How to Train to Be a Professional Cheerleader

During timeouts and at halftime of professional basketball and football games, many eyes turn to the cheerleaders who perform elaborate routines to entertain the crowd. But professional cheerleaders don't just execute difficult dance routines; they are also expected to make public appearances on behalf of the team that employs them. Because the job is grueling and physically taxing, prospective professional cheerleaders must undertake a weightlifting and endurance training program as well as master several styles of dance.

Instructions

    • 1

      Train in classical dance. As a professional cheerleader, you need to have a strong foundation in dance, which lets you add more modern styles to your skill set.

    • 2

      Train in dance styles such as jazz, ballet and especially hip-hop. Halftime shows feature live music routines designed to keep the crowd motivated and excited. Training in a variety of modern dance styles is advantageous, and may help set you apart from other candidates during the audition process.

    • 3

      Incorporate some gymnastics training. Though professional cheerleading focuses mostly on dancing and high kicks, gymnastics training improves flexibility and can give you the ability to perform an individual routine that other cheerleaders cannot execute.

    • 4

      Develop a daily weight-training regimen. Working out with light weights strengthens your muscles, which helps you perform the grueling dance routines and moves required in professional cheerleading. Use light weights and increased repetitions. For example, when working out your biceps, use a 10-pound weight and perform 10 repetitions per arm. Your primary goal is to build lean muscle, not bulk, which is the reason to use a manageable weight. You can also perform body-weight exercises, such as push-ups and chin-ups, in which the weight of your own body acts as the resistance and helps build strength in your shoulders, arms and chest.

    • 5

      Develop a cardiovascular training routine. Augment your dance training with cardiovascular activities such as running on a treadmill, using an elliptical machine, swimming and jogging. These activities all contribute toward increasing your heart rate and endurance, which will be useful for auditions and during your practice sessions and routines as a professional cheerleader.