World United, backed by New Zealand PM, Jacinda Ardern, will help operators relaunch businesses
By Tom Walker 27 Jul 2020
Fitness facilities across more than 100 countries worldwide are expected to take part in the campaign Credit: Les Mills
Les Mills will launch a new global campaign in September, celebrating the return of fitness and designed to help operators grow their memberships.
The campaign will be free of Les Mills branding, so operators can make it their own.
Called World United, the campaign will promote the importance of exercise to physical and mental health and is aimed at helping the global fitness industry reactivate paused members and attract new ones.
Fitness facilities across more than 100 countries worldwide are expected to take part in the initiative, which is supported by the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern.
In a campaign launch video for World United, Ardern says: “Right now, we are facing a major health challenge.
"But as we come out of this, exercise will have a vital part to play in uniting us, and keeping us both mentally and physically well.
“Across the globe, you have all got an important role in making that happen, so thank you, good luck, and have a fabulous day.”
World United will peak from Saturday 19 September 2020 onwards, with a synchronised global launch of live and online fitness events involving tens of thousands of fitness facilities and trainers worldwide. It is the third and final phase of Les Mills’ recovery support package for club partners, to help "turbocharge their relaunch" and drive member re-engagement.
The launch will celebrate fitness through the exclusive release of United-themed workouts, filmed by during lockdown by more than 300 instructors worldwide.
"Multiple reports and post-lockdown surveys have indicated that the social elements of the club, such as group fitness and interactions with your team, are going to be the biggest drivers of recovery," said founder, Phillip Mills.
"After many months of being kept apart, members are yearning for deeper connection and human interactions, so how we leverage and nurture the social aspects of our club offerings will have a major bearing on the success of our relaunches.
"World United is a business accelerator for clubs, designed to support clubs' relaunch strategy by engaging existing members and attracting new ones. Launch activations play a strong role in motivating members to attend more often, dialing up the fun factor and offering a strong PR hook to generate added buzz and publicity around clubs."
Clubs and Instructors are invited to join the campaign on 19 September by hosting their own special launch activations or community open day (or weekend) – either online via Les Mills’ livestreaming service or live in-club – to re-engage paused members and attract new ones.
A free online campaign hub has been created for club partners and Instructors. The landing page features a collection of relaunch resources, as well customizable event assets (print + digital) ready for use.
The event will take place just four days before National Fitness Day in the UK (held 23 September) and will be part of its launch.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD). GWD ...More
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day (GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation experiences. Founded in 2012 by Belgin Aksoy in Turkey, GWD ...More
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los Cabos. The not-for-profit movement, ...More
Global Wellness Day (GWD) will mark its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities that spark joy. Founded in ...More
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day (GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in alignment with ...More
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group. With decades of experience in immersive water-based attractions, Maelzer will lead the development and global delivery of the company’s recreational ...More
Lithuanian care operator Addere Care has launched a “wellness care hospital” in Vilnius. It's the company’s second Lithuanian site, following a hospital in Trakai, but the first to offer professional medical care in a spa ...More
Auko, an all-inclusive development, is opening in Phong Nha in Vietnam in Q3 2026, with a series of 30 tented eco-lodges and wellness hospitality operations by Lumina Wellbeing. Van Phu Real Estate Development JSC owns ...More
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that cancer is a disability and ...More
Wellness and hospitality thought leaders gathered recently for a workshop at Yasuragi, the Japanese spa and conference hotel near Stockholm. The purpose was to shape the FIBO Longevity and Hospitality Summit, which will happen in ...More
LVMH-owned beauty house Guerlain will launch up to five spas with partners a year as part of its plan to expand globally, according to the brand’s international spa and wellness director, Diane Davody. In an ...More
A new global study by Kevin Kelly and Peter Yesawich, called WELLSurvey 2.0, has revealed more than half of consumers in the UK, US and Germany would not choose numerous high-profile wellness resort brands for ...More
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. ... more
World United, backed by New Zealand PM, Jacinda Ardern, will help operators relaunch businesses
POSTED 27 Jul 2020 . BY Tom Walker
Fitness facilities across more than 100 countries worldwide are expected to take part in the campaign Credit: Les Mills
Credit: Les Mills
We are facing a major health challenge, but as we come out of this, exercise will have a vital part to play in uniting us, and keeping us both mentally and physically well – Jacinda Ardern
Les Mills will launch a new global campaign in September, celebrating the return of fitness and designed to help operators grow their memberships.
The campaign will be free of Les Mills branding, so operators can make it their own.
Called World United, the campaign will promote the importance of exercise to physical and mental health and is aimed at helping the global fitness industry reactivate paused members and attract new ones.
Fitness facilities across more than 100 countries worldwide are expected to take part in the initiative, which is supported by the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern.
In a campaign launch video for World United, Ardern says: “Right now, we are facing a major health challenge.
"But as we come out of this, exercise will have a vital part to play in uniting us, and keeping us both mentally and physically well.
“Across the globe, you have all got an important role in making that happen, so thank you, good luck, and have a fabulous day.”
World United will peak from Saturday 19 September 2020 onwards, with a synchronised global launch of live and online fitness events involving tens of thousands of fitness facilities and trainers worldwide. It is the third and final phase of Les Mills’ recovery support package for club partners, to help "turbocharge their relaunch" and drive member re-engagement.
The launch will celebrate fitness through the exclusive release of United-themed workouts, filmed by during lockdown by more than 300 instructors worldwide.
"Multiple reports and post-lockdown surveys have indicated that the social elements of the club, such as group fitness and interactions with your team, are going to be the biggest drivers of recovery," said founder, Phillip Mills.
"After many months of being kept apart, members are yearning for deeper connection and human interactions, so how we leverage and nurture the social aspects of our club offerings will have a major bearing on the success of our relaunches.
"World United is a business accelerator for clubs, designed to support clubs' relaunch strategy by engaging existing members and attracting new ones. Launch activations play a strong role in motivating members to attend more often, dialing up the fun factor and offering a strong PR hook to generate added buzz and publicity around clubs."
Clubs and Instructors are invited to join the campaign on 19 September by hosting their own special launch activations or community open day (or weekend) – either online via Les Mills’ livestreaming service or live in-club – to re-engage paused members and attract new ones.
A free online campaign hub has been created for club partners and Instructors. The landing page features a collection of relaunch resources, as well customizable event assets (print + digital) ready for use.
The event will take place just four days before National Fitness Day in the UK (held 23 September) and will be part of its launch.
FEATURE: Industry insights: Top talent POSTED 29 Apr 2020. Finlay Macdonald from Les Mills explores how to make the most of your finest group exercise instructors. Armed with enough influence to positively boost membership numbers, it’s vital to reward, train and value your best in class
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of
Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los
Cabos.
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day
(GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in
alignment with the day’s theme #JoyMagenta.
