health
Les Mills, New Zealand Olympian behind global gym chain, dies aged 91
He and his wife opened first Les Mills gym in Auckland in 1968 and family later introduced workout programs including BodyPump taught worldwide
TL;DR
- Les Mills, a New Zealand Olympian and founder of a global fitness chain, died at 91.
- He competed in four Olympics and won Commonwealth Games medals before starting his first gym in Auckland in 1968.
- The Les Mills International brand introduced popular group workout programs like BodyPump, BodyAttack, and BodyCombat.
- These programs are now offered in over 22,000 fitness clubs in more than 100 countries.
- Mills also served three consecutive terms as the mayor of Auckland.
- He was honored with the Order of the British Empire and the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
- In 2022, Mills, his son Phillip, and daughter-in-law Jackie were inducted into the New Zealand business hall of fame.