Ellen Ector is shattering stereotypes about aging at 73 years old. The Atlanta-based fitness influencer brings vibrant energy, confidence, and fun to health and wellness. She owns Gymnetics Fitness, a studio she founded in 2010 alongside her daughter, Lana Ector.
Built on the belief that fitness should be part of one’s DNA, Gymnetics offers personalized services. The studio provides nutritional guidance, customized weight-loss programs, and tailored workout plans. Ector leads popular classes including “Baddie Pump,” which focuses on core strength and weightlifting.
Starting Her Fitness Journey at 40
What makes Ector’s story most inspiring is when she began. She didn’t start her fitness journey until age 40. Her transformation proves it’s never too late to prioritize health.
“It’s never too late to start working out,” she told Sherri during a February 2023 interview. “They try to put us in the box, ageism is what they call it.” Society makes people think aging requires walkers or wheelchairs, she explained.
Her wake-up call came from seeing an unflattering photo of herself. “I just didn’t like the way I looked,” she recalled. She started working out and within nine months achieved toned arms. She has maintained her fitness for 30 years now.
From Social Worker to Fitness Entrepreneur
Ector worked as a social worker for 20 years before changing careers. She quit her job in 2009 to fully pursue fitness. Eventually, she opened her own gym with her daughter.
The mother-daughter duo brings over 25 years of combined experience to their studio. Gymnetics offers more than eight different fitness regimes for various skill levels. The studio welcomes men and women of all fitness backgrounds.
They also co-own Black Girls Workout Too, a workout DVD created together. The program includes a healthy meal plan alongside exercise routines. Their collaboration demonstrates the power of family businesses building generational wealth.
Fighting Generational Health Curses
Ector’s mission extends far beyond physical transformation. She works to dismantle barriers preventing Black women from prioritizing health. Black women face disproportionate health challenges compared to other groups.
According to the American Heart Association, Black women are disproportionately affected by high blood pressure and obesity. They’re 40% more likely to die from cancer despite lower incidence rates. These statistics drive Ector’s passionate advocacy work.
Her motivation stems from deeply personal experiences with family health struggles. Her mother’s death from uterine cancer profoundly shaped her wellness philosophy. The experience taught her the importance of preventive health measures.
Adopting a Plant-Based Lifestyle
Ector adopted a fully plant-based, vegan diet in 2017. Her goal was breaking what she calls “generational health curses.” These curses particularly relate to obesity and cancer in her family.
“My mom was overweight, and she died of uterine cancer,” she shared in a 2021 AARP interview. “I remember reading her medical report and reading, ‘A 62-year-old African American woman with uterine cancer who was obese.'” The description hurt her deeply and sparked determination.
“It hurt me so bad. I thought, ‘I’m not going to go out like that,'” Ector explained. She wants all African American women to know their health numbers. Understanding blood pressure and weight creates accountability and awareness.
Breaking Cycles Through Education
Ector successfully broke the generational health curse in her family. She taught all her children how to eat healthy and maintain fitness routines. They understand the importance of staying on their health journey.
“It’s very important for African American women to know our numbers, know what your blood pressure is, know what your weight is,” she emphasized. Knowledge empowers people to make better health decisions. Regular monitoring prevents small issues from becoming serious conditions.
Her children now carry forward the lessons she taught them. They understand that health is wealth and legacy. Breaking generational patterns requires education, commitment, and consistent action.
Weightlifting as the Foundation of Strength
Ector prioritizes movement and strength training in her daily routine. She especially focuses on weight lifting for her lean, sculpted physique. Resistance training also maintains her bone strength as she ages.
“If I’m not at my gym, I’m at the YMCA in the weight room,” she told Parade in 2024. Studies support her approach to fitness at any age. Resistance training is one of the most effective ways to combat age-related bone loss.
