80-year-old man impressively holds plank for 50 minutes

In the United States, Bob Schwartz, an 80-year-old resident of Florida, achieved a remarkable fitness milestone by holding a plank for an incredible duration of 50 minutes. This impressive feat, which took place at the Ocean Reef Fitness Club in Key Largo, not only surpassed the average plank time recommendation for individuals in his age group but also appears to be a record-setting moment for those aged 80 and above. Fitness experts generally suggest that individuals should be able to hold a plank for anywhere between 20 seconds and two minutes, depending on their age, making Schwartz's achievement an extraordinary outlier. The inspiration for Schwartz's planking journey began back in 2016 when Luis Bracamonte, the director of fitness and wellness at the Ocean Reef Fitness Club, initiated a contest. This contest invited gym members to attempt to hold a plank for four minutes, with the reward of a free smoothie. At that point, Schwartz was only capable of managing a plank lasting about one minute. However, upon recognizing his potential, he dedicated himself to building his core strength. His determination paid off, as he began to increase his plank durations dramatically, challenging the existing records in his age bracket. Before reaching this impressive milestone, the record for planks among individuals aged over 80 had been set at only 15 minutes and 3 seconds since 2019. Schwartz's commitment to fitness extended beyond just planking; he incorporated a comprehensive routine that emphasized core strength. He mentioned that since he started doing core exercises in 2006, he has not experienced any back issues. Alongside his planking, Schwartz commits to walking three miles each morning, showcasing a well-rounded approach to maintaining his fitness as he ages. In addition to his rigorous physical activities, Schwartz follows a balanced diet that he describes as