Les Mills, Olympic Athlete and Founder of Global Fitness Empire, Dies at 91
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Les Mills, the legendary New Zealand Olympian who transformed a modest Auckland gym into one of the world’s most recognizable fitness brands, has died at the age of 91. His passing marks the end of an era for both the international sporting community and the global commercial fitness industry, which he helped revolutionize over a career spanning more than five decades.
Born Leslie Roy Mills in 1934, he first gained prominence on the international stage as an elite track and field athlete. Representing New Zealand at four Olympic Games between 1960 and 1972, Mills competed in the shot put, discus, and weightlifting, and famously carried his nation's flag at the 1972 Munich Games. His experience training at the highest levels of sport convinced him of the universal benefits of physical conditioning. In 1968, alongside his wife Colleen, he opened his first eponymous gymnasium in Auckland—a simple, hardware-heavy facility designed to bring athletic-style strength training to the general public.
What began as a localized family business eventually evolved into Les Mills International, a commercial juggernaut that redefined the modern group fitness experience. In the 1980s and 1990s, under the leadership of his son, Phillip Mills, the company pioneered structured, choreographed group workouts set to popular music. Programs such as "BodyPump," "BodyCombat," and "RPM" became global sensations. Today, the brand’s highly profitable licensing model distributes proprietary fitness programs to over 20,000 clubs in upwards of 100 countries, reaching millions of participants every week.
Beyond his athletic and entrepreneurial achievements, Mills was a highly regarded civic leader, serving as the Mayor of Auckland from 1990 to 1998. Colleagues and industry analysts have remembered him as a visionary leader who successfully bridged the gap between competitive athletics and consumer wellness. "Les did not just build gyms; he created a global community and democratized fitness for everyday people," the company said in a statement. He is survived by his family, who continue to helm the family’s global fitness legacy.