Les Mills, the man who turned group exercise into a multibillion-dollar global industry, has died aged 91. The New Zealander, whose eponymous fitness brand is now a staple in gyms from Auckland to Aberdeen, passed away peacefully, his family confirmed.
For Westminster, this is a moment to note the intersection of sport, commerce, and public health. Mills didn't just invent a workout. He created a system, a brand, a franchise model that made aerobics a worldwide phenomenon. Think Les Mills classes: BodyPump, BodyCombat, RPM. They are now as much a part of gym culture as treadmills and dumbbells.
But the political angle? Fitness and health policy. The UK’s ongoing battle with obesity, the push for preventive healthcare, the role of gyms in the high street ecosystem. Mills’ empire is a case study in how private enterprise can shape public health outcomes. His classes have been prescribed by GPs, subsidised by councils, and hailed by ministers as a weapon against the sedentary crisis.
Sources close to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport confirm that officials are already drafting a tribute. Expect a statement from the Prime Minister, praising Mills as a visionary who got the nation moving.
Behind the scenes, however, there’s nervousness. Les Mills International is a giant. Its licensing fees and instructor certification programmes are a big part of the fitness industry’s bottom line. Who inherits the vision? The family, yes. But will the brand maintain its clout without its founder at the helm?
Mills was no mere businessman. He was a physical education teacher, a four-time Olympian (Olympic weightlifting and track and field), and a personal trainer to All Blacks. His passion was infectious. He understood the psychology of group motivation, the power of music to boost performance, the simple fact that people stick with exercise when they enjoy it.
Critics will note the commercialisation of fitness, the steady rise of class fees, the pressure on franchise owners. But Mills’ defenders will argue that he democratised exercise. He made it accessible, structured, and fun.
The political establishment will, of course, line up to pay respects. But the real tribute is in the numbers: 20,000 gyms in 100 countries. 19,000 instructors. And millions of people who will do a 'BodPump' class today without knowing the name of the man who started it all.
He is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren, who have vowed to continue his work. The game goes on, but the maestro has left the building.
Rest in peace, Les Mills. You’ve earned it.
