Newsletter winter 2026
We have started a new year in which we continue to build together on strength, resilience and community. The winter period is the perfect time to reflect on what we have achieved and to look ahead to everything that lies ahead.
The past months were filled with special workshops, inspiring collaborations and sporting achievements that made our community a little stronger again. And this new year also starts immediately with great activities: from the Women Only course and the winter outdoor training sessions to the exam moments and our annual New Year's reception.
In this newsletter, we take you through the highlights of last autumn as well as give you a clear overview of everything that awaits you this winter.
Read on quickly to not miss a thing!
Retrospective autumn
Autumn 2025 was a season of growth, connection and community engagement for Taus Gym. Both within our own walls and outside, we were actively engaged in strengthening resilience, awareness and physical strength. In addition, there were great sporting achievements by our members and several projects came to a successful conclusion.
Below you can read a comprehensive overview of this season's key moments.
Orange The World: nightlife resilience workshop
During Orange The World we ran a workshop in which students learned how to recognise signals and act safely in nightlife. With realistic scenarios and practical techniques, participants gained both insight and confidence.
Workshop at the Free Bookstore
In an atmospheric bookstore, we ran an accessible workshop in which participants worked on basic techniques, posture and awareness. The approachable setting created an open and safe atmosphere. A special and instructive meeting between strength and culture.
Practical exams in resilience Sport & Exercise
During Yonder's practical exams, students showed how they apply their didactic and sports skills in practice. Growth and professionalism were evident during the exam day.
Completion of Women Only course
The Women Only course concluded with a powerful final lesson that showed how much the group has grown in self-confidence, resilience and technique. The energy and commitment of the participants made this conclusion extra special. A course to look back on with pride.
Resilience workshop at the Chassé Theatre in Breda
For employees of the Chassé Theatre, we provided a training aimed at acting safely and dealing with difficult situations during their work. The combination of communication, awareness and practical techniques was enthusiastically received.
Grappling tournament
Our grappling team was on the mat at a beautifully organised tournament last season, showing how hard they have been training over the past period. For several participants, it was their first match, and everyone fought strong and instructive matches. We are extremely proud of their commitment, perseverance and team spirit.
Graduates of Krav Maga
Last term, several members successfully completed their Krav Maga exams. Their discipline, commitment and dedication were clearly visible during the exam day. A fantastic achievement, congratulations again to all those who passed!
Hi All!
First of all: best wishes for the new year. Health, fun and enough energy to keep doing what makes you better.
I don't normally write a personal piece so quickly, but fair's fair: with a little help from AI these days, it's easier to get my message across just a little more clearly😉.
And that seemed like a good time, because last year was really a banner year for us. Great training sessions, strong groups, lots of commitment. I would like to continue that line this year.
Many people start January with good intentions. Personally, I prefer to call them goals. Not because it sounds nicer, but because goals give direction. They help you work more consciously towards a better version of yourself, in a way that suits what you find important.
A tip I always pass along: set multiple goals, and make them concrete.
“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: be able to do 6 pull-ups by the end of the year, or achieve your P2. Even better: work with intermediate goals. Do 3 pull-ups by the end of January with the orange belt. Participate in the pre-test and incorporate all feedback within a month. Small, measurable steps ensure moments of success and, more importantly, consistency.
Above all, don't make it too complex or extreme. That may work for a while, but for most people, not long-term. What ultimately counts is a lifestyle you can maintain.
You've probably seen all kinds of New Year's resolutions passing by. One in particular caught my eye: “only” five simple rules, for 75 days. Eat perfectly every day, exercise twice for 45 minutes, drink litres of water, read, take progression photos. Miss one day? Start again.
It sounds tough, but let's face it: this is not sustainable for most people. More importantly, it is highly questionable whether it is good for most people at all. Those who keep this up without a problem are probably already living this way and don't need this challenge. For others, it gives a brief kick, followed by relapse into old habits.
This is no accident. These kinds of challenges were devised by entrepreneurs and podcasters, not sports physiologists or behavioural scientists. The problem is not that it is tough, but that it is designed without demonstrable knowledge of training, recovery and behaviour. No individual tailoring, no distinction between load and effect, no long-term focus. It mainly tests who can persevere, not who will benefit structurally.
