{"id":11316,"date":"2026-02-09T14:16:31","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T12:16:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rotterdammakeithappen.nl\/verhalen\/walking-in-the-park\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T17:12:04","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T15:12:04","slug":"walking-in-the-park","status":"publish","type":"verhaal","link":"https:\/\/rotterdammakeithappen.nl\/en\/stories\/walking-in-the-park\/","title":{"rendered":"Walking in the Park"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]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\u2014because it\u2019s both fun and healthy. <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWalking helps you clear your head mentally, reduces stiffness, and builds self-confidence. People sleep better, become more creative, and experience more joy,\u201d says walking coach Ruud Goedkoop of VitaMotionNow<\/a>. Since mid-November, he has been guiding two walking groups every week in the Park near the Euromast.<\/p>\n

Walking in the Park<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

Movement as Medicine<\/strong><\/p>\n

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. \u201cTwenty minutes of walking a day,\u201d says Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery Denise Eygendaal, \u201cis 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\u2014it needs to become a habit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Walking should be like brushing your teeth\u2014it needs to become a habit.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Walking Fitness<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cMany people who don\u2019t exercise much find it difficult to start walking,\u201d observes walking coach Ruud Goedkoop. \u201cThey lead busy lives, and when they are on their own, they think they can\u2019t do it or don\u2019t know where to go to join a group.\u201d During the walks, Ruud also leads strength and balance exercises with the group. Using a walking test, he monitors participants\u2019 walking fitness throughout the twenty-week program.
\n\u201cI love motivating people who think they can\u2019t do it or won\u2019t 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\u2019s what helps them keep walking in the long term.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Many People Are So Rushed That They Don\u2019t Notice What\u2019s Right in Their Own Neighborhood<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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.
\n\u201cYou can walk very well in Rotterdam too,\u201d Ruud believes. \u201cMany people are so rushed that they don\u2019t 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<\/a>, for example. At the end of December, you walk together through the illuminated city in the dark\u2014it\u2019s beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Healthy Lifestyle<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u2014for 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.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If one percent of Rotterdam residents move more, we save eleven million euros in healthcare costs.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLifestyle should be part of every treatment,\u201d Denise explains. \u201cIn 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

This also leads to lower healthcare spending. Research shows that if one percent of Rotterdam residents\u2014that is 6,700 people\u2014start exercising weekly or increase their level of physical activity, this results in savings of eleven million euros in healthcare costs.<\/p>\n

Movement Ambassadors<\/strong><\/p>\n

Healthcare professionals can find an extensive overview of accessible exercise classes in Rotterdam at beweegcoach.nl<\/a>. And through Rotterdam Sportsupport,<\/a> anyone can sign up for a trial training session at a sports club.
\n\u201cAnd don\u2019t forget the 17,000 employees of Erasmus MC,\u201d Denise adds. \u201cThey can all be movement ambassadors. We are also looking at how we can further involve neighborhoods\u2014for example, by having people become movement ambassadors in their street or apartment building. No formal training is required for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.
\n\u201cMany Rotterdammers have never walked through the Maastunnel. You walk underneath the water\u2014it\u2019s incredibly fun to do. There are so many great walking routes. Rotterdam South\u2014go for a nice walk in Zuiderpark. Just do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

In May 2026, new Walking in the Park groups will start.
\nMore information: ruud@vitamotionnow.nl<\/p>\n

The quotes from Denise Eygendaal are taken from the podcast Science in the Park: Walking in Rotterdam<\/a> by the Bas van de Goor Foundation.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/1″][vc_gallery el_id=”gallery-158695″ medias=”11315,11317,11322″ gutter_size=”3″ screen_lg=”” screen_md=”” screen_sm=”” single_overlay_opacity=”50″ single_padding=”2″ uncode_shortcode_id=”107381″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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