CHEERLEADER £3.70
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DIRECTION
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Bringing you the UK’s first monthly cheer reader
fans threatened to kill us
SQUAD in the SPOTLIGHT The Leeds
Under pressure? How to find the perfect balance
CELTICS
Exclusive interview ROAD TO RECOVERY with
Rick Rodgers, wheelchair stuntman
EDITOR’S letter Dear Cheerleaders A warm welcome to you all in this chilly month, and as you all patiently wait for the heavy snowfall, let our very first edition of Cheerleader warm you up. Grab your hot chocolate, cosiest slippers and sit back and indulge in the UK’s one and only magazine for cheerleaders. It was a fantastic push to get our magazine out to you all; especially after the positive response you gave us on Facebook and Twitter so cheers to you all. There is nothing more pleasing than being able to thank you, our fans, and we hope you have equally as much fun reading this as we did creating it. We have been working hard here at Cheerleader, finding you the crème de la crème athletes, to inspire you, motivate you, bring a tear to your eye and make you giggle. We have spent hours laughing, trawling through the list of your cringe worthy moments and please keep them coming. Our nine to five day at work really does perk and keep spirits high when your stories bring a tear to our eye. The joy of interviewing muscle men is only to die for and only a slight pinch of jealousy when we see how toned up Jess Rossi is. Maybe she could whip us ladies into shape a little better; but this chair is just a little too comfy. Lots of love The editor and the Cheer Team.
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CHEERLEADER MAGAZINE
CONTENTS page IN EVERY ISSUE 8 Hot or not 17 Cringe stories 18 Q&A with ... 28 Squad in the spotlight 32 Profile with... 39 Upcoming events NEWS 4 One Direction Fans threatemed to kill us
28 Rick Rodger’s road to recovery
37 SG Stunt Team founder Martin Wan talks to us
FEATURES 12 Cheerobics with Jess Rossi
18 Finding the perfect balance
34 Introducing the Dazl Diamonds
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“The next thing we knew twitter was going mental and almost every 1D fan was reposting the pictures along with abuse”
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CHEERLEADER MAGAZINE
cheernews
“One Direction fans threatend to KILL US” Amber Wilson and her team, The Wakefield Wildcat Dolls found themselves the target of threats from 1D fans after cheerleading at Louis Tomlinson’s charity football game.
With Harry Styles
With Louis Tomlinson
1D fans are known to be noto-
With Niall Horan
charity football match earlier in riously passionate about their boy October. The Wildcat girls tweeted band idols. Many camp for weeks pictures after the game with a few outside gigs hoping to get a picture, members of the band, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson. touch their arm or to just catch a glimpse of the back of their heads. The lads can’t even go to the local Amber Wilson, a member of the shop to grab a pint of milk without Wildcat Dolls tells us how shocked leading a trail of squealing groups and scared she was after her and the rest of her team received death of girls. threats after posting a couple of Their ‘dedication’ even goes as far pictures with the teenage heartthrobs on social networking site as sending hate to any girls that Twitter. “About an hour after postthe boys are seen with. In May it was reported that 19 year old, Zayn ing the pictures, twitter was going Malik’s girlfriend Perrie Edwards, mental and almost every 1D twitter page were reposting them. They 18, quit twitter because she was receiving death threats from many even made it to Australia! Then the next thing we know fans were devoted One Direction fans. commenting things such as ‘fugly Having similar encounters with the sl*ts get away from my boyfriend’ boisterous boy band fans were the and ‘we hate the 1D cheerleaders’” she explains. Wakefield Wildcat Dolls, cheer-
girls. But then Niall Horan even got abuse from fans saying that he had had his picture taken with disabled children and all Niall cares about is girls.” The Dolls didn’t take it too seriously until some of them received worse threats, “I got one saying I better stay away from her boyfriend or else. One of the other girls also got a stream of abuse, saying that they would kill us.”
The threats got quite bad that many of the girls had to tell their parents, who wanted to phone the police. However as the days went on, it all seemed to die down and when Harry Styles was rumored to be dating another new girl the abuse steered away from the Dolls and was targeted elsewhere. “The fans are absolutely mad, I would not leaders from Wakefield, Leeds who were the centre of attention as they “We didn’t respond at first because want to get on the wrong side of them!” says Amber. cheered on Louis Tomlinson at his we just figured it was silly jealous
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cheergossip
fliptricks.com
NOT
We’ve seen enough of animal print this year and these shorts are the tip of the ice berg.
omnicheer.co.uk
HOT
HOT or NOT?
The new Kaepa shoes for women and youths are sold out almost everywhere. They are available from futurecheer and you can even get changeable patented Snap-In logos. There are up to 15 different colors to match your team/school colors with up to 120 multiple color combinations in each box.
omnicheer.co.uk
HOT
Let your team stand out this summer in cut out side skirts. omnicheer.co.uk offer a variety of taping, striping and paneling and cut out options for superior style and an easy fit.
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CHEERLEADER MAGAZINE
fliptricks.com
Slightly cut at the sides with an elastic waistband, these plain fliptricks shorts are perfect for pracitising somersaults.
Glitter bug cosmetics offers a wide range of glittery pots of colour to sprinkle on your eyes before your big competition.
HOT
NOT
futurecheer.net
NOT
HOT
glitterbug.co.uk
omnicheer.co.uk
Double knit cheer costumes are not in this season. Polyester fabric clung to your skin while you’re performing an energetic routine is not what you need. Go for something more loose this year.
Although they are a traditional part of cheerleading, more and more squads are opting to be free of pom poms in favour of more gymnastic moves
cheerfitness
So you think you know...
Nutrition S
o, you’ve got your kit and your weekly training schedule. Think you’re ready to be a top cheerleader? Well you’re not quite there yet. The most important and often most overlooked aspect of being an athlete is focusing on nutrition. In order to maximise your performance it is essential to get the correct nutrients and key food groups into your diet.
The Science Bit
- Failure to have enough carbohydrates in your diet can result in a lack of energy and muscle fatigue. All of these can lead to an increase in injury. - Complex carbohydrates include: potatoes, pitta breads, pastas, whole grain breads etc. - Simple carbohydrates, such as sugar will provide calories, but nothing in the way of nutrients - so it’s best to avoid them! - The average athlete requires between 1.2 and 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight everyday - Avoid excess fats by: choosing leaner cuts of meat, avoid red meat, limit butter intake and avoid frying foods - Drink between 6 and 8 glasses of water per day, remember - you can be dehydrated without being thirsty!
