Hi, I'm Diane Hart,
and you have made the first step to a healthier lifestyle by visiting my web page!
I would like to invite you to improve the way you look,
feel, and move, while gaining the special gift of fitness which enables you to get the
most out of each and every day. Do you want straight answers on safe and sane
participation in exercise based on current research in the fitness industry? If you
do, I would love to help you achieve your fitness goals utilizing all the experience,
education, and knowledge I have garnered over the past 20 years in the fitness
profession. Together, we will explore heart rates, hydration, proper footwear,
stretching, and strength training as components of your fitness activities. All of
our locations are clean, comfortable, and convenient--many with hardwood flooring. I
pride myself in giving expert instruction with a Hart to Heart style. Come
and experience my "Hart-warming," interactive classes of fitness, facts, and
fun!
Mission Statement
Hart to Heart Fitness™ is a privately held franchise
of the Jacki Sorensen Aerobic Fitness Programs. Nationally certified fitness
professionals offer aerobic dance and step aerobic classes together with personal training
to men, women, and children of all ages in the tri-county area (Albany-Schenectady-Troy)
of New York State. Each workout session adheres to the exercise guidelines set forth
by the American College of Sports Medicine, and each student receives the safest and most
effective quality-controlled instruction for increased cardiovascular fitness and muscle
toning available. Hart to Heart Fitness™ also serves the Capital District
Physicians' Health Plan's (CDPHP) 400,000+ members with fitness and wellness workshops
such as "Walking for Your Health," "Stretch, Flex and Relax,"
"Fitness Over 50," "Fit Kids," "Understanding Your Body
Composition," "Strength Training to Prevent Osteoporosis," and
"Move for Life."
Many of my students participate with me in
pro bono
classes and fundraising events for the following groups: Town of Colonie Youth
Bureau, American Heart Association, Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern
Rensselaer County, NYS Division for Youth, and
Girl Scout Association of NYS. The premier event each year is the American Heart
Association Heart Walk. In September of 2006, the students of Hart to Heart
Fitness raised $5,000+ for the American Heart Walk, and were awarded First Place 2006 Team Challenge Winner. It's a great spirit of togetherness
extending beyond our Jacki's classes and all for worthy causes.
Biography
Diane H. Hart, Nationally
Certified Fitness Professional and Health Educator has designed and
implemented fitness and corporate wellness programs in the Capital District
for over 20 years. She is a master member of the International
Association of Fitness Professionals, Reebok Professional Instructors'
Alliance; Exercise Specialist, Personal Trainer and Health
Educator/Practitioner for the health professional organizations American
Wholehealth Network, Inc. and Palladian Health, LLC. Diane was elected
to the position of Eastern Region Director of the National Association for
Health and Fitness Board of Directors. She is Board Member Emeritus of the
American Heart Association, member of American Public Health Association,
National Association for the Promotion of Physical Activity and Albany Capital
Network. Accredited through the National Exercise Training Association,
American College of Sports Medicine, American Council on Exercise, Exercise,
Etc. and Be Active America Advocacy and Media Relations Training.
Member of the American College of Sports
Medicine, International Association of Fitness Professionals, National
Association for Health and Fitness, United States' Notary Public Association
and American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers and Broadcast Music,
Inc.
In September 2008 The National Association for
Health and Fitness (NAHF) elected Diane H. Hart to their Board of
Directors as Eastern Regional Director. The Eastern Region comprises Maine,
New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and
New Jersey. NAHF is a non-profit organization that exists to improve the
quality of life for individuals in the United States through the promotion of
physical fitness, sports and healthy lifestyles. NAHF accomplishes this work
by fostering and supporting Governors and State Councils and coalitions that
promote and encourage regular physical activity. NAHF is also the
national sponsor of National Employee Health and Fitness Day, the largest work
site health and fitness event in North America each May.
Diane is a special delegate to the United
States President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in Washington, D.C.;
United States Public Health Service's Office on Women's Health; Co-Chair of
the New York State Physical Activity Coalition (NYSPAC); Chair of the NYSPAC
Advocacy Action Team; Eastern States Regional Board of Directors for the
National Association of Health and Fitness and was appointed by Governor Mario
Cuomo to the Board of Directors of the New York State Governor's Council on
Lifetime Sports, Fitness and Health; also Special Events Coordinator for the
Board.
In 2006 Diane became the Director of Fitness
for the Rudy A. Ciccotti Family Recreation Center, a state-of-the-art
multi-purpose facility owned and operated by the Colonie Youth Center, Inc. a
private not-for-profit organization. She directs all operations of health
fitness programs and the fitness facility; manages and develops systems that
enhance the overall operation of the health fitness programs; oversees
scheduling; supervises, trains and appraises staff; oversees Personal Training
and adherence to American College of Sports Medicine Protocols; and
participates in the development and administration of the health and fitness
budget and development of the Colonie Youth Center Worksite Wellness
Initiative.
In 2000, Diane became a Consultant to the New
York State Department of Health and through NYSPAC received funding to
research, develop and implement a comprehensive wellness program for worksites
in New York State. This program is entitled "Move for Life!"
