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Les Mills Snr (1934-2026) | Les Mills Leslie Roy Mills MBE, CNZM 1 November 1934 – 29 June 2026 A versatile sportsman, successful business owner, inspiring leader, and former Mayor of Auckland – Leslie Roy Mills MBE, CNZM is an absolute legend. He laid the foundations for a movement that has inspired millions around the world to fall in love with fitness – a legacy that lives on in every workout. ‍ The first inklings of Les Mills Snr’s remarkable strength and determination came at just 11 years old. He was a skinny boy from Grey Lynn dealing with the recent death of his father when he competed in his first event. A recruiter from the local athletics club had dropped by his Sunday school and held a trial run around the park. Les set off like a rocket and finished 50 yards ahead of the pack. It was the first of his many wins at Western Suburbs Athletic Club, which went on to become the strongest club in New Zealand. ‍ Les was naturally fast with a fierce desire to win, and also extremely eager to learn. As a young sportsman, he became obsessed with gyms, strength training and physical culture. He consumed as much information as he could on the topic, following the Charles Atlas…

Les Mills, NZ Olympian and founder of international fitness brand, … Les Mills, the New Zealand Olympian who opened an Auckland gym in 1968 that grew into an international group fitness brand, has died aged 91, his family confirmed. Mills, a four-time Olympic athlete and former Auckland mayor, and his wife, Colleen, founded the first Les Mills gym on Victoria Street in central Auckland after a sporting career in which he represented New Zealand in shot put and discus. More than five decades later, Les Mills workouts are used by clubs around the world. The business, now run by later generations of the Mills family, became internationally known for choreographed group-exercise classes set to music. Mills’s son, Phillip, joined the business full-time in 1980, and his partner, Jackie, helped develop the music-driven group-fitness model that became central to its global expansion. Les Mills became an international fitness brand.  (Supplied: Les Mills) Phillip Mills said in a statement that his father had achieved a great deal in his life, but the common thread was that he always wanted to help others. “Dad was immensely strong, driven, and always cared deeply for the less advantaged,” …

A 'founding father of fitness' - Les Mills Snr 1934 - 2026 AUCKLAND, New Zealand , June 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- We pay heartfelt tribute to our founder, Les Mills Snr, who passed away peacefully today, aged 91. A Kiwi icon, Les blazed a trail in sport, business, politics and life. Together with his wife Colleen, he created a fitness dynasty, first through the Les Mills New Zealand (LMNZ) chain of gyms and then Les Mills International, the group training powerhouse started by their son Phillip and his partner Jackie, now supported by their children Diana and Les Jnr. Continue Reading Les Mills Snr (1934 – 2026) – a founding father of fitness who blazed a trail in sport, business, politics and life. Born in Auckland in 1934, Les had a tough start in life, losing his father at age 11, but he found solace in his passion for fitness and physical culture, inspired by the Charles Atlas strength training program. He grew into a fearsome athlete who represented New Zealand at 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. Aged 19, Les married…

Gym chain founder and Olympian Les Mills Snr has died | RNZ Gym chain founder and Olympian Les Mills Snr has died The 91-year-old competed at four Olympic games, served as Auckland mayor and founded the chain of Les Mills gyms. RNZ Life reporters 29 June 2026 3 min read RNZ Life reporters 29 June 2026 3 min read Caption: Les Mills Snr. Photo credit: Supplied Former Olympian, Auckland mayor and founder of Les Mills gyms, Les Mills Snr has died, aged 91. “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," his son, Phillip Mills said in a statement announcing the death on Monday. “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.” Les Mills Snr and his wife Colleen founded the Les Mills chain of gyms. Supplied Mills Snr, with his wife Colleen, founded Les Mills gyms in 1986. There are currently 12 Les Mills gyms around New Zealand. On the back of the gyms, Les Mills International group…

Les Mills, Olympian Who Founded Fitness Chain, Dies at 91. Les Mills in 2018.

Fitness brand founder and Olympian Les Mills dies aged 91 The Les Mills International brand is now known globally for choreographed workouts set to music, like Body Pump and Body Combat.

Les Mills Snr (1934 – 2026) – a founding father of fitness who ... Leslie Roy Mills MBE, CNZM 1 November 1934 – 29 June 2026 A versatile sportsman, successful business owner, inspiring leader, and former Mayor of Auckland – Leslie Roy Mills MBE, CNZM is an absolute legend. He laid the foundations for a movement that has inspired millions around the world to fall in love with fitness – a legacy that lives on in every workout. ‍ The first inklings of Les Mills Snr’s remarkable strength and determination came at just 11 years old. He was a skinny boy from Grey Lynn dealing with the recent death of his father when he competed in his first event. A recruiter from the local athletics club had dropped by his Sunday school and held a trial run around the park. Les set off like a rocket and finished 50 yards ahead of the pack. It was the first of his many wins at Western Suburbs Athletic Club, which went on to become the strongest club in New Zealand. ‍ Les was naturally fast with a fierce desire to win, and also extremely eager to learn. As a young sportsman, he became obsessed with gyms, strength training and physical culture. He consumed as much information as he could on the topic…

Les Mills, NZ Olympian and founder of global fitness brand, dies aged 91 The New Zealand Olympian who opened an Auckland gym in 1968, which grew into an international group fitness brand, has died aged 91.

Les Mills, New Zealand Olympian and global fitness brand founder, dies ... Les Mills, the former New Zealand Olympian, fitness brand founder and three-term Auckland mayor, has died at 91. Mills competed in discus and shot put at four Olympic Games between 1960 and 1972. His distinguished career also saw him secure five Commonwealth Games medals, including a discus gold in 1966. Beyond his own athletic achievements, he later guided fellow New Zealander Beatrice Faumuina to a world title in discus in 1997 and Commonwealth Games gold in 1998. “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,” Mills’ son Phil said in a statement released to New Zealand media. “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 .” Aged 19, Les married his wife Colleen – herself a world-class track and field athlete – and the pair embarked on several business ventures together before uniting their passi…