Beach Cities Health District’s Center for Health & Fitness Becomes Only Certified Medical Fitness Facility In California

Center for Health & Fitness is an Accredited Medically-Based Fitness Facility Focused on Exercise and Managing Chronic Health Conditions

REDONDO BEACH, Calif. April 10, 2019 – Beach Cities Health District’s (BCHD) Center for Health & Fitness (CHF) is now certified as a medical fitness facility by the Medical Fitness Association, making CHF the only current California organization to achieve this designation.

“As one of the leading preventive health agencies in the nation, having a medically certified fitness facility is truly consistent with our mission,” says Tom Bakaly, CEO of Beach Cities Health District. “This certification verifies our commitment to prevention and wellness. Our community relies on us as a trusted resource that provides meaningful preventive health programs to improve people’s lives.”

Located on BCHD’s campus in Redondo Beach, CHF offers clinical fitness programming for people dealing with chronic health conditions, ranging from managing blood pressure to chronic pain.

CHF is now one of 45 certified medical fitness facilities in the United States, and one of 47 worldwide.

“Moving toward a health prevention model of care with all its necessary components and guidelines is a herculean task,” says Robert Boone, FACHE, FMFA, President and CEO of the Medical Fitness Association, which provides industry standards for medically integrated fitness centers. “Beach Cities Health District’s Center for Health & Fitness has taken an important step toward filling a gap in the current care delivery model. They completed a rigorous process to become one of a select group that is establishing a new standard of excellence in health, wellness and chronic disease management.”

Studies show that nearly 75 percent of hospital visits are preventable. Additionally, being in proper physical condition prior to surgical procedures can produce better clinical outcomes. To address these issues, the newly-accredited CHF provides pre-habilitation workouts before knee and hip replacement surgeries, as well as six-week medical exercise training for diabetes, hypertension, low back pain and women’s fitness.

“Through becoming a medical fitness facility, the Center for Health & Fitness’ unique community atmosphere is enhanced, and in addition, our programs are meeting medical standards to help people deal with chronic conditions,” says Dr. William Kim, Beach Cities Health District Chief Medical Advisor,

who guided the demanding 18-month process to achieve Medical Fitness Association operational certification. “We’re looking forward to continue partnering with the medical community – hospitals and physicians, plus any individuals who are interested in fitness that is specific to managing chronic health challenges.”

Media Contact: Catherine Bem, BCHD – (310) 374-3426, ext. 255, Catherine.Bem@bchd.org