Twice a week, a striking group makes its way through the Park near the Euromast: a group of walkers, guided by an enthusiastic coach. They are working on their health, as walking helps prevent overweight, diabetes mellitus, and mental health issues. To get Rotterdam residents moving, Erasmus MC launched Walking in the Park. Participants walk together for twenty weeks—because it’s both fun and healthy.
“Walking helps you clear your head mentally, reduces stiffness, and builds self-confidence. People sleep better, become more creative, and experience more joy,” says walking coach Ruud Goedkoop of VitaMotionNow. Since mid-November, he has been guiding two walking groups every week in the Park near the Euromast.
Walking in the Park is an initiative of the Erasmus MC Prevention Program and Stichting Het Park. They collaborate with the Bas van de Goor Foundation, which has extensive experience in getting groups of people moving. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, there is a walking group of fifteen people who walk for an hour and do exercises. Sometimes they also receive information on topics such as healthy nutrition. Afterwards, they go together to the Park Pavilion for a drink. Because besides the physical challenge, the social aspect is important. Walking is especially enjoyable when done together.
Movement as Medicine
Rotterdam will become healthier if everyone gets enough exercise. Currently, 46 percent of the population does not move enough, and half of all Rotterdam residents are overweight. “Twenty minutes of walking a day,” says Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery Denise Eygendaal, “is already beneficial for your health. Get off the metro one stop earlier, take the stairs at work, park your car a little farther away. Walking should be like brushing your teeth—it needs to become a habit.”
Walking should be like brushing your teeth—it needs to become a habit.
Walking Fitness
“Many people who don’t exercise much find it difficult to start walking,” observes walking coach Ruud Goedkoop. “They lead busy lives, and when they are on their own, they think they can’t do it or don’t know where to go to join a group.” During the walks, Ruud also leads strength and balance exercises with the group. Using a walking test, he monitors participants’ walking fitness throughout the twenty-week program.
“I love motivating people who think they can’t do it or won’t manage a certain distance. I let them experience the positive health effects of walking and enjoy seeing how much fun they have while walking. That’s what helps them keep walking in the long term.”
Many People Are So Rushed That They Don’t Notice What’s Right in Their Own Neighborhood
After working in the entertainment industry, Ruud became a movement and walking coach ten years ago. As an avid athlete, he pioneered various types of walking groups in his hometown of Capelle aan den IJssel.
“You can walk very well in Rotterdam too,” Ruud believes. “Many people are so rushed that they don’t notice things in their own neighborhood, close to home. There is so much to see and discover. With all its architecture, Rotterdam is a fantastic city to walk through and explore. Take the Rotterdam Night Walk, for example. At the end of December, you walk together through the illuminated city in the dark—it’s beautiful.”
A Healthy Lifestyle
Erasmus MC places a strong emphasis on prevention, because doctors also know that prevention is better than cure. This year, lifestyle has been included in the medical curriculum for the first time. The lifestyle care desk guides patients toward a healthier lifestyle—for example, by helping them find a movement coach, walking club, or walking football group in their neighborhood. Activities that people can enjoy and sustain over time.
If one percent of Rotterdam residents move more, we save eleven million euros in healthcare costs.
“Lifestyle should be part of every treatment,” Denise explains. “In the hospital, we should always ask how people move, so that with one click you can immediately place the patient in the right care pathway that matches their movement needs. There are plenty of exercise programs that demonstrably reduce disease burden.”
This also leads to lower healthcare spending. Research shows that if one percent of Rotterdam residents—that is 6,700 people—start exercising weekly or increase their level of physical activity, this results in savings of eleven million euros in healthcare costs.
Movement Ambassadors
Healthcare professionals can find an extensive overview of accessible exercise classes in Rotterdam at beweegcoach.nl. And through Rotterdam Sportsupport, anyone can sign up for a trial training session at a sports club.
“And don’t forget the 17,000 employees of Erasmus MC,” Denise adds. “They can all be movement ambassadors. We are also looking at how we can further involve neighborhoods—for example, by having people become movement ambassadors in their street or apartment building. No formal training is required for that.”
Ruud Goedkoop remains highly enthusiastic about walking opportunities in Rotterdam. He recommends a special route: from the Park near the Euromast along the Veerhaven, across the Erasmus Bridge, via Kop van Zuid and Katendrecht to the SS Rotterdam, around the Maashaven and back through the Maastunnel.
“Many Rotterdammers have never walked through the Maastunnel. You walk underneath the water—it’s incredibly fun to do. There are so many great walking routes. Rotterdam South—go for a nice walk in Zuiderpark. Just do it.”
In May 2026, new Walking in the Park groups will start.
More information: ruud@vitamotionnow.nl
The quotes from Denise Eygendaal are taken from the podcast Science in the Park: Walking in Rotterdam by the Bas van de Goor Foundation.
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