PHILLIP MILLS
Co-founder of Les Mills International
Phillip Mills is one of the pioneers of the international fitness industry and a driving force behind the popularisation of the modern group fitness experience.
A Commonwealth Games 400m hurdles finalist in the 1970s, Phillip won a track scholarship to the University of California, Los Angeles, where he graduated in philosophy.
On returning to New Zealand, he took an increasing role in the Les Mills fitness club business founded by his parents, Les and Colleen in 1968, and later took ownership of the business with his wife, Jackie.
There are now ten Les Mills clubs in New Zealand with 45,000 members.
In the 1980s Phillip developed the exercise-to-music system that would later evolve into the eight group fitness programs currently distributed by Les Mills International to more nearly 11,000 fitness clubs in 70 countries, with an estimated 4.5 million participants a week.
Based on an assurance of quality achieved through pre-choreography and a revolutionary system for training instructors, the programs include the weight training with barbells program BODYPUMP™ which has become the world’s biggest branded group fitness program.
The other programs are BODYFLOW™/BODYFLOW™ (yoga, tai chi and pilates), BODYCOMBAT™ (martial arts), BODYATTACK™ (high-intensity aerobics), RPM™ (indoor cycling), BODYJAM™ (dance), BODYSTEP™ (step aerobics) and BODYVIVE™ (low-impact).
Phillip also developed the LES MILLS™ Group Fitness Management system that supports the operation of Les Mills’ programs in clubs.
Phillip is married to Dr Jackie Mills, a medical practitioner and Program Director for the Les Mills mind-body fitness program, BODYFLOW™/BODYFLOW™. They live in Auckland and have two children, Les and Diana.
In 2004 Phillip was named New Zealand Entrepreneur of the Year by the professional services firm, Ernst & Young.
Dr Jackie Mills
Creative Director and Program Director for BODYFLOW™
A qualified general medical practitioner and obstetrician, Jackie’s medical expertise has been a vital asset in the development of the LES MILLS™ programs, complementing other qualifications in gymnastics, aerobics and dance.
Originally from the small New Zealand town of Te Awamutu, Jackie was a "natural" at gymnastics and athletics and on leaving school, took a degree in physical education at Otago University, majoring in dance and graduating with distinction.
Working as an aerobics trainer brought her into contact with Phillip Mills - and a job working with Phillip on the launch of the LES MILLS™ programs in New Zealand.
The couple were married and ran a gym in Sydney for two years together before returning to Auckland and, in Jackie’s case, starting medical studies.
Meanwhile, Jackie continued teaching aerobics and worked closely with Phillip and other key members of the Les Mills team on its group fitness classes, including BODYFLOW™/BODYFLOW™.
Jackie Mills has a dual role within Les Mills as Creative Director and Program Director for BODYFLOW™/BODYFLOW™. She is one of three LES MILLS™ Creative Directors, together with Phillip Mills and Emma Barry.