Les Mills, a four-time Olympian and influential figure who transformed the health and fitness industry, has died at the age of 91. Mills built his first gym in Auckland, New Zealand, with his wife Colleen in 1968, establishing the foundation for a global fitness brand.
The business became internationally recognized for its group fitness classes, which feature choreographed routines set to music. His son, Phillip, and his partner Jackie, were instrumental in developing this model, which fueled the company's worldwide expansion. Today, Mills's workout programs are utilized by fitness clubs around the globe.
Before his career in fitness, Mills was a decorated athlete. He competed in four Olympic Games: Rome 1960, Tokyo 1964, Mexico City 1968, and Munich 1972, participating in both the shot put and discus. His most significant achievements came at the Commonwealth Games, where he won five medals, including a discus gold in 1966. He also earned three silver medals and one bronze across discus and shot put events.
After retiring from competition, Mills continued his involvement in athletics, coaching compatriot Beatrice Faumuina to a world title in 1997 and Commonwealth Games gold in 1998.
Phillip Mills, who joined the family business full-time in 1980, remembered his father as "immensely strong, driven, and always cared deeply for the less advantaged." He added that his father "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."
Juliet Yates, who served on the Auckland Council during Mills's tenure as mayor, described him as "a very, very pleasant person to work with" and noted that the council's achievements benefited the city.
Mills was recognized for his contributions to sport and public service. He was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1973 for his dedication to sport and was later appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2002 for his work in local government and sports.