A man in Illinois has set a world record by completing 26,100 squats in 24 hours.
The record was established by Tony Piraino from Decatur. He began his squat challenge at 5 AM on April 5 and finished at 5 AM on April 6. He surpassed the previous world record of 25,000 squats, set by Joe Reverdes from Rhode Island in 2020.
To ensure he had enough stamina and energy to achieve his goal, Piraino took a 30-second break after every 22 squats and took longer rests after every few hundred repetitions. Before starting the challenge, he also consumed plenty of energy drinks and high-carbohydrate snacks. During the squat session, Piraino admitted he felt fatigued and thought about giving up. However, he persevered and ultimately achieved results beyond his expectations.
Tony Piraino not only broke the previous record of 25,000 squats, but he also exceeded his own goal of 26,000 squats. His record will soon be officially recognized by Guinness World Records.
Tony Piraino during the squat record attempt. (Photo: Tony Piraino).
In an interview with local media, he revealed that he was inspired by athlete David Goggins, who set a world record in 2013 by performing 4,030 pull-ups in 17 hours and 45 minutes. Since then, Piraino has read Goggins’ book Can’t Hurt Me and decided to push himself to his limits.
Squats are a compound exercise that engages the core muscles, quadriceps, and glutes to improve balance and increase strength. This exercise also helps maintain lower body strength, stabilizes the muscles around the spine, and reduces the risk of lower back pain. To perform a squat, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and extend your arms straight out in front of you. Slowly bend your knees into a sitting position, ensuring that your back remains straight, your thighs are perpendicular to your toes, and hold the position for 5 seconds. |
