90-year-old woman breaks world record for dead hang

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A 90-year-old woman has set a new Guinness World Record by holding onto a bar for as long as possible – a feat known as a dead hang!

Ann Crile Esselstyn of Ohio was challenged by her son, Rip, to see how long she could hold onto a pull-up bar. Despite not specifically training for it, Esselstyn, who is very active with running, weightlifting, and cycling, managed to hang for a minute and 15 seconds.

After seeing her first try, Rip looked into the current record and found that 81-year-old Annie Judis held it, managing a two-minute and one-second dead hang. He then called his mother and persuaded her to try and break the record.

Her initial effort nearly saw her disqualified

A crowd gathered at Esselstyn’s home to witness her try to break the record, including her four children, people to keep time, official witnesses, and a Guinness World Records representative.

I was so impressed with Ann! She held her plank for two minutes and forty-one seconds on her first try. But get this – someone spotted she’d slightly moved her feet, and that would’ve meant she was disqualified! She was a good sport and decided to try again, which I thought was awesome.

Ninety-year-old Esselstyn set a new record by holding her own weight for two minutes and 52 seconds, earning a round of applause from the crowd.

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Honestly, when I talked to Guinness World Records, I was blown away. At 90 years old, I never thought I’d have the chance – or the drive, to be real – to actually get a world record! It’s just incredible.

Esselstyn wants her achievement to encourage seniors to stay active. She advises, “The key is to keep moving! Whether it’s taking the stairs, lifting weights, stretching, walking, doing yoga, or dancing, just keep your body moving!”

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2026-04-05 17:19