2018 has seen many new record-breakers lift, flex, and smash to earn exceptional new strength records.
These eye-watering records require peak physical condition and months of dedicated training from the attemptees.
We've picked five impressive records to showcase some of the amazing new strength achievements that have been accomplished this year.
Most walnuts crushed by the hand in one minute
Our first record is smashing - quite literally. Serial record holder Muhammad Rashid (Pakistan) attempted a fist-clenching record on 15 July, setting a new record for Most walnuts crushed by the hand in one minute in Karachi, Pakistan. Hammer-handed Muhammad managed 284, reclaiming the title that he had previously held in 2016.
Muhammad also set a similar record, the Most watermelons crushed with the head in 30 seconds, in 2018, achieving a total of 49 on 6 May. Other records of Muhammad’s include Most spins of a fire staff in one minute (188) and Most drinks cans crushed with the elbow in one minute (77).
Most push ups in one hour
2018 also saw a brand new record-holder, Jarrad Young (Australia), break the record for the Most push ups in one hour with 2,806 push ups.
Jarrad took the title from Carlton Williams (UK) who has held the record three times.
With over 120 more push ups than Carlton’s previous record, Jarrad has certainly set a very high bench mark for the record this year.
Jarrad’s technique was to break the push ups into reps, holding the balasana yoga pose (child’s pose) in between reps to rest his body.
Most pine boards broken in one minute with one hand
The most pine boards broken in one minute with one hand (male) is 315, achieved by Chris Pitman in Bromley, Kent, UK, on 9 April.
The attempt took place at Bromley's Bishop Challoner School and was attended by families and pupils of Chris and Lisa Pitman's martial arts school, Virtue Taekwondo.
Brits Chris and Lisa Pitman, who are on a mission to become the 'world's most powerful couple,' have both smashed the record for Most pine boards broken in one minute with one hand, taking home the male and female titles respectively.
Chris managed to snap an incredible total of 315 pieces of wood, and Lisa followed, smashing a record-breaking 230 pieces.
Most people holding the plank position
Usually people’s most unpopular exercise, it hard to motivate even one person to perform the abdominal plank position. However Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance (India) managed to get 2,353 people planking at once, setting a new record for the Most people holding the abdominal plank position.
The event was organised by Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance with the aim of promoting good health and developing a healthy outlook towards life. The event was attended by Shilpa Shetty Kundra, an actor, host and fitness enthusiast, who motivated and engaged the crowd as they held the plank position.
Heaviest weight lifted in two minutes bench press
Australian powerlifting champion Mike Carroll demonstrated his impressive strength by surging to a Guinness World Records title.
He lifted an almighty 4,080 kg (8,994.86 lbs) in Canberra, Australia, to earn the title for the Heaviest weight lifted in two minutes bench press.
Using an Olympic barbell with 20 kg (44.092 lb) disc plates on either side, the 47-year-old managed 68 reps in 1 min 57 sec to beat the target of 4,000 kg.
Mike, who's actually a full-time nurse, spent four months training and preparing for the attempt, bench pressing three times per week and doing two days for supporting muscles.