At a time when fitness is becoming an important part of people’s lives, a 23-year-old woman from Surat has achieved something that demands extraordinary mental as well as physical strength. Meet Patel Pooja Smit Kumar who held herself in a plank position with an additional 80 kg resting on her back for a mind-blowing 2 minutes, 6 seconds and 40 milliseconds!

Her incredible achievement has now registered her a place in the India Book of Records.

Born on July 7, 2003, Pooja's accomplishment is particularly striking because a plank, despite looking like a simple exercise, requires immense muscular strength. And adding 80 kg to the position just takes the challenge to a whole different level. Her record was confirmed on September 9, 2026, according to the India Book of Records.

Those who don’t know, a plank is an isometric exercise. It means the body needs to be in a fixed position while the muscles contract to maintain stability. A plank requires the person to sustain muscle engagement without switching posture.

The exercise affects the abdominal muscles, back, shoulders and other muscles responsible for stabilising the body. Maintaining a straight body alignment while supporting one's own weight is already demanding. Introducing an additional load makes the exercise considerably more challenging.

For Pooja, the challenge involved sustaining this position with 80 kg placed on her back for more than two minutes which is noteworthy.

Pooja's achievement also comes against the backdrop of earlier record attempts in the same category. In January 2026, the India Book of Records recognised another woman from Surat, Bijall Joshi, for holding a plank with 75 kg on her back for 45 seconds.

The record was confirmed on January 10, 2026.

Pooja's subsequent achievement involved not only an additional five kilograms but also maintaining the position for considerably longer.

Pooja Patel with her record (PC: India Book of Records)

One reason the plank has become a familiar exercise in fitness routines is its simplicity. It requires very little equipment and can be performed in a gym or at home. But it’s not as simple as it looks.

The exercise engages several muscle groups simultaneously. The abdominal muscles help stabilise the torso, while the back and shoulder muscles contribute to maintaining the position. The hips and legs also play a role in keeping the body aligned.

At just 23, Pooja has secured recognition for an achievement that combines two important aspects of physical fitness: muscular strength and endurance. Her record also brings attention to a form of fitness that often receives less attention than conventional weightlifting or high-intensity workouts.

For many people, holding a regular plank for even a minute can be difficult. Pooja's achievement involved remaining in position for more than two minutes while carrying an additional 80 kg.

Her accomplishment is a reminder that extraordinary fitness milestones do not always involve complicated equipment or elaborate sporting arenas. Sometimes, they involve holding one position, maintaining control and pushing the limits of physical endurance.

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