Train2Cheer Workout DVD Review: Cheerleading My Way to Fitness

The DVD was developed specifically for cheerleaders and dancers, but non-spirit-squad types may very well enjoy this workout, too. It’s definitely more cheer-based than dance; while dancers will benefit from the cardio element, it’s more about sharp, cheer-type movements than the more free-form, hip-wiggling dancing. This also means it’s way easier for me to follow along with, as dance always takes me a bit of work. Set with three instructors and a crowd of cheerleaders facing them, it has a cheer-camp feel to it. (Cheerleading camp, again, so fun!)

Each of the 10 DVD segments—warm up, upper body, core, six cardio sets and a cool down—is set to an upbeat song, and the music pairs wonderfully with the choreography. Songs from the likes of Miley Cyrus, Jordin Sparks, RuPaul and the Black Eyed Peas are really fun to work out to. (You also get a separate music-only cardio CD when you buy.)

The DVD contains enough high-impact cardio to really get your heart rate going. Interestingly, I tried out the cheerleading workout while 22 weeks pregnant, so I kept it low impact. While they had a display pop up giving low-impact options, they didn’t always have modification available. I would have loved to see one of the three instructors doing modified versions, but I was easily able to lower the intensity when needed, trading mountain climbers for lunges, for instance. Not everyone is pregnant, but enough people have knee or other issues that I love to see modifications in workouts.

The workout itself is super-easy to follow. No moves are too complicated—there are a lot of cheer-based additions to standard aerobic moves, like touchdown and high-V arms paired with grapevines, jacks and squats—but it’s more fun than that sounds. The upper-body strength portion really works you, too, with walking planks and tons of push-ups and pulsing push-ups. The core portion also looked tough, but I bowed out and did my own thing while watching them do scissor-type ab moves and crunches.

FBG Rating (Out of 5):
Instruction: ★★★★
Long-Term Likeability: ★★★
Music: ★★★★★
Fun Factor: ★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★

Overall: ★★★★

Fit Bottomed Line: Perfect for the cheerleader or former cheerleader, this is a fun workout that will get your heart pumping. The easy-to-follow moves will let the non-spirited participate and the cardio is enough to get you sweaty! 

Do you have fond memories of your high school cheer days? Ever randomly bust out the spirit fingers or cheer camp chant? —Erin