So my wish for this year 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 microphones and millions of followers.
Above all, let's keep training this year with intelligence, fun and realistic goals. I look forward to making great strides together again.
Here's to a strong and healthy year.
Sporting greetings,
Riaz Taus
FIT champions
This year, we are hosting 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 time on the calendar for anyone who wants to challenge themselves in a different way and make the most of their training.
The event is open to different levels: whether you are just starting out or have been training for longer, everyone can participate at their own level. Expect an energetic and varied workout in which you will be challenged to explore your limits and discover how far you can go.
FIT Champions takes place at our main location in Tilburg, Professor Romeinstraat 11A.
Date: Sunday 29 March
Contribution: €20 per participant
With your participation, you will not only work on your own fitness, but also contribute to a greater cause. Proceeds from FIT Champions will be donated to Muscles for Muscles. This organisation is committed to helping children with muscular diseases by funding research and supporting families.
So by taking part, you are not only making a sporting step for yourself, but also making a difference to others.
You can register via contact form on our website.
New Year drinks
We like to start 2026 together with you! During our annual New Year reception, we will briefly look back on the past year and toast to the sporting, educational and sociable moments that await us this year.
With snacks, drinks and a lot of fun, we will organise the get-together on Saturday 17 January 2026 at our location in Tilburg (Professor Romeinstraat 11A).
All members aged 16 and over are welcome from 7pm. The own contribution is €15.
Sign up is possible until 9 January via contact form on our website.
We hope to see you there!
Winter outdoor training 2026
January will once again see our annual Winter Outdoor Training, a class in which we move Krav Maga outdoors and train in conditions even closer to reality.
During this training, you will experience how clothing, cold, ground and unexpected elements affect your technique and responsiveness. A unique opportunity to challenge yourself in a different way.
Therefore, in addition to your sportswear, bring your daily outfit. Dress in layers, so you can easily take something on or off during training. This way, you will experience what it is like to apply techniques in conditions closer to reality.
Winter outdoor training takes place during regular classes. In addition, registration is not necessary for this training.
Below are the dates when the winter outdoor training takes place:
-
Breda: Monday 26 January 2026
-
Tilburg: Tuesday 27 January 2026
Tip: also bring your normal sports gear, in bad weather we train inside.
WhatsApp groups
Our WhatsApp groups are a convenient way to keep up to date with practical information around training sessions. This is the only channel where we share videos of classes, along with class material, Krav Maga schedules and important updates.
We deliberately 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 communicate this immediately via the WhatsApp group.
Are you not in the WhatsApp group yet but would like to be?
Let us know via contact form, then we will gladly add you.
Holiday schedule
Around Carnival, the timetable may vary slightly on a few days. To give everyone the chance to keep training, you can join all the classes on the timetable during this period, even if it is not your regular class. So you can keep training, try something new or take an extra class.
You can always find the current dates and times of these modified times in our online agenda.
- Spring break: 14 February to 22 February 2026
Women Only Krav Maga course
A new edition of our well-attended Women Only course starts this winter. This course offers a safe and motivating environment in which women work together on resilience and self-confidence. The lessons are practical, realistic and focused on situations women might specifically encounter in everyday life. Training in a fixed group creates space to learn, grow and strengthen each other.
Over 9 lessons, we will work together to increase your resilience and teach you valuable skills for everyday life.
You do not need to have self-defence experience to join this course.
Moreover, all fitness levels and
ages welcome!
Stop by for a free
trial class on Monday:
12 January or 19 January 2026
and let us know via
The course itself will take place from 26 January to 30 March 2026. There is no class on 16 February due to spring break.
Are you or know someone who would like to participate? Then sign up here in for the course.
Want more information? Then take a look at the Women Only course page.
Exams
Do you want to take the next step in Krav Maga? To reach the next level, you need to take an official IKMF exam. The location of the exam will depend on your level and can be found below.
Sign up here to the exams.
To apply for the exam, you need to be registered with the IKMF association. At the IKMF website find more information on this.
Pre-test
Want to make sure you are totally ready for your exam?
Then the pre-test is a valuable way to prepare. The course follows the same structure as an official exam and provides insight into your strengths as well as areas for improvement.
