CheerZone’s Favorite Cheer Fitness Videos from Cheerinfocenter

Looking for some new cheerleading fitness moves but don’t want to buy another cheer workout DVD? Try YouTube! Here are a few cheer workout videos from one of CheerZone’s favorite YouTube Channels, cheerinfocenter!

Check out cheerinfocenter’s other videos for more great cheerleading fitness workouts!

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Create Your Look with the CheerZone Cheerleading Uniform Creator

CheerZone’s Custom Cheerleading Uniform Creator provides a fun way for you to create your own custom cheer uniforms. With 44 cheer shell styles, 30 cheerleading skirt styles and 22 team colors, the cheerleading uniform possibilities are endless! What’s your look?

Check out the CheerZone Custom Cheerleading Uniform Creator!

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CheerZone Team Spotlight is on the Gymsport Marvels

Let’s hear it for the Gymsport Marvels, CheerZone’s Spotlight Team for July 2010!

Gym Name: Gymsport

Team Name: Knockouts

Mascot: Marvels

Gym Colors: Black, red, purple and gold

Team Motto: Make it personal…power up!!!

Recent Achievements: 2nd place at Jamfest Nationals Pittsburgh

Favorite Cheerleading Trend: Uniforms with shorts instead of skirts

What you’re looking forward to most for 2010: Getting a new look for our squad as well as bringing in more team members for a bigger and better team

Gymsport is located outside of Pittsburgh, PA in Bridgeville, PA. It is the oldest competitive gym in the area. Feel free to visit their website at www.gymsportgems.com!

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Cheerleading and Uniforms In The 1960’s

Cheerleading uniforms really started to change in the 1960’s. NFL teams started adding professional cheerleading teams.

Long wool skirts were replaced with knee length cotton skirts, allowing for comfort and ease of movement. Short sleeved crewneck sweaters replaced long cardigans or a collared shirt with some sort of vest or apron.

However, the megaphone emblem or school name/letters would stay and saddle shoes were still the preferred footwear.

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Cheerleading Camp Wear Buying Guide

The season for cheerleading camp is underway. Your coach has probably already picked your team and chosen a camp. Now you need to pack your campwear. What will you be wearing? Will your team be wearing one unified look our will you be choosing campwear that reflects your own personal style? Here is a list of the basic necessities you will need for camp and a few of our own favorites for this cheerleading camp season.

Uniforms
Shell – For a pulled together look, your team may want a campwear uniform. These cheerleading uniforms are made of a sturdy but lightweight material and come in basic styles and colors. These uniforms are inexpensive and are perfect for camp. These cheer shells can also be embroidered for customization.

Polo – For a campwear uniform look that is more casual, a polo shirt is a great option. Usually in white, these tops have contrasting collars and trim in team colors and can also be embroidered for personalization.

Our picks:

Cheerleading Basic Shell 00410

Cheerleading Sleeveless Polo 00104

Shirts
Tees – This campwear staple does not need to be limited to a plain white tee anymore! Styles include a relaxed fit or fitted styles in all one color or with contrasting collars and/or sleeves. Tees are available plain and also with print or embroidery, with everything from a modern cheer print to a custom design featuring your school initials or team’s names.

Tanks – The perfect look for summer and more popular than ever before. Tank tops can be plain or printed and can also be customized for your cheerleading team. For a splash of color, try layering tanks in contrasting colors!

Hoodies – Hooded sweatshirts are the perfect addition for comfort and warmth. Hoodies come in a variety of styles that are sure to be a hit with any cheerleader!

Our Picks:

Fitted Cheerleading Tee

Cheerleading Ringer Halter 608

Fitted Cheerleading Tank

Spirit Stamp Tank 5658

Cropped Cheerleading Hoodie

Shorts/Skirts
Skirts & Skorts – Campwear skirts are also made of a sturdy but lightweight material and come in a variety of styles and colors. These pair well with campwear shells, polos and tees and give a more classic look. Cheerleading briefs are usually worn underneath skirts, however skorts have built in shorts that eliminate the need for bodywear.

Shorts – Shorts are always a perfect choice for any cheerleader. Cheer shorts come in a wide variety of styles with various lengths, fabric, designs and colors. Cheer shorts look great with polos, tees or tanks.

Our Picks:

3-Pleat Camp Skirt 00420

Dolphin Cheerleading Short 4517

Low Rise Mini Mesh Short 461V

Raw Edge Short K41

Bodywear/Socks
Briefs – Cheerleading briefs will be a necessity if you are wearing a skirt. Briefs are made of a breathable material in regular or boycut styles and with either a regular or low rise. They also come in a wide variety of finishes and colors.

Bras – Don’t forget a sports bra! Proper support and breathability are a must so make sure you have a good cheerleading bra.

Socks – Mini Socks, Anklets and Tube Socks are all favorites of cheerleaders. For basic practice, a mini sock or anklet is recommended. However for a fun twist try a knee high tube sock. All socks come in assorted colors to coordinate with your campwear look.

Our Picks:

Low Rise Brief 00139

Boy Cut Brief 00433

Nude Cheer Bra 261

Chevron Cheerleading Sock 2796

Knee High Tube Socks 22T

Shoes
Cheer Shoes – The most important campwear is a pair of good supportive cheerleading shoes. There are many brands and styles to choose from. No matter what shoes your team wears during performance, you will want an alternate pair for camp and workouts so your good shoes stay clean and white.

Flip Flops – Your feet need rest too and a pair of cheer flip flops will do just that!

