Back
1.12.2020Social Commitment

‘FFIT’: Fit and healthy thanks to Bayer 04 volunteers

Deserved recognition for an exemplary campaign: The RUFZEICHEN GESUNDHEIT! (Call Sign Health) foundation awarded the ‘Fußballfans im Training’ project (‘FFIT’) a health prize at the end of November. Bayer 04 started organising these courses for their XXL fans in cooperation with the IFT North, German cancer research organisation and the mm sports GmbH four years ago and is thereby providing important preventive action in the area of health as are many other first and second division clubs.
crop_FFIT_5.jpg

Leverkusen have offered XXL fans an all-round provision in the areas of exercise and diet since January 2017. As the first professional club in Germany, Bayer 04 established a separate course for female Werkself fans. The free training and advice course lasts for a total of 12 weeks. Jennifer Weber (Club) and Frank Linde (Fan liaison) together with their team from Bayer 04 have invested a lot of time, work and, above all, passion in this project.

"You have to pay a big compliment to the organisers. How successful their work is, is evident from the results year after year. The lives of many of the participants have changed at a stroke after the course," said Meinolf Sprink, the fans/community director at Bayer 04 after the award given to the programme for "outstanding achievements and projects in the area of German health care." There are people have completed the course who went on to take part in half marathons.

Contacts built to last

After 12 weeks under the direction of club employees, the participants register encouraging results – but that's not all. Bayer 04 regularly organise get-togethers so that the FFIT community grows year by year. Sprink: "That means people stay in contact and motivate each other to carry on."

Even during the coronavirus pandemic, the FFIT organisers have endeavoured to keep the participants being together even if that's through different means by force of circumstance and also continually in observance of the rules set by the authorities. For example, a group met in Neuland Park in the summer and there is regular online training. The aim is always to provide the best possible support for Werkself fans on their way to health and fitness.

Bayer 04 will announce future events via the club platforms at the appropriate time.

About FFIT:
The ‘Fußballfans im Training’ (FFIT) project was established in the 2016/17 season for XXL fans in Germany's top two divisions and carried out in cooperation with the Institute for Therapy and Health Research (IFT North) and the German cancer research organisation. The aim for FFIT in Germany is to gain the support of as many clubs as possible and involve a huge number of fans. As a balanced diet, less weight and greater fitness have a number of positive effects: In addition to an improved feeling of wellbeing and more energy there is also a reduced risk of contracting cancer.

Related News

UEFA Europa League in der BayArena
Europa League - 16.08.2026

Season ticket for all 2026/27 Europa League home matches

With the European season ticket, fans can follow and support the Werkself on the European stage during the 2026/27 season – and are guaranteed a ticket and a seat for every UEL home match at the BayArena, right up to and including a potential semi-final. In addition, holders of the European season ticket save 20 per cent on each UEL ticket.

Show more
Torjubel der Werkself
Women - 15.08.2026

Women thrash Standard Liège in final friendly

Bayer 04 Women warmed up for the start of the Bundesliga season with an emphatic 7-0 victory over Belgian top-flight club Standard Liège on Saturday afternoon. Over four periods of 30 minutes, Cornelia Kramer, Lilla Turanyi and Valentina Mädl each netted a brace for the dominant Werkself, after Loreen Bender had opened the scoring. Roberto Pätzold's side kick off their league campaign at RB Leipzig in eight days.

Show more
Facundo Medina im Training in Nottingham
Bayer 04 - 13.08.2026

Medina, Palacios, Quansah and Co train at Nottingham Forest

After the 2-1 defeat at Premier League club Nottingham Forest the night before, it was straight back to work for the Werkself at midday on Thursday with an intensive training session in hot temperatures at the hosts' training ground.

Show more
First defeat of pre-season at Nottingham Forest
Werkself-TV - 12.08.2026

TV highlights of 1-2 loss at Nottingham forest

Werkself TV shows the highlights of the 1-2 loss in the friendly match at Nottingham Forest...

Show more
Moreira
Bayer 04 - 12.08.2026

First defeat of the pre-season at Nottingham Forest

The Werkself suffered a first defeat in the current pre-season fixtures. The sixth friendly of the summer ended in 2-1 reverse at Premier League Nottingham Forest. The English side took an early lead (4’) but Patrik Schick levelled just after the half-hour mark (32’). Nothing much happened after that, and the match looked set to end in a draw. However, the hosts managed to score the winning goal late on (90').

Show more