Hey moms is there anything more frustrating than watching your daughter stretch F-O-R-E-V-E-R, and not seeing those results??? Hmm, no too much right?

Don’t worry, I am here to help!

We all know stretching is important, which is why for many of us, it is the go-to thing to do to advance your flexibility. But what if I told you stretching isn’t the only answer?!?! I know, you must think I am crazy, but hear me out. While, yes stretching is very important, it’s not the only way to advance your flexibility!!

Although you should be stretching..you do not need to be stretching every day for hours (or what feels like hours) at a time.

Here at CHEERFIT, we focus on STRENGTHENING the muscles your cheerleader needs to advance flexibility. Strengthening the muscles you need to improve flexibility will in turn help increase your cheerleader’s range of motion, allowing her to advance FLEXIBILITY, confidence, and prevent injury! A win, win, win across the board!

So let’s get to it! As the fitness expert for cheerleaders, I’ve got a bunch of exercises for you that will help your cheerleader strengthen their hamstrings, lower back, and hip flexors – the key areas that are worked when stretching. And I bet these are things you guys have never tried before. So instead of stretching, and stretching, and stretching..give these CHEERFIT exercises a try. 

Hello CHEERFIT!

LOWER BACK FLEXIBILITY – Superman V-Up

This exercise will not only focus on improving your cheerleaders lower back, which helps increase flexibility, but also work on core strength and body control. All musts for flying with confidence!  Go for 10 reps x 2 rounds, and do 2-3 times a week.

HAMSTRING FLEXIBILITY – Single Leg Deadlift

Spoiler alert, this exercise is a MUST for any cheerleader! It focuses a majority on hamstrings, which again you NEED to strengthen to improve flexibility and increase range of motion, but also works technique, lower back, core and body control. To make the most of this exercise you need to make sure your cheerleader has proper form, so be sure to watch this video a few times with them and watch them as they do it to make sure they have the right form.

HIP FLEXOR FLEXIBILITY – Straddle Leg Lifts

If your cheerleader wants to increase their flexibility for stunting, tumbling or jumping..instead of sitting in splits and straddles forever, do this exercise! Another major area you want to focus on STRENGTHENING are your hip flexors! To increase flexibility your hip flexors need to be strong enough ..this will increase your range of motion AND improve flexibility!

As you can see, yo do not need to nor should you be stretching every day for hours at a time. Yes, I said it! What I want you guys to do is STRENGTHEN the muscles instead. So swap out 2 or your stretching days this week with this CHEERFIT workout and let me know how it goes! And if you want, even more, we’ve got tons of flexibility workouts and confidence boosting tips waiting for ya in the CHEERFIT Club !!

And there you have it, my top 3 exercises… to help your cheerleader advance FLEXIBILITY & CONFIDENCE in 3,2,1…GO! Let me know your favorite tip, and share your confidence boosting tips in the comments below!

DANIELLE DONOVAN

is the go-to fitness expert for the cheerleading industry and founder of CHEERFIT (www.cheerfittraining.com). Danielle holds national fitness certifications through the American Council on Exercise and specializes in sports conditioning, youth fitness, and group fitness as it pertains specifically to cheerleaders. Danielle has been featured on NBC,Inside Cheerleading Magazine, FITNESS Magazine, Livestrong, Yahoo Beauty, NY Post, American Cheerleader Magazine and more. Through fitness, Danielle focuses on helping cheerleaders build the confidence, strength, and flexibility they need to reach their goals and prevent injury.