Do You Have to Be Fit to Be a Cheerleader? Here's What You Need to Know

The Real Role of Fitness in Cheerleading

So, you’re thinking about becoming a cheerleader, but the question pops into your mind: "Do you have to be fit to be a cheerleader?" Well, let me tell you right now—yes, being fit helps, but it's not the only thing that matters. A lot of people think cheerleaders need to look like professional athletes or bodybuilders, but it’s not as cut and dry as that.

Fitness does play a big role in cheerleading, especially since you’re often performing stunts, jumps, and routines that require strength, balance, and flexibility. But here’s the thing: there’s more to it than just being physically fit.

Physical Fitness: A Key Factor but Not the Whole Picture

First off, let’s talk about physical fitness. You’re probably thinking about all the flips, jumps, and lifts you’ve seen cheerleaders do, and yeah, that requires strength and agility. But do you need to be able to run a marathon or lift heavy weights? Not exactly.

Strength and Stamina Matter, But So Does Technique

When I first tried out for a cheerleading squad back in high school, I’ll admit, I wasn’t the fittest person on the team. I could barely do a push-up without feeling like I was going to pass out. But I was determined. I worked hard on my technique and learned the moves. You know what? It paid off.

Being able to execute a perfect split, or to catch someone in a lift, isn’t just about being fit. It’s about mastering the technique. Sure, if you’re a flyer (the person being lifted), being fit enough to hold your body in the air is crucial. But if you're the base (the person holding the flyer), strength matters, but balance and trust in your teammates matter just as much. So yes, fitness is important, but skill and coordination are just as vital.

Flexibility and Agility: Essential for Cheerleading Performance

Now, let’s talk about flexibility and agility. I’m not going to lie—being able to stretch and get those splits is a huge plus in cheerleading. But again, you don’t need to be an Olympic gymnast. It’s about improving flexibility over time and making sure your body can handle the demands of the routines.

Why Agility Wins Over Raw Power

Take it from me, I used to struggle with flexibility. But after a few months of stretching and working on my agility, I started seeing improvement—not just in my splits, but also in my overall performance. Agility isn’t about brute strength; it’s about being quick on your feet, reacting to your teammates’ moves, and knowing when to make adjustments mid-routine. It’s a skill that improves with practice and isn’t something that fitness alone can guarantee.

The Mental and Emotional Aspects of Cheerleading

Okay, here’s the kicker: fitness is important, but don’t forget the mental and emotional side of cheerleading. The energy, the commitment, and the drive to keep going even when you’re exhausted—those are just as important as being able to do a perfect jump.

Teamwork: It’s All About Trust

During one of my first cheerleading practices, I’ll never forget being lifted into the air. I was so nervous, but my base—who wasn’t the strongest member of the team—had total confidence in me. It was all about trust. And that’s something you don’t get from physical fitness alone. It’s about building relationships with your teammates, knowing that they’ve got your back, and trusting them to catch you if you fall. It’s teamwork at its best.

Do You Have to Be Super Fit? Not Really

The truth is, cheerleading requires a combination of different skills—fitness, technique, teamwork, and mental toughness. While being fit gives you an edge, it’s not the only requirement. If you’re someone who’s not super athletic but has a strong work ethic, you can still succeed as a cheerleader by focusing on technique, flexibility, and your commitment to the team.

My Final Thoughts

To be completely honest, I’ve met cheerleaders of all shapes, sizes, and fitness levels. The ones who succeed are those who work hard, stay positive, and put in the effort to learn and grow. Fitness helps, but passion and perseverance will take you far in cheerleading.

So, no, you don’t have to be super fit to be a cheerleader, but being fit definitely gives you a head start. Keep practicing, keep learning, and remember that cheerleading is about much more than just physical strength. It’s about the energy, the spirit, and the team you build along the way!

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The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.