The Challenges of Being a Pro Cheerleader
Photo By Keith Allison via StockPholio.net
Is professional cheerleading really just about winning the crowd? Is it flaunting those sexy bodies? The National Football League cheerleaders are always a sizzling hot topic. There must be something beyond what we see in these ladies.
Like competitive athletes, pro cheerleaders have their own set of challenges. Some pro cheerleaders deal with disrespect from others, while some struggle to maintain their fitness.
In this blog post, I'll be sharing with you the common challenges of being a pro cheerleader. Let's dig in.
Dealing with a period.
Cheering or attending practices during a period can be very stressful. Cheerleaders may not have all the privilege to skip routines when they have it. It's important that they maintain good hygiene by changing pads every 4 hours. This rule is personally intimidating for a woman - but it's a rule! When a cheerleader is on her period, she can be irritable. She also has to use the right product for her menstruation.
Keeping a slender and strong body.
It's a must, not an option. Weight requirement is emphasized on the contract, upon signing up for the profession. Pro cheerleaders have regular weigh-ins to track weight fluctuations. If they gain some pounds, they get penalized. And keeping up with regular fitness routines is a daily task. Of course, they should fit and look alluring in those tight revealing outfits.
Looking perfectly beautiful.
Photo by NFL Cheerleaders
To keep their competitive edge and be great representatives of sports teams, pro cheerleaders are compelled to look high maintenance. Their skin must be perfectly radiant without flaws. Their color-treated hair should be redyed at least every two weeks. Unlike school cheerleaders who wear ponytails, NFL cheerleaders perform with their hair down.
Nails are to be well-polished. Too much makeup is a big NO-NO. Having the right beauty products is a must for those beauty emergencies.
Earning less than they deserve.
Pro cheerleaders do their best to comply with long working/training hours but the sad part is that they don't get paid much. A lot of them have full-time jobs and personal obligations to fulfill. And if they attend practices twice a week after work, they may get home by midnight.
They pay for their regular salon visits. They're required to show up at professional events many times in a year. They may get penalized if they fail to comply. Having a rigid work set-up doesn't seem fair to pro cheerleaders. One may wonder, "How do these women survive?"
Joining the tryouts every year.
Veterans have to re-audition every year. This means that they may or may not retain their position on the team. Every aspiring pro cheerleader, veteran or not, has to prove her worth to make it to her dream squad. The good part though of the re-auditioning process for veterans is that they get to skip the first few rounds.
Demeaning treatment.
Photo by NFL Cheerleaders
At times, pro cheerleaders feel demoralized. According to an article in TIME entitled, "The Ridiculous Things NFL Cheerleaders Put Up With," a Ben-Gals cheerleader complained that she spent more than 300 hours practicing and performing. One time, she missed a game for a funeral and she wasn't paid.
Moreover, it was mentioned in the same piece that the Oakland Raiderettes had to pay for their calendars. They didn't get them for free.
Not being overly opinionated.
When was the last time you felt your thoughts and feelings were not welcomed? One of the crazy rules that NFL cheerleaders like the Buffalo Jills have to take note of is to not be overly opinionated. As they say, nobody wants to hang out around complainers.
Conclusion
Being a professional cheerleader is never easy, with too many restrictions and overflowing rules. It's one of the most abused and neglected professions. Professional cheerleaders not just dancers, they are sports teams advocates. They shouldn't be judged by how they look - rather what they do to keep fans excited for the team. Pro cheerleading is after all about the love for the sport.
Is professional cheerleading for you?
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