Cheerleading Equipment List

Most of the cheerleaders you know are probably the cheerleaders at sports games like football or basketball. However, there are also competitive types of cheerleading that are all about competitions. In a cheerleading competition, cheerleading squads will compete against each other by performing routines that include all aspects of cheer, like tumbling and stunts. The squad that gets the highest score from the judges wins the competition, and there are typically different divisions for squads to compete in based on skill level and age.

Cheerleading Equipment

Cheerleading is a competitive sport, and like in most sports, more equipment is needed as cheerleaders advance to higher levels of competition. Poms, megaphones, uniforms, bags, and cheerleading accessories are among some of the most important gear for cheerleaders. Keep reading for a complete list of cheerleading equipment.

Bags

Cheerleading requires many different pieces of equipment, so a good bag is essential, especially for travel teams. A key piece of cheerleading is a visual aesthetic, so it’s important to keep matching sets together in one bag for any performance. It’s also important to get a bag with proper ventilation. The most popular style of cheer bag is the duffle because it can hold a variety of different pieces and often comes with some mesh material to make it easy to air it out after a practice or meet, but other teams choose to travel with simpler backpacks. A bag can sometimes be provided by a team so that every member matches, but it isn’t difficult to find individual bags on cheer supply sites for under $30.

Cheerleading Uniforms

Cheerleading uniforms are arguably the most important piece of equipment in the sport. There is certainly a variety of them, ranging from classic, long-sleeved dresses used often by high school teams, two-piece outfits for collegiate teams, and more unique cuts for independent cheer teams. Regardless of fit, a cheer uniform is always colorful and eye-catching. Usually color-coordinated with the team or school they represent, cheerleaders have to be able to grab fans’ attention and lift their spirits during a game or event. Their uniforms have to be made of flexible, breathable material to allow for every trick or move the cheerleaders perform. Uniforms are also one of the most expensive pieces of equipment for cheerleaders; they can range from $80 to $150 on cheerleading websites.

First Aid Kits

First aid kits are essential for every sport, especially ones with as much physical activity as cheerleading. Performances and routines for cheerleaders often include airborne flips and other precarious moves, so it is incredibly important to come to any game or competition prepared with first aid supplies. A stocked first aid kit should have bandages, ice packs, pain relievers, wraps, and heating packs. These supplies can be easily assembled at home, but first aid kits are available for purchase pre-stocked for as low as $30.

Floor Mats

Floor mats are another key piece of cheerleading equipment when considering athlete safety. Having padding beneath cheerleaders as they practice is important to ensure that there is some cushioning on the gym floor if a trick should go wrong. While it isn’t likely there will be gym mats during a game, practice is where most accidents happen because of inexperience with certain moves. They also provide traction so that the athletes aren’t slipping during routines. These mats can be made out of rubber or styrofoam and can be as simple as a yoga mat or stretch the length of the gym in connecting pieces. Because of this, it is hard to put an exact price point on floor mats for cheerleading but individual mats are sold for up to $130.

Hats and Caps

Hats and visors are common for cheerleaders when performing outside. Cheerleading routines require a lot of hand-eye coordination to be executed safely, so it is incredibly important to be able to block the sun when practicing or playing outside. These kinds of visors or caps aren’t a typical part of the traditional cheerleading uniform but should not be overlooked, especially during practice when the lights of a game day atmosphere aren’t turned on. Quality hats will be made of a breathable material to ensure that athletes don’t overheat and can be sold for as low as $5.

Landing Mats

Different from floor mats, landing mats are used for exactly what it sounds like: landing. Some cheerleading routines call for an athlete to stick the landing from an aerial trick directly onto the gym floor instead of into their teammates’ arms. Landing mats are used to ensure their safety and comfort when they come back to the ground. These mats are thicker and longer than floor mats, made of heavy foam, and covered with vinyl material. They are sold in the $500 range, so it is not uncommon for a school or team to provide landing mats for their athletes.

Medicine Balls

Medicine balls are a great practice tool for many kinds of athletes, cheerleaders included. Strength is a key trait of a cheerleader, so weight training with equipment like medicine balls can be essential. This strength training will give them the power to perform individual stunts but also have the ability to support and catch their teammates during group routines. Sets of medicine balls come in a variety of weights from 2 lbs to 11 lbs. Quality pieces will be made of weighted metal and wrapped in a latex material to improve grip. Sets can sell for as much as $100 for professionals but can also be found at more affordable prices in more general retail stores.

