How Does a Professional Cheerleader Spend a Workday?

In-Between Practice and Games

Professional cheerleading, including work cheering for NFL teams, is a part-time job. Many teams require a professional cheerleader to be a full-time student, raising a family or working part-time in addition to her cheerleading job. However, her duties as a cheerleader require her to rehearse routines and stay in shape throughout the season. During season, a professional cheerleader will usually have to keep an eye on her diet, eating well-balanced meals, as well as go to the gym five days a week. Training at the gym usually takes a few hours each time, and can include weight training, Pilates and treadmill work. This conditioning is the cheerleader's responsibility and will be based on her schedule.

Practice

Two nights per week, the cheerleader must meet with her team to rehearse. These rehearsals typically last four hours and focus on cardiovascular activity. During these sessions the team will rehearse entire routines, as well as work on any difficult moves that need extra practice. A professional cheerleader may need to learn between 35 and 50 routines throughout one season. The rehearsals will typically be in the evenings, so that those who work other jobs or live farther away are able to attend.

Game Day

On a game day, cheerleaders are expected be at the stadium all day. The cheerleaders are usually required to arrive four hours before kickoff. Once the cheerleaders have arrived, they must be ready to rehearse in full makeup and with their hair styled. They will then rehearse the entire routine before the game starts. Once the cheerleaders have finished with this rehearsal, they will relax, have some lunch and get into their costumes, as well as fix their hair and reapply their makeup for the game. The cheerleaders may also be expected to do pregame promotions, mingling with members of the audience who have won contests in VIP events. The team will then perform before the game starts, and will continue to perform on the sidelines throughout the rest of the game. Once the game is over, the cheerleaders are expected to stay afterward to give autographs and take pictures with fans.