Nothing says the same forever, especially in the world of sports. In the words of WWE’s Triple H, “You either adapt or perish. That is Evolution (the faction).” While that statement was made as part of a storyline in wrestling, there’s more truth to it than one might think. What HHH said about his faction is true in real life as well. You have to find ways to evolve, which is exactly what many sports have done today to continue to be a part of today’s society. Cheerleading is no different, as it has made major changes over the last few years. No longer does cheerleading just involve being able to tumble, do some high kicks, and look like the girl next door. These days, cheerleaders are having to be in the weight room as well as the floor. The look has changed quite a bit. More and more, you are seeing cheerleaders (even the flyers) with well-developed abs, arms, and legs. The dedication to being a cheerleader these days is incredible, and when you have done it for so long, the body is going to change. It’s unavoidable. The LiveStrong website has a great article about what muscles a cheerleader uses, and after you read the article, it should become pretty obvious why cheerleaders are looking more and more like fitness models these days: click here.
Several collegiate cheerleaders have went on to take their fitness levels to new heights by becoming Crossfit athletes and physique competitors. Nicole Duncan was part of the Atlanta Falcons cheerleading squad before she became a fitness pro in the International Federation of Bodybuilders, or IFBB for short. Julie Childs was a Seattle Seahawks Seagal before becoming a fitness competitor in the Fitness America, National Physique Committee (NPC), and IFBB divisions. Ladies such as Whitney Sawicki and Mattie Rogers have went from collegiate cheerleading to Crossfit athletes and weightlifters. Even many of my own friends have seen what weight training has done during their cheerleading days and have went on to making strides in the fitness world.
The definition of what a cheerleader is “supposed to be” in the eyes of society (just being cute, danty, and only actively involved in cheering at games) is flawed. No longer are the ladies just cut-out dolls from a magazine. These days these athletes (yes, I'm calling them athletes) are changing the game in the gym and on the field. Whether one wants to admit it or not, today's cheerleaders are setting the stage of what females are capable of, physique wise. Remember...athletes lift weights, cheerleaders lift athletes.
