A world record! It just sounds like something to be celebrated, doesn't it? Well, these websites show the splendor of different world records in all their glory and even encourage you to set one yourself.
These days, there are different types of world records, so you never know where you might find one. At one point, an egg on Instagram became the world record holder for Instagram Likes. Everyone should explore the kinds of world records out there, both real and virtual. Some are positively zany! And who knows, with a few of these apps and guides, you might soon be a world record holder yourself.
1. RecordSetter (Web): Invent and Set Your Own World Records
Who can hold a handstand on a balance beam for the longest time? What is the largest cardboard fort ever built? What's the most number of standing side-flips you can do in 15 seconds? What's the fastest time to solve five Rubik's cubes? RecordSetter is all about thinking of a record, recording yourself doing it, and challenging others.
All records are presented as videos on the website, ready for anyone to view. You can view these records by category, browse Editor's Picks, and even compete for charity. The videos are fascinating, and chances are you'll be sucked into a rabbit hole. Each record states the place it was made, the rules of the competition, and a button to challenge it!
RecordSetter says it wants to be the "Wikipedia of human achievement" by chronicling the greatness within each of us. The rules for an application aren't as rigorous as Guinness World Records or other official awards, which makes it more accessible for anyone to set a record.
All you need is a camera, unique skill, and honesty. Your submission will be reviewed by the community and a council from RecordSetter, but the whole system works more on a system of honor than anything else. Of course, any record you set should be quantifiable in a way that someone can challenge it or beat it, which is where the fun lies.
2. Guinness World Records (YouTube): Great Collection of Videos
Everyone knows that the Guinness World Records (GBWR) is the most popular authority to test and verify records. But not many know that GBWR has an active YouTube channel with videos of the latest and greatest record-breaking attempts.
Every month, GWR releases a compilation of the best new records, which is worth watching by itself. But you can go into the archives to find both successful and failed videos of people across the globe trying to get their name in the record books.
From skateboarding dogs to jaw-dropping feats of strength and skill, you'll find it all here. The Sports, Fitness, and Strength playlist is especially entertaining, with over a hundred videos. What do you think is the record for the human-throwing strongwoman?
If you want to be one of them, you'll need to go to the official Guinness World Records website and apply to set or break a record.
3. Twin Galaxies and Video Games Records (Web): Video Game High Scores Leaderboards
Video games provide a level playing field for anyone in the world to compete in the same event. Gamers have compared high scores from the time they began, and you can now test how good you are with global leaderboards at Twin Galaxies and Video Games Records.
Both websites span all types of video games across platforms like classic arcade, PC, console, mobile, and web. From Pac-Man and Mortal Kombat to Mario Kart and Angry Birds, it's all here. You can filter games by platform, search for them, or browse the list to see what you can compete in.
Open a game and you'll find all sorts of records. For example, you can view the fastest lap on any track in a racing game, the high score in a puzzle game, or the longest kill streak without dying in a multiplayer online shooter. Gamers pride themselves on all kinds of records.
If you think you can beat any, or already have, check the submission rules (they're different for both sites) and send in your entry. Who knows, you might find yourself holding a world record high score.
4. Speedrun (Web): Fastest to Finish a Video Game
The world of video games has another subculture that encourages world records. Speedruns are all about finishing a video game as fast as possible. Think about it like the video game version of a race. And these are the world record holders among the sprinters.
Speedrun.com shows the fastest times to beat any video game. To be eligible, you need to have a full video from start to end. You might be shocked to see that the game you think you're an expert in is handled dismissively for a speedrun by some of these world record holders. But that should only serve as fuel for you to beat them.
In fact, watch these entertaining speedruns packed with tips and tricks to understand the little ways by which you can get better at it. And soon, you should be vying for a world record!
5. The Complete Guide to Getting Your Own Guinness World Record (Web)
So what do you need to do to set a Guinness World Record yourself? Ragen Chastain holds the Guinness World Record for Heaviest Woman to Complete a Marathon. And she's ready to reveal what she learned in her record-setting journey.
It's a short but insightful guide into the mindset and motivation of a record-setter, as well as the trials and tribulations. Chastain tells you how to go about applying, and what to expect from the process as well as the scrutiny. She adds tidbits like needing 12 weeks of preparation, and a further 12 weeks after the attempt for Guinness to verify it.
The heart of the article is the "Planning Your Attempt" part, where she dives into the nitty-gritty of what it takes. Pay careful attention, setting a world record isn't just about your skill, it's about the people around you and a load of other factors.
6. One More Try (Web): Delayed Camera to Practice Skills for World Record Videos
If you want to set a world record and get your name in the books, you'll need to practice hard. When you're mastering any skill, you need to record videos of yourself and watch replays, studying your moves to improve. One More Try is a free web app designed specifically to make practicing easier.
You see, in a normal situation, you'd set up your camera to record you, execute the move, then stop recording, watch the video replay, then record again. And you'd have to do this series of moves over and over again, taking away valuable practice time.
One More Try solves the issue in the form of a "Delay Camera" app. Open it in a browser and start shooting. It looks like a webcam, but only that it's delayed. Make a move now, you'll see it four seconds later. It's much easier to review what you're doing after you've finished it, and the four-second delay makes it possible.
You can customize the delay to any amount of time you want, so if it's a longer move, set it to delay by a longer time. You can also replay the full video from the beginning at any point. And you can download the video in MP4 format too. It's all free, no installations needed.
The Weirdness of World Records
Looking at the different world records, you can't help but chuckle at some of them. People make the largest pizza or burger, some try to clap or snap the most number of times in a minute, and there's a whole section on flatulence. It's almost like they're a monument to the wacky and weird side of humankind. But we should celebrate those too, right? Go on, indulge in a little bit more with these insanely weird Wikipedia articles.