Beach Cities Health District’s (BCHD) Center for Health & Fitness (CHF) has been re-certified as a medical fitness facility by the Medical Fitness Association, making CHF one of just two California organizations to achieve this designation and one of just 50 certified fitness centers worldwide.
Studies show that nearly 75 percent of hospital visits are preventable. Additionally, proper physical condition before surgical procedures can produce better clinical outcomes. To address these issues, CHF provides pre-habilitation workouts before knee and hip replacement surgeries and six-week medical exercise training for diabetes, hypertension, low back pain, and women’s fitness.
“As a preventive health agency, having a medically certified fitness facility is truly consistent with our mission,” says Tom Bakaly, CEO of BCHD. “This recertification represents our continued commitment to offering the highest standards of professional expertise and quality programming. CHF is here to help members develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle that minimizes the risk of illness and disease and promotes overall wellness.“
CHF offers clinical fitness programming for people dealing with chronic health conditions, ranging from managing blood pressure to chronic pain. Personal training, small group training, Yoga, Pilates, massage, weight management and nutrition instruction are also offered at CHF.
“As the incidence of chronic disease continues to rise, the need for medical fitness facilities to offer a high standard of programming for the communities they serve is more important than ever,” said David Flench, FACHE, FMFA, President and CEO of the Medical Fitness Association. “Studies have shown that when people maintain an active lifestyle, especially in a safe environment, they reduce the risk of illness down the road.”
“The MFA recertification is the culmination of five years of work supporting the programs developed by the Center for Health & Fitness team, all designed to improve one's health and fitness,” said Dr. William Kim, Chief Medical Advisor for BCHD, who oversees the medical advisory committee for CHF. “By measuring outcomes and documenting the expected improvements with those programs, the MFA certifies that CHF provides medically-integrated health and fitness services to improve the health and functionality of our members in a safe and monitored environment.”
MFA-certified fitness facilities are located in 18 states, two provinces in Canada and in China.
As a Certified Medical Fitness Facility, the Center for Health & Fitness meets criteria set by the Medical Fitness Association in these areas:
Medical Oversight
CHF is overseen by a Medical Advisory Committee comprised of physicians and health care professionals. The committee is led by Beach Cities Health District Chief Medical Advisor, William Kim, MD.
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| William E. Kim, MD, Chief Medical Advisor for BCHD |
Bruce Jackson, MD, Cardiology |
Brenda Shen, MD, Family Medicine |
John G. Wallace, Jr., MD, Emergency Medicine |
Emergency Response
In conjunction with the Redondo Beach Police Department, CHF has a comprehensive emergency response plan and conducts regular emergency drills around cardiac arrest, stroke, cuts, sprains and other emergencies.
Certified Professional Staff, Medical Exercise Specialists
CHF is the only fitness center in the Beach Cities to offer Medical Exercise Specialists who hold degrees and certifications in health-related disciplines and are trained to work alongside doctors and physical therapists.
Quality Management
CHF’s data outcomes are measured against other MFA certified facilities to ensure its programming is evidence-based and meets medical industry standards.
Health Screening
Processes are in place for CHF’s Medical Exercise Specialists to screen program participants for chronic conditions.
Programs & Services
CHF’s Chief Medical Advisor and Medical Advisory Committee helped develop six clinical fitness programs offered on an ongoing basis:
- Pre-habilitation for knee and hip replacement surgeries
- Medical exercise training for diabetes and hypertension
- Medical exercise training for low back pain
- Medical exercise training for women’s fitness
- Medical exercise training for arthritis and total joint replacement
- Cardiac Exercise Program
Facility Operations
CHF is accessible to all members, including people who are disabled or have other specific needs.
