The Life University (Life U) Fitness Center offers more than just a place to work out and connect with friends. It serves as a center for community and self-improvement, always seeking new ways to promote campus health and wellness. To that end, the Fitness Center has two intriguing offerings this September and October.

Skinfold Bodyfat Testing

Every Friday in September (excluding September 5), the Life U Fitness Center is offering complimentary Skinfold Bodyfat Testing to faculty, staff and students from Noon-1:00 p.m.

Skinfold body fat testing is a widely used and relatively simple method for estimating a person’s body fat percentage. It’s based on the principle that a significant portion of the body’s fat is located directly under the skin in the form of subcutaneous fat. The process involves a trained professional using a tool called a skinfold caliper to pinch and measure the thickness of a fold of skin and the underlying fat at various specific sites on the body.

Common sites for measurement include:

  • Abdomen: A vertical or horizontal fold near the navel.
  • Triceps: A vertical fold on the back of the upper arm.
  • Biceps: A vertical fold on the front of the upper arm.
  • Subscapular: A diagonal fold just below the shoulder blade.
  • Suprailiac: A diagonal fold above the hip bone.
  • Thigh: A vertical fold on the front of the thigh.
  • Chest/Pectoral: A diagonal fold on the chest (differing for men and women).

Student CPR/AED Refresher Classes

Starting September 12 and through the end of October, the Life U Fitness Center will hold student CPR/AED refresher classes from 1:30-2:30 p.m. A CPR and AED refresher course is a condensed training program designed for individuals whose initial certification is nearing its expiration. It’s not a full-length class, but rather a way to review, renew and update your life-saving skills.

Attendees of this course ideally are people who have already been certified in CPR and AED use and need to renew their credentials, typically every two years. The main goal is to refresh your knowledge and hands-on skills because research shows that skill retention can decline within a few months of initial training.

The course focuses on the core components of CPR and AED use for adults, children and infants. It typically covers:

  • Recognizing a cardiac emergency.
  • The latest guidelines for chest compressions and rescue breaths.
  • Proper use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).
  • How to respond to a choking victim.

For more information about the Life U Fitness Center or these special offerings, contact Jermaine Alexander at Jermaine.Alexander@life.edu.