Gladiator Rising

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Welcome to Gladiator Rising

At Gladiator Rising, we are warriors in the fight against neuromuscular disease. Our mission is to empower individuals through strength-based fitness training, driving forward both physical transformation and scientific progress. We believe that through movement, discipline, and community, we can unlock new pathways to healing—pushing the limits of what’s possible for those affected by these conditions.

Every drop of sweat is a step toward a cure. Every rep is a declaration of resilience. Join us as we rise—stronger, together.

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NMD Cases Worldwide
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NMD Population
Worldwide Population Effected 43%

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Circuit Bootcamp

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Strength Training

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Cardio and HIIT

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we are Gladiators

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Thraex

The Thraex (or Thracian) gladiator was a popular and distinctive type in ancient Roman arenas, modeled after warriors from Thrace, a region in the Balkans. Known for their agility, curved swords, and flashy helmets, Thraex fighters brought a fast-paced and tactical style of combat to gladiatorial games.

Thraex Bronze

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TCP - $4,080

Thraex Silver

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TCP - $4,560

Thraex Gold

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TCP - $5,280

Thraex Platinum

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TCP - $5,520

🏛️ Role in the Arena:

The Thraex gladiator brought speed and cunning to the arena, using a curved sword and small shield to outmaneuver heavier opponents. Often pitted against Murmillo or Hoplomachus fighters, the Thraex symbolized Rome’s mastery over its foreign enemies while thrilling crowds with agile, tactical combat.

Features of a Thraex Gladiator:

  • Weapons:

    • A short, curved sword called a sica, designed to strike around an opponent’s shield or armor.

  • Shield:

    • A small rectangular or square shield called a parmula, offering maneuverability but limited coverage.

  • Armor:

    • Helmet with a high crest and decorative plume or griffin, often with full facial protection and side plumes.

    • Manica (arm guard) on the sword arm.

    • High greaves on both legs, as they lacked full-length shields.

    • Sometimes wore a loincloth and belt for mobility.

  • Fighting Style:

    • Agile, strategic, and mobile.

    • Used the sica to target vulnerable spots, especially the back or unprotected sides of slower opponents.

  • Common Opponents:

    • Often pitted against heavily armored fighters like the Murmillo or Hoplomachus, creating dramatic contrasts in size, speed, and fighting style.

🏛️ Symbolism and Role:

The Thraex represented the exotic and rebellious spirit of non-Roman enemies, especially the Thracians who were historical foes of Rome. Their matches symbolized Roman dominance over foreign adversaries, while also offering dynamic and theatrical entertainment to the crowd.

With your donation choice you will receive an armory shirt to wear proudly to show the world of your support in the fight against neuromuscular diseases. Selecting your monthly donation amount will designate your Gladiator Rising status. Your chevrons determine your gladiator status. All cash donations are fully tax deductible.

Cestus

The Cestus (plural: Cestoi) gladiator was a type of Roman fighter who engaged in unarmed combat, using fists wrapped with leather straps or studded gloves called cestus—essentially an ancient form of combat boxing. These gladiators specialized in brutal, close-range fighting, where punches could be enhanced with metal studs, spikes, or knots, turning their fists into deadly weapons.

Cestus Bronze

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TCP - $2,160

Cestus Silver

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TCP - $2,880

Cestus Gold

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TCP - $3,360

Cestus Platinum

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TCP - $3,600

🏛️ Role in the Arena:

The Cestus gladiator brought raw, brutal hand-to-hand combat to the arena, using spiked or studded gloves to turn their fists into lethal weapons. Their matches, often bloody and intense, thrilled Roman audiences with displays of primal strength and endurance.

Features of a Cestus Gladiator:

  • Weapons:

    • No traditional weapons—only wrapped fists.

    • The cestus gloves were often reinforced with iron or bronze, and sometimes embedded with nails or spikes.

  • Armor:

    • Wore very little armor to maintain mobility.

    • Often depicted shirtless with a loincloth, possibly a manica (arm guard), and sometimes a belt or minimal protection.

  • Fighting Style:

    • Fought similarly to boxers, relying on agility, strength, and precision.

    • Brutal and visceral, their fights could be extremely bloody, often ending in knockouts or death.

  • Opponent:

    • Typically fought other Cestoi to keep the match fair due to their unique fighting method.

    • In some mythological or theatrical contexts, might fight against lightly armed gladiators for spectacle.

