Gerard Butler, the star of the film, was required to train at a professional athlete’s level to get in shape to play King Leonidas.

Gym Jones, a private, invitation-only fitness center out of Utah, was responsible for the training and fitness for the cast of the movie.

This isn’t your typical fitness center.  There are no mirrors, machines or televisions.

Gym Jones did several things to train the actors, as said on their website.  The diet they were put on was just enough for them to be able to recover from their workouts while improving fitness.  Different movements were combined and included lifting and throwing rings and medicine balls instead of using machines.  Other physical challenges were assigned to keep the participants ready for anything.

According to their website, “each session was competitive, with a penalty-reward system tied to performance and results posted daily for all to see.”  This helped to motivate the trainees to do their best.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Another training center, CrossFit, has a strength and training program often used by military and police academies, as well as martial artists.  They train a broad range of fitness levels, from the elderly to competitive fighters.

With “workouts of the day” to push exercisers to their limits, one will never again complain of their usual, boring workout schedule.  They offer numerous fitness routines and journals, as well as tips to improve form and results.

Thousands of athletes have already taken advantage of these two popular, revolutionary programs.  Both programs are demanding of their participants, and in return give them back great results.  Neither has a set path, but instead meets members’ specific needs.

Now, one more program can be added to this list.

Titan Fitness, located in convenient downtown State College, offers a program inspired by the training done by the cast for the movie 300 and combines the principals of Gym Jones and CrossFit.

According to titanfitness.com, their Elite Training program is a “high-intensity fitness program utilizing a variety of exercises and training formats to test you both physically and mentally in an attempt to break through new thresholds, increase your level of fitness, and better your overall athletic performance.”

Elite Training combines various training methods including weight training, endurance, high intensity cardiovascular, plyometrics, calisthenics and isometrics to tone and transform your body.

What makes this type of training effective is “muscular confusion” – the principle of having variety in your training program.  By varying different elements of your workout, such as the types, exercises, repetitions, exercise combinations and degrees of intensity, your body is forced to constantly adapt to anything that’s thrown at it.

Through this, participants will gain strength and stamina, as well as seeing improvement in their sport performance.

Titan Fitness is located on 412 W. College Ave. and can be reached at (814) 235-1015 or send an e-mail to info@titanfitness.com

In today’s economy, many businesses are just looking out for themselves.  It’s refreshing to see a company that really helps out its clients.

State College is nicknamed “Happy Valley” because during the Great Depression, the area was deemed recession-proof.  Whether this is still the case today or not, saving and earning money is important to everyone, and one local business is helping customers achieve this.

The cost for a gym membership at Titan Fitness is $30 a month and does not charge registration or initiation fees, unlike other gyms.

Facilities offered include use of all weight training, cardiovascular, martial arts and boxing equipment, as well as various types of classes, instruction and personal training.

What makes Titan different from other gym facilities is that they pay customers for referrals. Their referral policy gives students $20 cash for each student that enrolls from them simply telling the new student about Titan Fitness. The only requirement is that the referred students enroll for at least three months.

Titan Fitness is a continuation of the State College Martial Arts Academy and opened on June 2, 2003. The former owner and head instructor of SCMAA, Bill Gebhardt, passed away from cancer.

Located on 412 W. College Ave., it’s convenient for students living downtown, with several bus stops both across and down the street.  About two-thirds of Titan’s current memberships belong to high school and college students.

“Our students are excellent representatives of our products and services,” Titan Fitness owner Paul Zelinka said.   “We wanted to find a way to reward them for spreading the word about their experience at Titan Fitness.

Zelinka was the manager of the State College Martial Arts Academy and ran his own personal training business, Titan Fitness, out of the facility.

According to Zelinka, many students have already taken advantage of the referral policy, many of them being “repeat referrers”.  Getting the money is a strong reinforcement for repeat referrals.

There are several distinctive features to Titan Fitness that can’t be found at any other facility on campus.

Their offerings of mixed martial arts and women’s kickboxing are different from anything available on campus.  In addition, their experienced staff provides students with a unique workout, while teaching them important skills of safety and well-being.

So forget about holding a garage sale or walking dogs to earn some cash.  Improve your health, have fun learning awesome skills, such as mixed martial and kickboxing, and recommend Titan Fitness to a friend!

• Titan Fitness 2009 Spring Schedule [PDF]