The new year equals new achievements for one of Bedford’s perennial Guinness World Record holders, with one record already claimed back from Eastern Europe and a second on the cards – all in aid of charity.
Mental health coach and fitness trainer, Alex Goulding already holds a stack of Guinness World Records, and on ‘Blue Monday’ (19 January), Alex will attempt to break another, for the most plyometric push-ups in one minute at Robinson Pool and Fitness Centre.
This comes after Alex grabbed back the ‘Most push up to planks in one minute’ world record from Georgia’s, Irakli Rostomashvili, pushing the mark to 84 from the Georgian’s 79.
“After my previous record being broken, I had to sit down and plan how I could get an extra eight as a minimum, in the one minute time frame to beat the new record”, says Alex.
“It took months of playing around with and multiple failed attempts in training.
“In November, something clicked and my gameplan, which was completely different to my gameplan when I held the record previously, worked. I completed the attempt the following month (December) and beat the record by five.
“This was an incredibly tough record to get back and I am very happy!” adds Alex.
Second new record inside a fortnight?
Not content with just a single record broken in January, a second world record attempt is on the horizon; ‘The most plyometric push ups in one minute’.
Commenting on his forthcoming attempt, Alex said: “The attempt is about raising awareness of mental health, and the crucial role exercise can play, particularly at a challenging time of year for many people.
“‘Blue Monday’ was chosen as it is often a time of year when people are struggling with financial pressures, anxieties about the year ahead and Seasonal Affective Disorder”, says Alex.
Alex is also using the record attempt to highlight the work of his employer, Beds Rural Communities Charity (Beds RCC), a charity delivering health and wellbeing initiatives across the county.
You can sponsor Alex’s efforts here.
Foundation Awards
The record attempts also kick off the latest round of Sport Foundation Awards, in which ‘GLL’, the company that runs a lot of the Borough’s sport and leisure facilities under its ‘Better’ brand, offers grants to up and coming athletes in the town.
Last year, 28 Bedford athletes benefited from a GSF Award, including Alex, to the tune of £18,900 in total, a rise of £8,800 from the previous year, with more on the table for 2026.
The application window is now open for the latest round.
Commenting on the launch of the GSF Awards 2026 in Bedford, GLL Community Sports Manager Aaron Colbert said: “Our GSF Awards provide a lifeline to individual athletes while inspiring other young people in local communities.
“We encourage as many talented Bedford athletes as possible to apply and see how the scheme could support their sporting journey.”
Celebrating its 18th year, the GSF Awards 2026 programme is bigger than ever, with a record £2 million of grants and benefits available across the country.
“GLL has supported me significantly in both the organisation of this event and my training over the past two years”, says Alex, recognising the grant that has helped him break so many world records, amongst other achievements.
“As a GSF athlete, I’ve been able to use Better facilities across the borough, as well as access mental health and physiotherapy support, vital educational resources and a life coach.
“The scheme is absolutely fantastic.”
Applications are open now and close on 20 February 2026.
For more information, you can visit: https://www.gllsportfoundation.org/