But, knowing what’s actually good for you can be a puzzle in itself. How do you differentiate fact from fiction and which old wives tale actually applies? That’s where Cheer! magazine comes in. The key to good nutrition is all about balance. Your required food groups are as follows:: - Fruits - Dairy - Vegetables - Whole grains - Beans, lentils, nuts (good fats!) - Meat, poultry, fish & eggs But mealtimes shouldn’t have to be a chore. It’s easy even for a novice to use the internet and Google some healthy suppers.
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“My cheerleading injury made me depressed”
didn’t heal she would have to have an MRI scan.
For a time they stood standing, smiling with the occasional chant. Now, in the 21st cheerleading is considered one of the most dangerous sports in the world. We speak to cheerleader Shelley Snow, who’s serious knee injury changed her life and left her battling with depression.
“My first thoughts were that I would be letting the team down just before nationals when we had all been practicing so hard for months on end,” Shelley’s position was filled almost immediately by a member of a higher AV team. “I started feeling down as I was unhappy at being replaced. I was angry that I was not fit to compete. I was angry that I had worked this hard and just from coming down from a stunt it had messed it all up.”
According to The New York Times, Emergency
Feeling devastated , still supporting her squad, with ribbons tied around her crutchest, Shelley went along to nationals with her team and watched in the audience. “I was proud of them as my team, but it was extremely difficult to watch somebody in my place and left my feeling of devastation impacted”.
For most cheerleaders, national competitions are the light at the end of the tunnel, when intense late night training and straining away from the Big Macs all seems to be worth it. With only two months away from nationals, the moment Shelley’s foot hit the floor, she knew she would be unable to perform.
The lack of activity added to the diminish of Shelley’s mental state and she found herself suffering from depression. “Cheerleading increased my confidence, and without it, I found that my confidence disappeared,” over the period of four months Shelley found herself getting worse. Not being able to get out of the house easily left her alone most of the time. “Missing out on social aspects as well as training and especially not being able to exercise really got to me.” She found herself staying in her room most of the time and barely spoke to her friends in her own house. “As a person over that period I was a lot more to myself, I was so miserable, and I didn’t want to talk to anybody, not even the people I was most comfortable with”.
room visits for cheerleading injuries nationwide has more than doubled since the early 1990s. This is due to the growth in the number of cheerleaders. The rate of life-threatening injuries has startled researchers.
“Cheerleading increased my confidence and without it my confidence disapeared”
“I immediately fell to the floor in pain. I knew I wouldn’t be able to compete in nationals.” Shelley Snow, a cheerleader for the Leeds Met Aviators was practicing on a dead floor instead of a sprung floor so when she got dropped from her stunt the impact of her foot hitting the floor caused her knee joint to twist round.
“The pain was really bad and I knew that I had done something serious,” she says, replaying what happened in her mind. Shelley was on crutches for about two months and unable to train for the rest of the season. She tore medical meniscus in her knee and the doctors warned her if they injury
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CHEERLEADER MAGAZINE
Shelley dealt with her depression by speaking to her friends. “I only really spoke to my housemate, at first only Liz who I was on the cheerleading squad with. Seeing me away from training, she was
cheerfeature the only one who could see how I felt.” Liz tried to help Shelley by supporting her, “Because I couldn’t train I got stressed out about not being fit when I would return, my housemate did little things to cheer me up like eating healthy with me.”
“I now feel
stronger as a person and more determined than ever”
Although this September Shelley returned to training and her body has healed from her injury, she admits that her mind is still damaged. “Mentally it has knocked my confidence quite a bit when flying. I seem to hit a brick wall in training a lot more since the injury and have to convince myself that it’s ok before doing some moves.” Shelley soon realized she couldn’t carry on the way she was when she started to notice that her coach was keeping her out of specific stunts because he didn’t think she was ready, “I realized he didn’t think I could do it because I didn’t think I could do it. Cheerleading is so dangerous he didn’t want to risk it if I wasn’t ready. This really frustrated me so I knew I had to prove to him and to myself that I could do it.” She found it difficult to be seen as the “injured flyer” and was determined to show her coach she was ready by going to extra sessions. Now Shelley is back on the team, and her depression is a distant memory, she is back to being a flyer on her team. “If it happened again I’d talk more to my coach so that he knew how I felt and I would try and talk to other cheerleaders who have had the same experience. Overall though, support from my friends and family has helped me through it.” Although Shelley has suffered an extreme set back in her sport, she tells us she never wants to feel that low again and is training now for nationals in the new year, “After everything I went through, I feel even more confident than I did before I got injured, because I know I overcame something. I am much stronger as a person now, in more ways than one and more determined than ever.”
(Below) With her teammates (Right) In hospital Shelley at Nationals supporting her squad
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“I fulfil women’s fantasies of being the cheerleader they have always dreamed of.” Tall, dark, gorgeous and brunette, Jessica Rossi is a romantic twist of French and Italian, born and raised in the heart of the cultural gem Milan. Yet do not be fooled by Jessica’s charm as behind her beautiful façade is a mean and fierce business entrepreneur that is taking the world by storm. A flip of interest, a push of career and a stretch of social life, thrown into one stunt has lead to the perfect performance; creating a passionate and addictive idea. Jessica Rossi is the proud creator of Cheerobics, a fresh new sports programme attracting many.
Cheerobics classes have been taken by storm. Jam-packed, full of women, left, right and centre eager to power through the 50 minute sweat sessions.
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CHEERLEADER MAGAZINE
It is the powerful blend of combining cheerleading and fitness fifty-fifty in a way that is ‘fun, works well and gives actual results.’
“My career path seemed to change daily. Cheerobics gave me a sense of direction.”
Jess found the correct formula, succeeding at what many others failed. Through Cheerobics, Jess is proud to reveal she has worked with Alan Tichmarsh, Denise Van Outen and Tim Lovejoy. Yet in 2005, reality faced the singleton, and she was battling against the constraints of the cheerleader stereotype. The reinvention of having to rebrand the typical image of a cheerio was holding up the revolution of Cheerobics. “I was unsure if it was possible, Cheerobics was a working progress, the first cheerleading adult class didn’t take off, it was disappointing to see. Feedback showed that people thought you had to be skinny, young, flexible and super fit to cheerlead. Members didn’t
cheerfeature
feel that they fit into the ‘cheerleader stereotype’.” Years of research, trial and error and plenty of hard work had eventually paid off as the unknown adventure she had taken, was turning into something ‘real’.
