Where do you learn to use calipers?

[Emoore]

I've heard before that a truly professional trainer should know how to use calipers. I've also heard many times that it takes a lot of practice and education to learn to use them correctly. What nobody's been able to tell me is where you get this education. I've been to large commercial gyms where not a single trainer has the slightest idea how to use the things. Is there a class you can take? A guru to track down? How did you learn it?
Thanks!

[missjane]

The trainer at my gym told me that he learned in school (college) where they practiced over and over and over on each other and other people all the time. Not sure where you would get that intense practice, otherwise.

[Keith S.]

You can find instructions online and practice on friends/family, sometimes people think it's a fun game and it gets you lots of practice... The main thing you're going to look for is consistency in the number you get.

If you want to learn from another trainer, I would just contact someone around you and ask them if they would be able to take a few minutes to show you.

[AskTheTrainer]

Originally Posted by Emoore

I've heard before that a truly professional trainer should know how to use calipers. I've also heard many times that it takes a lot of practice and education to learn to use them correctly. What nobody's been able to tell me is where you get this education. I've been to large commercial gyms where not a single trainer has the slightest idea how to use the things. Is there a class you can take? A guru to track down? How did you learn it?
Thanks!

I agree. I see trainers using horrible technique with taking body fat estimates using calipers.

In college we learned in a class practicing on each other first which is different than performing actual tests because you spend a long time on each measurement.

They also had us take hundreds of measurements on freshmen from a PE class. They lined up huge lines of students in the PE class who walked up to you and you had to take their 4 site measurement in a jiffy.

This I found valuable because I could get a feel how different people's fat & skin could be from person to person and it also made you work under pressure.

Taking the measurements under pressure is important because it's just like in a training session, you only have an hour and you need to get the measurements done fast and also you need to look professional.

I know this is probably too much but...

If you want to get very good at taking skinfold measurements I would find the most experienced trainer in your area and try to get them to show you basic technique and proper locations.

If you really want to get good, you could volunteer to take the body fat of a high school PE class or simply offer to take the body fat of your friends/softball team/ church or whatever. If you are a currently a trainer you can set up a "quick accurate body fat assessment" booth at your gym too.