At the end, you will receive personal feedback that allows you to continue training in a targeted way and to see if you are ready.
Register via contact form. You can apply until no later than 22 February 2026 register.
Want to know more? Click here for all information & details.
Date: Sunday
1 March 2026
Time: between 1pm
and 19:00 (max 2h)
Contribution: €20 per
level
Location: Professor Romeinstraat 11a,
Tilburg
Exams
Are you ready for the next step within Krav Maga? Passing a new level takes an official IKMF exam. During this exam, you show that you master the techniques and that you can apply them under pressure. It is a valuable moment in which you not only test your skills, but also experience your growth within the training.
The location of the exam varies by level and is listed below. Make sure you prepare well so that you step onto the mat with confidence. This is your chance to show what you have achieved and take yourself to the next level.
Sign up here to the exams.
To apply for the exam, you need to be registered with the IKMF association. At the IKMF website find more information on this.
LOCAL EXAMS:
P1, P3 AND P5
Datum: zondag 31 mei 2026
Time: from 10:00 to 13:00
Cost: €50
Location: Professor Romeinstraat 11a, Tilburg
*Inschrijven kan tot 30 April 2026
NATIONAL EXAMS:
P2
Date: Saturday, 7 March 2026
Time: to be announced in due course
Cost: €50
Location: Almere (exact location will be listed on the IKMF website)
*Subscription is possible until 7 February 2026
NATIONAL EXAMS:
P4
Date: Sunday 8 March 2026
Time: to be announced in due course
Cost: €50
Location: Almere (exact location will be listed on the IKMF website)
*Subscription is possible until 7 February 2026
NATIONAL EXAMS:
G-LEVELS
Date: Sunday 8 March 2026
Time: to be announced in due course
Cost: €50
Location: Almere (exact location will be listed on the IKMF website)
*Subscription is possible until 7 February 2026
COLUMN DIETICIAN MEREL COENDERS
The best time to eat carbohydrates and protein
You train to become fitter, stronger or more energetic. But without the right nutrition at the right time, you miss out on a lot of results. Many athletes eat healthily, but not intelligently distributed throughout the day. You notice this by a dip in energy, less strength or slow recovery. In this piece you will read when it is best to eat carbohydrates and proteins and why it is important for your body.
Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for your muscles. For your workout, you want to eat something carbohydrate like oatmeal or a sandwich preferably an hour beforehand. If you are still hungry close to your workout, you can grab a banana.
That way, you will have more strength and endurance during your workout, allowing you to keep going longer.
During exercise, you consume energy, mainly from carbohydrates stored in your muscles as glycogen. After an intense workout, these stores are largely depleted. Think of strength training, a HIIT workout, a football match or a 60- to 90-minute high-speed running workout. It is therefore important to eat carbohydrates again after your workout, so that your muscles can replenish themselves quickly and you suffer less from fatigue the next day. Think rice, pasta, fruit or bread.
Protein is especially important after exercise. Your muscles use protein to recover and get stronger. Think cottage cheese, chicken breast, a smoothie of milk or eggs after your workout. This way, you give your muscles what they need for proper recovery and build strength faster. Note: prefer not to eat a large portion of protein just before your workout. Proteins digest slowly and can cause abdominal discomfort if you exercise immediately after eating them. So skip protein-rich meals before your workout and save them for after.
After your workout, a combination of carbohydrates and proteins is ideal. This way, you replenish your energy stores and support muscle recovery. This does not have to be complicated. With these combinations you will be fine.
- Low-fat cottage cheese or Skyr with fruit and possibly 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 piece of meat, fish or vegetarian substitute
- A smoothie of milk or yoghurt with fruit and oatmeal
- A protein shake with a piece of fruit
Wondering what else you can do about your health? At Gewoon Diëtetiek, we are happy to look into this with you.
Contact us at:
06 11263154
info@gewoondietetiek.nl
www.gewoondietetiek.nl
Healthy greeting,
Isabelle den Otter
Trainee Just Dietetics
We look forward to an energetic, safe and inspiring start to 2026. Hope to see you soon in the gym during a workout, the new course, the outdoor class or at our New Year's drinks.
Do you have any questions or want to share something with us? Feel free to let us know.
Until the next edition!
With sporting greetings,
Team Taus Gym
