Les Mills, Olympic athlete and fitness pioneer, dies at 91

Fitness expert Les Mills – a former Olympian who competed in shot put and discus at four Games – has died at the age of 91, his family confirmed.

The New Zealander first opened a small gym in Auckland with his wife Colleen in 1968, a venture that grew into a national chain and later the global Les Mills International brand known for choreographed workouts such as Body Pump and Body Combat.

Mills later pivoted to politics in the 1990s, serving three terms as mayor of Auckland City. He stayed active in sport as a coach, mentoring athletes including world‑champion discus thrower Beatrice Faumuina in 1997.

He was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2002 and a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1973 for services to sport and local government.

Phillip Mills, who co‑founded the Les Mills International brand with partner Jackie, described his father as “immensely strong, driven and deeply caring for the less advantaged.” He added that his father's legacy will continue to inspire people in gyms worldwide.

Mills won five Commonwealth Games medals, including a discus gold in 1966 in Kingston, Jamaica, and held seven world records during his athletic career.

The fitness community mourns the loss of a pioneering entrepreneur and athlete whose impact extends far beyond New Zealand.