It became a heck of a phenomenon. “It was a lot of work, but it was so exciting. Marketing and publicity is my biggest passion so I really enjoy it. It’s still a challenging exercise and there are many hurdles ahead – but as they say ‘the grass is greener where you water it’, so I just have to keep at it.” Cheerobics is flourishing with more than 80 instructors worldwide since its mainstream breakthrough at Richmond Dance School in 2008.
“Women felt great about their achievements and how they looked.” Jess explains the success was through restoring the belief of being able to accomplish the women’s cheerleading fantasy, long after they believed their ship had sailed. The multiplier effect kicked in after women felt their skills had improved and were getting into great shape. “It’s important to spread the cheer love and we must remember that for every Allstar cheerleader there are 100 regular girls that would like to have fun, get involved, and get a chance to experience the cheer we love; even if it’s just for recreational fitness.”
Jess Rossi leading the way The ‘KidsActive’ programme is also currently in its final development stage, aiming to help schools and grassroots programmes give children a pathway to the early stages of their cheer development ladder. The business lady thrives off keeping herself busy, and with her brand still being a working progress, there is no rest for the wicked. Having started her own business, Jess has had to discover all functions to maintain the smooth running of her work, learning sales and marketing, administration and business development; with a list that goes on and on. “It’s hectic; there is so much to do and so little time to do it in. Thankfully I love my job and the people around me have cheerleading, business and fitness interests so my social and work life coexists very well.”
“I always knew I wanted to create something that was my own.” The curious, evidently determined and passionate Jessica Rossi had found her ideal innovative twist on cheerleading and equilibrium that many could only wish for.
Slowly but surely, the fever is set to go viral in the next 18 months.
Her days are fused together with business and leisure from dusk to dawn with one main focus in life.
It has already conquered the United Arab Emirates, USA, Canada and Australia.
Failure is not the end; not trying is. 11
cheergossip
the
POM-POM mom
Ever thought your mum nagged you too much before a big competition? Well, it’s more than likely that she wouldn’t go to the extremes of the infamous ‘Pom-Pom mom.’ It’s 1991, in a sleepy town in Texas a scorned mother made a devious plan. Wanda Holloway’s teenage daughter Shanna applied for a place on her high school’s cheerleading squad but was beaten out for a place by her friend Amber Heath. In a shocking show of revenge, Wanda asked her ex-brother-in-law, Terry Harper to hire a hitman to kill Verna Heath, Amber’s mother.
She was then re-sentenced and was released in 1997 after six months. She was also made to complete 1000 hours of community service. So where are they now?
However, unbeknownst to Holloway, Terry Harper went straight to the police and Wanda was arrested the next day.
“At some point it clicked; this isn’t fun. But I was so close to my mom. She was my world, and I wanted to please her”.
Holloway was convicted of solicitation of capital murder and sentenced to 15 years in prison. However the conviction was later overturned when it was discovered that one of the jurors was on probation for a drug offence and should
Almost 20 years after the bizarre plot, Shanna decided to break her silence earlier this year. She states the scandal ‘ruined her world’ and has haunted her ever since. She describes how her mother would force
Her plan was that Amber would be so devastated by her mother’s death that she would not take up the place on the squad.
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never have been allowed to serve on a jury. As a result, there was no retrial as Wanda made a plea of ‘no contest’.
CHEERLEADER MAGAZINE
Pom Pom Mom: Wansa Holloway
her to cheerlead against her will and that she didn’t really ever enjoy it. Now a teacher and a married mother of two, Shanna tells how she now enjoys some sort of a relationship with her mother, but only for the sake of her two children. Speaking to People magazine, Shanna says: “She really didn’t have any answers. She said it was a mistake. I was wrong. If I could take it back, I would. And I’m sorry. So you just accept that, and move on.” Want to know more? Organise a sleepover with your squad and watch either ‘The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader Murdering Mom’ (what a mouthful!) or ‘Willing to kill: The Texas Cheerleader Story.’
cheergossip
Cramp crush
Rating:
Broken bones “I was in practice last week where I was trying out a level 5 stunt, I lifted my stunt partner into the air like I was supposed to, my arms gave in and she lost her balance. She fell and broke her finger. She has now changed her stunt partner.” Luke, Milton Keynes Rating:
Crush catastrophe “I was showing off, having perfected my back handspring, without telling anyone I just set off. However, when I pushed off with my hands, I kicked my crush right in his face. He shrugged it off and hasn’t spoken to me since.” Red-faced Hannah Rating:
Skirt saviour
“We received a new cheer outfit for the nationals,. We loved the outfit; it was white and purple. Our team was very hyper and only minutes before we arrived. To my horror, I noticed I had started my period. Thank god, my friend had a spare skirt.” Embarrassed Charlie, by email Rating:
Split struggle
cheerCRINGE! .....................................
“We were the opening act of the competition and I was attempting my toe touch, I felt an excruciating pain and fell to the floor. A cramp had kicked in, I tried to carry on but my coach ushered me to the side. I was so embarrassed.” Lucy, London
“We had spent several months learning this one routine in practice. I felt so confident and proud. On the day of the competition, I got the routine confused with our previous one and started off completely wrong. Instead of doing my usual twist and flick, I tumbled and did the splits.” K.M, by text Rating:
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The Act 20 year old student, Shanice tells us how she balances being a national competitive cheerleader and living a University lifestyle. Although she enjoys every minute of cheerleading, she admits that it isn’t at all what she expected describing it as the hardest thing she’s ever had to do.
As someone who describes themselves as a bit of a ‘partier’, Shanice was excited to start University; going out every night, downing as many jaeger bombs as you possibly can and having a daily diet of pot noodles. “It was great, I made so many friends, I was going out a lot and having the time of my life”.
