Les Mills leans into strength and Pilates trends with pioneering group training program
LES MILLS SHAPES combines hottest training trends with sizzling soundtrack and latest science to create a workout like no other
LES MILLS SHAPES™ has been unveiled as the latest innovation from the Kiwi fitness leader, designed to help clubs engage younger members by tapping into red-hot training trends.
A low-impact strength-based workout inspired by Pilates, barre and power yoga, LES MILLS SHAPES debuted late last month at LES MILLS LIVE Los Angeles ahead of its official launch on 7 August.
The group training program arrives as new research reveals strength training is the most popular activity among Gen Z gymgoers, while 63% practice Pilates and 57% enjoy yoga sessions.
Suitable for all fitness levels, LES MILLS SHAPES meets modern member preferences by providing a full-body dynamic and targeted workout that uses small, controlled movements and repetition to sculpt and strengthen all areas of the body, while boosting coordination and flexibility.
“Our research shows that choice is so important for younger members, which is why we wanted to create a program that blends the best parts of Pilates, Yoga and stretch workouts,” says LES MILLS SHAPES creator Erin Maw.
“But it’s not just younger members – LES MILLS SHAPES is accessible to all abilities and allows participants to find their own hot spot and really challenge themselves.”
“Despite the popularity of strength training, barbells and weights can be quite daunting for some people, so LES MILLS SHAPES is great if you want to avoid the intimidation of the barbell, but still get that full-body strength feeling.”
Watch LES MILLS SHAPES Trailer
After rigorous testing and refinement, recent trials of LES MILLS SHAPES in New Zealand clubs have seen 92% of participants reporting they would recommend the class to others, with 94% of Instructors saying they would continue teaching LES MILLS SHAPES.
Meanwhile, research led by Dr Gillian Hatfield, an Associate Professor In Kinesiology At Canada's University Of The Fraser Valley, found that LES MILLS SHAPES is effective as a low-impact, high-intensity workout to add balance and stability.
A 6-week study saw young people aged 19-35 who didn't do regular core training take part in LES MILLS SHAPES classes three times per week. At the end of the study, the group reported significant improvements in their balance, back and core endurance, with an average:
35% increase in abdominal endurance
26% increase in back endurance
20% uplift in balance / hip stability
Bryce Hastings, Les Mills Head of Research, said: “These results show LES MILLS SHAPES is a scientifically validated workout that delivers fast results. The effort members put into these workouts will be rewarded in terms of increased balance, hip stability, and core endurance.
“With strength training all the rage right now – particularly among younger members – LES MILLS SHAPES serves as the perfect complement, offering integrated functional core training that supports other workouts and reduces risk of injury.
“By significantly strengthening our core and enhancing flexibility, LES MILLS SHAPES helps to build a solid platform for anything we do that combines activity in the upper and lower body, whether that’s heavy strength training, running, or even cleaning the house.”
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About Les Mills
Les Mills 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 21,000 clubs across 100 countries, as well as via the LES MILLS+ streaming platform and Virtual Reality (VR).
