Expert: Kimmi - 10/16/2007

Question
Hey! I'm very athletic and have competed in quite a few different sports, but my all time favorite sport has been cheerleading. Its been about 2 years since I have cheered and I plan on trying out this spring. I have a really hard time basing because of 2 wrists that have been broken and wont turn fast enough to hold the flyers foot, so flying has always been my thing. I am 5'3 and 115 lbs. I need any tips possible. I have from October all the way through to April to get prepared. Any workout, diet, stretch, tumbling, or flying tips? Our tryouts are stunt based, preferring a partner stunt. Do you have any tips on that? I've flown but it was always with girls with 2 bases and a back. HELP!!!

Answer
Hi Rachel,

  Good job on taking the initiative to train to become a better athlete. Pretty much my advice in general is to keep working out in a workout that combines cardio and weight training. Make sure to stretch alot, and work on strengthening your wrists. As to diet, eat smart, but don't change your eating habits, just workout everyday. As to the partner stunting, the thing to do is grab a guy who's going to try out for cheerleading in the spring and start practicing. Start with a chair and go from there! Go online and look up partner stunts, ask more experienced cheerleaders to practice with you guys, or go to an all-star gym and ask for a mini stunt clinic. Good Luck with everything. Let me know how it goes!
Happy Cheering!
Kimmi