NZ Men Beat Cancer Together at This Free Fitness Class

When 90-year-old Gary walks into Jenkins Gym every Monday morning in Lower Hutt, New Zealand, he's not just there for the workout. He's there for what he calls "the fellowship" with men who truly understand his journey with prostate cancer.

The Prost-FIT class looks like organized chaos at first. Trainer Daisy Hutton cheerfully directs 13 men through circuits of strength and balance exercises, gently correcting when someone goes the wrong direction or forgets to sign in.

Some participants arrive in proper gym wear. Others show up in jeans and button-down shirts, ready to give it their best shot anyway.

The class was designed specifically for men living with prostate cancer at any stage, from fresh diagnosis through long-term survival. Each session includes gentle warm-ups, 40-second exercise bursts with 20-second rests, and finishes with pelvic floor work and breathing exercises.

For 69-year-old Jonathan, who calls the group a "band of brothers," the real magic happens after class. The men walk down the road together for coffee, talking about cars and fishing before eventually sharing treatment experiences and supporting each other through the tough moments.

Chris made his first visit this Monday after completing surgery, hormone treatment, and 33 radiation sessions. Despite trouble lifting his arms above his head, he found the adapted exercises helpful and plans to return.

Why This Inspires

Prost-FIT began in 2018 when Christchurch exercise professionals Kris Tynan and Tim Webster noticed a gap. No fitness programs existed specifically for men undergoing prostate cancer treatment.

Tynan admits he had to "bully, coerce, and convince" skeptical men to try the first 12-week pilot. One participant initially refused, saying he didn't want to "listen to a bunch of old blokes talking about their problems."

That same man later told TV cameras it was the best thing he ever did. Not a single participant has walked away saying the program wasn't for them.

The program has grown to 23 classes across New Zealand, running free for 40 weeks yearly thanks to funding from the Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ and Dry July campaign. Around 17 men now attend the Lower Hutt sessions regularly.

Trainer Hutton, who works for rehabilitation company TBI Health and completed extensive oncology training, says the camaraderie stands out most. The men look out for each other, especially welcoming newcomers who might feel nervous or uncertain.

Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ chief executive Peter Dickens acknowledges that maintaining funding remains challenging in the current economic climate, but programs like Prost-FIT show where community support makes the greatest difference.

For Gary, still working on his health at 90, the Monday morning routine provides something medicine alone cannot: connection with men walking the same path, proving that sometimes the best therapy comes with a side of friendship.