The Institute of Cancer Research, London, Sir Chris Hoy, PureGym and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust have teamed up for a second year running to help men with prostate cancer to become more active.
Launched in 2025 in conjunction with the inaugural Tour de 4 charity fundraising event, the initiative offers men with locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer on hormone therapy a free one-year PureGym membership, alongside a structured exercise programme.
In its first year, more than 2,500 men across the UK have registered for the programme, highlighting both the demand for accessible exercise support and the impact of removing financial barriers to physical activity.
PureGym is set to sponsor Tour de 4 charity bike ride for the second year running. cycling event will take place in Glasgow on the 6th September, raising vital funds for cancer charities across the UK. PureGym is encouraging even more people to take part this year, whilst celebrating the success of its programme to offer free gym memberships to men with prostate cancer.
Growing evidence that exercise can help
Advanced prostate cancer affects around 20,000 men in the UK each year. While hormone therapy remains the primary treatment, it is associated with side effects including fatigue, muscle loss, increased body fat and reduced bone density.
There is growing evidence that structured exercise can significantly improve quality of life for patients and may also enhance their treatment outcomes and reduce risk of other illness such as heart disease. This includes a 2020 review of clinical trials, which suggested that exercise may be associated with improved outcomes for people with cancer.
The review found that exercise was linked to a lower risk of death among people with cancer and cancer survivors, and a lower risk of recurrence among cancer survivors. Despite this, access to tailored exercise support remains limited, and many patients face barriers including cost, lack of confidence, and uncertainty around how to exercise safely.
This is where PureGym hopes to support those people looking to get active in the face of their diagnosis. The initiative is supported by funding from The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
Are you on hormone therapy as part of your prostate cancer treatment? You could be suitable for a free PureGym membership and a structured exercise programme.
'Getting started with exercise can feel daunting, but the benefits are clear to see'
Sir Chris Hoy said: “I’m delighted PureGym are sponsoring Tour de 4 for a second year running and are building on this life changing initiative for men with prostate cancer with The Royal Marsden and The Institute of Cancer Research. For many people living with prostate cancer, getting started with exercise can feel daunting, but the benefits are clear to see and I encourage as many people as possible to get involved.
“A cancer diagnosis doesn’t define the limit of what’s possible; Tour de 4 is about coming together to break down barriers and give people the tools and confidence to stay active and live life to the full. I’m delighted that we’re continuing this journey together in 2026.”
'Exercise is one of the most powerful tools we have to help manage side effects'
Professor Nick James, Professor of Prostate and Bladder Cancer Research at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and Consultant Clinical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“Advanced prostate cancer and its treatment can have a profound impact on men’s physical and mental health. Hormone therapy, which is the mainstay of treatment, often leads to fatigue, loss of muscle, weight gain and longer-term risks such as heart disease and diabetes.
“Exercise is one of the most powerful tools we have to help men manage these effects. Strong evidence shows that staying active can improve quality of life, reduce treatment-related side effects and support long-term health, and there is increasing research suggesting that it may even improve survival.
“Despite this, too many men with advanced prostate cancer remain inactive. Tailored, accessible exercise support is limited, and after a serious diagnosis many men face practical, psychological and financial barriers to getting started or staying active.
“That’s why we’re delighted to continue our collaboration with PureGym as they sponsor Tour de 4 again this year. The offer of free gym memberships for men with locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer on hormone therapy has already proved highly successful, with many men now benefiting from access to supportive gym facilities. “This initiative is helping men build confidence and establish regular exercise habits. We believe this kind of support can make a real difference to quality of life for men living with prostate cancer, and we’re very pleased to see the impact it is already having.”
Humphrey Cobbold, Chair of PureGym, said:
“Following the success of our first year supporting Tour de 4, we are incredibly proud to be continuing this partnership with Sir Chris Hoy and building on the momentum we’ve created over the past year. Seeing more than 2,500 men register for free gym membership demonstrates just how important it is to make exercise accessible to those living with cancer. “As the UK’s largest gym operator, we have the reach and scale to make a meaningful difference. We know that staying active can have a transformative impact, both physically and mentally, and we remain committed to providing more people with the chance to boost their life chances.”
The initiative
Men with locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer, on hormone therapy, will be eligible for:
- Free one-year PureGym membership
- 26-week exercise programme with videos that can be followed either at home or in the gym, alongside information and resources to support you in your treatment journey.
The exercise programme has been specifically designed for men with prostate cancer that has spread beyond the prostate into the surrounding tissues or has spread to more distant parts of the body. The programme considers fatigue, lower bone density, and risks associated with having prostate cancer that has spread to the bones.
To register your interest in taking part, and for more information, visit icr.ac.uk/puregym