Calves instead of dumbbells and meat diet: how did athletes train in ancient Greece?

Calves instead of dumbbells and meat diet: how did athletes train in ancient Greece?

In antiquity, a lot of attention was paid to athleticism and beauty of the body, and they had to be maintained.

The Greeks paid a lot of attention to appearance. In Hellenic culture, a beautiful and athletic body was as important a component of a developed person as his mental abilities. Therefore, any educational process included compulsory training. How were the classes in ancient Greece?

Palaestras and gymnasiums

Athletes trained in special institutions, which were called palestras and gymnasiums. The palestras were not only for training, but also for philosophy, rhetoric, and other subjects. It was a place where both body and mind were trained. In gymnasiums, on the other hand, there were only sports classes.

In such “schools” were courtyards in the open air, surrounded by columns. In the courtyards were either paths for running or special pits for practicing martial arts. In addition, the buildings had baths, hot and cold baths, and jogging paths in case of bad weather. The buildings were decorated with statues of Apollo, god of light and arts, and Hermes, god of speed – he was especially honored by pentathletes and runners.

Training Program

The Greeks used the method of progressive loading: when the intensity and number of repetitions increase after each approach.

It is believed that it was the Greeks who invented dumbbells. And not only the light “halteres” of 1.5-2 kg have been preserved – they were two connected kernels. In the museum of Olympia a 143 kg boulder with the inscription: “Bibon, the son of Fola, lifted me above my head with one hand” is exhibited. Another surviving projectile is a 480 kg stone.

The Greeks also used livestock as weights. Milon of Croton, the historical prototype of the ancient hero Hercules and multiple winner of the Olympic Games, carried a calf on his shoulders as a workout. Every day the athlete lifted the animal, it grew, and with it grew the Greek’s endurance and strength.

Some ancient workouts today would seem rather exotic. For example, athletes ran against horses or ran away from lions, pulled wagons. And afterward, there was a whole system of recovery. Athletes took hot and cold baths, relaxed in the bathhouse. Several times a week they were doused with olive oil to heal wounds and improve skin condition. Wine was also part of the recovery procedures, but the Greeks diluted it with water – it was believed that only barbarians drank pure drink.

Lots of meat and bread

Athletes ate a lot of meat, especially on the eve of competition. Despite the fact that this product was very expensive and, as a rule, was used during sacrifices, it was not spared for athletes.

In addition to meat, Greeks ate bread, figs, dates, grapes, and nuts. They did not use milk – it was a product for peasants. But athletes drank wine and water with almost every meal.