The pattern of drinking alcohol and ordering takeaways had to end, “I realized I was letting myself down in practice which meant I was letting the team down. I could see people getting fed up It wasn’t just the intense exercise with me, especially my coach.” regime which affected Shanice’s When realizing that her position University lifestyle, “Our coach on the squad was in jeopardy, constantly stresses to us the importance of eating a balanced and the Leeds Met University student Partying healthy diet and to not drink too decided that she had to find a way much alcohol. He tells us to have to balance her passion for cheerDedicating her time to competfun but not to be an idiot, because leading with her social life. itive cheerleading is something at the end of the day, we will be Binning the booze Shanice found difficult to adjust the one who suffers” she says, to at first. “I found it really hard “you can’t miss training, if you to restrain from nights out but I “I decided to get my act together miss three training sessions you knew that I had to cut back on the are off the team.” and stop going out as much. Obbooze otherwise it would affect viously I had to go out sometimes
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my performance. There were a few times when I struggled at training because I had been out the night before” she says.
CHEERLEADER MAGAZINE
cheerfeature
“I realised I was letting myself down in practice which meant I was letting my team down”
but I knew it couldn’t be the day before training.” As well as training her regular three days a week with the squad, Shanice also ensured that she put in extra effort, “I did a lot of extra training at the gym most days after Uni and at the weekend as well. If I wasn’t in Uni I was at the gym or training.”
it’s very hard because we are at University but I’ve put so much time into it and it’s a huge part of my life. I know I have to be fit for cheerleading. If you have a healthy lifestyle you’re the one that benefits from it. I know that if I didn’t do cheerleading my social life would be a lot different”.
Fresh start
It’s worth it
With the pressure of maintaining a healthy routine and a fit body that cheerleaders have, now, dedicated Shanice confesses that her social life would be a lot different if she hadn’t chosen to join the cheerleading squad, “Obviously
The competitive cheerleader explains that although she had to make sacrifices, the pressure all pays off and builds up to the best moment of being a cheerleader. The competitions. Their time to shine. “You get so much
adrenaline before you perform in a competition, it’s so nerve wracking. I’ve never had a feeling like it.” “Our coach tells us; this is it, this is your only time to show what you can do. One shot, one kill.” And those are the words that stick in her mind. “You come off and your heart is beating so fast and you just want to get back out there. It’s such a mixture of emotions, it’s so much pressure and it is so scary but once you’ve done it you just want to get back on that floor.” The 20 year old admits that her University experience would have been a lot different if she
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“My University experience would have been a lot different if I hadn’t have done cheerleading” hadn’t done cheerleading but joining the squad has been one of the best decisions Shanice has ever made, “Even though we work hard, we have so much fun and we are like a family. I have made so many good friends on the team, some of who I know I’ll stay in contact with after we leave Uni.”
Cheerleading forever? And when that day comes, in 6 months time, one question remains; will this be the end of cheerleading? “I don’t know if this
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will be the end for me and cheerleading, I never saw myself doing this, ever. People don’t realize what a tough sport it is. I never realized how hard it is. It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. We don’t get enough credit. I would recommend it to anyone. It has been an important part of my life for the last couple of years and I will always have a connection with the Carnegie team. If I were to continue with it after Uni, it would be hard work. A lot of hard work. But I could do. Never say never I guess.”
CHEERLEADER MAGAZINE
t tors a a i v A Met eeds onals L e Th nati
cheerfeature
Shanice’s top tips for the best balance 1. Exercise
To maintain your fitness create a workout plan for when you go to the gym. Then you have something to stick to and know what you have achieved.
2. Diet
I always do a healthy shop at the beginning of the week, lots of fruit and veg, protein but also carbohydrates to burn during training.
2. Assignments
I find that many ways help me to keep up with assingments. If you have gaps between your lectures use that time to go to the library and get some work done.
3. Socialise
Make sure that you allow yourself a night out during the week or just going for a meal or to the cinema with your friends. Usually I find the weekends are best because you know you don’t have uni or training the next day.
4. Rest
I let myself have a couple of hours of tv or to just chill with my friends after training. The gym or after a day at uni. Sleep is essential so that I have the energy to do a good performance.
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D A U Q S s
T H G I L T O P S E IN TH
the L E E D S C E L T IC S If
someone were to ask you what you thought the most successful sports team at Leeds University was, what would you guess? Football? Rugby perhaps? You might actually be surprised to find out that it’s Cheerleading. Yep, that’s right.
to go on stage and perform. The rush of adrenaline is just unreal, in those moments you forget everything and the only thing that mattetrs is completing the routine”. But obviously cheerleading is not all smiles and pom poms, it’s hard work and people aren’t always kind.
The humble sport which began as being strictly for men at Princeton University in the 1870’s has made it’s way across When asked what the worst the pond and is quickly gaining part of cheerleading was, popularity. squad member Eilidh Cornish says: “Everyone just assumes The Celtic cheer squad was set you’re not that intelligent or up at Leeds University in 2002 that you’re intimidating and to support the Universities cliquey like cheerleaders in American football team. films.” Originally more of a dance troupe, the team has evolved over the years and now advertises itself as ‘cheerleading without the pom poms’. The best part of cheerleading, according to the squad is the competitions. “You don’t know excitement until you’re waiting
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We interviewed the squad to find out what it takes to be part of one of the best squad’s in the country. The Celtic squad put most of their success down to the sense of family that they share as a team. Helen Currie, Committee member for the squad
CHEERLEADER MAGAZINE
says: “Cheerleading requires so much trust between the squad that you really do have to like everyone. One of our key rules is that the girls and boys can’t bring any drama to practice. Luckily they’re all like brothers and sisters on the team so that’s
“Everyone just assumes you’re not that
intelligent or that you’re
intimidating and cliquey
like cheerleaders in films.” “The worst part is definitely dealing with the negative stereotypes of being a cheerleader. Everyone just assumes you’re not that intelligent or that you’re intimidating and cliquey like cheerleaders in films. Another annoying thing is
cheerspotlight
Strike a pose that because cheerleading isn’t considered a ‘proper’ sport, we don’t get the recognition we deserve for being athletes.
to be able to work well in a team. You don’t even have to be really flexible like everyone imagines.
We actually we train a lot harder than some other teams, sometimes putting in between 6 and 8 hours of practice a week. People don’t realise just how flexible and fit you need to be.”
We encourage all types of people to come to our try outs and they’re always surprised at what they can manage.
