At 84, Ellen Hart is truly a local icon who’s still working hard on her health.
Owner of the famed Ellen’s Stardust Diner in Broadway, she has shifted her focus on wellness over the years, though her motivations have changed since her earlier days.
“I’ve always cared about beauty and looking good. I was Miss Subway in 1959, after all! So, yeah, I really have to keep up my image,” she shared. “But since I hit 40, I’ve started thinking more about how to actually stay youthful.”
For the last four decades, Hart has been dedicated to figuring out the best ways to stay fit, and her efforts show.
At 52, she completed the New York City Marathon, and two decades later, she climbed the 1,860 steps of the Empire State Building to raise funds for multiple myeloma research.
Now, she spends her time running around the Upper West Side to catch Broadway shows, joining her restaurant staff on stage, and singing along to the performances.
Maintaining this busy lifestyle at her age is impressive, especially considering that women born in the 1940s had a life expectancy that’s more than a decade less than what Hart is living.
As her 85th birthday approaches this June, she’s not thinking of slowing down at all. She recently shared some of her strategies for staying fit.
Staying Fit at 80+
Hart has been active for most of her life, thanks to her love for tennis, and she believes that staying active is vital for aging healthily.
However, she had a revealing moment when she saw a photo of herself singing in the diner. “Oh my god, I looked a bit hunched over,” she remarked. “And I didn’t like it.”
This led her to concentrate on her posture and enhance her movement and strength.
“As we age, balance and good posture become crucial,” she explained. “We need to keep our heads and shoulders back.”
“I have to say I feel good.”
Ellen Hart
Her workouts are “always changing,” noted her certified master trainer, Roland Chen.
“Quality of life, strength, and mobility are key focuses, but her routine varies quite a bit month to month,” he added, aligning her training model with the American Academy of Sports Medicine’s Optimal Performance Training Model.
Hart works out four times a week, beginning with stretches for flexibility and stiffness reduction.
Strength training, crucial for maintaining bone density, equally helps her improve her posture. She begins with shoulder exercises, like squeezing her shoulder blades together and gently lifting her arms.
Her workout continues with movements to strengthen her back and lower body, incorporating leg presses, squats, and activities that simulate daily tasks, like carrying groceries.
To reinforce her core, she does crunches and Pallof presses, helping to stabilize her midsection.
The benefits are notable.
“When you reach my age, cholesterol and blood pressure issues pop up now and then, so things aren’t perfect,” Hart admitted. “But overall, I really feel good.”
Interestingly, strength training might even extend her lifespan. A 2022 study involving over 115,000 seniors found that those who strength-trained at least twice a week had a significantly lower risk of early death compared to those who didn’t.
On her off days, Hart keeps active by climbing her building’s stairs and walking a couple of miles.
How did she reach that distance?
“I walk to Nordstrom and back,” she joked. “Shopping can be a sport, but honestly, it can also be quite enjoyable.”
Self-Care Inside and Out
Fitness is just one aspect of Hart’s anti-aging plan. Although she used to “sunbathe” in her youth, she always remembers to use sunscreen now.
She’s also had Botox and experimented with premium skincare products like Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Everything Eyepatch.
Her challenge? Getting enough sleep.
“Sleep has become tricky as our hormones shift with age,” she disclosed. “I’m still trying to figure out how to hit that seven or eight hours a night, which everyone says is crucial.”
Staying Engaged
Ellen’s Stardust Diner, which opened in 1987, continues to be a significant part of her life.
She meets with her team every Friday to discuss ideas and map out the week ahead. Occasionally she also drops in to sing.
“I believe being in this field keeps me sharp, as I need to stay updated on all the events we have planned,” she noted.
What about retirement? “Not really my thing,” Hart stated. “It’s simply too enjoyable.”
That seems to be another one of her secrets to aging well. Studies point to continued work past the typical retirement age as beneficial for longer, healthier lives—keeping people active both mentally and socially.
Hart keeps her social life busy too, meeting friends for Canasta and enjoying outings with her long-time partner, Bob.
Her advice for staying lively as you age is refreshingly straightforward.
“Just keep moving. Stay curious. It’s never too late to explore a new interest. Whether it’s giving back to the community or learning something new, staying active and engaged is key,” Hart concluded. “And hey, having a boyfriend doesn’t hurt either.”
