At 93, Ellen Burstyn's routine looks less like a wellness regimen and more like habits she's simply never dropped. 

The Oscar-winning actress credits a steady mix of daily walking and gym work for keeping her active well into her nineties, both on screen and off it. 

While in an interview with Sari Botton of Oldster in April 2026, she spoke about her approach to exercise that has kept her fit throughout. 

"I walk every day and work out in the gym, and I take care of myself, and it pays off. That’s how you get to be 93," Burstyn told The Oldster during the Interview. 

However, Ellen Burstyn has not shied away from talking about how her age has taken its toll on her despite being active. 

"I have a brace on my hand, [and my] wrist has been broken twice," she told The Oldster. "There's a little arthritis that needs to be attended to, and I have to keep moving." 

A trainer helps guide her gym sessions, while her walks often double as time with her dogs, something she does most mornings. She's also become a familiar sight on strolls through Central Park, joking it's part of what keeps her "still kicking." 

Ellen Burstyn has also stuck to a largely plant-based diet since her 40s, treating food and movement as two parts of the same routine. 

Mentally, she leans on what she calls "shouldless days," built-in breaks that let her rest without guilt. 

Between the trainer-led workouts, daily walks, and habits she's held onto for decades, Burstyn's approach isn't about following a trend. It's the consistency that's kept her strong and moving well into her nineties. 

What experts say about staying active in later life 

Ellen Burstyn’s approach to staying active aligns with what the experts have to say. Rather than relying on a single type of workout, specialists suggest building a routine around several categories, mixing strength work, flexibility, and balance training to cover the full range of what aging bodies need. 

That typically translates to moves like abdominal contractions, wall pushups, daily stretching, and single-leg balance holds, layered alongside more traditional strength training. 

According to Healthline by Dana Sullivan Kilroy, experts note that even one moderate workout can lead to noticeable benefits, including improved sleep and lower blood pressure, making consistency more valuable than intensity.

Over the long run, staying active has also been tied to a lower risk of serious health issues like heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, while helping maintain bone strength and reduce the risk of falls. 

For someone with Burstyn's decades-long commitment to movement, this kind of well-rounded routine may well be part of what's kept her active this far into her 90s. 

Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco