Actor Gerard Butler is famously recognised as playing the legendary King Leonidas in the 2006 film ‘300‘. In the film, we saw the actor truly get immersed in the role of the Greek King, as he flexed a ridiculous physique and six-pack abs.

“You know that every bead of sweat falling off your head, every weight you’ve pumped — the history of that is all in your eyes,” says Butler on preparing for the role. “That was a great thing, to put on that cape and put on that helmet, and not have to think, Shit, I should have trained more.”

While people are stuck inside the house, what better excuse than to finally allocate some time to strengthening your body and soul.

To get shredded like the Greek warrior himself, here is Gerard Butler’s diet plan and workout routine, used for the 300 film.

Diet Plan – Anyone Can Do It

Gerard Butler shows that anyone can transform in a Spartan warrior. Previously a lawyer, Gerard Butler made a complete career change to become an actor after going down a spiral of bad decisions which he ultimately took control of.
Photo: Men’s Health
In an interview with Men’s Health he explains:

“You have to understand that I was completely out of control. If I hadn’t been so lost and insane, I’d still be a lawyer. Misery is a sign that something is wrong, that your life is in need of some big changes.

“I haven’t had a drink in more than 12 years,” he continues. “That’s when everything changed for me. That’s when I learned what had to be done to succeed and be happy in life.”

Gerard Butler reveals that cutting alcohol out of his life was the greatest thing for his health, kick starting his intense body routine.

“My diet is still never quite as scheduled as I wish it were, but now I try to eat vegetables and chicken instead of burgers and fries like I used to,” he says in the same interview with Men’s Health.
Chicken and vegetable meal, high in protein. Photo: The Real Food Dieticians
While Gerard Butler has actually never released his diet plan for the film, here is what his diet plan would most likely have looked like, judging off other workout routines of a similar nature.Insane amounts of protein (which can be found in eggs, grilled chicken, tuna and other fish, steak, protein shakes, and protein bars),

Complex carbohydrates – oats, potatoes, multi-grain pasta, brown rice, eaten with his first few meals of the day to give him the energy to get through these grueling workouts.

Limit carbs in the afternoons and evenings – because metabolisms slow down at the end of the day, and these carbs would then be stored as fat.  Some disagree with this, so feel free to take it or leave it.

Lots of fruits and vegetables.

Water. LOTS of water.

Workout Routine To Build Abs Like A King

Photo from Gerard Butler’s 2006 film ‘300’.
According to Super Hero Jacked, the Spartan 300 Workout was inspired after the number 300. The workout itself is composed of 300 repetitions among the several different movements:

Pull-Ups: 25 reps

Deadlift: 50 reps at 60 kg

Push-Ups: 50 reps

Box Jumps: 50 reps (ideally done on a 24″ box)

Floor Wipers: 50 reps holding a 135 60kg bar

Clean and Press (using a kettlebell or dumbells): 50 reps, 25 per arm ideally with 16 kg

Pull-Ups: 25 reps

Of course, the workout is subject to change according to people’s overall strength, yet the routine should be followed as shown.
Photo: Men’s Health
While people recommend that you have to train 5 days per week to gain the physique of King Leonidas, this actually isn’t true. Super Hero Jacked reveals that instead of your typical 5 training days, you will be training like a Spartan for 3. The routine is as follows:

Monday: Spartan 300 Workout

Tuesday: Rest/Cardio

Wednesday: Spartan 300 Workout

Thursday: Rest/Cardio

Friday: Spartan 300 Workout

Saturday: Rest/Cardio

Sunday: Full Rest Day

You may of seen cardio on that list more times than you would have liked, yet nobody said training like a Spartan was fun!

If you don’t have equipment to perform these exercises, then experiment with objects in your house! Working out is designed to be flexible, so don’t be afraid to change it up a little bit, as long as your working out the same muscles.