The Celtics success isn’t just The question on everyone’s lips is - limited to winning competiwhat does it take to be part of one tion after competition. One of of the best teams in the country? their proudest achievements to date was their appearance Amy Benville says: “It takes a lot on Britain’s Got Talent in of determination to make it on 2007. a team like the Celtics. It’s hard Obviously the team is mostly work and you have to be really comprised of different memphysically fit. You also need to be bers now, but it’s a great part emotionally ready and prepare of the Celtic’s history. yourself for knockbacks. But the most important thing is The team auditioned in
Manchester in 2007 and were lucky enough to make it to the quarterfinals, where they were unfortunately beaten out by some fierce competition. The squad say “it was a fantastic experience and made us want to be even better as a team.”
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cheerspotlight
So what about advice patient and you need for the aspiring cheer- to be able to endure leaders out there? a lot and although it can get frustrating at Well the Celtics have times, it’s worth it at one main piece of the end. advice - practice, What’s next for this practice, practice! squad? How can they The more you do in your own time and at top their many successes? Helen Currie practices, the better. There are always ways says: “We just want to to improve and always continue getting better and better. Every year new moves to learn. we look forward to taking on new recruits The better you are, to ultimately improve the more likely you our squad. are to get noticed. Also, you need to be
Right now we’re practising for some sporting events for Leeds University and we recently we performed at Varsity - which we think was our best performance there yet! We also just conducted our first university ‘camp day’ with the Aviator Allstars to help train potential cheerleaders”. This team keeps going from strength to strength and recently had a staggering 95
boys and girls turn up for the most recent tryouts. Despite the intense competition to be on the team, they admit they would like more boys to sign up: “It would be nice to have more of a balance - I still think some boys are too image conscious to be on the team, but we’re definitely going to try and get more boys on side.”
For cheerleading teams, competitions are the only way to get real recognition for the hours and hours spent training.They are a great place for us to act like a team, from the professional way we act when we walk through the arena door to the last minute encouragement we give to each other before we step onto the mat.
Allie Snape
Competitions are an amazing experience. Never has time gone so quickly as when you are performing and the elation at doing a perfect routine is just unbelievable.
Tim Burnett 20
CHEERLEADER MAGAZINE
cheerfeature
Cheerleading for your... party consists of a one and half hour session, in which the group are taught skills and then combine it to create a group routine. The parties sound like they’re a hit; you can take your sport and involve all your friends, regardless of their ability. If you are a seasoned cheerleader, then you’ll look even better than the others!
With such a wide range of ages, it’s easy to see why most people are attracted. The
The Cheerleading Co. is a nationwide company. “We have invested as much as we can in our website and online marketing. Also, we focus on providing a high quality service so we get lots of repeat bookings & recommendations. It is often how we attract new customers, word of mouth. It is brilliant that new customers come because of positive things our previous customers have said.”
“We have had guests as young as 8 and as old as 90”
There isn’t a minimum or maximum group size, and a low level of fitness is needed. It is a really good way to get people into cheerleading and show them the skill the sport requires.
Greta Jackson, who works for the company, isn’t surprised. “The parties are suitable for women of all ages and we have had guests as young as 8 and as old as 90. We also occasionally have male guests. However, the majority of guests are women in their late twenties or thirties.”
Although cheerleading is moving away from the stereotype it has, Greta feels the parties still succumb to it. “It is the same with any niche industry. Cheerleading has only recently become popular in schools in the UK so most adults have no actual experience of it other than from TV shows or movies. It can be a good thing or a bad thing. For example, many people think cheerleading is glamorous & fun activity for girls, which is a good stereotype to have for a cheerleading hen party but not so helpful if you’re trying to get funding for a co-ed team in your school or university.” Customer Sarah Walker would fully recommend the party. “It was such good fun. I’m personally really chuffed to have fulfilled a childhood ambition, at the grand old age of 31, to be a cheerleader! The hours I spent in my friend’s living room as a child making up routines to Hey Mickey....little did I know!!! I thought it was going to be fun but my expectations were surpassed.”
HEN PARTY
The latest craze sweeping the nation when it comes to hen parties is cheerleading. Women are looking for a fun, exciting way to celebrate losing their single life. The Cheerleading Co. are based in London and have been running for 6 years. The parties have taken off; they are constantly becoming more and more popular.
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The Inspirational Road to 22
Recovery
CHEERLEADER MAGAZINE
had been standing on as part of his role, and in the past, he never had any troubles climbing up the platform and jumping off.
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order to make his passion compatible with his wheelchair.
Walking 40 metres, has been one of Rick’s favourite moments that he ““ I landed on my feet and holds very closely to his heart. walked off feeling bruised and shocked but otherwise “With the lack of ability to use my legs to throw stunts and add power, fine ” I have to change the way I lift and transition my flyer.” Security within What he did not expect was the cheerleading is top priority, enhancseriousness of the injury, having ing the responsibility for Rick, than damaged the nerves in his knees and in a team stunt or cheer. If a stunt heavily bruising the bones within was to go wrong, there would be the same area. less people to ensure the flyer lands carefully. “Safety is a big concern for “It caused a central pain reaction, us and I always stunt with a spotter, meaning that my nervous system if not, two.” normalises pain in my knees. I continually receive pain signals when The love for cheerleading began standing or in contact with the seven years ago, as a favour to his fronts of my knees.” friend, having then joined a first year university team London City Stars. It Over the next weeks, Rick’s walking was the combination of the acrobatability had deteriorated, causing ics, dance and performance aspects him to use crutches. As the pain of cheer, which kept Rick so fond of staggered, he was unable to neither his team and his high spirits. stand nor walk and was suggested by doctors to use a wheelchair temRick describes the friendly and porarily until the root of the injury familiar atmosphere the cheerleadcould be determined. ing world brings is empowering and there I a sense of joy of ‘feeling Diagnosed with reflex sympathetic the power of being able to pick up dystrophy, RSD, Rick heavily relies people and throw them in the air for on the use of his wheelchair as he a hobby’. often feels fatigued quickly. Although the road to recovery has been tough, Rick receives full support off his friends, family and the cheerleading community, having Four years ago, Rick Rodghad the opportunity to manage his ers was Thorpe Park’s fright condition a lot better than he had night scare actor, dressed up as done after his initial accident.
the horror movie villain you daren’t walk past.
