Want to Break a World Record? It's Time to Work Out

By Sierra Trujillo

If you’ve ever wanted to be part of history, now’s your chance.

The organization Breaking Records for Charities is holding an event Saturday at Lake Elsinore Storm Stadium in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for most participants in a circuit training class held in a single location.

The inspiration behind holding this event came from the founding of Your Fit City, a mobile gym created by Loree Olson and colleagues last year and based in Murrieta. She said that while playing around with ideas to promote the business, the Guinness Book of World Records was thrown into the conversation.

"We just kind of joking around said, 'What about breaking the Guinness Book of World Records?' " said Olson. "We just kind of went along and played with the idea. We submitted our application… and [it] got accepted to go ahead and pursue to break it."

The previous record was set on July 31, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia with 2,061 participants. Breaking Records for Charities is already expecting 4,000 participants on Saturday, including local mayors and reality television stars, but would still like more people to participate to set the record even higher.

The circuit training will include three different strength exercise stations that are 10 minutes each, for a total 30-minute workout. Workouts will include simple exercises such as squats, jumping jacks and windmills. People of every age who are able to exercise are encouraged to participate in the record-breaking event.

“[They are] very simple exercises, things that are very easy to do,” said Olson. “We try to make it so that anybody can get involved.”

Once the record is broken, all evidence will be submitted to the Guinness World Records committee. After the record is verified, all participants will receive a code to order a certificate confirming their status as a World Record Holder.

Registration for the event is free for all participants, but the committee has encouraged people to donate to the charities the event is being held to support. All money raised through the Breaking Records for Charities event will be given to the Boys and Girls Club of Southwest County, Conquer Chiari, the Oak Grove Center and Rancho Damacitas, which are all organizations that help children in the area.

"We have a love and a passion for kids and our communities," said Olson. "We thought, 'Well, let’s keep it local. Let’s help out the [charities] that help our local kids.' These [charities] are local and they depend on the funds of the community."

Aside from the record breaking circuit training, there will be many other activities at the event. Local businesses and vendors will be selling food and drinks, and two bands will be present to provide music for the day. There will also be cars present from movies and television shows such as "Herbie the Love Bug",  "Knight Rider" and "Back to the Future".

"It’s just based on our desire to bring the community together through health and wellness and fitness awareness for our community," said Olson. "What better way is there than to break a Guinness Book of World Record and give money to charity and have all the local businesses get involved?"

Local sponsors of the event include Reality Rally of Temecula, Kalm the Dental Oasis, Aces Comedy Club and Sun Pro Solar.

Participants are able to register prior to the event at www.breakingrecordsforcharities.com, but registration is also possible at Storm Stadium Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. Check-in for those who register in advance begins at 8 a.m., with the record breaking beginning at 10 a.m. Volunteers are also needed for the event, and those interested can visit the website to sign up.