The Beginning of Les Mills

Les Mills was started in 1968 when Les and Colleen Mills opened a gym in Auckland. Since both had represented New Zealand at the Olympic and Commonwealth games, they were well known. Their son Phillip who also represented New Zealand discovered American style aerobics while studying in the U.S. He applied this expertise in New Zealand with great success. In 1984, the company went public and was listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange, but was bought back in 1989. Through sheer dedication, Les Mills created some group fitness programs that induced a revolutionary change in the world of fitness. It expanded very rapidly and this led to the establishment of “Les Mills International” which franchised its fitness clubs globally.

They currently coach millions of people in fitness programs and have 13,000 gyms in 80 countries. They produce fitness DVDs which are released in all their clubs after 3 months of trial periods and then release them simultaneously to mass events on You Tube. The videos also include training sessions for teachers, instructors and management training       People working for Les Mills are required to be loyal to Les Brand values because as all Les Mills representatives, associates and employees represent their company brand in their respective capacities in all the clubs.  Les Mills is a world class organization and has hired the best creative agencies in New Zealand for promoting its gyms and clubs.

According to Phillip Mills CEO of Les Mills, you should put yourself and your money in the game. He fulfills his commitment in financial and emotional terms. Besides representing the brand, fitness instructors also deliver their personal experiences for their clients. Because it is the instructor that the customer looks up to, they are the most obvious representative for those who are participating n their fitness programs. Instructors produce the group fitness with participants.          

 The Leadership of Les Mills is in the capable hands of Phillip Mills who has a vision of providing people with experience that will change their lives permanently.

He is in the vanguard of the global fight against obesity and has co-authored the well-known book “Fighting obesity – A Practical Guide to Personal Health and Global Sustainability” which was published in 2007. This book details the association between physical fitness, national health systems, and global sustainability. Les Mills has been named as the New Zealand Services Exporter of the year by the New Zealand Trade Enterprise. Phillips has also been awarded the Ernst & Young’s New Zealand Entrepreneur of the Year in 2004, and the following year was nominated for the same Ernst and Young award in Monaco