What Did Spartans Really Look Like? | Ancient Workouts with Omar

Omar investigates the fitness routine of the ancient Spartans, one of the most feared warriors of the ancient world, and reveals that they were lean, mean - but not as ripped as you might think. Learn his tips for working out like an ancient Spartan, in this episode of Ancient Workouts.

#AncientWorkoutsWithOmar

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CREDITS

Host
Omar Isuf

Created By
Brian Huffman

Executive Producers
Sarah Walker
Brian Huffman
Michael Scalere

Co-Producers
Jon Erwin
John Schlirf

Associate Producer
Audrey Brandes

Writer
Omar Isuf

Researchers
Annie Powers
Cliff Roberts

Guest
Eric Trexler

Director
Adam Rosante

Line Producer
Diane Akem

Assistant Producer
Annie Hadida

DIT
Raul Vargas

Director of Photography
Craig Hall

Camera Operator
Adam Griffiths

Audio
Brendon Michie

Assistant Camera
Carly Williams

Grip
James Gordon
Phil Coutu

Gaffer
Michael Yull
Xander Sith

Teleprompter
Warren Clute

Hair/Makeup
Sana Young

Prop Master
Kelly Arsenault

Props
Lisa Kannakko
Francis Lengden
Rebecca Wu
Kenzie Benavente
Matthew Parrish

Post-Production Supervisor
Jon Erwin
John Schlirf

Editors
Tammy Jez
John Shlirf
Matt Rabinowitz
Matt Reynolds
Mark Rusciano

Lead Animator
Branwyn Elizabeth

Animation Assistant
Demi Bozas

Colorist
John Schlirf

Mixer
Tim Wagner

Manager, Rights & Clearances
Chris Kim

Executive Creative Director, A+E Networks
Tim Nolan

VP, Marketing Production, A+E Networks
Kate Leonard

VP, Brand Creative, History
Matt Neary

Special Thanks
Paul Medeiros
646 Weightlifting

Music Courtesy of
Extreme
Signature Tracks
MIBE
Audio Network

Additional Footage & Photos Courtesy of
Getty Images
Pond5

[OmarIsuf]

This is (a historically accurate depiction of) SPARTA!

[devonrobinson]

I’d love to see the Aztecs, Native American tribes, Ninja, Samurai, Impi, and Māori warrior workouts.

[jotairpontes]

One thing that is clear is that cardio was way more important than strenght in all the old armies (kinda still is), because of so much walking and carrying, and agility was more necessary than ''raw strenght/power''.

[Marc-hmbz]

As both a historian and a gym rat, I'm loving this. Keep them coming !

[azorax]

Great episode, Omar! Keen for the next one! I'm around 5'8" and I appreciate you for letting the world know I'm Spartan sized.

[Nate-bgjd]

needs to be longer... give this man an hour.
practical takeaways and solid information, like a breath of fresh air

[DoiInthanon]

These episodes just get better and better…well done Omar!

[dimitrisk.]

One of the many exercises Spartans did was to push a tree so with time (depends on frequency) the tree would fall. This was to mimic the pushing tension of a phalanx pushing off an enemy phalanx in the battlefield.

[nickcellini]

Carrying your shield and weapons in your arms as you marched would create both isometric and static strength for the whole upper body. The marching would build the whole lower body including the pelvic floor. When not marching to a battle you would be at home in Sparta doing explosive strength exercises that in some ways would mimic the use of your weapons and help you perform on the battlefield.

[thewalruswasjason]

I’ve read their heights averaged brmetween 5’8”-5’11”. They ate more meat than the average citizen. And they started training at age 7 every day until and through adulthood. They were insanely conditioned, strong and tough.

[loungetv]

Love how Omar presents information in a way that is understood by both the layman and the seasoned lifter while still providing value for both.

[omarvega]

Not short. I'm ancient world TALL. As always, really great informative stuff from Omar and his team!

[asdf_.]

This is probably the best history series I've found that synthesizes modern knowledge with ancient history in a way where everything in every episode is actually interesting, entertainment, AND useful! You need to continue to let Omar and other real knowledge people have decision making in writing most of this because it's definitely working at giving information that's not only honest/true but also entertaining to watch and listen to everything said!

[donovandelaney]

The Spartan armor and shields actually looked just like what the Spartan re-enacters wear. I would love to see one of the re-enactments.

[dbstewart]

Needs more Omar. Man's been giving the goods for years now

[LeonGainsborough]

Ancient Workouts with Omar is one of the best programs I have ever watched. Accurate information and lots of Omar´s charisma makes it so interesting to watch

[shoesarenice]

I really want this show to do well because Omar is such a charismatic presenter and the idea of the show is great. I feel the show would be better if you focussed more on the real workouts though as the workout at the end does feel like it is randomly just tacked on the end. Make the program longer, have a historian/military expert interviewed on how they would train with Omar attempting a portion of it (show highlights of it is boring to just show what would mostly be cardio) then Segway into Omar saying he is taking aspects of it and updating for the modern audience with his “warrior challenge”. This will tie it together better and Omar can go a bit crazier with the warrior challenge where he can pick three difficult challenges. Would even be great if he could take some trained and untrained “warriors” who can join in and we can watch their progress.

[tomwilliams]

The actual information in regard to fitness and strength adaptations is pretty high level.

A lot of times when you see mainstream media representation of fitness it’s usually pretty bad at best

But it really seems like Omar had a lot of input and that’s pretty cool.
There’s probably more “good” information about fitness and strength in the last few episodes then I saw for years being in the YouTube and social media space.

[redtsunami]

They had washboard abs on their breastplates and statues, so aesthetically they appreciated well developed abs as a sign of prowess . Also since the Greeks practically invented resistance exercise, look up Milos of Croton and something called the Olympic games, I am certain Spartan Hoplites achieved levels of training that would produce washboards

[nmetz]

Omar is my favorite alternatively tall history explainer. Please make more of these great episodes!