Who says cheerleading isn't a sport?

It's often argued that cheerleading doesn't qualify as a "real" sport, so we're here to ask why. In its beginning, cheerleading was viewed as part of a sporting event, but now it's evolved into an independent entity altogether. Cheerleading competitions are fierce and tough. Those teams work just as hard as any other sporting team to come out on top. Here are just a few of the benefits of cheerleading...

1. Flexibility: Cheerleaders work endlessly to reach maximum flexibility in order to carry out the stunts necessary to impress their audience.

2. Increased strength: It's common for the flyers on the team to get the most attention, but what about the women/men holding them up and throwing them into the air? It takes a lot of strength to be able to be a base.

3. Mental Health: Exercising gives you endorphins, endorphins make you happy, and happy people just don't kill their husbands (name that movie). In all seriousness, most cheerleaders practice upwards of 15 hours a week, and all the endorphins produced from that have positive effects on them.

These are just a few of the health benefits of cheerleading, so be sure to remember them next time someone challenges whether or not cheering is a sport!