The Surprising Impact of LES MILLS THRIVE™

With predictions that 1 in 6 people globally will be over 60 by 2030 – alongside growing concerns around inactivity and social isolation – more people than ever are looking for simple, effective, and social ways to keep moving.

Now 18 months into LES MILLS THRIVE’s club rollout, Instructors talk about the program’s growing popularity and how it’s resonating far beyond its intended audience.

What is LES MILLS THRIVE?

As a recap, LES MILLS THRIVE is a 45-minute, low-impact functional workout designed to develop lower body strength, flexibility, and movement control, particularly with older adults in mind. Each session combines a feel-good, sing-along playlist, supportive coaching, and a community of people moving together.

There are scalable challenge levels, from assisted options (such as a chair) through to bodyweight or added resistance (such as weights or a band), with tracks focusing on squats, integrated core, standing glutes, lunges, isolated glutes, core, and stretch.

The program boosts:

• Lower body strength
• Propulsion ability
• Balance
• Lower limb and core stability
• Dynamic core strength
• Lower limb flexibility

There is a strong focus on independence. Shoes on or off, to the beat or off the beat, with or without weights or bands – LES MILLS THRIVE gives participants full autonomy to move at their own pace and leave feeling energized and empowered.

Andres Camargo
YMCA
Florida, USA

I added LES MILLS THRIVE to work with a new demographic I hadn’t really reached before, and to challenge myself by stepping outside my usual high-energy classes like BODYATTACK™, BODYSTEP™, or LES MILLS CORE™.

At first, I thought LES MILLS THRIVE would be primarily for older adults; however, the exercises and workouts can be used by anybody who is looking to get back into fitness. The slower pace, different options, fun music, and sense of community make it really easy for anybody to join at any time – whether returning from injury or even postpartum moms getting back into it.

Teaching LES MILLS THRIVE is a special celebration of movement different from any other class. Right from the warm-up, it becomes an environment where we just want to move in any way possible – big or small. It's not about perfection or pushing to the limit; it’s about moving your body and enjoying great music with gym friends.

Caroline Davis
Queensland, Australia
Fernwood Fitness Robina

I realized we were missing something for brand-new members, deconditioned women, and anyone wanting a slower, non-intimidating space where they could feel successful – and that’s what drew me to LES MILLS THRIVE.

Members absolutely love it, and I’ve been surprised by how effective it really is. It’s easy to think it’s just “lighter” training, but we’re seeing real gains in movement, strength, and balance, especially in older members.

It’s more relaxed than my other classes, but everyone is still working. For new members, it often becomes their first step into classes like BODYPUMP™, which is great.

Another unexpected finding was the mix of people – older members, those returning from injury, postnatal participants, and gym-goers wanting something different – and the classes are growing, especially in the mornings.

The music really adds to it – our Fernwood ladies have even made it “Karaoke THRIVE”!

Jayne Phelps, Jackie Clarke and Suzanne Cahill
Hutton Moor Leisure Centre
Weston-super-Mare, UK‍

Jayne and I trained in LES MILLS THRIVE out of curiosity, and we knew it would fill a gap in the timetable. Suzy trained after being inspired by using it for rehabilitation after knee surgery.

We feel it serves a demographic that is often overlooked in club timetables – sitting between mainstream cardio / strength classes and seated or chair-based sessions.

Members are consistently surprised by how challenging yet enjoyable they find the sessions. Regular members show noticeable improvements in fitness, as well as increased confidence in everyday movement.

It supports a group that is often underrepresented in current fitness trends, while also contributing meaningfully to fall prevention and directly supporting the health and independence of older members.

Claudio Falletta & Bastian Glasmacher
MAORI Fitness Community
Saarwellingen, Germany

You can see it in the ACSM Worldwide Fitness Trends 2026 – programs for older adults are right near the top – and it makes sense. At that stage of life, simple, everyday tasks don’t feel as easy as they once did, and suddenly health becomes a real priority. That’s what drew us to LES MILLS THRIVE – it’s not just about exercise, it’s about helping people hold on to their independence and feel confident in their own bodies again.

We’d seen that many classes don’t always feel like the right fit for beginners, older adults, or those returning after injury. LES MILLS THRIVE filled that gap.

People of all ages turn up too!

Takaaki Kikuchi (second from left)
Athreha Gym
Sapporo, Japan‍

We operate as a medically-aligned fitness facility, so people with concerns about their knees or lower back, as well as those returning to exercise after a break, can participate with confidence.

What surprised me was that even people who previously trained quite intensively now choose to take part because of the supportive atmosphere of the class. I feel LES MILLS THRIVE is highly valued as a program that improves the quality of movement – something high-intensity training alone often can’t provide.

What first-time participants are often most surprised by is how effective the class feels – they frequently say it works their body more than they expected. At first glance, LES MILLS THRIVE can look like a slow-paced, gentle program, so many people assume it will be easy or light. In reality, though, people often say they feel like they’ve had a proper workout by the end.

Thinking of coaching LES MILLS THRIVE?

As people live longer, there is a growing community needing the right kind of fitness support. LES MILLS THRIVE gives Instructors the chance to support this community while developing confidence in coaching a new demographic.

What makes it different:

• Simple, accessible movements – less focus on intensity, more on moving well
• Opportunity to educate – linking exercises to walking economy and everyday function
• A shift in focus – from pushing performance to building confidence, enjoyment and connection
• Inclusive coaching – meeting participants where they are with clear options

Opportunities for Instructors:

• Expand your timetable with off-peak classes
• Diversify your offering and reach new members
• Teach more frequently thanks to the low-impact format

At its heart, it reflects a shift in fitness – not just performance, but helping people move well, feel good, and stay connected for longer.