A Hobart man has smashed a world record after busting out 851 squat-thrust burpees in an intense 60-minute session.

Charlie Gard beat the previous Guinness World Record for the most chest-to-ground burpees in one hour by a male by 70 repetitions.

Mr Gard said he had been preparing for some time for the record attempt, and was relieved after he achieved his goal during the attempt on Sunday.

"I did a few more than I did in training so I was pretty happy with that," he said.

"I knew it was going to sting a bit more if I went about it a bit harder."

Charlie Gard prepares to go down again. ( ABC News: Peta Carlyon )

Hobart gym owner Drummond Williamson said it was a gutsy attempt.

"It's certainly going to take a lot of mental strength, and it's definitely an expression of a tremendous amount of capacity," he said.

A packed room of family, friends and onlookers cheered Mr Gard on to claim the title.

His wife Liv said the experience was emotional.

"I'm trying not to cry, I'm so extremely proud of him," she said.

The gruelling attempt combined Mr Gard's passion for fitness with his desire to raise money for prostate cancer research.

His wife's father was recently diagnosed with an advanced form of the cancer.

Mr Gard's online crowdfunding page has raised almost $7,000.