.