Our Picks:

Asics Gel-Inspire IIQ064Y

Nike Air Boom II 395749

Nfinity Evolution ED-6091

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Cheerleading Fitness and Strength Training

For any cheerleader strength training is an essential part of their workout routine. Whether a base or flyer, body strength is necessary to perform routines with such advanced tumbling and stunts. Strength in not only the body core but also legs and shoulders is necessary for every cheerleader and help them perform these maneuvers with ease.

The easiest way to add strength training to your current routine is to do strength exercises that target specific areas of the body. Another way is to add simple hand held weight while walking or jogging. For the best strength training, it is best to workout with regular weights. Always start out with the lightest weight and gradually increase the weight.

Here are some great additional strength training exercises to add to your current cheerleading fitness routine.

Squats
Target areas: Glutes, quads, hamstrings and calves

Stand with feet apart and toes facing straight ahead. Lower hips towards the floor by bending the knees. Keep abs pulled in, torso straight and knees behind your toes. Do not allow yourself to go any lower than 90 degrees. Do 12-16 repetitions.

Lunges.
Target areas: Quads, hamstrings, glutes and calves

Stand in split-stance with one leg forward and one leg back. Bend knees, lowering body into a lunge position while keeping the front knee and back knee both at 90 degree angles. Then slowly push back up to the original position. Do not lock your knees or let your knee bend past your toes. Do 12-16 repetitions. Variations include front, back, and side lunges.

Pull-ups and Chin-ups:
Target areas: Back muscles, the rear shoulders, and the biceps

For this you will need a pull-up bar that is at a height out of reach, requiring you to jump up to grab it. Stand below the bar, jump up and grip the bar with an overhand grip (use an underhand grip for chin-ups). Bend knees and cross your ankles for balance and slowly pull yourself until your chin is at the bar level. Then slowly lower yourself down until your elbows are straight. Do as many as possible without touching the floor.

Push Ups.
Target areas: Chest, shoulders, triceps, back and abs

Lay face down on the floor, balancing yourself on your toes or knees, and hands. Keep hands wider apart than shoulder width and keep body straight from head to toe. Slowly lower your body to the floor, stopping when elbows are at 90 degrees. Then push back up. Do 12- 16 repetitions. Variations include doing push-ups on an incline, on a decline, wall pushups and even one-armed pushups.

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Cheerleading Shoe Spotlight on the Kaepa Crossover

Check out Kaepa’s newest cheer shoe for 2010!

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Cheerleading DVD’s – CheerZone’s Top 10 Picks

Need some new motivation for your workouts? Just need a few new moves for your routine? Keep in shape and polish up your skills with cheerleading fitness DVD’s! Here are our choices for the best DVD’s.

Cheerdance Workout
This one of a kind instructional dance DVD has cross-over appeal fusing cheerleading and dance. Not only will your cheerleading skills improve, but also build strength and flexibility to learn new skills.

Cardio Cheer
Paula Abdul instructs you on taking your cheerleading skills to new heights and getting into the best shape of your life! This five-disc set will give you the flexibility, endurance, moves, and power to achieve all your cheerleading goals.

West Coast Cool: Dances & Pom Sidelines
Two “totally choreographed” on the court time-out dances followed by four additional sideline pom routines.

West Coast Cool: Game Action Chants & Performance Cheers
Learn cool new cheers and chants from UCLA cheerleaders. Includes 12 game action chants and three performance cheers.

Cheeracise Cheerleading – Cheer Like a Pro
DVD includes six routines, a bonus music cd, makeup and nutrition tips, and many different workouts for improving your cardio, leg strength and flexibility as well as six dance routines with step by step instruction.

Winning It All: Advanced Stunts 2
The ability level of your squad will naturally progress to higher and higher levels at a safe, yet fast, pace.

Winning It All: Basic Partner Stunts & Transitions
Learn the basic stunts and transitions and all the fundamentals you will need for proper execution, including information on muscle memory, team assessment and other critical coaching aides.

Pop Warner Presents 30 Partner Stunts for Youth Cheerleading
Easy to follow, step by step instruction for 30 stunts at various levels from beginner to advanced.

Dances And Quick Dances
Exciting new dance to inspire your squad! Features three original 8 – 8 count and four 4 – 8 count dances.

CHEER!
UCA (Universal Cheerleaders Association) instructor Lacey Taylor takes you step-by-step through the key moves and chants, essential cheers, and the big dance routines then shows you what it takes to become a successful leader.

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Cheerleading and Uniforms In The 1940’s and 1950’s

In 1948, the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) was formed by Lawrence “Herkie” Herkimer as a way of enabling cheerleading clinics. The first clinic was held in 1949 and within the next 15 years, workshops were held nationwide by college cheerleaders, teaching high school cheerleaders the basic skills. Herkimer also founded the Herkie jump and the Cheerleading & Danz Team uniform supply company. He also began the tradition of the spirit stick, a special stick awarded to cheer teams who convey genuine enthusiasm and attitude.

By the late 1950’s, women were just as active in cheerleading as men. Uniforms were evolving and usually included a sweater or polo shirt with H.S. (High School) sewn on the front or upper corner, long wool skirts and saddle shoes. Pom Poms also made their debut, as did megaphones.

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Cheerleading Shoe Spotlight on Asics Gel Comp II

CheerZone’s Cheerleading Shoe Spotlight is on the Asics Gel-Comp II. See why this cheer shoe beats out the competition!

Asics Gel Comp II

Click here to see the Asics Gel-Comp II cheerleading shoe at cheerzone.com.

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