(MFL) which is a behavioral modification program that contributes to the
overall health and well-being of employers, employees, their families, and is
proven to contain a company's health care costs while increasing physical
activity. Diane has facilitated and implemented MFL at Union College,
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Cornell University, Capital District
Physicians' Health Plan, MVP Health Plan, Schenectady International, Newkirk
Products, Inc., Barry, Bette & LedDuke, New York Health Plan Association,
Skidmore College, Key Bank(Albany), Matthew Bender, NYS Dept. of Environmental
Conservation, Teresian House and the City of Albany . Responsibilities
included developing a worksite wellness index questionnaire, overseeing data
collection and analysis of results with each company and reporting monthly to
the NYS Department of Health Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention. Diane was
the architect of the New York State Department of Health and Managed Care Plan
joint workplace wellness project including New York Health Plan Association
partnership; press conference with Antonia C. Novello, NYS Commissioner
of Health and Senator Mary Lou Rath. This project resulted in eight health
plans across New York State participating in the Move for Life! (over
37,000 individuals). Following this success, she developed a Move for
Life Training Program for interested corporations in the Capital District
which resulted in an additional 65 companies across New York State
participating in Move for Life!
Media spokesperson for New York State
Department of Health on Move for Life! , and physical activity/worksite
wellness topics.
From 1991 to present, Diane has been a
consultant to Capital District Physicians' Health Plan, a managed care plan
serving over 450,000 members in New York State. Diane designs and
facilitates member wellness workshops to CDPHP members as well as corporate
wellness programs for CDPHP's employer groups, including health fairs and
physical activity initiatives. She authored the CDPHP booklet entitled
"Walking for Fitness." Diane coordinated and implemented all aspects
of the physical activity components of "Family Healthfest,"
including the 10,000 Step Community Health Walk, fitness demonstrations,
health screenings, and securing New York State Senate and Assembly dignitaries
to commemorate the two-day event. Diane is the media spokesperson for CDPHP on
physical activity related topics.
As Chair of New York State Physical Activity
Coalition Advocacy Committee, Diane utilized advocacy, communication and
resource development to collaboratively address physical activity statewide
and at the grassroots level. She recruited members from the private, public,
non-profit and civic sectors to strengthen partnerships; promoted more
"walkable communities"; and implemented media strategies toward the
goal of increased physical activity in New York State. Responsible for the
drafting of Assembly and Senate bill "Physical Activity Promotion
Act"; recruited Assembly and Senate sponsors; and successfully lobbied
both houses of the Legislature to enact this legislation during the 2003
Session.
Owner, Hart to Heart Fitness since 1981
and responsible for all business activities associated with operation of
Jacki's Aerobic Franchise (aerobic dance and step aerobic programs).
Authored a Personal Trainer Manual for training the professional client.
Created the concept and coordinated all activities related to the annual
Mother's Day Walk held as part of the City of Albany Tulip Festival. This
event included securing corporate sponsors and coordinating with the Special
Events Department of the City of Albany. Diane's classes are
multi-generational and many of her students have participated for over 20
years! Responsible for testing prototype fitness shoes and preparing
written analysis and recommendations to Reebok, Inc.
As consultant to St. Peter's Hospital, Albany,
New York, Diane developed various informational and physical activity
workshops and seminars for the "Pair of Hearts" cardiac risk
intervention program. At Albany Medical Center Hospital and Capital Cardiology
Group she was a consultant for the "LEARN" program designed to
incorporate physical activity, nutrition and behavior modification support to
patients identified at high risk for cardiovascular disease.
In her role as professional, motivational,
public speaker on physical activity and health promotion, Diane presented at
the American Public Health Association Conference in Philadelphia, PA on the
theoretical components that contributed to the diffusion of the New York State
Health Commissioner's Challenge and Move for Life! She identified
how the design was modified to accommodate the needs and interests of
employers/employees and identified the different roles that collaborative
partners play in the dissemination of a statewide physical activity
intervention. Keynote speaker at St. Peter's Hospital Conference Series,
"Women's Health in the New Millennium"; Albany Medical Center
Hospital Annual Conference on Diabetes; New York State's Annual Economic
Summit for Women; Cornell's National Nutrition Concerns Conference and Early
Childhood Education Conference; American Heart Association Women's Legacy
Conference; and Student's Against Destructive Decisions/MADD Conference.
In 2005 Diane partnered with the American
Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and developed a physical activity
prescription pad for distribution to Obstetrician and Gynecologist physician
groups in New York State for their patients who presented with hypertension,
hyperlipidemia,or high BMI. This prescription pad was designed to direct the
patient to a website where they could join an 8-week walking/physical activity
program to reduce risk factors. Diane subsequently was invited to present at
the Annual Conference of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in
Saratoga and distributed the prescription pads to the attendees.
Awards and Distinctions:
- 2003 Silver Eagle National Leadership Award
from the BeActive America! Board of Directors, Washington, DC.
Diane was the second individual to receive this prestigious honor in the
United States. This award was created in memory of C. Carson Conrad who
served the five United States Presidents as Director of the President's
Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. This award recognizes Diane's
lifelong commitment to physical fitness and health promotion.
- 2001 - Joseph W. Cullen Award (New York
State Health Department) for outstanding contributions to chronic disease
prevention and control.
- 2005 - American Heart Association
Whittingham Award for outstanding volunteerism.
- 1999-2008 - American Heart Association
Outstanding Team Captain Award for highest contributions collected for the
American Heart Association Annual Walk.
Diane has been married to Daniel Hart for 38
years and they have a daughter, Stacey, who is the National Communications
Director for SADD in Boston, MA. Diane loves the New York City Ballet
and enjoys interior decorating.
