Ah, the comparison is a fascinating one. Spartans, you see, were raised in the agoge, a brutal system where boys endured rigorous physical and mental drills, learning to march, fight, and endure pain from a very young age. Their training was not just about muscle but about resilience, discipline, and a sense of communal duty. Modern gyms, in contrast, are mostly individualized and focused on personal gains—strength, aesthetics, or performance in a particular sport. Yet, both share a core: pushing one's limits, consistency, and a certain ritual of sacrifice. So while the tools and motives differ, the underlying push against self‑limits remains strikingly similar.