An 80-year-old Florida man managed to stay in the ‘plank’ position for a whopping 50 minutes. He believes he is the first person of his age to do so.
According to a report by the New York Post, Bob Schwartz achieved this athletic feat at the Ocean Reef Fitness Club in Key Largo in March this year.
Planking is a simple yet effective exercise that strengthens your core muscles, according to Men’s Health. To get into a ‘plank,’ you effectively hold a static ‘press-up’ position on the ground. Your toes and hands touch the ground while your legs and torso are suspended. You can also use your forearms for support instead of your hands.
Luis Bracamonte, the director of fitness and wellness at Ocean Reef, reportedly witnessed Schwartz’s plank attempt and now calls him the “plankster.” Per the New York Post, he told Fox News, “To our knowledge, after extensive searching, it is the longest plank ever held by an 80-year-old. Mr. Schwartz is an extraordinary individual and a perfect example of a ‘super-ager.'”
The outlet also explains that Bob started pushing the boundaries with his planking in 2016 when he entered a contest at the club. Anyone who could perform a plank for four minutes would win a smoothie. Schwarz crushed that time by holding the position for ten.
How Long Should You Be Able To Hold A Plank For?
Average ‘plank’ times by age vary depending on where you find the data. However, according to Endomondo, a fitness advice outlet, the average plank time for men between the ages of 20 and 29 is 1 minute and 45 seconds. It’s slightly less for women at 1 minute and 30 seconds. As ages increase, the average plank time starts to decline. Between ages 40 and 49, the men’s count drops to 1 minute and 15 seconds while the women’s drops to 1 minute flat. By 50+, where the scale ends, men can typically plank for 1 minute while women average 45 seconds.
If these numbers are accurate, Schwartz held his plank 50 times longer than the average person 30 years his junior. The 80-year-old reportedly wanted to submit his achievement to the Guinness Book of Records, but the organization does not accept submissions categorized by age.