Globally Pumped

Les Mills International, which exports its exercise-to-music classes to 80 countries around the globe, is a finalist in the New Zealand International Business Awards for best business with revenue in the $10m to $50m category. The company has come a long way since Olympic athlete Les Mills opened his first gym with wife Colleen in Auckland in 1968. Les Mills International now has 90,000 certified instructors teaching its classes in 14,000 licensed gyms and clubs around the world. Les Mills Enterprises chief executive Vaughan Schwass said: “Our classes are very much driven by motivation and results; our brand integrity stands on the fact you will get results doing our classes.” Les Mills will partner with an American fitness video company and launch a home fitness DVD package, based on its Body Pump class, in the competitive United States market in March.