And despite the record only requiring him to hold the position for three minutes, he kept it going for over 30!<\/p>\n
Maynard\u2019s loved ones teasingly branded him \u201cinsane\u201d for taking on the challenge, but he says he\u2019s incredibly proud to hold the title.<\/p>\n
As a long distance runner, he\u2019s no stranger to taking on a big physical challenge, but planking is something that\u2019s relatively new to him.<\/p>\n
He took part in a competition at his local gym a year ago, and since then has adopted it into his fitness regime to help reduce injuries and to fight muscle loss associated with aging.<\/p>\n
![\"Maynard](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/oldest-man-to-plank-maynard-being-kept-company-while-he-planks.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Maynard told us: \u201cBeing a distance runner, I\u2019m used to pushing myself hard both mentally and physically.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoing so helps to build mental toughness and we learn about our true capabilities, and those capabilities are far greater than what most of us believe.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cHaving said that, pushing yourself hard is not easy, but I think it becomes easier with practice and we become much less fearful of doing so.<\/p>\n
\u201cBesides, it produces a great feeling of satisfaction and fulfilment afterwards, especially when you\u2019re undergoing a race or a record attempt like this.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Maynard](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/oldest-man-to-plank-maynard-from-front.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Maynard says he becomes very focussed and goal-driven when taking on a challenge like this.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy wife tells me that I become obsessed,\u201d he laughed.<\/p>\n
But he says his background in science means he adopts a \u201cplanned, systematic, disciplined approach to training\u201d.<\/p>\n
As well as eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of sleep, he analyzes data from his smart watch to ensure he doesn\u2019t over-train.<\/p>\n
![\"Maynard](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/oldest-man-to-plank-maynard-hugged-by-his-son.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Maynard gets a hug from his son<\/p>\n
His training for his record plank was varied: circuit training, upper and lower resistance training, cardio and even weighted planks.<\/p>\n
Maynard also set up mirrors and filmed his practice planks so he could examine his form and make any necessary adjustments.<\/p>\n
Looking back on the ups and downs, he said: \u201cOne of the challenges I faced was my body shaking during the longer planks, but this became less of an issue as training progressed.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn the positive side, I found that playing music through my hearing aids helped distract me from the pain and discomfort of planking, and it also helped pass the time.<\/p>\n
![\"Maynard](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/oldest-man-to-plank-maynard-planking-side-view.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the few days before the attempt I experienced the usual self-doubt that I get before running events.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, on the actual day I was relaxed and confident that things would go well, and they did.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe words of encouragement, cheers and clapping from my small group, especially over the last few minutes, definitely helped, and I was thrilled to maintain the plank for just over half an hour.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was after that planking contest at his gym that Maynard began to wonder how long other people his age could plank for and what the record was.<\/p>\n
![\"Maynard](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/oldest-man-to-plank-maynard-talking-to-the-camera.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
He watched videos on YouTube and came to our website, where he found the female record was, at the time, held by 80-year-old Annie Judis<\/a>, who held her plank for around four minutes.<\/p>\n There was no holder for the male record, and so his training began.<\/p>\n Maynard is proud not just to have the record, but also that he managed to hold his plank for just under 31 minutes.<\/p>\n