The past few months have been packed with special workshops, inspiring collaborations and sporting achievements that have made our community a little stronger. And this new year is already off to a flying start with some great activities: from the Women Only course and the winter outdoor training sessions to the exam periods and our annual New Year’s drinks party.
In this newsletter, we’ll take you through the highlights of last autumn and give you a clear overview of everything that’s in store for you this winter.
Read on now so you don’t miss a thing!
A look back at autumn
For Taus Gym, the autumn of 2025 was a season characterised by growth, connection and social engagement. Both within our own walls and beyond, we were actively working to strengthen resilience, awareness and physical strength. In addition, our members achieved some impressive sporting results and various projects were successfully completed.
Below is a detailed overview of the key moments of this season.
Orange The World: resilience workshop in the nightlife scene
During Orange The World We ran a workshop in which students learnt how to recognise warning signs and stay safe whilst out on the town. Through realistic scenarios and practical techniques, participants gained greater insight and confidence.
Workshop at the Vrije Boekhandel
In a charming bookshop, we ran an accessible workshop in which participants worked on basic techniques, posture and awareness. The welcoming setting created an open and safe atmosphere. It was a special and enlightening encounter between strength and culture.
Practical resilience exams for Sport & Exercise
During Yonder’s practical exams, students demonstrated how they apply their teaching and sports technical skills in practice. Their progress and professionalism were clearly evident throughout the exam day.
Completion of the Women Only course
The Women Only course concluded with a powerful final session that clearly demonstrated just how much the group had grown in terms of self-confidence, resilience and technique. The energy and commitment of the participants made this finale all the more special. A programme to look back on with pride.
Resilience workshop at the Chassé Theatre in Breda
We organised a training course for staff at the Chassé Theatre, focusing on safe practices and dealing with difficult situations at work. The combination of communication, awareness and practical techniques was very well received.
Grappling tournament
Our grappling team took to the mat last season at a well-organised tournament and showed just how hard they’ve been training recently. For several of the participants, it was their first competition, and everyone put up strong and instructive bouts. We’re incredibly proud of their dedication, perseverance and team spirit.
Krav Maga Graduates
Over the past few weeks, several members have successfully passed their Krav Maga exams. Their discipline, commitment and dedication were clearly evident on the day of the exam. A fantastic achievement – congratulations once again to all those who passed!
First of all: best wishes for the New Year. Good health, happiness and plenty of energy to keep doing what makes you feel good.
I don’t usually write a personal piece quite so quickly, but to be honest: with a bit of help from AI, it’s easier these days to get my message across just that bit more clearly😉.
And that seemed like a good time to me, because last year was a really great year for us. Great training sessions, strong groups, lots of commitment. I’d like to carry that momentum forward this year.
Many people start January with New Year’s resolutions. Personally, I prefer to call them goals. Not because it sounds nicer, but because goals give you direction. They help you work more consciously towards becoming a better version of yourself, in a way that suits what matters to you.
A tip I always give is: set several goals, and make them specific.
“I want to get stronger” or “I want to get better at Krav Maga” sounds good, but remains vague. It helps enormously if you make it tangible. For example: being able to do 6 pull-ups by the end of the year, or achieving your P2. Even better: work towards interim goals. By the end of January, be able to do 3 pull-ups with the orange belt. Take part in the pre-test and act on all the feedback within a month. Small, measurable steps lead to moments of success and, more importantly, consistency.
I’m sure you’ve already seen all sorts of New Year’s challenges popping up. One in particular caught my eye: “just” five simple rules, for 75 days. Eat perfectly every day, train twice a day for 45 minutes, drink litres of water, read, and take progress photos. Miss a single day? Start all over again.
It sounds impressive, but let’s be honest: most people can’t keep this up. And more importantly, it’s highly questionable whether it’s actually good for most people. Anyone who can stick to this without any trouble probably already lives this way and doesn’t need this challenge. For others, it provides a brief buzz, followed by a relapse into old habits.
That’s no coincidence. These kinds of challenges have been devised by entrepreneurs and podcasters, not by sports physiologists or behavioural scientists. The problem isn’t that it’s tough, but that it’s been designed without any proven knowledge of training, recovery and behaviour. There’s no individual tailoring, no distinction between effort and effect, and no focus on the long term. It mainly tests who can keep going, not who benefits from it in the long run.
My wish for this year, therefore, is that we all listen and look a little more critically at the information we receive – or that is forced upon us. That we rely more often on subject-matter experts, and a little less on people with a microphone and millions of followers.
Let’s make sure we carry on training this year with common sense, enjoyment and realistic goals. I’m looking forward to making great progress together again.
Here’s to a strong and healthy year.
Best regards,
Riaz Taus
FIT champions
This year, we’re organising the third edition of FIT Champions at Taus Gym! A recurring event that brings together challenge, perseverance and personal growth.
FIT Champions has now become a regular fixture on the calendar for anyone who wants to challenge themselves in a different way and get the most out of their training.
The event is open to participants of all levels: whether you’re just starting out or have been training for a while, everyone can take part at their own level. Expect an energetic and varied workout in which you’ll be challenged to push your limits and discover just how far you can go.
FIT Champions takes place at our main venue in Tilburg, at 11A Professor Romeinstraat.
Date: Sunday 29 March
Contribution: €20 per participant
By taking part, you’re not only working on your own fitness, but you’re also contributing to a greater cause. The proceeds from FIT Champions will be donated to Muscles for Muscles. This organisation is dedicated to helping children with muscular disorders by funding research and supporting families.
So by taking part, you’re not only taking a step towards a healthier lifestyle for yourself, but also making a difference to others.
You can register via the contact form on our website.
