What To Bring To Cheer Practice (9 Essentials Every Cheerleader NEEDS)

Jul 5

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Quick answer:

#1: Cheer bag

#2: Sneakers

#3: Hair Ties

#4: Water Bottle

#5: Healthy Snack

#6: Socks

#7: Hairband

#8: Practice Clothes

#9: Chapstick

If you’re a new cheerleader, you’re probably wondering what exactly you’ll need for cheer practice.

You may have questions like “what gear do I need? what should I wear? do I need special snacks or equipment?”

Or maybe you’re a parent wondering what your new cheerleader will need.

Today, I’m answering all of those and sharing my top recommendations on what you need for every cheer practice.

You don’t need a ton of stuff, but there are definitely some essentials that will come in handy and are definitely worth purchasing.

What To Bring To Cheer Practice: 9 Must Have’s!

#1: Cheer Bag

My first recommendation is a cheer bag to keep all of your gear in!

This one is pretty obvious, but it’s super important so I wanted to mention it first.

You can use any backpack or bag you have laying around the house, but I’d suggest a sturdy backpack or duffel-style bag that’s made to hold athletic gear like water bottles and sneakers.

One with several different compartments and sizes works best so you won’t lose all of the little stuff like chapstick and hair ties, bows, and bobby pins!

#2: Water Bottle

Like with any sport or workout, you need to stay hydrated during practice!

I recommend choosing a nice big water bottle to ensure you won’t run out throughout practice.

It should be one that’s durable and won’t crack or leak, either.

I’m loving ones with water level trackers on them so you can monitor your water intake and make sure you’re staying hydrated.

A cute idea is to get a water bottle that matches your cheer team’s colors, too.

#3: Scrunchies/Hair Ties

Another absolute essential you’ll need for cheer practice is a set of hair ties or scrunchies.

I suggest staying away from traditional thin hair ties because they can pull out your hair, causing damage and split ends.

Make sure to always have an extra hair tie in your bag at all times in case you forget one at home!

For a healthier and gentler alternative for your hair, try cute hair ties like these.

#4: Headband

On a similar note, if you want to make sure your hair stays out of your face or if you have bangs, workout headbands like these work great!

These also work really well for keeping sweat off your forehead and out of your eyes when exercising.

I’m loving the athletic and stylish look of them!

#5: Practice Clothes

Here’s a fun one! Obviously, you'll need some practice clothes, and extra clothes to keep in your bag.

There are so many options to choose from: t-shirts, shorts, cropped tops, sports bras, tank tops, and more.

I recommend having a whole bunch of options so you can choose what fits your style and matches your team the best!

Overall, having a couple of tops and bottoms to choose from works the best, especially if you practice several times per week.

#6: Cheerleading Sneakers

This one is SUPER important!

Every cheerleader needs at least one, but probably two, reliable and comfortable pairs of cheer sneakers.

If you’re new to cheer and unfamiliar with cheer sneakers, they're usually a pair of white sneakers that can be worn for practice, games, and competitions.

Getting the right pair of cheer shoes is extremely important. You’ll be doing a lot of jumping, running, and moving, so you’ll want shoes that are snug and comfy.

When you have shoes that fit you well, it’s healthier for your feet, safer to practice in, and you’ll perform better!

#7: Socks

With your new sneakers, you’ll need some socks.

This is something a lot of people overlook, but having comfortable athletic socks can really make a difference in how you practice and perform!

Choose a pair that’s soft, absorbent, and supportive, but not too thick as you’ll be doing a lot of moving around.

I suggest simple, white, no show socks that you can use for both practice and games/competitions. Having an extra pair in your bag is always helpful, too!

#8: Snacks

Cheerleading is hard work!

You’ll probably get hungry at some point during practice, so we recommend having a snack or two in your bag to keep your energy up.

Something healthy, filling, and lightweight works the best!

#9: Lip Balm/Chapstick

This one may seem kind of random, but trust me, having dry, chapped lips when you’re trying to focus on practice is no fun and can be super distracting.

It can be especially uncomfortable when you’re doing a lot of yelling and chanting.

We recommend having one or two sticks of lip balm or chapstick in your bag at all times for when you need it.

Outro & Closing Thoughts

Today, I talked about what to bring to cheer practice.

These are things that are absolute must haves during practice and this blog post is a perfect starting point for beginner cheerleaders who aren’t sure what they need and what they don’t.

Save this blog post for later and refer back to it when it’s time to shop for cheer gear or send it to a new cheerleader!

Thanks for reading my post “What To Bring To Cheer Practice (9 Essentials Every Cheerleader NEEDS!)”

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Nikki Lo

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