Les Mills Sr., a Group Fitness Pioneer, Dies at 91

The New Zealand-born pioneer created one of the fitness and wellness industry’s most iconic brands, popularizing energetic group fitness formats around the world

The fitness and wellness industry is mourning one of its most well-known and respected founders, Les Mills Sr.

The man behind one of the biggest global group fitness brands, which helped make trademark workouts like Bodypump a household name among gym goers, passed away at age 91, the company announced Sunday.

Mills, born Nov. 1, 1934, built his namesake brand in his homeland of New Zealand, first with the Kiwi-based chain of gyms and later by founding his global empire, Les Mills International, with his son Phillip and partner Jackie.

Fitness was ingrained in Mills’ lifestyle from a young age, finding solace after his father passed when he was 11 through exercise. He went on to represent New Zealand at four Olympic Games in the discus and shot put, also winning Commonwealth Games Gold, three Silver medals and one Bronze, later becoming an elite international coach and sports administrator.

With the help of his wife Colleen, the two founded the first Les Mills gym in Auckland in 1968 — which was so small that it was open to men and women on alternate days, thanks to its singular changing area and bathroom.

From there, Mills grew Les Mills World of Fitness, known for its high-energy group classes utilized by trainers and fitness brands across 100 countries.

But Mills’ impact transcended the fitness world: he served three terms as Mayor of Auckland City in the 1990s. His efforts across fitness and politics earned him recognition in the Queen’s Birthday and Golden Jubilee Honors in 2002, being made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to local government and sport. In 2022, together with Phillip and Jackie Mills, he was inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame.

“He achieved a huge amount in his life. And the common thread throughout — whether in fitness, politics or family life — was that he always wanted to help others,” said Phillip Mills.

“Dad was immensely strong, driven, and always cared deeply for the less advantaged,” he added. “He left a lasting impression on everyone he met, and his spirit lives on in gym workouts around the world, continuing to help people fall in love with fitness.”

Mills Sr. is survived by his children Phillip and Donna, daughter-in-law Jackie, grandchildren Diana, Les Jr, Gabriel and Moana, plus many great-grandchildren.

“The purpose of the gym is to help people fall in love with fitness,” Mills Sr. famously said in 1968.