Squatting for 24 hours: Decatur man aims to break world record while supporting community organization

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — It’s not always easy to motivate yourself to go to the gym, lift some weights and run a couple of miles. But for Tony Piraino, his community is encouraging him while he squats thousands and thousands of times.

Piraino is trying to break a Guinness World Record — the most air squats in 24 hours. He started at 5 a.m. on Thursday and is aiming to do 26,000 in 24 hours.

It’s all for a good cause. He’s raising money and awareness for the Marion County Horizon Center of Decatur and Mount Zion . The organization provides resources, housing and employment opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. The money he raises will allow them to do activities throughout the community.

He takes short 30-second breaks every 22 squats, and a few longer breaks throughout the day. During one of his short “breathers,” WCIA asked him how he was feeling.

“I wish I could say great,” he joked. “I got a long time left to go here and I’m getting tired. But I’ve got a lot of support here and a lot of energy drinks and carboloading.”

Between family and friends cheering him on, so were a few people from Douglas County, who are all part of the Horizon Center closer to their hometown in Arcola.

Evelyn Fathauer, a Special Olympian focusing on powerlifting, was excited to watch him work toward breaking a world record.

“It shows that you shouldn’t give up, never give up, just keep trying. If you’re pushed down just keep trying,” she said.

Piraino will wrap up around 5 a.m. Friday. He’s raised a few thousand dollars so far and hopes to raise $10,000. You can visit his pledge page here .

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