His role, of course, was to be the scariest and to terrify the thrillthirsty guests. This was before Rick fell off a nine foot scaffolding fence, as part of his chilling performance. Rick slipped from the fence that he
Reminiscing 25 years back when Rick was only three, he remembers dressing up as superman, caught by his mother climbing the window sill, telling her that he would fly to and fro from the tree at the back of the garden.”
“ I told my mum that i was Healing is an on-going process, and “ going to be her superman ” the progress Rick has made so far ” has surprised many. Rick’s inspiring attitude and positive It had only taken Rick less than one outlook on life has been noticed year to start cheerleading again, yet across by globe, having received a a lot of focus, concentration and standing ovation at World’s adapted technique was needed in competition, nominated to carry the
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Rick showcasing his wheelchair talents torch for the Paralympic opening, and also perform at this year’s Paralympic opening ceremony as part of the aerial team. An opportunity of a lifetime has also been presented to him, to cooperate with Candoco Dance Company. Rick is excited to work with them, as he enjoyed the work they did even before he was a wheelchair user.
For them, just being there and taking part was a victory for them. “As wheelchair partner stunt is so unique at the moment I get a lot of attention and invited to perform all over the place, we’ve managed to go to worlds twice. For our first World’s trip we were flying by the seat of our pants.”
His motivation is to pursue his dream of cheerleading and performance work and never give up.
They are a contemporary dance company that specialise in working with both disabled and non-disabled dancers.
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CHEERLEADER MAGAZINE
Additionally Rick successfully stunted an assisted rewind in his chair, a legal skill usually only demonstrated by the strict and dedicated level five teams that often find they train most their lives to achieve this. “Staying true to myself is my main focus.” Rick’s inspiration is driven from within, to allow himself to carry on doing what he loves the most.
““ I have been in awe of them for quite some time ”
Last year, it was Rick and his stunt partner, Vivien Mendoza, which were the hot topic at the competition. They performed as an exhibition team, and took the mat as the very first wheelchair stunt team.
really was about. He mamnaged a hand-to-hand stunt with the well-known Kali Seitzer, Program Coordinator at Stealth All-Stars.
At the World’s competition this year, Rick’s motto was printed on the front of the T-Shirts. It only further proves that hard work really does pay off. Whilst being over in California Rick had the chance to show off what he
“ Be your own inspiration ” “
N A H T A N N O S K O CO
When did you set up Fliptricks? The idea came around last year, it was a project between me and my business partner Scott Thurlow. We have only started trading since September this year and so far, everything is going a lot better than we expected. What gave you the idea to start up Fliptricks? We noticed a gap in the market. As a cheerleader coach, I heard a lot of people complain how hard it was to order the kit and buy accessories. Ordering items from America also meant long waits until they actually received the item. Fliptricks is able to provide a hassle-free shop with the best customer service and shipping flat rate. How did you manage to become a sole trader for global suppliers? I tell you one thing, it has not been easy but I am fortunate enough to have made several connections in my time at World’s competition and also prove my business plan will be a success. It is crucial to be organized and structured. Did you find it hard to start up the business? I would not say it has been necessarily hard as I take an interest, of course, in cheerleading but it has been at times stressful and certainly taken up a lot of time and thought. What problems did you encounter while starting up the business? I didn’t really have an official office so my house was crammed up with hundreds upon hundreds of boxes. The rest of the housemates didn’t really quite appreciate it. [Laughs] How successful has Fliptricks been? Very! We are receiving crazy amounts of orders that have kept us both extremely busy. It means early starts and late nights as we both still work full-time. Do you find that you have many competitors in this business? Not really, we are very unique and local to some fantastic cheer teams that take the sport very seriously. Fliptricks is able to offer pretty much all the products in one place. What motivates you? I follow a very clever motto: believe you can.
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Profile of a male cheerleader Scott Thurlow
Scott Thurlow, 28, has been cheerleading for around 7 years and doesn’t see himself stopping anytime soon. Despite several injuries and lots of hard work, the passion Scott has for his sport shows no signs of slowing down. “Generally when flyers f*ck up, it’s the bases who pay the price” laughs Scott as he tells me how he obtained his worst shoulder injury, “I was trying to catch the flyer but she missed her target and we both fell.” The enthusiasm Scott has for cheerleading is instantly clear the moment you meet him. He becomes animated and vibrant and quite frankly, is hard to shut up. It is then, surprising to learn that when Scott entered into cheerleading, it was the last thing on his mind.
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Seven years ago Scott had no interest in becoming a cheerleader. “It was the last thing on my mind,” he explains, “I was athletic, but I didn’t see cheerleading as a way to demonstrate my skills - I thought it would be a group of bitchy girls doing routines like robots.” But Scott’s opinion was quickly changed when he was dragged to tryouts by a friend after discovering there was no gymnastics team at his University. “It was the first time I’d ever observed cheerleaders showing their stuff and it wasn’t at all like I’d imagined. It was disciplined, organised and it looked really bloody difficult.” From then on, Scott saw a challenge, despite never having had any cheerleading experience, he knew this was something he could be good at.
CHEERLEADER MAGAZINE
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“
“
I didn’t see cheerleading as a way to demonstrate my skills - I thought it would be a group of bitchy girls doing routines like robots!
“My background was in parkour and freerunning - a physically demanding, typically male dominated sport. I’ll admit I was guilty of thinking that cheerleading was totally feminine and that any boys who participated were probably gay. I now realise that cheerleading is anything but what I initially thought” “The best bit of cheerleading for me is the adrenaline rush that you can only get before a big competition. The best competition I’ve ever participated in was Scotcheer in Edinburgh. It was the first time Unity (the squad) competed as the first level 6 squad in the UK. The excitement was just unreal and we achieved a standing ovation before we’d even started - you can’t buy memories like that.” “Preparing for competitions is really intense. Suddenly your training schedule increases and it’s bye-bye social life, alcohol and sleeping in and hello hard work. It might not feel like it at the time, but the end result is totally worth it.”
Not only does Scott bear the tiredness from a seven year long cheerleading career, he also bears physical scars. “I’ve got some visible scarring on my face from where I’ve been kicked one too many times - by accident of course!” he jokes. “I’ve also suffered two broken noses and a partial subluxation of my shoulder - which still gives me problems now.” “I guess the stereotypical guy cheerleader is a wimpy gay lad. I don’t really know any like that though. A lot come from martial arts or parkour backgrounds, so if you’re looking at that stereotype, then I fit in quite well.”
