3 Biggest Professional Cheerleading Myths You Should Stop Believing If You Want to Succeed
Sometimes, the things you believe to be true in professional cheerleading are wrong. Working your way into your dream squad is challenging enough. What can make things unnecessarily complicated is when you allow false assumptions to hinder your motivation. I’ve heard many stories of women who dismiss the idea of auditioning for the tryouts because of these rumors.
It doesn’t matter where these misconceptions come from because they don’t help you make progress. Don’t worry because today, I’m going to bust 3 common pro cheer myths for you. Get the real scoop below.
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Myth #1: You don't have to be model gorgeous.
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Truth: Looks count but there are no “ideal” beauty standards.
I’ll have to say (and most people agree) that professional cheerleaders are some of the most gorgeous women in the sports industry. But to make the team, you don’t have to possess the physical characteristics of a model - high cheekbones, expressive eyes, full lips, and specific hip and bust measurements.
To be able to look like a model is far from the truth. Maybe you are making this assumption because of their pro cheerleaders' perfect swimsuit calendars and Instagram photos. Stage makeup, a salon makeover, and professional photo editing do wonders on a cheerleader’s appearance.
But here’s the truth: After all the makeup is removed, most women are immediately transformed into the girl next door. Like you, an aspiring arena cheerleader, the pros come in different shapes, heights, and colors. We’re a diverse group of women!
At the end of the day, it’s wrong to believe that professional cheerleading isn’t for you just because of the way you look. My advice? Embrace the features you’re born with. Make the most out of them.
Suggested reading: Positive Visualization Exercises For Your Journey To Becoming A Pro Cheerleader
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Myth #2: “Skeleton” skinny is the way to go.
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Truth: Being skinny and skeletal is not the body-type goal.
Being a professional cheerleader means you work hard to achieve a well-proportioned, healthy-looking, and lean figure. Cheerleaders are athletes too. They engage in physical activity that requires endurance and stamina.
You will notice that professional cheerleaders are slim, muscled, and toned women. Skeletal women, on the other hand, create a false image of fitness. One may have a skeletal appearance but won’t have the strength to cheer for hours on game days. Strong is the new sexy.
To achieve fitness the right way and join the auditions, you should stick to a healthy diet. Adopt a workout plan. Don’t take weight-loss shortcuts that are bad for your health such as starving yourself, beating yourself up with long hours of exercise, and falling for fad diets.
Certainly, your dream team wouldn’t pick you if you appear undernourished. They want an athletic look. If you think you’re not fit and strong now, check out Pro Cheer Life’s free online fitness class.
Suggested reading: Top Fitness Hacks You Need In Preparation for the Pro Cheer Auditions
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Myth #3: Teams have “diversity quotas” for minority applicants.
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Truth: Teams do not discriminate by giving or deducting points solely for diversity.
Another common myth is that team directors have specific quotas to fill with dancers from certain ethnic groups. I have heard rumors circulate on many levels of cheerleading—high school, college, the pros—that a candidate’s racial background plays a big role during auditions, either by helping or hurting the applicant’s chances.
Throughout my experience in professional cheerleading, never had I witnessed judges reject candidates because of their race or ethnicity. Discrimination has no place in professional cheerleading.
I can say with confidence that in professional cheerleading, teams choose women of different backgrounds to represent and reflect the community. A diverse pro cheer squad is always better, and that’s what the management of every team wants.
In fact, in March 2016, the Miami Dolphins hosted their pro cheer auditions internationally. Senior Director of Entertainment for the Miami Dolphins cheerleaders, Dorie Grogan, told New Times "We see this as the continuation of our goal to add diversity and international talent to our squad."
Final Thoughts
Get over these 3 professional cheerleading myths if you want to increase your chances of making the team. Stop paying attention to other people’s definition of a perfect cheerleader and focus on the right ways to train and prepare. At Pro Cheer Life, we want you to gain more confidence in the tryouts. Hopefully, this article has put you on the right track, along with the rest of the free resources we offer.
Can you picture yourself dancing under the bright lights alongside gorgeous cheerleaders, cheering for the NFL or NBA?
If you dream of joining a professional dance team audition but have no idea on how to get started, my book entitled Professional Cheerleading Audition Secrets: How To Become an Arena Cheerleader for NFL®, NBA®, and Other Pro Cheer Teams will guide you every step of the way.
I decided to write this book to help you discover the best tips and advice on staying fit and beautiful, adopting the right mindset, maintaining your image, and more - based on my 20+ years of experience in the professional cheerleading industry.
Grab your own copy of my book by clicking the text or image below:
