Difference Between a Cheer Dance & Aerobics

The repetitive motions and high-speed tempo of a cheer dance can superficially resemble an aerobics routine, and cheer dances are a form of aerobics. However, while the primary goal of aerobics is to gain physical fitness and mobility, cheer dances are designed to entertain and pump up a crowd. A cheer dance generally requires more specialized skills than an aerobics routine.

  1. Training and Skill

    • The goal of an aerobics class is to improve aerobic fitness and muscle strength, and most aerobics classes are based upon motions that the average person can perform with a little bit of practice. Lunges, squats, stepping and arm movements are typically a part of aerobics classes. Cheer dances, however, can be highly complex, since their goal is to entertain. Cheerleaders may build pyramids, throw other cheerleaders, perform back flips and complete complex dance-based movements.

    Flexibility

    • Aerobics classes often aim to increase the flexibility of participants and may devote a portion of class to stretching. However, the primary purpose of stretching in aerobics classes is to reduce injuries and improve mobility, while cheer dances regularly incorporate impressive feats of flexibility. During a cheer dance, cheerleaders may perform splits, lift their legs above their heads or extend their legs straight into the air while jumping.

    Energy Requirements

    • A cheer dance usually lasts the length of a single song -- 3 or 4 minutes. Aerobics, by contrast, is designed to keep your heart rate elevated for an extended period of time, and most aerobics classes are at least 20 or 30 minutes long. Consequently, aerobics classes typically require more long-term energy expenditure, while a cheerleading dance requires a short burst of energy. Cheerleading dances are typically more intense than an aerobics routine because the dances don't have to be sustained over a long period of time.

    Cheering and Aerobics

    • Because cheerleading dances require aerobic fitness, an aerobics class can be a helpful tool for cheerleaders looking to get into better shape, and some cheerleading teams use aerobics as part of their practice and warm-up. Dance-based aerobics are available at many gyms, and more advanced dance aerobics classes may incorporate some of the same moves as cheerleading.