Select a region
A local charity is on the lookout for Jersey’s ‘planking’ champion and is hoping to raise badly needed funds at the same time.
Les Amis’ novel fundraiser is being staged at West’s Centre today from midday until three, and in various gyms and fitness centres throughout the day.
Planking is a static exercise that helps build core strength. It involves being in the press-up position, but instead of taking your weight on your hands, you rest on your lower arms. The body should form a straight line from shoulders to ankle – with the athlete resembling a plank. A Chinese policeman Mao Wei-dong, set the current world record in May: an astonishing eight hours one minute. It’s unlikely that’ll be broken today – but who knows?
Les Amis Fundraising and PR manager Lauren Carre says: “Jersey has a huge number of people who stay fit, an even larger number who want to get fit, and more still who love to take up a challenge – and the Les Amis Plankathon appeals to them all. I urge everyone to have a go. There is no pressure – just test yourself and help raise money for a very worthy cause.
“The Plankathon should also bring a real spirit of fun to the centre of St Helier and to gyms around the Island. So why not test your core strength and challenge yourself while helping to raise money for a very worthy cause?”
As well as being a bit of fun, and raising the charity’s profile, it’s hoped by asking competitors to make a £5 donation, the event will help raise funds for its work helping Islanders with learning difficulties including Down’s syndrome and autism.
Qualified physical trainers will on hand at today’s West’s Centre event to check competitors do the exercise properly and to time their efforts, and Les Amis representatives will be at gyms during the day for people to take up the challenge. There will be prizes for the best individual effort (male and female), the best corporate team (teams of five with individual times added together) and the best representative from the media.
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.