’s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands – A new outdoor fitness area at the Noorderplas is providing a free and accessible workout space for residents, thanks to the initiative of 74-year-old Rob Melker. The “Beweeg- en ontmoetingsplekken” – or “move and meet places” – are quickly becoming a popular spot, particularly among the city’s active senior population.
Melker, a former military man with a lifelong passion for fitness, conceived the idea after spotting similar equipment during a vacation in Spain. He approached the municipality with a proposal, and after demonstrating strong community support – garnering over 650 endorsements on a local Facebook page – the project came to fruition. The fitness area, officially opened on March 11, 2026, features eight pieces of equipment designed for a full-body workout.
A Lifetime of Movement
For Rob Melker, a sedentary lifestyle has never been an option. “Say Rob Melker and you say sport,” he explains. Even after retiring from the military, he continued to prioritize physical activity, seeking out challenges like a 4,000-kilometer off-road trek across Canada and a 1,000-kilometer walk along the Great Wall of China – a feat that earned his group a Guinness World Record for completing the journey without external assistance. He also organized canoeing trips in Sweden for many years.
Despite his age, Melker remains incredibly active, regularly exercising with a neighbor 25 years his junior. “She’s a little less fanatical than I am, but that makes her a good workout partner,” he says. Still, a recent diagnosis of tendonitis prompted a doctor to advise him to take it a bit easier, a suggestion he admits was “a bit confronting.”
Fitness for Everyone, No Gym Membership Required
The beauty of the Noorderplas fitness area, Melker emphasizes, is its inclusivity. “Everyone can use it, just in jeans,” he says. “You don’t need to feel intimidated like you might in a gym full of bodybuilders. You don’t even need to wear sports clothes.” He notes that he often sees a significant number of people over the age of 50 utilizing the equipment, especially on pleasant days when the area is bustling with activity.
The equipment itself is designed to be versatile, allowing users to adjust the intensity to their own fitness level. Melker actively encourages those who are less active to give it a try, highlighting the accessible and welcoming environment. The fitness area is designed to be “semi-permanent,” meaning the equipment can be easily moved if needed, potentially to other locations within the city to assess its popularity and impact. The municipality plans to evaluate the pilot program after a year and potentially replace the current equipment with permanent installations if successful.
From Idea to Reality: A Community Effort
Melker’s vision wasn’t immediately embraced by the local government. He was initially asked to demonstrate community support for the project. His call for endorsements on Facebook quickly exceeded expectations, proving the demand for an outdoor fitness space in the Maaspoort neighborhood. The resulting “Fitness Circus,” as it’s been dubbed, is a testament to the power of citizen-led initiatives.
The Fitness Circus at Noorderplas is the first mobile fitness circuit in the Netherlands, offering a unique opportunity for residents to engage in outdoor training and enjoy the benefits of physical activity. The initiative, spearheaded by Rob Melkert, underscores the importance of accessible and affordable fitness options for all.
A Friendly Competition
Even as Melker is enthusiastic about the new fitness area, he admits his wife isn’t quite as convinced. “I walk, and that’s enough for me,” she says. Melker laughs, “Well, she’s different than I am. Maybe that’s why we’ve been together for fifty years.”
The Noorderplas fitness area represents more than just a place to exercise. it’s a community hub fostering social interaction and promoting a healthy lifestyle. It’s a space where people of all ages and fitness levels can come together, enjoy the outdoors, and prioritize their well-being.
The location of the Fitness Circus is at Maaspoortweg (near the Burg. Van Zwietenpark playground), 5237 MT ’s-Hertogenbosch. Residents can contact ‘S-PORT through the digital contact form for questions or to propose activities. Reports of damage to the equipment should be submitted through the municipality’s Openbare Ruimte (Public Space) reporting page.
As the weather warms up and more people discover this accessible fitness option, the Noorderplas is poised to become an even more vibrant and active space for the community of ’s-Hertogenbosch.
