Spring is a popular time to shop for new cheerleading practice wear. Maybe you’re doing some spring cleaning and replacing your old cheer gear, preparing for cheer camp or a new season of practices, or starting to receive cheer apparel catalogs in the mail and eager to shop the latest cheer styles. Whatever your reason for stocking up on practice wear, there are four things you should consider as you pick out your cheer clothing. Type. Cheer practice wear is different than other sports’ practice wear. Make sure you don’t buy just any athletic shorts and shirts you see at the mall. Not all sports gear is equal. The needs of basketball or soccer players, for example, are not the same as the needs of cheerleaders. You don’t want so stunt and tumble in baggy shorts. You want clothing that is lightweight and fitted. While you can find practice wear that will work for cheerleading in some stores, you will rarely find clothing designed specifically for cheerleaders. It’s best to shop from cheerleading catalogs or the websites of cheer retailers for clothing designed to meet the demands of cheerleading. Safety. Practice wear that is worn out or doesn’t fit well anymore can be more than just an inconvenience” “it can be a safety hazard. When you’re stunting or tumbling, you or your teammates can get a finger, arm, leg, etc. caught up in loose clothing or holes in clothing. So make sure you purchase practice wear that fits you well and that you replace your practice wear when it gets worn out. Style. One of the best things about cheerleading clothes is that they are so fashionable. Whether your style is girly, sporty, spirited, a combination, or somewhere in between, there are plenty of options to fit your taste. You can pair classic Soffe cheer shorts with a cute cheer t-shirt or tank, go with this sporty look Cheer Channel’s Superstars of All-Stars cheerleader Hope Bravo posted on Instagram, or try an athletic feel with cheer spandex inspired by this cheer outfit fellow Superstar Taylor Faulk tweeted. Occasion. When shopping, keep in mind that you’ll need different types of cheer clothes for different occasions. You will probably want to pack graphic cheer tanks for camp to show your spirit and have a soft, lightweight tank to keep you comfortable all day long. For tumbling and stunting, a fitted outfit will let you move and help your coach better critique your form. For conditioning and choreography, you will likely prefer loose, lightweight cotton shorts and tops to keep you cool and comfortable. Team cheer shirts are great for casual performances like at pep rallies or to wear at fundraisers and other cheer events. What’s your favorite cheer practice outfit?
We hate to break it to you, but cooler weather is on the way as the summer ends and we prepare for the fall season. Warm-ups are important to, yes, keep you warm, but they also give your squad a united, pulled-together look when traveling as a team or walking into a gym or onto the field.
We know it can be expensive to get team warm-ups in addition to uniforms, but it really is beneficial to your comfort, performance, and appearance. Consider doing some extra
team fundraisers to help with the cost of warm-ups.The good news is that you can get quality warm-ups for a reasonable price. Here are our top picks for warm-ups that won’t break the bank:
Double Knit Warm-Ups
This
Double Knit V Warm-Up Jacket from trusted cheerleading brand Chasse gives your team a classic, polished look and is only $27.95. The matching solid
warm-up pants are just $22.95.
Zoe Athletics warm-up packages
Zoe Athletics has
eight package options ranging from $38.90 to $40.90. The jacket and pants combinations will have your squad feeling
and looking good. They also come with a free rain poncho, because you never know!
Tricot Knit Warm-Ups by Soffe
This
ultra-comfy jacket is great for traveling to games and competitions in comfort and style” “for only $22.95! Pair it with the
Poly Tricot Knit Warm-Up Pants ($21.95) for a look that will blow spectators away.
We are SO excited to announce that the spring issue of CheerLiving is here and now available! This is our third issue and our best one yet. Why? More pages, more fun, and so much more cheer fashion. Our spring issue is a special Buyer’s Guide edition and features more than 130 cheerleading items from all your favorite brands like Chasse, Soffe, Nike, and more.
But it’s not all pretty pictures of cheer gear. We’ve also got must-know tips that all cheerleaders, coaches, and parents should know, including: how to clean your uniform, how to find the best deals, what to look for when shopping for cheer shoes, and when to upgrade gear. Outside the realm of fashion, we’ve also got advice on how to succeed at tryouts and how to have a great cheer year.
Also very exciting is the MONTH LONG giveaway, sponsored by Chasse. The OBSESSories 30-Day Giveaway means you have 30 days to win bags and bows from Chasse (and they’re all from the brand’s new 2014 line). The contest begins April 1, so download the issue now to see the giveaway calendar and find out how to enter.
