61-year-old grandmother breaks plank world record after holding it for five hours

DonnaJean Wilde, a 61-year-old mother of five and grandmother of 12 from Canada, has broken her own world record by holding a plank for five hours.

Wilde previously set the record in 2024 with a time of four hours, 30 minutes and 11 seconds. Her latest achievement was reported by the World Senior Games.

The former teacher discovered her ability to hold the exercise for long periods in 2013, after breaking her arm and being unable to run. While recovering with a cast and sling, she began doing planks after her children challenged each other to see who could hold the position the longest.

During the pandemic, her family challenged her to see how long she could maintain the plank. She reached two hours, prompting her to take the challenge more seriously and eventually begin structured training in 2023.

Her routine has included push-ups, weight lifting, running and regular plank training. The combination has helped her develop the strength and endurance needed to compete at the highest level.

Wilde’s story also highlights that strength training can remain part of an active lifestyle later in life. Her record-setting performance came years after she first discovered the exercise almost by accident.