Fall prevention course

Sjoerd (78) from Gorredijk received an invitation from the municipality to participate in a fitness test at the local gym. The test, organized by Sport Fryslân and Sûnenz, showed that Sjoerd had an increased risk of falling. That was reason enough for Sjoerd and his wife Fonneke (71) to sign up for the fall prevention course In Balans. A twelve-week training program in which you work on mobility, muscle strength, and balance.

Learning and having fun

Every week, they exercised for an hour with a group of 18 participants. Not only were their muscles trained, but their brains were too. The exercises were sometimes challenging. Fonneke says with a smile: "One of the most fun exercises was with colored balls. Depending on the color, you had to pass the ball in a certain way—for example, to the left, to the right, or skip someone—while calling out the name of a participant. That's harder than you think and it's pretty hilarious!"
 

Customized exercise

During the fitness test, Sjoerd filled out a questionnaire about his health. For example, whether he had any problems with his knee, ankle, or shoulder. This allowed the trainer to adapt the exercises to his abilities. Sjoerd: "They really took that into account."

Meeting and exercising come together

In addition to exercise, there was plenty of room for fun and socializing. What Sjoerd and Fonneke remember most is the conviviality. "It was a great group, which made it really worthwhile," says Sjoerd. Fonneke adds: "Sometimes we stayed behind for a cup of coffee after the session. That makes it more than just a course; it brings people together." Sjoerd and Fonneke experienced it as an outing together – it was that much fun, thanks in part to the excellent professional guidance.

Small changes in daily life

During the lessons, they were given practical tips that can be applied directly in everyday life. Fonneke: "I now sometimes say to my husband: spread your legs a little wider, then you'll be more stable." Even simple adjustments such as getting dressed while sitting down make a difference. Sjoerd: "You often think: I can still do that standing up. But it's wiser to just sit down for a moment." Small adjustments can reduce the risk of falling. In addition to being more aware of their posture, Sjoerd and Fonneke feel more confident after the course.

Keep moving 

They still do exercises at home every morning. Fonneke: "You have to keep moving. Stand on your toes or balance on one leg." They practice balance and strength on a mat, sometimes even with a creative twist. Fonneke: "We use a line on our wooden floor to practice keeping our balance. That way, we keep it fun and practical." They are enthusiastic about the tips they have received. They enjoyed the course so much that they are looking forward to a follow-up course in the fall.

Highly recommended for everyone

Would they recommend the course? Their answer is clear: "Yes!" Fonneke: "If you participate and keep moving, you really notice a difference." Sjoerd concludes: "I also found the contact and the fun we had together very important." With the In Balance course, you not only work on your physical health, but also on your self-confidence and social contacts.