Sir Chris Hoy and PureGym Join Forces to Tackle Prostate Cancer Through Exercise

Inspired by his personal battle with prostate cancer, we are once again partnering with Sir Chris Hoy, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust to help men with prostate cancer become more active.

Advanced prostate cancer affects around 20,000 men in the UK each year. We are proud to continue supporting Sir Chris, who has been part of the PureGym family for many years, on his mission to improve the quality of life of people living with cancer.

Launched alongside the inaugural Tour de 4 cycling event in 2025, our partnership with Sir Chris Hoy, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust provides men with locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer who are receiving hormone therapy with a free one-year PureGym membership. The uptake has been incredible in our first year of the programme, with more than 2,500 men registering to participate, highlighting both the demand for accessible exercise support and the impact of removing financial barriers to physical activity.

There is growing evidence that regular exercise can help improve quality of life for patients, enhance their treatment outcomes and reduce risk of other illness such as heart disease. As we continue the initiative in 2026, participants will receive access to a new 26-week exercise programme, featuring videos that can be followed at home or in the gym, as well as information to support them during treatment.

As well as encouraging more participants to join this programme, we are delighted to be sponsoring Sir Chris Hoy’s Tour de 4 charity bike ride for a second year. The inclusive event will take place in Glasgow on 6 September 2026, challenging perceptions of living with stage 4 cancer and raising vital funds for cancer charities across the UK.

Sir Chris Hoy

“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.” 

Humphrey Cobbold

“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.” 

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:

“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.”