Cheerleading Jumps and Motions

I have cheered for ten years. I have done competition cheerleading as well as a year in college. I know how important it is for cheerleading motions and jumps to look their best! I can offer you tips and advice on your motions as well as ways to make your jumps higher, cleaner looking, and better. I can also give you advice on how to stretch for your jumps to. Trying out for a squad? I can help you with that to!

Turbo Kick to Be Exact!

When it comes to strengthening the legs and arms, kickboxing is a great way to get in shape! Front kicks, back kicks, side kicks, and more, help develop strength as well as improve movement! For the past year and a half I have been working out to a fitness program called TURBO KICK. It's a great way to get your body in shape with kickboxing. Not only that but it will help BUILD ENDURANCE! The first few times I did Turbo Kick I wanted to die! Seriously! This will definitely test you for sure! I thought I was pretty fit, but it really challenges you! Even for those who are in great shape can find themselves sweating like crazy! You feel great afterwards! There have been times when I got off work and was not in a great mood but after Turbo Kick, I felt full of energy!

Stretch Stretch and Stretch Some More!

I'll admit I do not go to yoga classes religiously. I have done several programs from TV and maybe have been to ONE actual yoga class. No I am not saying you have to go to yoga to become like Gumby in order to have great stretches in cheerleading, but you can definitely learn some moves that will help IMPROVE YOUR STRETCHING! Also, yoga incorporates balancing which plays an IMPORTANT part especially if you are a flyer in a stunt. Practicing balance is very beneficial for you and the people below you who are holding you up! Having a stable flyer in a stunt makes things go smooth.

You Won't Regret It!

Not only is cardio and stretching/flexibility both great to have in cheerleading but strength as well! Building stunts and tumbling are two things that definitely require strength in cheerleading. After a warm up and cardio, its great to use strengthening exercises to help kick your other muscles in to gear while the heart is in "calorie burning mode." Whether you are lifting weights (small or heavy), doing leg squats, ab workouts, etc. these will all benefit you from getting a great workout and gain strength in your muscles.

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Eating healthy, drinking water, and cutting out sodas will definitely help improve the way you workout. There have been times on gym days earlier that day I would eat a piece of pizza or drink a chocolate milkshake. Oh Man! That makes me feel even worse when I work out. I try to stick to fruits/nuts/veggies on days I work out because you are full of more energy and don't get cramps during your workout. In fact, eating a banana prior to working out has helped me from cramping up, especially in my abdomen area. Never fun when you are trying to workout and a pain in your stomach happens! Soda has a tendency to SUCK THE OXYGEN out of your system, thus causing you to breathe harder when you work out. When I was doing competition cheerleading my coach said "DO NOT DRINK SODA ON COMPETITION DAYS." Some of the girls would not listen, thus would end up running to the trashcan and throwing up afterwards.