Vitality

Week

at

Cube:

From

Judo

and

Gravel

Biking

to

Sleep

and

Job

Satisfaction

Monday: Vitality doesn’t just start with exercise.

We started the week on familiar ground: our own Cube gym. We already have personal training every Monday, but this time the session was entirely dedicated to Vitality Week. Working in pairs, we rotated through a “vitality carousel” of different stations, alternating between strength and cardio exercises. We worked up quite a sweat for an hour. And as you might expect from a group of coworkers exercising together: the word “competition” wasn’t officially mentioned, but it was clearly in the air. Between exercises, there was also time to reflect on what vitality actually means. We were presented with various statements about our bodies and health. After all, how much do we really know about our own bodies? And are our muscles really heavier than fat? We wrapped up the workout with something that might not seem immediately obvious after an hour of exercise: breathing. Consciously slowing down after all that exertion. Stepping out of “action mode” for a moment. Feeling your heart rate slow down again and your body return to a state of rest. And that actually turned out to be a great way to start the week. Vitality isn’t just about being able to keep going. Just as important is knowing how to step out of that “action mode.”

Tuesday: From feeling unsure on the bike to gaining more confidence.

On Tuesday, something completely different was on the agenda: gravel biking. And not with just any instructor. We got a clinic from former pro cyclist Erwin Nijboer, who is also the father of our colleague Mick. Before we got on our bikes ourselves, we first attended a presentation by Erwin at the office. He talked about his own experiences in cycling and gave us a preview of what we’d be doing during the clinic. Then it was time to experience it for ourselves.

We cycled toward the Hulsbeek, where various exercises awaited us. Agility was key: making tight turns, coming to a complete stop, navigating tricky turns, and keeping your bike under control. On paper, that all sounds pretty straightforward. In practice, it turned out to be a different story. We practiced, laughed, and took a few falls here and there. Some colleagues visibly started the exercises feeling a bit uncertain or cautious. A gravel bike does feel different when you have to deliberately steer it through a tricky turn or when you suddenly have to maintain your balance on a course, especially when your feet are clipped in.

After that, we hit the track and worked on climbing and descending as well. As the training progressed, you could literally see the difference. While someone might have been a bit nervous on the bike at the start, that same person was later navigating the turns with much more confidence. Of course, you don’t become a pro (like Erwin) after just one afternoon, and agility is still mainly a matter of practice. But it was a great eye-opener: you can train not only to ride faster, but also to control your bike better. We ended the afternoon covered in mud, with some muscle soreness, and above all: a lot more confidence on the bike.

Wednesday: learning how to fall during judo.

On Wednesday, we traded our bikes for judo gi. We traveled to Dedemsvaart, where the gi were already waiting for us (thanks, Team Optimize!). The first challenge of the day? Tying the white belt properly. For some, that was almost a team sport in itself. The training was led by Sensei Roy and our own colleague Bart, both of whom hold black belts. We learned various techniques and throws, but we started with something you normally try to avoid: falling.

In judo, you learn how to fall in a controlled manner and how to minimize the impact. Then came the throws: they look easy, until you’re actually on the mat and have to think simultaneously about your stance, your arms, your legs, and the movements of the person across from you. While practicing, we all tried to remember at the same time which foot should go where, which way to turn, and exactly when to initiate the movement.

The result? At one point, there were just a lot of arms and legs moving around, and you weren’t quite sure anymore which leg actually belonged to whom. (Almost) everyone started as a beginner, and everyone had to figure out the right move. As a result, you not only get to know the sport but also realize how important it is to trust one another. You literally have to be able to count on each other when someone is about to throw you or when you’re the one throwing the other person off balance.

And there’s an interesting philosophy behind judo. “Ju” stands for soft, supple, or yielding. “Do” means way, path, or way of life. So it’s not about winning by using brute force. It’s precisely by moving with the opponent and using their own force that you can throw them off balance. Don’t push harder when something doesn’t work, sometimes you just need to move differently. It’s a beautiful concept to take with you, especially off the judo mat.

Thursday: Who’s Actually Competitive?

After three days filled with quite a few new experiences, Thursday was time for a sport that’s probably a bit more familiar to many of our colleagues: padel. Our experienced padel player and colleague Amber led a clinic on the padel court we sponsor at PadelTown De Lutte. We started with the basics. How does the game work? How do you use the wall? How do you position yourself? And what techniques and strokes do you need to return the ball decently? Then we got to try it ourselves.