🏛️ Historical and Cultural Context:

  • The use of the cestus dates back to Greek pankration and was adopted in Roman arenas as a raw, primal display of hand-to-hand combat.

  • While not as common as other gladiator types like the Murmillo or Thraex, the Cestus fighter offered a savage, crowd-thrilling spectacle.

With your donation choice you will receive an armory shirt to wear proudly to show the world of your support in the fight against neuromuscular diseases. Selecting your monthly donation amount will designate your Gladiator Rising status. Your chevrons determine your gladiator status. All cash donations are fully tax deductible.

Bestiarius

The Bestiarius (plural: Bestiarii) was a type of gladiator in ancient Rome, specifically trained or designated to fight wild beasts (bestiae) in the arena. Unlike traditional gladiators who fought other human combatants, bestiarii engaged in combat with animals such as lions, leopards, bears, boars, crocodiles, and even elephants.

 

Parmularius Platinum

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TCP - $12,000

🏛️ Role in the Arena:

Gladiator-Class Bestiarii:
These were trained warriors who fought animals as a profession or for fame and reward. Some of them were highly skilled and considered heroes for their bravery. Unlike other gladiators, they usually wore lighter armor or none at all, to remain agile.

  • Venationes: Public games where exotic animals were hunted or fought in arenas like the Colosseum. These events were distinct from gladiator fights but often took place during the same festivals.

  • Symbolism: Bestiarii represented courage in the face of wild nature and were sometimes seen as upholding Roman ideals of bravery and dominance over the natural world.

Charactoristics of the Bestiarii

Training and Equipment

  • Weapons: Spears, knives, short swords, or tridents.

  • Protection: Often minimal—sometimes just a tunic or padded clothing. Helmets were rare due to the need for visibility and speed.

  • Training: They trained in special schools, possibly in the Ludus Matutinus, a training school for beast-fighters in Rome.

Famous Bestiarii

  • Carpophorus: A celebrated bestiarius who reportedly killed 20 wild animals in a single day during the games held by Emperor Titus.

With your donation choice you will receive an armory shirt to wear proudly to show the world of your support in the fight against neuromuscular diseases. Selecting your monthly donation amount will designate your Gladiator Rising status. Your chevrons determine your gladiator status. All cash donations are fully tax deductible.

Provocator

A Provocator was a specific class of Roman gladiator whose name comes from the Latin provocare, meaning “to challenge” or “to provoke.” These gladiators typically fought in the early stages of games and were often pitted against others of the same type to keep the matches evenly matched and more regulated. The Provocator’s presence in the arena emphasized not only skill and bravery but also discipline and honor. Their fights symbolized Roman martial values and offered a more structured form of entertainment compared to the chaos of mismatched gladiator classes.

Provocator Bronze

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TCP - $780

Provocator Silver

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TCP - $1,140

Provocator Gold

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TCP - $1,500

Provocator Platinum

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TCP - $1,680

🏛️ Role in the Arena:

The Provocator gladiator typically fought in the early stages of the games, often against another Provocator to ensure a balanced and disciplined match. Clad in military-style armor, their role symbolized Roman martial order and served to display skillful, strategic combat rather than flamboyant spectacle.

Characteristics of a Provocator:

  • Armor and Equipment:

    • Helmet: A large, enclosed helmet with a faceguard, often with a crest.

    • Shield: A rectangular or semi-cylindrical scutum (similar to what Roman legionaries used).

    • Sword: A short sword called a gladius.

    • Body Protection: A breastplate (pectorale), which was rare among other gladiator types.

    • Arm Guard: A manica, or protective sleeve on the sword arm.

    • Greaves: Shin guards on one or both legs.

  • Fighting Style:

    • Provocatores typically engaged in more technical, disciplined combat, emphasizing defensive skill and endurance.

    • Their matches were often more organized and less showy than those involving exotic weapons or heavily mismatched pairings.

  • Symbolism:

    • Because of their military-style gear and tactics, Provocatores may have represented disciplined Roman soldiers, contrasting with more flamboyant or foreign-styled gladiators.

With your donation choice you will receive an armory shirt to wear proudly to show the world of your support in the fight against neuromuscular diseases. Selecting your monthly donation amount will designate your Gladiator Rising status. Your chevrons determine your gladiator status. All cash donations are fully tax deductible.