Starting where we left off from Ancient Roman techniques for gladiator fitness (part 1)
Favored provisions for Honored champions
Extra Praise and Dramatic Embellishment (5 victories by beheading)
Swiftly turning into the favorite of the crowd was never easy. Especially when dealing with trained killers and ferocious animals and other enemies with ridiculous advantages. For the purpose of this article, I have described the approximate cost of gaining such favor for the champions. New titles, specially designed outfits, an embellished backstory was a part of the package. Extra motivation and a morale boost can work wonders for any performer and made a good fortune for the fight promoters.
No such prices for the modern man though. A simple act of going to the bathroom and lifting your arms and saying “Yes” like you’ve scored a goal will be enough to power yourself. You can power yourself with affirmations, positive and good faith. But if it feels too pretentious to you, you can surround yourself with people who love and believe in you. Let them be honest with you and try to be honest with yourself. Treat yourself like you would treat a good loyal friend. Don’t let yourself give up and keep encouraging yourself to push on.
Average yield:- 10% Increase in Survivability chances
A Night With A Lover (20 victories by beheading)
The gladiators, often the most skilled and famous ones were rewarded for their victories in arenas of high repute with a night of pleasure with the slave girls of their choosing, or with a wife or a lover within their Lanista’s (owner) service. However, this wasn’t just a reward system. The gladiators were sometimes bought as secret lovers for a night of pleasure by Roman women of high standing and wealth. This system, while seems base and sensual it had practical benefits for the gladiators.
While there are stress relief benefits of the act of sex itself on the body and mind. The release of oxytocin increased metabolism in their bodies which eased blood flow and caused high-speed recovery from injuries. Do not be fooled though, The act could not take place right before the day of the fight. Doing so would weaken and exhaust the body. In my recommendation, Find someone you love and let them be everything you need. Random flings will cause stress and hurt your soul. With someone you love, you will find the strength to face anything.
Average yield:- 50% Increase in Survivability chances
STRENGTH
Calisthenics (1 Energy Unit) (Approx. 4 minutes)
The ancient tradition of the Greeks was readopted by the Romans. Calisthenics was a simple way to work on training the body and increase the amount of damage a warrior could deliver to their enemies. Think push-ups, pull-ups, squats, crunches. This had a specific time limit, under the instruction and a sharp whip. Modern-day Navy Seal candidates are tested for application by a trial of at least 80 pushups within 2 minutes. Imagine what the whip-bearing trainer would make you do in twice that time.
Though excellent for stamina building and athletic fitness, the yield for growth in physical strength is low. The idea behind regular calisthenics was to maintain peak condition among gladiators and work their ability to go longer and exert heavily in a fight. The chiseled, Greek god-like appearance helped too.
Average yield:- 1% Increase in Strike load delivery
Beam and stone lifting (2 Energy Units) (Approx. 1 hour 20 minutes)
Yes, lifting has shown results. For boxers, fencers, martial artists and all other kinds of hard sportspersons. Hailed by many as the most “Manliest” of physical training methods, Lifting was indeed chosen by the ancient Rome as a method of strength training for its best. The isolation of certain muscle groups and a struggle against a fixed load could work to strengthen each part of the body individually.
Of course, the balance of a full body workout was set aside and each muscle group had to be worked individually, that would be time-consuming. And with a lower weight to struggle against as opposed to the full body weight used in calisthenics, the routine was much less intense. With a reasonably low and yet workable strength yield, while also increasing the imposing size of the contender in the arena.
Average yield:- 3% Increase in Strike load delivery
Beam and pillar Marching (3 Energy Units) (Approx. 15 hours)
Yes indeed, This was the difference between a dabbler and an enthusiast and a professional. A wooden beam, and sometimes a pillar even heavier than the entire body weight. This was to be slung over one’s shoulder and begin marching the moment you wake up until all through the day into the night and put down at the end with one hour for food and 8 hours of sleep only to begin again when they would wake up. This is how rookie trainees were turned into gladiators.
The practice of load marching is easy to see in induction and acclimatization training in all the world’s armed forces today. Athletes have been using weighted vests, actors and performance artists have been adopting CrossFit routines. The intensity, timing, and methodology have been changed but the idea remains the same. Mixing the benefits of lifting with the consistency of calisthenics. This method is time-consuming though, and impractical by modern standards. Only the most dedicated have tried this, and with a remarkable amount of yield.
Average yield:- 8% Increase in Strike load delivery
Favored provisions for Honored champions
Hearty and Heavy Meals (6 victories by beheading)
The approximation remains the same there is no exact measure for how much honor a particular champion could bring to their LUDUS ( Training school). The highest glory was to win a spectacularly bloody and decisive victory, and beheadings were a symbol of domination of a winner’s house over the loser’s. As reward sometimes to a slave coming from poverty and famine, was treated with meals of different kinds of meat, barley, wheat, and wine. Imagine a 12-pound Thanksgiving turkey to be finished in one go.
There’s no denying that increased weight was a good way to increase strike load delivery. But you will notice that despite all the debauchery one can assume, the diet actually was more protein and energy-rich than just fattening. Eating well and eating more is important most bodybuilders intent on getting big, but for the lighter athletes, choosing well what to eat still applies. My recommendation, avoid poultry and milk products, choose red meat and fish for yourselves. For the vegetarians, choose salads, carrots especially, add broccoli and beans.
Average yield:- 2% Increase in Strike load delivery
Whip-bearing Instructor inspection (20 victories by beheading)
We’ve already established how the body tricks us into exerting limited amounts of energy by making us believe we’re tired at about 40% our natural capacity. The similar effect is visible in minor exertions too. Sometimes, the body feels too tired, too weak. One feels like this last repetition is impossible like the weight is too much. Here’s where a Hype man comes in. A Hype man can be your friend, instructor or a competitor in a gym (not necessarily a man). His function is to hype you. To cheer you on, berate annoy and even anger you, he can call you names, slap you in the face all to give you a push from within.
A DOCTORE (trainer) in ancient Rome did that with a whip. standing next to the individual champion he would cheer him on, call him names, threaten to harm his loved ones, crack a whip next to you and if necessary even on you. A whipcrack is alarming. Its a miniature sonic boom made by the tip of the whip quite close to you. And if that happens to your skin, the sharp pain is sudden and beyond anything load, training or stress can put you in. Hard to recommend this to the modern athletes. Please consider this with a pragmatic outlook.
Average yield:- 10% Increase in Strike load delivery
To be continued
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