Les Mills Sr., Co-founder of Les Mills Gyms, Dies at 91 Years Old

The former Olympian and Commonwealth competitor changed fitness in New Zealand by co-founding Les Mills New Zealand gyms and changed group fitness around the world through his work with Les Mills International.

Les Mills Sr. was a former Olympian, Commonwealth Games medalist, gym founder, Les Mills International namesake, and former mayor of Auckland, New Zealand.

Les Mills New Zealand Co-founder Les Mills Sr. passed away on June 29 at age 91, according to an announcement from the New Zealand-based group training company Les Mills International.

Together with his wife Colleen, Les created a fitness dynasty, first by starting the Les Mills New Zealand (LMNZ) chain of gyms in 1968 and then through his work with Les Mills International, which was started by their son Phillip and his partner Jackie and is now supported by their children Diana and Les Jr.

Les represented New Zealand in four Olympic Games, competing in the discus and shot put. He won Commonwealth Games gold, three silver medals and one bronze, later becoming an elite international coach and sports administrator.

He was elected to three terms as mayor of Auckland City, serving from 1990-1998 and leading sweeping reforms to strengthen communities and improve infrastructure, as well as regenerating the heart of the city and its waterfront with bold development projects.

Les is preceded in death by his wife, who died in 2005, and was herself a world-class track and field athlete.

After leaving politics, Les continued to coach athletes, help grow the family businesses, and support several charity initiatives. In 2002, he was recognized in the Queen’s Birthday and Golden Jubilee Honors, being made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to local government and sport. This complemented the earlier 1973 Queen’s Birthday Honors appointment as a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to sport. In 2022, together with Phillip and Jackie, he was inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame.

In a video about his life, Les recalls buying his first of what is now 12 gyms in New Zealand, saying: “We wanted a business that was healthy and good and we were happy with. And we did alright. It was a family business. It always has been. I hope that it always will be.”

Phillip, who is managing director of Les Mills International, said of his father: “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.

“Dad was immensely strong, driven, and always cared deeply for the less advantaged. 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.”

HFA Interim President and CEO Greta Wagner shared: “Les Mills Sr. leaves behind a legacy that reaches far beyond New Zealand. The clubs he and Colleen built in Auckland demonstrated how fitness facilities can strengthen communities and improve public health, while the Les Mills International programs transformed the way health clubs around the world engage, motivate, and retain their members through the power of group fitness.

“I had the privilege of meeting Les for the first time during the early years of opening Chelsea Piers. Even then, it was clear that he had inspired something much bigger than a fitness brand; he had helped build a movement that brought people together through exercise, making fitness more welcoming and accessible.

“Les Mills International has also been a valued supporter of HFA and our mission to protect, promote, and grow the fitness industry. On behalf of our association and members around the world, we extend our deepest condolences to the Mills family and everyone at Les Mills International. His vision and commitment to improving lives through fitness will continue to shape our industry for generations to come.”

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