Remember, CheerLiving is
completely free to digitally subscribe to. And when you subscribe, you get instant access to this issue and the previous ones. We hope you love this special issue. Enjoy!We all know there are much more important things than appearance, but the way you dress does say a lot about you. Whether you prefer to get all dressed up before leaving the house, you feel just fine going anywhere in your pajamas, or you fall somewhere in between, your personal style can say a lot about your personality. We’ve taken some of the most popular types of cheer practice outfits and suggested what the cheer styles mean. Find your go-to cheer outfit below to see what it says about you, then let us know in the comments if you agree!
- Cheer tees. You’ve got spirit, yes you do! You are proud to be a cheerleader and aren’t afraid to show it! Your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media feeds are filled with crazy cheer GIFs and videos, inspiring cheer images, and funny (but oh-so-relatable) cheer memes.
- Sporty tees. You love wearing football-inspired t-shirts because you are officially your team’s #1 fan. There’s nothing like cheering at a big game under those Friday night lights. You are a supportive teammate, and your fellow cheerleaders can always count on you when they need some extra encouragement!
- The latest trends. You may be working up a sweat, but you’re still going to look good doing it in the latest cheer fashions like layered tanks paired with the perfect cheer shorts! You aren’t necessarily the kind of girl who would never be caught wearing sweatpants in public, but they would definitely be cute sweatpants!
- All about that bow. Who cares what you’re wearing as long as there’s a bow? You’re an accessory girl. The bigger the better! When it comes to cheer practice, you pay attention to the details. No one has to remind you to point your toes!
- Cheer fit. You wear performance practice outfits because, while you do want to look good, you are less about the glam than about getting your sweat on. You need a practice outfit you can stunt, jump, and tumble in! You are the type of cheerleader who puts in time outside of practice to make sure you’re the best cheerleader you can be.
- Dress for success. OK, so you can’t technically wear your uniform to practice, but if you could, it would definitely be your favorite practice outfit! You know your role as a cheerleader, and you take it seriously. From leading the crowd in cheers to holding pep rallies and fundraisers, you are all about the cheer life!
What does your cheer style say about your personality?
- Cheer tees. You’ve got spirit, yes you do! You are proud to be a cheerleader and aren’t afraid to show it! Your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media feeds are filled with crazy cheer GIFs and videos, inspiring cheer images, and funny (but oh-so-relatable) cheer memes.
In case you didn’t know, the new spring issue of CheerLiving is here and it’s a special Buyer’s Guide edition. In it, Chasse is hosting a month-long contest, giving away new bags and bows every day to those who enter on its Facebook page. You can see the full calendar on page 6 in the latest issue of CheerLiving, which is totally free to digitally subscribe to and download.
It’s week four of the Chasse OBSESSories 30-Day Giveaway! Take a look at this week’s offerings. Then,
visit the Chasse Facebook page to enter.
You can also learn more about these products and find out where to buy them
on the Chasse website.During the month of February, Inside Cheerleading Magazine will be giving away a prize on their Facebook page each day for their ’28 Days of Giveaways’ promotion. Today only, you can enter to win an accessories prize package from
Chasse Cheer and
Glitterbug Cosmetics and add some fashion to your passion!Spirit and style combine to brighten up the sidelines with this exclusive accessories package that includes: 1 Jumbo Metallic Rhinestone Bow, “Eye” Love Cheer Makeup Bag, Compact with Tweezers, 1 set of adhesive Jewel Stones, 1 set of customizable Stars, 3 Jars of Cosmetic Glitter Dust, 1 Lip Glue, 1 Skin & Eye Glue, 1 Make up Brush Pack.
You only have until 5 pm EST time today (Monday, February 4, 2013), so enter now! Here’s how:
1.) Visit the
official Inside Cheerleading Facebook page.
2.) Find
today’s giveaway image (see below), the LIKE it & SHARE it
3.) Once you click “SHARE,” be sure your settings are set to “Public”!
4.) Leaving a comment is optional!
Cheerleading Blog’s 2013 initiatives were designed to get the opinions of the real experts – our readers! As part of our 2013 schedule, we’ll be posting a new cheerleading poll every month and making it open to your voting!
Check the newest poll, and be sure to cast your vote! Once you cast your vote, you’ll be able to see the most
current cheer trends and results. Be sure to check our polls every month, and to cast your vote! The full results for
each poll will be available the following month in its own blog article.A cheerleader’s look isn’t complete without a
hair bow. You rock them in ponytails, create your own, build a shrine to them, and
recycle them in creative ways. We want to know how many bows you have!
