Gerard Butler isn’t a warrior, but he had to learn how to become one for the movie 300. Preparation for his role as King Leonidas took four months of intense training. When he was awarded the role, he was in average physical shape. This role was so intense that he had to “become” Leonidas, both physically and mentally.
Butler hired Mark Twight, a top mountain climber, to get him in warrior shape. Twight created the “300-rep Spartan Workout”.
Without rest between sets, Butler performs the following:
• 25 pull-ups
• 50 dead lifts with 135 pounds
• 50 push-ups
• 50 jumps on a 24-inch box
• 50 floor wipers
• 50 single-arm clean-and-presses using a 36-lb kettle bell
• 25 more pull-ups
As if that weren’t enough, Twight incorporates gymnastics training with rings, and flipping tires. This grueling workout sharpens the mind as much as the body. Butler was able to clear the final hurdle by pounding out reps on the rowing machine. He said that made all the difference for him. Rowing was the one exercise he hated the most, but was also his favorite because it had incredible results.
During the final weeks before filming, Butler also worked with a bodybuilder from Venezuela to ensure that he would look the part on camera. “I wanted to look really strong”, says Butler. “That was a great thing, to put on that cape and put on that helmet, and not have to think…I should have trained more. Instead, I was standing there feeling like a lion.”.