For the Bayer 04 CEOs Fernando Carro de Prada and Michael Schade "This partnership is both fitting and ambitious: On the one hand, an international company with over 50 years experience of health-oriented, efficient weight training founded on a scientific basis with in-house machines represents an extraordinary success story. On the other hand, a top German club active all over the world able to use the expertise of the new partner directly to achieve ambitious sporting targets," said Schade.
Michael Antonopoulos, CEO and co-owner of Kieser Training, sees the commitment to a Bundesliga club " as a unique opportunity to associate our sporting concept with such a successful club and to further extend the use of weight training. We are looking forward very much to a long-term and successful partnership."
And for sporting director Rudi Völler the long-term cooperation with Kieser Training represents an ideal development: "Having established themselves as a globally respected and recognised professional provider of weight training since 1967, they have impressively demonstrated their expertise," said Völler. "Kieser Training is a brand established in the minds of people and is synonymous with effective and healthy muscle development. A real constant in a market shaped by temporary fitness fashions and thereby a great partner we can look forward to working with very much here at Leverkusen."
Founded in 1967 by the Swiss Werner Kieser, the weight training chain currently has 158 studios with 283,000 members, which are partly operated as franchise studios. With around 1,700 employees in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Luxembourg and Australia, every single Kieser Training studio provides professional training management and support as well as a consistent offer based on continuing scientific research. This creates a company personality of unmistakable character with the public.
A first win in the preseason: In the last friendly before the start of a two-week break in training, the Bayer 04 Women beat top-flight Dutch side Ajax 1-0. In the match played over three 30-minute thirds Vanessa Fudalla scored the goal for the Werkself. In the previous two friendlies this summer, the team led by head coach Roberto Pätzold lost 2-0 two Bundesliga rivals TSG Hoffenheim and drew 1-1 with the Dutch team PEC Zwolle.
Show moreAlejo Sarco has joined the Werkself training camp in Brazil. The 19-year-old striker, signed from Argentinian club Vélez Sarsfield in January, talks to bayer04.de about his first six months in Germany, help from Exequiel Palacios and his targets up to the end of the year.
Show moreThe friendly against the CR Flamengo U20 team on Friday, 18 July (kick-off: 14:30/19:30 CEST) represents the sporting highlight of the current Bayer 04 Brazil Tour. Ahead of the clash at the Estádio da Gávea against the highly successful youth team, there was a media event with the two Bayer 04 managing directors Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes plus head coach Erik ten Hag. The trio talked about the forthcoming opponents, first impressions of Brazil and the reasons for holding the training camp in the land of the five-time World Cup winners. Here are the key statements.
Show moreDay three of the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour. Today, Thursday 17 July, sees the two new signings Jarell Quansah and Christian Kofane join the squad in training. Plus the former Werkself players Paulo Sergio and Rodrigo Chagas visit the Bayer AG Football School. In the afternoon there is a big media event ahead of the friendly against the Flamengo U20s. As usual, Bayer04.de keeps you up-to-date with on-the-spot reports. The blog for day three of the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour (timings given in local time).
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