Sorry! This poll is no longer open for voting. View the results here.What’s a
cheerleader without
pom pons? Those eye-catching extras have added a little sparkle and flair, and let’s face it, a whole lot of fun to those cheer moves and stunts for as long as there have been cheerleaders. And, as you may know, that’s been a long time!Coming to the US from Great Britain in the 1920’s, the original
pom poms were made of crepe paper” “which presented a few difficulties if you know anything about crepe paper. Crinkly, not too sturdy, with color sure to run if wet, those old-fashioned poms presented some real problems when it came to the work cheerleaders wanted them to do” “shake violently, sparkle brightly and hold together come rain or shine. Thankfully, in the 1960s the vinyl and metallic “revolution” occurred and produced pom pons that could do it all. Generations of cheerleaders have since been able to cheer under those rainy Friday night lights, knowing their poms will be ready to go for their Saturday competition.Of course, just because the materials have improved, doesn’t mean you can just disregard
pom care. You want to keep those poms bright, fluffy and show-stoppingly shiny for the big event! Today’s poms can and do get wet, but it’s best to try to keep them away from moisture if possible, or at least make sure you dry them out fully before storing them. Heat is another concern as it can make your vinyl variety stick or your metallic variety melt, depending on the temperature. Finally, proper storage is important too. Don’t just throw those poms in a pile when you’re done with them. Store them carefully, preferably in a
pom bag (away from moisture and heat) and when you get them out, be sure to “fluff” them by grasping a few strands at a time and scrunching them up to put that extra “body” in your pom. Paying a little “pom care” attention, will help extend their sparkle, fluff and fun!In addition to the improved durability of
poms, their material composition has also generated a multitude of choices when it comes to picking out the perfect pom for your performance. You have choices between small or large size, short or long strand, vinyl, wet look vinyl or metallic composition, mixed or single color, and flair cap, loop, baton or drill/dowel style handles for your poms. Long strand poms tend to add a more “old-school” effect, while the metallic and shorter strand poms tend to be more modern. Mixed or single color may depend on your theme or the uniform your squad is wearing and, as to the handle, again, it depends on what you will be doing with the pom. The baton or dowel style offers greater control, suitable for show and dance purposes, while the loop or flair cap will give you a more traditional pom effect and movement.Make a good choice and take good care of your
pom pons and you will keep the sparkle in cheerleading for years to come!You suit up. You rush the field. You yell your heart out. Welcome to your first game as a cheerleader!
Getting ready to the pack the field or hit the floor to cheer at your first game? Don’t be nervous! You love cheering! Look to your teammates for support, and check out these tips to help you prepare.
Memorize Your Lines
Make sure you know all your cheers! There will be a lot of noise and a lot of distractions, so you need to be able to hear the cues coming from your captain or teammates.Play the Game
Make sure you know
at least the basics about the game that you are cheering at. If you aren’t sure what the rules, lingo and standard plays are, do some research! Play a video game based on that sport or ask a friend or family member to help you understand how the game is played.Have Fun
From getting ready to the after events, control the mood by keeping yourself steady and enthusiastic. Get ready with your team – or a few teammates if you don’t have enough mirrors for the whole team! – and don’t be afraid to go glam! Many competitions have restrictions that you don’t have to worry about during your regular season games. Wear lots of
performance glitter, use funky nail polish and let your inner spirit out! Go out for dinner or ice cream after the game.Cheerleading Gear Checklist
Have your cheer bag packed with all the
essentials for cheerleading and ready to go the night before, and plan on bringing extras in case a teammate forgets something.Uniform:
- Shell Top
- Skirt
- Sports bra
- Warm Ups
- Briefs and bodysuit
Footwear:
- Socks
- Shoes
- Wraps/ braces
Accessories:
- Poms
- Megaphone
- Team Signs
- Rain Jacket
- Hairbow
Make Up Bag:
- Glitter make up, stickers and rhinestones
- Lip balm or gloss
- Hair ties
- Bobby pins
Other Stuff:
- Lotion
- First Aid Kit
- Water
- Cash
How do you prepare for the first game of the season? Let us know in the comments section below! Have a great season!
Check out the Complete Guide to
Inspiring Spirit: Tips and Tricks for Cheerleaders!Pretty much every cheerleader is a fan of Maddie Gardner. She’s an awesome cheerleader, a dedicated college student, and a spokesmodel for the cheer brand Chasse (
check out their updated website!). Now, Maddie Gardner can add catalog cover girl to her resume. The very popular cheer gear retailer Omni Cheer features Maddie Gardner on the cover of its spring catalog, which was just released!Maddie Gardner can be spotted throughout the catalog, wearing some of Chasse’s amazing new items. You can
request a copy of the catalog here. You can also shop the new Chasse gear
online now at Omni Cheer.
