Česky
Could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers - patients?
I was born in České Budějovice, where I graduated from the secondary medical school, then from the Faculty of Medicine of the Charles University in Prague and completed my professional practice in the České Budějovice hospital.
I played ice hockey competitively for Motor České Budějovice from the age of five. I was in the Czech Republic junior national team and played in several professional ice hockey teams at the level of extraliga and 1st ice hockey league. After finishing my professional career I worked in a hockey club in Beroun. I currently live in Beroun with my family.
Since when have you been working in RN Beroun, what changes have happened in this period?
I have been working in RNB since 2011. There have been a lot of positive changes since then. The most significant ones are, for example, the reconstruction and extension of a large part of the premises, investment in new equipment and, of course, the arrival of many new employees.
Why such a luxurious gym in a hospital?
I think it's fine. It provides continuity for patients who need to be put into a proper exercise regime subsequently or in parallel with outpatient or inpatient physiotherapy. It is important that these patients continue with the set program on an outpatient basis to prevent further chronic or acute problems.
Is it exclusively for inpatients or also for outpatients and the public?
In practice, it seems that our goal is to convince both inpatients and outpatients who have had the initial 12 individual sessions on the DAVID or HUR devices, covered by health insurance, that they should continue to take care of their health and physical condition in their own interest and therefore at their own expense, as is common everywhere in developed countries. However, we also work with clients who come in without any doctor's orders and are interested in learning how to exercise to the best of their ability in a comfortable environment. In the initial lesson we will prepare a program usually on the HUR machines and in the cardio room, and then he/she can exercise on these machines in a similar way as in the fitness room, without any appointment and at any time. In this way, the HUR machines are also used by RNB employees.
What is the proportion of self-pay patients?
The clientele is primarily made up of patients. This is logical and this ratio will probably continue to be set up in this way in the hospital. The aim for us is to make patients aware of the need to take care of their physical fitness and health in the long term and throughout their lives. We have succeeded in doing this with many of them and they have become regular self-payers.
Which patients come to you and with what conditions?
The largest group is patients with chronic pain in the spine and weight-bearing joints. Then there are patients after injuries and surgeries of the spine and weight-bearing joints, of course, if they are already indicated for strengthening by a doctor and are able to do so. We also work with patients with neurological diseases, patients of advanced age, amputees, etc.
Do you ever work out with VIP patients? What is your experience with them?
I would say we don't differentiate between patients. We try to treat everyone the same.
What options do you offer, what kind of equipment do you have?
DAVID machines, which require the assistance of a physiotherapist or fitness instructor. HUR machines, which require optimal machine and load adjustments by staff for at least the initial 90-minute class. Space curl- a three-dimensional apparatus for activating the deep stabilization system, improving lower limb proprioception, coordination, perception and orientation in space in a balance environment - only when indicated by a physician and under the guidance of a physiotherapist. Cardiozone - i.e. treadmills, cross trainers, exercise bikes and upper limb trainer. In addition, there are also one-handed dumbbells, a pulley and apparatus for push-ups and barbell push-ups, barbells, overballs and an In-Body machine on which we perform body composition analysis. Finally, it is possible to relax on two massage loungers.
How much do you charge for the services you offer?
For self-payers, the prices for individual exercise on DAVID 3 900 CZK / 12 lessons, group exercise on DAVID 2 100 CZK / 10 lessons, HUR - initial lesson 350 CZK, then 1 300 CZK / 10 lessons, Space Curl 200 CZK / 1 lesson, massage couch 100 CZK / 10 min., In Body analysis - 50 CZK
How is your gym different from regular fitness centres?
The basic difference is the equipment, individual approach and exercise guidance. We are able to prepare an exercise program for clients taking into account their diagnosis and weakened muscle groups. Using the equipment, we test the patients and set an exercise program that is standardized and stored on a smart card and in the system's software. Thus, the patient exercises each time with the optimally set apparatus, in the optimal range and speed of movement, with the appropriate resistance of the apparatus. In addition, the device monitors allow visual control of the exercise progress while providing feedback to both patients and therapists.
