80-Year-Old Man Sets Planking Record
Fitness experts generally recommend that individuals hold a plank for anywhere between 20 seconds to 2 minutes, depending on their age. However, an 80-year-old man from Florida recently achieved something remarkable—holding a plank for an astounding 50 minutes.
Bob Schwartz accomplished this impressive feat at the Ocean Leaf Fitness Club in Key Largo, earning the nickname “The Planxter” from Luis Bracamonte, the club’s director of fitness and wellness, who was present during the event. “As far as we know, it’s the longest plank recorded by someone aged 80,” Bracamonte remarked. “Schwartz is truly exceptional—a perfect example of what’s known as a ‘superager.’
A plank involves holding the push-up position, and while it is often marketed as an abdominal exercise, it actually strengthens various muscle groups, including the arms, legs, chest, and back.
Schwartz’s journey with planking began in 2016, after Bracamonte introduced a contest offering a free smoothie to anyone who could hold a plank for 4 minutes. Schwartz not only secured his drink but also set a record of over 10 minutes at that time. “Before that, one minute was my max, but my core strength has improved significantly since then,” he shared.
After some research online, Schwartz discovered that he’d exceeded existing records for his age group—specifically, a previous record of 15 minutes and 3 seconds set in 2019 for those aged 80 and older, and a 70+ record of 38 minutes.
Though he reached out to Guinness World Records, he learned that they don’t currently track age-specific records. “These days, you just share your videos online and claim your title until someone beats you,” he explained. For the recent fitness challenge, they decided to film his plank attempt.
As Schwartz’s youngest grandson started participating in the plank challenges, this activity became a family affair. Schwartz appreciates planking as a comprehensive workout, noting that it can be performed at home without any equipment and doesn’t require much time.
Commitment to Fitness
Interestingly, Schwartz wasn’t always into fitness; he began working out at 62 after dealing with chronic lower back pain. He realized the significant benefits of exercise for his health. “I’ve focused on core exercises since, and thankfully, I haven’t faced any back issues since then,” he noted.
His routine has since evolved to include core and cycling classes, along with strength training sessions. He even walks three miles every morning. “When I strength train, I aim to challenge myself, so my workouts often end with muscle fatigue,” Schwartz stated.
He adheres to a balanced diet, making sure to include fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins while minimizing sugar and alcohol consumption. “My blood pressure is normal, I avoid medication, and my weight has remained fairly stable,” he added, highlighting that it hasn’t fluctuated more than 10 pounds since he was 18.
Reflecting on the journey, Schwartz emphasized the challenge of making exercise a consistent part of one’s lifestyle. “The toughest part is sticking with it long enough for it to become a habit,” he mentioned.
For those new to fitness or planking, he advises learning proper techniques from trainers to avoid injury. Schwartz also underscores the importance of maintaining balance, particularly as one ages. “Small movements, like lifting your legs while waiting in line, can be helpful. A fall can have serious consequences as we get older,” he pointed out.
As he looks to the future, Schwartz expresses a desire to continue exercising and maintaining his fitness. “I’ll do my best to keep going as long as I can,” he said. “I enjoy various activities that require strength and agility, so I plan to stay active until they invent that magic exercise pill.”
