Whether you are new to cheerleading, on the varsity squad or a professional cheerleader, balance is a key element for your sport. Cheerleading is about performing stunts and formations that require a great deal of balance. Additionally, you need the strength of an athlete to perform gymnastic-type moves. Improving your balance helps you become a stronger cheerleader and allows you to confidently cheer at the next level.
Step 1
Build core strength. A strong core helps you keep your balance because strong abdominals help you stay steady by allowing you to control the rest of your body. Complete core exercises like planks, bicycle twists, reverse crunches and situps after cheerleading practice. Complete three sets of 12 repetitions.
Step 2
Train on one leg. This can improve your overall balance and increase your strength and coordination for your cheerleading. You can do nearly all exercises --- for example, bicep curls, overhead presses and front raises --- on one leg. Complete each exercise once holding your right leg high and once holding your left leg high.
Step 3
Gain balance by working on an unsteady surface. Using a balance board, wobble board or even an unsteady surface like a couch cushion pillow, perform your cheerleading moves. An unsteady surface requires a greater demand to be placed on your muscles allowing them to work harder to stay steady. Practice your poses like the scorpion, cupie or extension on an unsteady surface.
Step 4
Perform yoga to increase balance. Yoga poses focus on increasing flexibility, gaining strength and improving balance. The "Yoga Journal" explains that many standing poses like tree pose, dancers pose and eagle pose all improve balance because they require you to stand on one leg and move the rest of your body. Practice yoga two days a week.
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