08 AUGUST 2024 – AUCKLAND: Les Mills International (LMI) has bolstered its Board with the appointment of LifeFit Group CEO Martin Seibold as a Non-Executive Director.
The added expertise will enhance Les Mills’ Accelerating Club Success strategy, which aims to drive the next phase of industry growth by doubling down on live fitness experiences and launching exciting new programs to engage the next generation.
Widely acknowledged as one of the leading club operators in the world, Martin brings extensive experience and strategic insight from a stellar 25+ year career in fitness. He has held leading positions in Germany, Benelux, Asia and Australia, as well as spearheading the repositioning of Fitness First as a premium brand in the UK and Germany.
Over the past four years, Martin and his team have built LifeFit Group into a multi-brand organisation comprising various best-in-class gym chains and leading boutique fitness brands. Having grown the LifeFit Group portfolio from 55 to 140+ facilities, Martin recently led the sale of the group from Oaktree Capital Management to Waterland Private Equity Investments, with the deal expected to close in Q3.
Phillip Mills, Les Mills Managing Director, said: “Martin brings a wealth of experience across key markets and invaluable insights on the current needs of club customers.
“With our focus on Accelerating Club Success, Martin is a perfect fit for Les Mills and will strengthen our work to support clubs and Instructors towards the next phase of industry growth.
“Following Martin’s appointment, Tony Balfour will step down from the LMI Board after the September Board meeting. We’re hugely appreciative of the value Tony’s brought to LMI over many years and wish him all the best.”
Martin Seibold, LifeFit Group CEO and Les Mills Board Member adds: “As a regional partner of Les Mills (Germany, UK), I have always been impressed by the positive attitude of the entire team and excited by the fantastic programs.
“The last few years have shown how important community is and the way Les Mills brings this to life across the world is truly unique. I’m looking forward to bringing this powerful community into more clubs and strengthening its impact across all Les Mills’ global markets and the New Zealand headquarters.”
Martin is the sixth member of the LMI Board, joining:
ENDS
MEDIA REQUESTS: jak.phillips@lesmills.com
About Les Mills
Les Mills International is the global leader in group fitness and creator of over 25 programs available in leading fitness facilities around the world. Les Mills programs include the world’s first group exercise resistance training workout BODYPUMP™, BODYCOMBAT™ (martial arts), RPM™ (indoor cycling), BODYBALANCE™ (yoga), LES MILLS GRIT™ (30-minute high-intensity interval training) and the revolutionary immersive cycle experience, THE TRIP™. Each workout is refreshed and updated with new choreography and music every three months.
The company was founded by Les Mills – a four-time Olympian and head coach of New Zealand’s track and field team – who opened his first gym in 1968 with the aim of taking elite sports training to the masses. Today, Les Mills workouts are delivered by 130,000 certified instructors in 22,000 clubs across 100 countries, as well as via the LES MILLS+ streaming platform and Extended Reality (XR).
About LifeFit Group
LifeFit Group is a leading fitness and health platform in Germany, uniting several fitness brands under one roof. The Group is committed to inspiring and supporting its customers to improve their lives through personalized, varied and purposeful health and fitness experiences. Fitness First is LifeFit Group's best-known and largest brand. With Fitness First BLACK, the gym chain offers upscale benefits and services, while Fitness First RED offers a special workout space concept for a wide range of customers with an appealing modular pricing. Elbgym complements the multi-brand offering as an exclusive performance fitness provider with its unique and strong community. The fitness concepts of Barry's, the pioneer of indoor high-intensity interval training, The Gym Society, the innovative compact studio concept from the Netherlands, as well as the Club Pilates brand and YogaSix from Xponential Fitness complete the LifeFit Group portfolio. For more information, visit www.lifefit-group.com