FINISH THE SENTENCE... I would never: Turn up to training hungover - unless I want my arse kicked by the coach! My team mates: Are like my family - we get on so well and I’ve made some friends for life Cheerleading is the best when: You’re performing - suddenly all your training and hard work is worth it Cheerleading is the worst when: People treat you differently when they find out you’re a male cheerleader
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It was very ..............
CONTROVERSIAL
to use poms with the boys... In 2006, Ian Rodley created the now award winning team the Dazl Diamonds. They are the official BCA Championship winners and they have appeared on the Secret Millionaire. Also featuring on their repertoire is a music video and national TV appearances.
enough to be approached by David King, an individual who had interest in DAZL as a charity and wanted to find out more.
Why?
“People think cheerleading is weak and just props up the football side lines. This is not the case!”
Because they are the ‘Billy Elliotts’ of 2012 and one of the only all boys cheer dance teams.
It was then revealed he was part of Channel 4’s “Secret Millionaire”
support holiday activities, using artists to put on workshops and free contemporary dance sessions.” The programme also helped to publicise the group and make them become a well-known name. Historically, cheerleading has been known as strictly female based, although it was originally men who created it and performed first.
However, Ian hopes the Dazl Diamonds can convince people it is anything but feminine. “They need Director Ian is behind the team. He to attend a cheer dance session and acknowledges that the reason the they will understand it is anything team is so successful is due to the but [feminine]. I also feel they look constant hard work done by them. at cheerleaders as weak and just to programme and after work with the prop up the sidelines at football!” He accepts the fact the team group, he donated £10,000. constantly have to fundraise and aware of the deprivation they can “These boys are athletes like any “The money has supported young sometimes face. others. They dedicate their lives people (over two hundred) to attend to their sport, training hard and “I think that cheer dance gives them at least three cheer dance competi- perfecting their disciplines. Their an escape and helps them to forget tions. uniforms are virtually the same as about other issues, which in turn gymnastics; as are many of the skills It has also supported the weekly helps them express themselves.” with a cheerleading routine.” sessions and helped the young people who have faced financial hardship. Their performances are very well Training can be intensive for the We have also used the money to boys. “They tend to meet twice a done. “It has the added element of week for an hour and a half, but a big event can demand sessions of 3-4 hours each time. Cheer dance is also physically demanding; it can always be perfected, from technique to individual skill. It needs physical and mental fitness.” The talented director also choreographs the routines for the teams. “When I started, we were criticised for being too fast. I knew I had to develop it further. Our team do a specific style of cheer dance and now other squads are catching onto our style, which is amazing!” They were also the first BCA group in which all boys use pom poms. In 2012 the group were lucky
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CHEERLEADER MAGAZINE
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“Our team do a specific style of cheer dance and now other squads are catching onto our style, which is amazing!” stunting and jump combinations with a small proportion on dance. I feel people’s perception is wrong and they should try it to see what it takes.” To transport a group to competitions isn’t always easy. “Some of the group’s younger members are from low income families and parents don’t have access to transport.”
The Dazl Team
We aimed to ...........
perceptions .............. CHALLENGE
Therefore, the coaches either drive or buses are hired. Again, proving the commitment to the group that some of the members have, some will walk if it is a local event. If it is for a competition, the group will fundraise which is often something fun in which they can all get involved. The Dazl Diamonds have also had national success in the British Cheerleading Association championships. The star quality needed was evident in the group.
“It was about us all being different. I was sold”. It demanded a ten hour long day film shoot with a film crew. “We had to create a routine to the track and it was then edited. The real work was doing all the individual scenes from the story board.” With the Dazl Diamonds oozing success and ambition, it is easy to see why they are constantly growing as a team.
The team shows that cheer dance is Training from a “In terms of star qualities they all far from short skirts and have a lot of passion and they are all matching hairstyles. It requires great young age characters! I think this comes across skill, strength, and determination. in their performances.” “My advice to any males who want The boys also featured in the music to get into the sport would be to give video that accompanied the single it a go, dare to be different and stand “Beautiful World” by DJ Tiesto vs out from the crowd. If you want to Mark Knights. The reason the group be: physically fit, not scared of hard were drawn to the video was the work, are driven by competition, and running theme of adversity, and being the best you can be, then this is differences between people. the sport for you”.
“My advice to any males who want to get into the sport would be to give it a go, dare to be different and stand out from the crowd” 29
Jackie Chan, noodles and batudo It seems a little cliché that eating Chinese takeaway noodles and watching endless hours of Jackie Chan kicking ass would result in one young boy eventually mastering the fortes of martial arts and becoming a renowned special interest cheerleader. Martin Wan comes from a Chinese mixed background, born in Ho Chung, Hong Kong, having spent his younger years growing up in his dad’s takeaway business. And as young children are, Martin was very busy, glued to watching movies where martial art heroes whooped villain’s butts. “That’s probably what got me into martial arts. It’s a very hard thing to get away from if you are Chinese, its just part of the culture.” His accidental passion for cheerleading came about three years ago when Martin decided to improve his skill set for martial arts. He found a tumble class run by Aviator All-stars, one of Europe’s elite cheerleading programs. “It was just something that happened over time;” Martin explains how his relationship with cheerleading grew quickly in the intense environment. “It’s something that happens and you get addicted too fast.” Martin mentions how the team gel extremely well together through combined training, competing at events and spending time together.
Being part of a team is “immense- but he only took it up seriously at university. ly satisfying when you have accomplished your very best as one, “I’ve been training in Shaolin 5 it’s a feeling like no other.” Animal now for 10 years, and I am currently a 3rd Degree Instructor.” Last year, AV Carnegie hosted their own Saturday Night Fever. It For Martin, the connection betheir very first competition of that tween cheer and martial arts was just a natural progression. season and the team was nervous; massive changes happened in their coaching and attitude to “All my friends were training. either cheerleaders
“
“We hoped to get a decent result but we expected the announcer to say we had come 5th or 6th. “The team had scored an unexpected second place, a major achievement for the AV cheerleaders.“It was an amazing feeling and a result we just didn’t expect. “ Martin laughs. “We all exploded on the mat.” Martial arts has been Martin’s infatuation since the age of 12
Filming at The Royal Amouries
”
or martial artists.”