“My favorite body part to focus on when lifting weights is my shoulders,” Ector shared. “If you can keep your shoulders erect, you will walk into a room and people will know you work out.” Good posture signals confidence and vitality to others.
Practical Weightlifting Tips for Beginners
Starting a weightlifting journey doesn’t require extensive experience. Ector recommends incorporating front lateral raises or overhead presses into routines. These exercises build shoulder strength and improve posture significantly.
For cardio, Ector includes trail running and swimming in her daily activities. “I like running outside because there are so many different courses, which keeps it challenging,” she explained. Variety prevents boredom and works different muscle groups.
The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of heart-pumping activity weekly. This equals 2.5 hours of cardiovascular exercise each week. Maintaining this level supports long-term cardiovascular health and endurance.
Cardio Supports Lower Body Strength
Ector’s cardio work primarily supports her lower body strength. Therefore, her weight training focuses mostly on upper body development. This balanced approach creates overall body harmony and prevents muscle imbalances.
Trail running provides natural resistance through varied terrain. Swimming offers low-impact full-body conditioning perfect for aging bodies. Both activities complement her strength training program beautifully.
Mixing different cardio activities keeps workouts interesting and challenging. The body adapts to repetitive movements over time. Variety forces continuous adaptation and improvement in fitness levels.
Launching Aging Blackwards Community
Beyond the gym, Ector launched Aging Blackwards in recent years. The training system and lifestyle community celebrates aging with heritage and grace. The platform emphasizes refinement and pride throughout every life chapter.
Aging Blackwards offers exclusive events, wellness seminars, and travel retreats. The curated shop features clean beauty products, apparel, and home goods. Members also access recipes supporting healthy, plant-based lifestyles.
Ector hosted a 5K Walk & Run celebrating her 73rd birthday on September 28. The event brought together community members committed to healthy living. These gatherings create accountability and inspiration for participants at all levels.
Overcoming Fear and Building Confidence
Ector understands that starting a fitness journey can feel intimidating. Many women feel shy or afraid when entering gyms. She encourages them to take that critical first step anyway.
“When you first start taking fitness classes, it’s okay to be shy and be in the back,” she told Parade. However, consistency builds confidence over time. “Believe me, if you are consistent, your confidence will grow and you’ll move up to that front row!”
“But it all starts with that first step,” Ector emphasized. No transformation happens without beginning the journey. Fear shouldn’t prevent anyone from pursuing better health and wellness.
Redefining What Aging Looks Like
Ector’s vibrant presence challenges society’s expectations about aging. She demonstrates that 73 can look strong, energetic, and beautiful. Her lifestyle proves that aging doesn’t mean declining health or vitality.
Society often pushes limiting beliefs about what older people can achieve. Ector refuses to accept these restrictions on her capabilities. Her example gives other women permission to defy aging stereotypes.
She walks into rooms with confidence earned through consistent effort. Her posture, energy, and strength inspire everyone around her. Ector embodies the possibility of thriving at any age.
Empowering Black Women’s Health Journeys
Ector’s work specifically targets Black women’s unique health challenges. She understands the cultural and systemic barriers affecting this community. Her approach combines fitness expertise with cultural sensitivity and understanding.
Black women often put everyone else’s needs before their own. Ector reminds them that self-care isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. Taking care of yourself enables you to care for others more effectively.
Her message resonates because she speaks from lived experience. She’s not a celebrity trainer disconnected from everyday struggles. Ector is a mother, grandmother, and community member who understands real-life challenges.
The Legacy of Health and Wellness
Ector’s impact extends beyond individual transformations. She’s creating lasting change in how families approach health. Her children and grandchildren benefit from the knowledge she shares.
Breaking generational health curses requires intentional action and education. Ector demonstrates this principle through her own family’s transformation. The work continues as she inspires more women daily.
At 73, Ellen Ector proves that strength truly has no age limit. Her journey inspires Black women everywhere to prioritize their health. She shows that it’s never too late to love yourself and transform your life.
