Muhammad Amanullah
Date: October 10, 2026 The True Post (Web News) —Donna Jean Wilde, a 61-year-old woman from Alberta, Canada, has broken her own women’s world record by holding a plank position continuously for five hours.
The retired teacher and grandmother of 12 grandchildren achieved the feat during the Huntsman World Senior Games in the US state of Utah. Spectators at the event celebrated her remarkable achievement, while several judges observed the record attempt.
Wilde previously set the world record in 2024 by holding a plank for four hours, 30 minutes and 11 seconds. She has now surpassed her own previous performance, maintaining a straight body position during the demanding exercise for five hours.
She is awaiting a decision from Guinness World Records to confirm the new record officially.
From Exercise to a World Record
Donna Jean Wilde said she broke her arm around 15 years ago. During her recovery, she was looking for a way to remain physically active that she could perform while her arm was in a cast. This led her to begin doing planks.
According to Wilde, she has always been interested in exercise and physical fitness. Planking with her arm in a cast proved successful, and the exercise became a regular habit after the cast was removed. Over time, she developed a passion for the activity and continued practising consistently to improve her performance.
Wilde said she could initially hold a plank for only one to one-and-a-half minutes. However, with regular practice and encouragement from her family, she gradually increased the duration.
What began as an exercise lasting just a few minutes eventually extended to hours. In 2024, she achieved her first women’s world record in the discipline.
How Did She Manage a Five-Hour Plank?
The plank is an exercise designed to strengthen the body’s core muscles. It requires a person to keep their body straight, much like a wooden board.
During the exercise, the forearms and toes remain in contact with the ground while the rest of the body is lifted off the floor.
Maintaining this position requires sustained strength and endurance. Most adults can generally hold a plank for 20 to 60 seconds, while Donna Jean Wilde demonstrated exceptional stamina by remaining in the position for five hours.
Under the rules governing the world record, the candidate must maintain contact with the ground through the forearms and toes while keeping the rest of the body elevated and straight. Maintaining the correct position continuously is a fundamental requirement of the record attempt.
Reading and Writing While Exercising
Another remarkable aspect of Donna Jean Wilde’s achievement is her ability to carry out other activities while holding a plank for extended periods.
She said she reads books, checks messages, completes reading and writing tasks, and has continued her education while exercising.
Wilde revealed that she completed her master’s degree while planking and also wrote a book. Titled From Minutes To Hours: I Wrote This Book While Planking, the book was published last year.
Wilde said that with consistent practice, planking gradually begins to feel easier. According to her, she now spends several hours each day planking and tries to complete various tasks during those sessions.
A World Record in Push-Ups Too
In addition to her plank achievement, Donna Jean Wilde holds another world record.
In 2024, she completed 1,575 push-ups in one hour, setting the women’s record for the most push-ups performed in that time.
She explained that she began doing 500 push-ups daily while preparing for her plank record. During that training, she also developed a particular interest in push-ups.
An activity that began as a way to improve her physical fitness ultimately helped her achieve two world records rather than just one.
Donna Jean Wilde’s latest achievement once again highlights what can be accomplished through consistency and long-term dedication to training. She is now awaiting official approval from Guinness World Records for her five-hour plank.