For two hours, we alternated between drills, technique practice, and matches. And of course, there was plenty of laughter along the way. Balls that went completely the wrong way, unexpected points, and every now and then someone who turned out to be just a little more competitive than we’d thought. In short: a sporty afternoon, another new skill under our belts, and a few colleagues we might want to underestimate just a little less from now on.

Friday: a day full of stimulation and recovery.

After four days of moving, exercising, and learning new things, Friday was time for another important part of vitality: sleep and recovery. The day began with our hackathon. A day full of thinking, discussing, brainstorming new ideas, and trying to come up with a good idea before someone else came up with an even better one. In short: our brains had their work cut out for them, too.

And in between all that hacking and thinking, we had to eat, of course. At Cube, we have the luxury of a weekly french fry day (yum!). Because, as far as we’re concerned, a healthy diet doesn’t mean that everything has to be 100% healthy. For Vitality Week, we made an exception and set the fries aside for a while in favor of freshly made sandwiches. Those disappeared pretty quickly, too, by the way.

How do you get your brain back into rest mode?

After lunch, we dove into the world of sleep during an informational session led by sleep expert Nancy Harms. We learned more about our circadian rhythms and chronotypes, sleep pressure, and the influence of factors like light and melatonin. We also received practical tips for improving our sleep quality and making it easier to wake up. The idea that not everyone has the same sleep rhythm was particularly interesting. Some people wake up feeling fresh and energetic, while others have to wrestle with their alarm clock for a while. And it turns out that’s not just a matter of personality.

The session was followed by a fun promotion from Hilding Anders. With a nice discount voucher, we had the opportunity to work on our sleep and sleep hygiene at home as well, using their Eastborn and Pullman brands.

So we wrapped up the week with perhaps the most important message: being energetic doesn’t mean you have to perform at your peak every day. Sometimes it actually means knowing when to take it down a notch. And after a week filled with a workout, gravel biking, judo, padel, and a hackathon, we’ve certainly rediscovered why that’s so important.

Vitality doesn’t stop on Friday.

A Vitality Week is, of course, fun. You try out new sports, learn new things, and gain a fresh perspective on health and energy. But perhaps the most important thing is that vitality isn’t something you should only focus on for one week a year. That’s why we at Cube also try to prioritize it at other times.

Our work environment, for example, plays a role in this. At the office, we place a strong emphasis on creating a pleasant and healthy workspace, with plenty of light and greenery, as well as practical amenities like sit-stand desks, screens at the right height, and ergonomic chairs. We also believe it’s important to foster an open and pleasant atmosphere within teams. After all, vitality isn’t just about your body. Feeling comfortable with the people you work with, having the freedom to be yourself, and knowing you can turn to your colleagues all contribute just as much to how you feel during a workday.

Flexibility also plays a role. With flexible work hours, for example, you have more freedom to tailor your workday to what works best for you. Not a morning person by nature? Then you don’t necessarily have to be sitting at your laptop, fresh and alert, at 8:00 a.m. And we’ve intentionally set aside extra time for breaks: in addition to the regular half-hour break, we offer another half-hour of paid break time. Not to get through your work even faster, but precisely to take a step back. Go for a walk, play soccer, play darts, have a coffee, or chat with a coworker. Or just do absolutely nothing. Those moments might seem small, but especially during a busy workday, they can help you step out of “work mode” for a bit.

Personal development is also part of well-being.

At Cube, we take a broader view of professional development. During our hackathons, there’s room to gain new knowledge and explore topics other than what you normally work on every day. And of course, there’s our in-house gym, where we have personal training sessions every week. In addition, we regularly exercise together, and we provide fresh fruit at the office twice a week. Not because we’ve suddenly decided to eat only healthy foods, but because all those little things together contribute to a work environment where taking care of yourself becomes just a little bit easier.

Vitality lies in balance.

If there’s one thing we’re taking away from this week, it’s that vitality is much broader than just exercise. It’s about movement, but just as much about recovery. In sleeping well, breathing mindfully, trying new things, and stepping out of your comfort zone. But also in having fun and connecting with others. It was precisely that variety that made this week so valuable. We were challenged, learned new things, and in the process discovered new sides of each other. And perhaps that’s ultimately what vitality is all about: taking good care of yourself, so you have the energy for the things you find important, enjoyable, or challenging. Vitality Week was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on that together. But of course, our focus on vitality doesn’t end after this week, we’ll simply carry it forward.