New Year’s drinks reception
We’d love to kick off 2026 with you! At our annual New Year’s drinks party, we’ll take a brief look back at the past year and raise a glass to the sporting, educational and enjoyable moments that lie ahead this year.
With snacks, drinks and plenty of fun, we’re organising the drinks party on Saturday 17 January 2026 at our premises in Tilburg (Professor Romeinstraat 11A).
All members aged 16 and over are very welcome from 7.00 pm. The contribution is €15.
You can register until 9 January via the contact form on our website.
We hope to see you there!
Winter outdoor training 2026
Our annual Winter Outdoor Training session is scheduled for January once again; this is a session where we take Krav Maga outdoors and train in conditions that are even closer to real-life situations.
During this training session, you’ll experience how clothing, the cold, the ground and unexpected factors affect your technique and reaction times. A unique opportunity to challenge yourself in a different way.
So, as well as your sportswear, make sure you bring your everyday clothes too. Dress in layers so that you can easily put something on or take something off during training. That way, you’ll get a feel for what it’s like to apply techniques in conditions that are closer to real-life situations.
The winter outdoor training takes place during the regular lessons. Furthermore, there is no need to register for this training.
Below are the dates on which the winter outdoor training sessions will take place:
-
Breda: Monday 26 January 2026
-
Tilburg: Tuesday 27 January 2026
Tip: bring your usual sports kit as well; if the weather’s bad, we’ll train indoors.
WhatsApp groups
Our WhatsApp groups are a handy way to keep up to date with practical information about the training sessions. This is the only channel where we share videos of the lessons, along with course materials, Krav Maga timetables and important updates.
We make a conscious effort to keep these groups free of spam and unnecessary messages, so that you only receive relevant information. In the unlikely event that a lesson is cancelled or changed, we will let you know straight away via the WhatsApp group.
Are you not yet in the WhatsApp group but would like to join?
Please let us know via the contact form, we’d be happy to add you.
Holiday timetable
Around Carnival, the timetable may vary slightly on a few days. To give everyone the chance to keep training, you’re welcome to join any of the sessions listed on the timetable during this period, even if it’s not your usual class. This way, you can keep training, try something new or pop into an extra session.
You can always find the current dates and times for these revised events on our website calendar.
- Spring half-term: 14 February to 22 February 2026
Women-Only Krav Maga Course
This winter sees the launch of a new edition of our popular Women Only course. This course offers a safe and motivating environment in which women work together to build resilience and self-confidence. The lessons are practical, realistic and focused on situations that women may specifically encounter in their daily lives. Training in a fixed group creates space to learn, grow and support one another.
Over the course of nine sessions, we’ll work together to build your resilience and teach you valuable skills for everyday life.
You don’t need any experience in self-defence to take part in this course.
What’s more, all fitness levels and
All ages are very welcome!
Do pop in for a free
Trial lesson on Monday:
12 January or 19 January 2026
and please let us know via
Are you, or do you know anyone who would like to take part? If so, please sign up here sign up for the course.
Would you like more information? Then have a look at the Women Only course page.
Exams
Sign up here for the exams.
To register for the exam, you must be a member of the IKMF. On the IKMF website You can find more information about this here.
Pre-test
In that case, the pre-test is a valuable way to prepare. The training course follows the same structure as an official exam and gives you an insight into both your strengths and areas for improvement.
At the end, you’ll receive personalised feedback that will help you focus your further training and give you an idea of whether you’re ready.
Sign up via the contact form. You can apply until 22 February 2026 register.
Date: Sunday
1 March 2026
Time: between 1.00 pm
and 7.00 pm (max. 2 hours)
Contribution: €20 per
level
Location: 11a Professor Romeinstraat,
Tilburg
Exams
The exam venue varies depending on the level and is listed below. Make sure you prepare thoroughly so that you can step onto the mat with confidence. This is your chance to show what you’ve achieved and take yourself to the next level.
Sign up here for the exams.
To register for the exam, you must be a member of the IKMF. On the IKMF website You can find more information about this here.
LOCAL EXAMS:
P1, P3 and P5
Date: Sunday 31 May 2026
Time: from 10.00 to 13.00
Cost: €50
Location: Professor Romeinstraat 11a, Tilburg
*You can register until the 30th April 2026
NATIONAL EXAMS:
P2
Date: Saturday 7 March 2026
Time: will be announced in due course
Cost: €50
Location: Almere (the exact location is stated at the IKMF website)
*You can register until 7 February 2026
NATIONAL EXAMS:
P4
Date: Sunday 8 March 2026
Time: will be announced in due course
Cost: €50
Location: Almere (the exact location is stated at the IKMF website)
*You can register until 7 February 2026
NATIONAL EXAMS:
G-LEVELS
Date: Sunday 8 March 2026
Time: will be announced in due course
Cost: €50
Location: Almere (the exact location is stated at the IKMF website)
*You can register until 7 February 2026
COLUMN BY DIETITIAN MEREL COENDERS
The best time to eat carbohydrates and protein
That way, you’ll have more strength and stamina during your workout, allowing you to keep going for longer.
- Low-fat quark or skyr with fruit and, if you like, some muesli
- A sandwich or wrap with chicken breast, hummus or egg
- Rice or pasta with chicken, fish, tofu or pulses
- Potatoes with vegetables and a portion of meat, fish or a vegetarian alternative
- A smoothie made with milk or yoghurt, fruit and porridge
- A protein shake with a piece of fruit
Isabelle den Otter
Dietetics Intern
We’re looking forward to an energetic, safe and inspiring start to 2026. We hope to see you soon at the gym during a training session, the new course, the outdoor class or at our New Year’s drinks party.
Do you have any questions or would you like to share something with us? Please feel free to let us know.
See you in the next issue!
With sporting regards,
Team Taus Gym