Pittsburgh teacher breaks Guinness World Record with 1,826 pushups in an hour
PITTSBURGH —
Laura Hunt, a physical education teacher at Falk Laboratory School in Pittsburgh, has set a Guinness World Record by completing 1,826 pushups in just one hour, showcasing her dedication to fitness and inspiring her students to push their limits.
“My name is Laura Hunt. I’m a kindergarten through fifth grade physical education teacher. I’m also a certified personal trainer through National Academy of Sports Medicine, and I’m the Guinness World Record holder for most pushups by a female. In an hour, I got 1,826 pushups,” Hunt said.
Hunt, now in her 29th year of teaching, is passionate about helping her students discover their own physical and mental capabilities.
“I want every student to find their movement. I want everybody to feel comfortable moving and not be afraid to go try something, try something big,” Hunt said.
Her students have played a role in creating approximately 30 to 35 levels of pushup challenges, which are part of a curriculum patented by the University of Pittsburgh. Hunt said her students inspire her to continue challenging herself.
“I expect them to do hard things in my classes with all the fitness stuff that we do. And if they’re going to do the hard things, which they do, then I have to be able to do the hard things as well,” Hunt said.
Hunt’s journey to the record began during the COVID-19 shutdown. As a single mother, she spent much of her time caring for her children through health challenges, surgeries, and medical appointments. Eventually, she realized she needed to focus on her own well-being.
“My kids are older, everything’s a little better. Let me try to get myself back,” Hunt said.
With gyms closed and limited equipment at home, Hunt began incorporating pushups into her workouts, gradually increasing the difficulty and volume. Before attempting the record, she was completing as many as 9,000 pushups each week.
Hunt credited her success to a team of accomplished and supportive women.
“My support team for attempting the Guinness World Record is full of nothing but amazing, strong women in their fields. There’s directors, there’s assistant directors of schools, there is teachers, there’s coaches, there’s fitness directors,” Hunt said.
Hunt uses her record to teach her students an important lesson she learned as a young athlete: set a goal, do the work, and never give up. She believes movement is medicine and emphasizes that starting is often the hardest step.
“You are capable, 100% capable of doing hard things. Don’t let age stop you. Don’t let your circumstances stop you. Don’t let people’s expectations of you stop you,” Hunt said.