Ancient Athletics: is this $40 stack worth it for Fitness & Health?

You have probably seen the “train like a Spartan” trend on Instagram, but you likely found it shallow. It is usually a hashtag, not a methodology. The gap in modern fitness culture is the why behind the movement. Why did the Greeks train that way? What was the actual relationship between sunlight, food, and the mind in the ancient world? If you are tired of programs that treat your body like a machine and ignore the context of human evolution, Ancient Athletics is a fascinating counter-proposal.

Ancient Athletics by Alexander J.A Cortes is a 107-page digital compilation that transforms a popular email series into a cohesive, organized library of essays. It is not a workout PDF with a 12-week calendar. It is a deep dive into the philosophy and physiology of ancient training, covering everything from the role of sunlight to the specifics of deadlifting in ancient times. At $40, you are buying a reference book that connects the dots between historical practice and modern performance.

Quick answer

What you’re actually buying

This is not a “program” in the traditional sense. It is a curated collection of 13+ essays that explore the intersection of history, biology, and strength. The core value here is the synthesis of disparate topics into a single narrative about human performance. (Ancient Athletics)

The collection starts with the environment. You get a detailed look at Sunlight and its Role in Health, moving beyond “get some vitamin D” to explore how light exposure regulates circadian rhythms and hormonal health. Then, the text shifts to injury management, contrasting modern RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) protocols with ancient METH and Light approaches. This is the kind of content that makes you rethink your rehab strategy. (Ancient Athletics)

The middle sections tackle the “software” of the body. You will read about Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Hygiene, exploring how ancient athletes managed stress and mindset. There is a specific essay on Sports Science in the Age of Heroes, which breaks down the biomechanics and training loads of historical figures. For the lifters, there is a dedicated piece on The Key Exercises, and reflections on the Squat, as well as Deadlifting in Ancient Times. These aren’t just history lessons; they are arguments for why these foundational movements remain the gold standard. (Ancient Athletics)

The bonus content is where the specificity shines. You get deep dives into Ancient Greek Bodybuilding, Ancient Greek Shoulder Workout, and Ancient Greek Back Training. There is even a playful but informative section titled Julius Caesar says to do Hammer Curls and Tight Greek A$$ aka Why Were the Greeks So Muscular?. This mix of rigorous analysis and accessible, slightly irreverent tone makes the 107 pages feel less like a textbook and more like a conversation with a knowledgeable friend. (Ancient Athletics)

Why it’s on our radar

Most fitness products sell you a what (do this exercise). Very few sell you the why (here is the historical and biological context for why this works). Ancient Athletics is on our radar because it fills a niche that is usually ignored by mainstream fitness apps: the intellectual and cultural dimension of training.

The format is also distinctive. By compiling a series of emails into a single, organized 107-page document, Cortes has created a permanent reference that doesn’t expire. Unlike a 12-week program that becomes obsolete after the 12 weeks, this content is timeless. The price point of $40 is reasonable for a digital book of this depth, especially when you consider that each essay could stand alone as a premium article. It is a “buy once, read forever” resource for anyone interested in the roots of natural strength training. (Ancient Athletics)

What actually matters

Before you buy, keep in mind that this is a reading product, not a tracking tool. (Ancient Athletics)

• It is not a workout plan: There are no printable logs, no macro calculators, and no app integration. If you need a structured schedule to follow on Monday morning, this will not provide it. You will need to extract the principles and apply them to your own routine. (Ancient Athletics)
• The tone is essayistic: The writing is engaging and personal, but it is not dry academic prose. It is designed to be read for enjoyment and insight, not just for quick fact-checking. (Ancient Athletics)
• It is a compilation: The essays were originally written as separate emails. While they are organized into a series, the flow is that of a collection. You can read them in order or jump to the topic you are most curious about (e.g., skip to the “Deadlifting” section if you are stuck in the gym). (Ancient Athletics)
• File size and format: The 14.3 MB size suggests a standard PDF or e-book format. It is small enough to download instantly and read on any device, from a tablet to a phone. (Ancient Athletics)

Mid-check

If you are curious about the specific essays included or want to see a sample of the writing style, View on Gumroad.

FAQ

Is Ancient Athletics a workout program? No. It is a collection of essays exploring the history, philosophy, and physiology of ancient training. It provides insights and principles, but it does not prescribe a specific week-by-week workout schedule.

What is the difference between this and a standard fitness book? Standard fitness books often focus on modern science and current trends. Ancient Athletics focuses on the historical context and the “natural” methods used by ancient civilizations, offering a unique perspective on why certain movements and lifestyle choices have endured.

Who is Alexander J.A Cortes? He is the author of the original “Train like the Ancients” email series. This product compiles those emails into a single, organized volume, adding bonus content on specific training areas like Greek bodybuilding and shoulder work. (Ancient Athletics)

Bottom line

If you are looking for a quick fix or a rigid program to follow, Ancient Athletics is not the right tool. But if you are a curious lifter, a maker interested in the roots of your craft, or someone who wants to deepen their understanding of natural training, this is a rich and rewarding read. It challenges you to think about why you train, not just how. For $40, you get a 107-page library of insights that will stay relevant long after the next fitness fad passes.