Les Mills, the pioneering fitness instructor whose name became synonymous with group exercise classes, has died at the age of 91. His family confirmed the news in a statement, but did not disclose the cause of death.
Mills founded Les Mills International in 1968, a company that went on to develop some of the world’s most recognisable fitness programs, including BodyPump, BodyCombat, and RPM. These programmes were licensed to thousands of gyms in over 100 countries, shaping the modern fitness landscape.
Born in New Zealand, Mills represented his country as a track and field athlete at the 1950 British Empire Games before moving into political and business pursuits. He served as a member of parliament in New Zealand and later turned his attention to fitness, capitalising on the growing demand for structured, high-energy workouts.
The company’s success was built on a franchise model that certified instructors and choreographed routines set to popular music. This approach democratised group fitness, making it accessible to millions who might not have otherwise engaged with formal exercise.
Reaction from the fitness industry has been swift. The UK’s governing body for fitness, ukactive, described Mills as a “visionary” who “transformed the way people think about exercise”. Leading gym chains including PureGym and David Lloyd Clubs issued statements praising his contribution to public health.
Mills’s legacy is not without controversy. Critics have pointed to the high cost of licensing and instructor certification, which some smaller gyms found prohibitive. Others argued that the centralised model stifled innovation in local programming. Nonetheless, the scale of his impact is undeniable.
Les Mills International continues to operate as a major force in fitness. In recent years it has expanded into digital content and on-demand workouts, adapting to a market increasingly dominated by home fitness. The company’s programmes remain a staple in gyms around the world, a testament to Mills’s original insight.
For now, the fitness industry mourns a giant. But the routines he created will endure, repeated daily in studios from London to Tokyo, a living monument to his vision.
