For the past few months I’ve been training for the clapping push-up world record. I first applied to challenge the record in March and complained to Guinness because it was taking a while to get cleared.
@GWR have been waiting for a month to get the clearance to challenge the clapping pushup record. Can you help? How much longer will it take?
— Jason Shen (@JasonShen) April 29, 2016
I eventually got cleared to take on the record. I’ve been training since mid May. I was originally hoping to break it for my 30th birthday, but this record is way harder (for me) than the Aztec Push-Ups record.
You might ask why I’m doing this. To be honest, I just like the idea of this physical challenge and the current record (90) seems just within reach. Also, when people hear about the Aztec Push-up record they often ask if I’m training for a new record. Now I can tell them I am.
I started my training by doing sets of 20 pushups. First 4 sets of 20 clapping pushups with some rest in between. Then 5 sets of 20. Then 4 sets of 30. I’ll do some cardio too and have pretty intense one hour boxing workouts 1-2x a week.
I'm training for a new @GWR – clapping push-ups in one minute. I started out being able to do ~45 and now am up 73. Record is 90.
— Jason Shen (@JasonShen) June 19, 2016
I don’t know much about the current record holder, Stephen Butler, but at 35, he apparently set 8 records on one day in November 2010. Holy cow. The number he posted in 2010 was 73, and then he came back and set a new record of 90 a year later, which is where the record stands today.
I recently took a shot at a record attempt and fell short, completing only 78 in one minute. That wasn’t even a personal best (81) and I was pretty annoyed at myself. I do think the foam and the platform meant I was losing energy on each landing, and it’s also possible I wasn’t adequately warmed up (I’ve found running 1-2 miles at medium intensity is the sweet spot). Still, the number one issue in my slow progress is ineffective and insufficient training.
Here’s a video of my attempt:
My new plan is to switch up the training to challenge my muscles in new ways. I’m going to start doing some barbell work to mix in with pure pushups, and to shed 5 or so pounds so I can be lighter.
I’m anxious to move faster because I told a former gymnastics teammate about my goal and he’s started training as well, and making really good progress so I’m worried he’s going to surpass me. Nothing like a little healthy competition to keep you on your toes!
I’ll see if I can make another attempt at this record in about a month and see how I do. Will keep you posted!
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