Sixpack in those times? Laughable

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While I don't claim to know the precise muscles that ancient people did or didn't have, it seems apparent from the plethora of sculptures and paintings of the time that they knew very well what a perfect six-pack looked like. And how else would they know this unless they'd actually seen these six-packs in real life?

Also, by going out of the way to include perfect six-packs in their art (portraying an idealized man), it seems to me that this could imply that this is something that they found to be visually appealing, as well. So why wouldn't someone want them for that reason too?

While obviously not as technologically advanced, ancient people were far from unintelligent. I don't think it would take too much work, really, to realize how abs form and figure out exercises as simple as sit-ups.

I think a good argument could be made about how beneficial abs can be for a gladiator (or any other warrior) but even if that weren't the case it seems plausible that some could just want them. I keep seeing comments which appear to imply that since they're not as "necessary" as big arms and chests (arguable), then no one would be interested in having them. But we're talking about ancient people here, not some brainless, emotionless beast. They cared about style and how they looked (heck, they sculpted abs into their armor, for Pete's sake; which, as far as I can tell, served no purpose OTHER than appearance). They weren't cavemen only doing whatever it takes to survive. Vanity and wanting to look good was a thing for them.

Again, of course, I don't claim to know anything for certain. But out of all the issues in this movie or any other movie (ones with petite women kicking the asses of full-grown men come to mind), a gladiator with abs doesn't seem particularly unfathomable.