Les Mills, the Fitness Pioneer Who Changed Millions of Workouts, Has Died at 91
If you've ever loaded a barbell for a BodyPump class, you've felt the impact of Les Mills Sr.-whether you realized it or not.
The New Zealand Olympian and fitness pioneer, whose family helped transform group exercise into a global phenomenon, has died at 91. Mills passed away peacefully surrounded by family, according to statements released Monday, and first reported by The Associated Press.
A Small Gym Sparked a Global Fitness Revolution
Long before boutique studios and streaming workouts became the norm, Mills was rethinking what a gym could be. In 1968, he and his wife, Colleen, opened their first fitness club in Auckland, New Zealand. That single location eventually grew into the Les Mills gym chain, while the family's next generation turned the brand into one of the biggest names in fitness worldwide, according to the Associated Press.
The breakthrough came in 1991, when Mills' son Phillip and daughter-in-law Jackie launched BodyPump-a barbell-based strength workout set to music. At a time when many people still viewed weight rooms as intimidating, BodyPump made lifting more approachable, introducing strength training to millions of everyday gym-goers.
The Workout That Changed Strength Training Forever
More than three decades later, that formula is still working. Today, Les Mills programs-including BodyPump, BodyCombat, BodyAttack, and RPM-are offered in more than 22,000 gyms across over 100 countries, according to Les Mills International.
For many people, BodyPump wasn't just another class-it was their first experience with resistance training. It helped prove that lifting weights could improve strength, boost confidence, and be something anyone could enjoy, not just competitive athletes or bodybuilders.
His Legacy Lives On Every Time a Class Begins
Before building a fitness empire, Mills competed in four Olympic Games, won five Commonwealth Games medals-including discus gold in 1966-and later served three terms as Auckland's mayor, according to the Associated Press.
In a statement shared by Les Mills International, his son Phillip Mills said, "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."
More than 30 years after BodyPump debuted, his influence can still be felt every time gym-goers grab a barbell and join a class. That's a legacy few people in fitness can match.
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This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published June 30, 2026 at 4:22 PM.