Cheer Batudo is a spanking new concept coined by Martin. It is the fusion of cheerleading and martial arts that he is hoping to “take forward.” Martin’s company and YouTube channel SG Stunt Team is also hoping to push the new concept. The team is a collaboration of various martial artists in Leeds
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working together to make short films for fun.
“Over the past 2 years it has become more serious, incorporating video production, live event displays and talent for films. We are currently going through a rebrand and all those areas will come together under SG Productions.” Martin has successfully achieved to merge both passion and work, still eager to learn and achieve more.“There is just so much to learn, why stand still?” Martin points out that with skills and techniques, there is always someone that is better than you. “It can even be a progression from what you have learnt. It just makes life more exciting.” You can check SG Stunt Team out on www.sg-productions.co.uk
We don’t prance around
If there ever was a reason to consider taking part in cheerleading, it’s Sophie Cannon. The 21 year old not only makes me want to know more, but to join a cheerleading squad right this instant. Sophie is a member of the University of Hull
Sharkettes team.
“I would definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone”
Having found out about the club at a university Athletics Union fair, a group of her course mates decided to give it a go. Little did they know it would be one of the best spontaneous decisions they could
make. Having taken part in dance before, Sophie felt she was capable and could have a go at cheerleading. “I thought it was the opportunity to try something new and it looked fun.” There is nothing that gives her more satisfaction than the team finally perfecting a stunt they’ve been practising for weeks. Or that a routine goes as perfectly as it could, a second to none performance. With the University of Hull Sharkettes Sophie has taken part in two competitions; the Future Cheer University Division “Saturday Night Fever” and the ICC University Nationals. The team does not solely consist of females; males take part too. With regards to recommendation, Sophie can’t speak highly enough of the sport. “I would definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone. It keeps you fit and you meet new people. I’m definitely going to try out for a local squad when I leave university.”
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with pom poms, constantly
REAPPLYING REAPPLYING LIPGLOSS LIPGLOSS
“It isn’t just about looking pretty and doing some high kicks” When it comes to injury, Sophie has been lucky. However, she can’t say the same for her team mates. “It is inevitable that injuries happen. The worst thing I’ve seen is a broken ankle. Amazingly, the first thing her team mate said was “Oh no! I won’t be able to compete now!” How about the way that cheerleaders can often be subjected to stereotypes? Sophie admits she hopes she challenges the stereotype in some ways, despite her blonde hair. “We don’t prance around with pompoms, constantly reapplying our lip gloss and being generally mean to
people. We are actually athletes and we take our sport seriously!”
Her team mates have become close friends throughout the practicing and competing. Close girl friends are something Sophie has often shied away from to avoid the bitchiness that can come with them. “Everyone helps out everyone to do the best that they can.” As often happens with a certain sport, others often underestimate the skills necessary to be a good cheerleader. Whilst you don’t have to be a gymnast, other qualities are definitely needed.
practicing the different moves. The sport is “We do fitness definitely demanding. training as well as practicing stunts and “I don’t think people are given exercises realise how much goes for us to try at home into it including time to improve flexibility and effort.” and strength. It’s like weightlifting, just As a lifestyle choice with people instead of “There are so many it definitely helps to weights!” different elements that keep Sophie fit and make up a good toned. Cheerleading With Sophie set to cheerleader such as not only requires you graduate this year stamina, flexibility to be fit, but it also with a degree in and core strength. encourages you to. Drama and Theatre It isn’t just about Studies, she admits looking pretty and she will be sad to leave doing some high the team. kicks.” However, it’s clear to In the run up to the see she doesn’t regret competitions Sophie one minute of her was spending at least cheerleading; and we 12 hours a week don’t blame her.
“We take our sport seriously”
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TOPexercises improve
to
your................... fitness With Christmas just around the corner, don’t let that extra stuffing get the better of you. We’ve developed an easy, quick and fantastic workout that will leave you feeling fierce and fabulous!
The Plank
The Bridge
The Half Sit-Up
The ultimate body workout in one move! Position yourself face down and move yourself onto your elbows. Use your feet to push your body off the ground. Hold for 60 seconds. Make sure you tense your body for that extra push. Repeat the exercise three times with a ten second break in each.
The idea of this exercise is to keep your torso as still as possible. Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Now, lift your torso whilst keeping your body firm. Repeat the action and hold in the middle if possible. Complete 10 reps each set. Repeat for 3 sets.
This is much more effective than the full sit up. Lying on your back, raise your hands to your heads and lift your torso at a 45 degree angle. Now, perform the sit-up action, making sure you don’t go any further back past the 45 degree point. Do 3 sets with 20 reps in each.
The Backwards Cycle
Usually a lunge is forward… Not this time! Lunge to your left, making sure you extend the inside leg. Return to the middle. Lunge backwards, extending your front leg. Returning back, then move into a left lunge. Ensure that you stay well balanced throughout. Repeat for 15 reps and then complete 3 sets.
The Squat Beautiful bums ahoy! Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and bend your knees. Bring your body down with you as you bend. As you do so, move your arms upwards keeping them straight. If you can tense your bum whilst doing so, great! Complete 20 reps, and repeat for 3 sets.
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CHEERLEADER MAGAZINE
Lie on your back and imagine you are on a bicycle. Pedal your legs, making sure you bring your elbows to your knees in an alternating style. Repeat for 50 and complete 2 sets.
The Three Way Lunge
The Dip
cheerfitness
Banish any bingo wing with this exercise! You need a raised platform (the bottom step is perfect!) Sitting in front of the step, put your feet in front of you and use your arms to raise you from the floor. Lower yourself back down carefully, ensuring the exercise tests your arms. Repeat for 20 and then complete 3 sets. The Sideways Plank Incredible at toning, this exercise requires strength! Lie on your side and use your elbow to push your body off the ground. Use your feet to support and hold for a minute. If possible, tense! Complete three on each side. The Step Up Again, you’ll need that bottom step. This exercise is like you’re going up the stairs, but each time you forget something. (We’ve all done it!) Alternate each foot, returning to the floor each time. Repeat for 20 and complete 3 sets. So there you have it, the top exercises that will keep you fighting fit and ready to take on anything cheerleading might throw at you! Make sure before a workout you have warmed up and down... Nobody likes muscle pain the next day!
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