Donna Jean Wilde, 58, set the record for the longest time in an abdominal plank position by a female. Wilde beat the record by planking for an impressive four hours, 30 minutes and 11 seconds. (Photo: Guinness Book of World Records)

By Christian Oldale

Alberta grandmother Donna Jean Wilde sets world planking record

Apr 2, 2024 | 4:47 PM

MAGRATH, AB – An Alberta woman has set a Guinness World Record for an impressive feat of fitness.

Donna Jean Wilde, 58, set the record for the longest time in an abdominal plank position by a female. Wilde beat the record by planking for an impressive four hours, 30 minutes and 11 seconds.

Wilde spoke on her journey to becoming the plank champion, which started with an injury 12 years ago.

From then on, Wilde said she kept pushing herself further and getting longer times on her planks, and it helped that she could multi-task while she did it.

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“I just loved having that as part of my exercise routine, but I could also do my reading and things at the same time. I just kind of lost track of time as I read.”

Wilde’s family saw her progress and set up a family goal, and when she beat it, that’s when she began moving to push on the record.

When she was ready to attempt the world record plank, Wilde contacted the Guinness Book of World Records and set up the event in January of 2024.

The event was held in March in the theatre at Magrath High School, where Wilde was formerly a teacher, and where her son Ray now teaches. Wilde also spent time as a vice principal at the school. A judge was sent to watch over the attempt, and a film crew from Calgary was also on scene.

(Photo: Guinness Book of World Records)

She said, “It was fun to have it at the theatre, because the students came in, the elementary teachers brought their classes in, we had rugs on the floor so they could plank on the floor.”

Wilde’s family, including her 12 grandchildren were all in attendance to cheer her on, which she said meant a lot to her.

Wilde also provided some advice for those who are looking to improve on their planking, or any other skills:

Wilde’s time of four hours, 30 minutes and 11 seconds beat the record set by fellow Canadian Dana Glowacka in 2019 by over 10 minutes.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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