Oftentimes, cheerleaders become so involved in cheerleading that it not only becomes a way of life, but also prohibits us from seeing the benefits of other activities. During the off-season, consider incorporating some of these great activities into your schedule; you’ll undoubtedly see the results the following cheer season.
Swimming – Swimming is a whole-body exercise, meaning that essentially every muscle group is utilized, unlike most sports, which tend to isolate certain muscle groups. Swimming can help cheerleaders develop overall strength, endurance, and advanced cardiovascular fitness. Swimming can be an activity done leisurely with friends or for a short but focused period of time.
Kickboxing – Kickboxing combines elements of boxing, martial arts, and aerobics to provide overall physical conditioning and toning. Ultimately, it is another example of a total body workout that will help to increase your stamina, flexibility, and strength. Kickboxing classes can be a great forum to work out to some great music in a fun environment.
Zumba – Zumba is the latest craze in the fitness world. It has been described as a brassy, high-octane, Colombian-born dance-aerobics workout. Zumba is a fun way to accomplish a good aerobic exercise, body sculpting, and calorie burning. The best part about a Zumba work-out is that it can be a great source of inspiration for future choreography!
Running – It’s one of the easiest ways to exercise, because it’s so accessible and such a great source of cardiovascular fitness. If you take up running in the off-season, you will most certainly be in great shape for the next cheer season. Not only is running an excellent source for cardio work-outs, but additionally a great means to tone and strengthen your muscles.
Bicycling – Bicycling is a popular mode of travel all around the world, but it can also be an excellent work-out option! It’s easy to do and requires little more than balance and a well-built bicycle. Additionally, bicycling is a great way to see the outdoors, take in the fresh air, or get around town. If you find that bicycling may be your thing, consider joining a cycling club or spin class.
Rollerblading/Skating – Skating offers an effective cardiovascular workout, endurance training, and strength training to build strong muscles in the pelvis and legs. Balance and coordination can also be improved by regular skating. Even at moderate speeds, roller skating can provide an aerobic workout that improves cardiovascular health. Skating also causes less stress to the joints than running. Skating’s low-impact quality also allows people with joint injuries or chronic joint problems to enjoy a fun and thorough aerobic workout.
Cheerleading is undoubtedly one of the best sports out there, but there is no shame in diversifying your routine to stay in shape. There exists a seemingly endless list of options to stay in shape. The above list only features a few, but I encourage you to step outside of the cheer box to explore new options this off-season, and see what benefits are reaped!
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