Megaphones

Megaphones are important for cheerleading in a variety of ways. A coach may use one to direct their athletes to perform a certain routine or stunt during a practice, which is a typical use of a megaphone, but in cheerleading, players themselves can make use of them. During games or performances, it isn’t uncommon to see the captain of the cheer team or another established member using a megaphone to get the attention of the crowd at a game. Their job is to engage fans during stoppages of play at most games, and a smart way to do that is to have them hear you from the court or field. Megaphones for cheerleading are usually made of plastic and shaped like a simple cone, making them relatively inexpensive. Because of this, megaphones cost between $10 and $20 online.

Poms

Pom poms are arguably the most typical piece of equipment for a cheer squad. Made of bright, lightweight materials that resemble bunched confetti, poms are a staple of cheerleading across the country. They are used to bring attention to the cheerleaders on the court or field and bring energy from the crowd. They will often come with plastic handles that make it easy for the cheerleaders to grip as they perform their routines. Sets of quality poms from official cheerleading companies can be sold for $20.

Practice and Warm-up Clothes

There’s no need to use official uniforms just for practice purposes, but many cheerleading teams will have practice uniforms if they have the funds. These usually take the form of track suits that could be used before, after, and during practice. They are even commonly used before performances. They’re usually made of warm but breathable fabrics like cotton so the athletes can practice in comfort. These warm-up sets can be up to $60 and usually come in multiple pieces like a jacket and track pants.

Safety Pits

Safety pits in cheerleading are a large foam block that is used as the most effective cushion when falling from a cheer stunt that is sometimes set up within a lowered area to give athletes more room to fall. They are made of the same material as landing mats but with a larger volume so that athletes can land on their backs without injuring themselves. They are also relatively expensive at over $1,000 dollars, so a safety pit cushion is usually something a school or team will provide for practice.

Shoes

The style and physical design of different shoes will actually depend on what position you are in a cheerleading squad and what moves and stunts you are hoping to accomplish. Flyers (those who are thrown in the air) and those who support them have different needs in their footwear, depending on how steady or lightweight they need to be for their routine. It’s also important to know whether you will be cheering indoors or outdoors because that can also affect your shoe decision-making. With premium cheer brands like Champion and Nike, it is not uncommon to see these shoes be sold for anywhere between $50 to $100.

Socks

Different cheerleading teams will have different sock requirements. It’s possible that knee-high socks are part of your squad’s uniform. It’s also common to see specific colored ankle socks for cheerleaders. Regardless of sock height, it’s important that they be absorbent and have cooling technologies so that athletes can be comfortable for an entire game or routine in any conditions. They are typically made of a cotton and polyester fabric blend for maximum breathability and can be sold as pairs or in packs for under $10 on cheer websites.

Sports Bras

Sports bras are incredibly important for any female athlete. A bra that isn’t designed for athletic activity can be incredibly uncomfortable or even painful because of its wires and hooks. Female cheerleaders especially need stable comfort so they can perform stunts that involve twisting and flipping without having to be concerned about chest pain. There are many size-inclusive brands gaining popularity in women’s athletic clothes, Fabletics being a leader. They sell basic sports bras for $24 and have more custom styles and designs than most other brands in the industry. They can be specified for low-impact or high-impact activity, the latter of which is where most cheerleaders fall.

Training Shapes

Shaped training mats are a unique aspect of cheerleading and gymnastics that can be used to practice flips and tumbling across the gym floor. A popular shape in cheerleading is the octagon. These mats are padded like a landing pad would be but are designed to roll with an athlete so they can practice arching their body and fine-tuning tumbling techniques. They’re made of a similar foam and vinyl combination as other landing and floor mats and range in diameter. These training shapes can be sold in cheer stores for as little as $130.

Water Bottles

Reusable water bottles should be an essential piece of equipment for all sports teams, and that includes cheerleading. Some teams will even buy matching water bottles for all their squad members so that they are coordinated down to the smallest details. These plastic and metal bottles can be found online for less than $10 though custom bottles will cost much more.

Wristbands

Wristbands are a non-essential item for a cheerleader but could be a stylish accessory for any uniform. They are complementary to the colorful outfits that every team wears and can simply add another pop. Large packs of multicolored wristbands are available online for as little as $10, but there is always the chance to make more custom bands so that your team’s accessories can really stand out.

List of Cheerleading Equipment

• Bags
• Uniforms
• First Aid Kits
• Floor Mats
• Hats and Caps
• Landing Mats
• Medicine Balls
• Megaphones
• Poms
• Practice and Warm-up Clothes
• Safety Pits
• Shoes
• Socks
• Sports Bras
• Training Shapes
• Water Bottles
• Wristbands

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