Bob Schwartz, nicknamed “The Plankster,” managed to hold the plank position for 50 minutes, one hundred times longer than exercise experts recommend for his age.
The plank is an exercise that works the abdomen, arms, legs, chest, and back, increasing body endurance after a series of repetitions.
Fitness experts say a person can hold the plank between 20 seconds and two minutes, depending on age.
Schwartz’s history dates back to 2016, when the elderly man participated in a competition at the Ocean Reef Fitness Club in Key Largo, Florida, to see who could hold the plank for more than four minutes.
The octogenarian managed to reach an impressive 10 minutes in the position.
He found out that the record for those over 80 years old was 15:03 since 2019, and for those over 70 years old was 38 minutes.
“The hardest part is committing to the exercise and maintaining the habit long enough for it to become part of your lifestyle,” he said, having started going to the gym at age 62, in 2006.
“In strength training, I push myself to the max. Often I finish sets until muscle failure. I have been able to improve my results every year, but it is getting much harder now,” he commented.
Bob Schwartz recommends that those who want to start an exercise routine seek a trainer to avoid injuries.
@the.plankster Setting world records for ages 70 & up! #plank #plankster #worldrecord @SportsCenter ESPN ♬ original sound – The Plankster
Photos: TikTok @the.plankster. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
