How one Rotterdam gym is changing the way children move, play and learn through versatile design.
In the heart of Rotterdam, tucked between homes, schools and playing fields, lies a gym that doesn’t look or function like any ordinary gym. This is Gymzaal Polderplein, a movement space transformed by the Athletic Skills Model (ASM), where versatility, fun and functionality come together in a colorful and creative environment.
ASM is built on a compelling and scientifically grounded belief: the more versatile your movement skills, the more confident, healthy and injury-resistant you become. The model identifies ten fundamental movement skills, such as balancing, falling, climbing and running, and integrates them into physical spaces and training programs. It is an approach that not only helps develop motor competence but also sparks joy and creativity in movement.
At Gymzaal Polderplein, this philosophy comes to life in every square meter. The floor is a vibrant patchwork of zones, lines, and shapes. Each one a prompt for action, each one designed to stimulate motor variety. The walls are not just barriers but part of the experience, encouraging climbing, leaning, bouncing and playing. From the first step inside, the space calls out to be used, explored and enjoyed.
Lisa van de Gevel, a physical education teacher at Kindcentrum Blijvliet, uses the gym three days a week. She has witnessed firsthand how this ASM-based design changes the way children move and how it changes her teaching. “This is a space full of possibilities,” she says. “It’s not just functional; it’s inspiring. Every detail supports what we’re trying to teach.”
Van de Gevel played an active role in shaping the gym. As part of the design process, she and her fellow PE teachers shared their practical wishes: a clear division of the hall into three teaching zones and a marked line for dodgeball were among their requests. “Those ideas were actually integrated into the final layout. That kind of involvement makes a huge difference. We benefit from it every single day.”
According to her, one of the biggest advantages of the new space is the clarity and structure it offers children, something more important now than ever before. “Kids spend less time playing outside. They’re not used to making up games or solving conflicts around rules. But this design supports them in those situations. The zones are visible and logical. For example, in the soccer corner of the gym, the green zone shows where a goalkeeper can use their hands. That used to be marked with cones. Cones that fell over or got ignored. Now it’s clear, consistent and easy to understand. It gives them a sense of safety.”
This sense of safety is not just physical, it’s cognitive and emotional too. Children know what to expect, where they stand and how they can engage. That clarity gives them the confidence to experiment, move freely and discover their own capabilities.
“... Gymzaal Polderplein, is redefining what a PE space can be.”
For Van de Gevel, the transition to the new gym was natural. “I didn’t have to get used to it. On the contrary, I was immediately inspired to try new things. I started inventing new games, exploring the layout, using every element. The space invites creativity, not only for the children but for me as a teacher as well.”
And the impact on the children? It’s visible in their energy. “They come in hopping,” she says. “They see the zones on the floor and immediately start inventing games, even before class has started. With all the variation in colors, lines and wall features, they naturally get moving. It’s not about being told to move, it’s about wanting to move. And that’s a big difference.”
The Athletic Skills Model, through projects like Gymzaal Polderplein, is redefining what a PE space can be. Rather than being a neutral container for physical education, the gym itself becomes a teaching tool. The space provides structure, inspiration and challenge; all while allowing freedom of choice and movement. It turns a static room into a dynamic playground.
ASM spaces like this one are not just designed for school settings. The model is also being used in public sports facilities, rehabilitation centers, top sport programs and community centers across the Netherlands. The common thread is always the same: movement is for everyone and it should be varied, fun and accessible.
Gymzaal Polderplein exemplifies this principle. It is a shared space where design and purpose meet, where children learn to fall safely, balance confidently, climb instinctively and explore playfully. It’s a space that encourages autonomy, resilience and connection, physical, social and emotional.
And it’s working. Children are not just more active during gym class, they are more engaged, more cooperative and more inventive. Teachers feel more empowered to teach creatively. And the broader community sees the gym not just as a space for instruction, but as an invitation to rediscover the joy of movement.
As more schools and municipalities recognize the value of versatile movement and smart space design, the interest in ASM continues to grow. Gymzaal Polderplein stands as a living example of what happens when science, education and imagination come together: children don’t just learn to move better, they learn to love moving.
Jorick Hendriksen operational manager @ Athletic Skills Model