This past weekend, trainers Jos Brevink, Peter Boer, and Sem Schilt of Fight Game Academy in Zuidlaren took part in an advanced training course offered by Parkinson Boksen Nederland. The course was led by Erwin Lagcher and Christean de Weerd and is part of a nationwide training program for coaches working with people living with Parkinson’s. The key message of the weekend: movement as medicine.

Fight Game Academy has been offering 65+ boxing classes for over three years, in close collaboration with Fysio De Kazerne. The course offered a valuable opportunity to deepen our current approach and align it with the latest developments in the field. Much attention was given to the different stages of the disease and how training can be effectively adapted. The focus is not on the illness, but on the individual — a principle we have embraced for years, and it was encouraging to see that this mindset is shared at a national level.

The training sessions we provide are centered around movement, balance, coordination and joy, always leaving room for each person’s own pace and ability. The course reaffirmed that we are on the right path, but also brought new inspiration. We explored several new exercises and playful methods that we look forward to introducing in our classes soon.

Beyond the educational content, it was also valuable to exchange experiences with other trainers from across the country. Each participant brought their own perspective and approach, which made the weekend not only informative but also truly inspiring.

The 65+ boxing sessions at Fight Game Academy take place on Monday and Friday mornings. Residents of Zuidlaren and the surrounding area who are curious about what this type of movement training can offer are warmly invited to come and try a class.