Sports Aerobics

If you’re looking for a new sport to get involved in you might want to consider sports aerobics. Check out our profile…

What:
Sports Aerobics is a high intensity sport which originates from the traditional aerobic dance.
Competitors perform a 1 minute 50 seconds – 2 minute routine which demonstrates continuous movement, strength, flexibility, fitness, and skill. Athletes compete on a 7m x 7m marked area. The routine is performed to an upbeat song, which has often been professionally remixed and had sound effects added. Athletes can be male or female and can compete individually, or in a trio or group. Competitors can be any age over seven.

Gear:
Costumes: All athletes are required to wear a fitted leotard (female) or unitard (male), their ‘costume’. These are often brightly colored and intricately designed. Most dance apparel makers can produce a custom made one to your design, or sell you a pre-made one.
Socks: Competitors also wear white slouch socks, which are available from most supermarkets. (These are the loose, knee high socks which slouch around your ankle.)
Shoes: For beginners any sports shoe is fine. You will soon need to look into buying the proper shoe though. These are lightweight to allow you to do jumps, etc more easily, and must be completely white. These are available from Rebel Sports, and are called ‘Princess.’ A cheaper version is available from The Warehouse.
Tights: Females also wear flesh colored shimmer tights. (Now these are cool!) They are available from pretty much any dancewear stockists.
Hair: Is worn in a bun tightly secured to the head, with no loose objects (i.e ribbons).

Cost:
The cost greatly varies depending on how serious you are. Each coach has different fees, and you will also be required to pay entry fees for each competition you enter. This fee is around $20. You will also need to buy the required socks, tights, shoes, and costume, or you may be able to borrow off someone if you are just starting. Unfortunately, the more serious you get, the more money you will find your self paying out especially when you start traveling nationwide and/or worldwide.

Skill:
Each routine consists of aerobic movement, and what are known as ‘elements.’ These include different types of push-ups, holds, jumps, and leaps. These will vary in difficulty depending on the age of the competitor and whether they are just beginning or are relatively experienced. In New Zealand and Australia there is a levels program called ‘Aeroschools’, which is designed to encourage people into the sport. So when you first start you will be competing with a pre-choreographed routine, against other people who are also beginners, rather than being thrown straight into the deep end with serious competition!

The competition factor:
For many, this is the best part of the sport. You get to go up on stage and perform the routine you’ve worked so hard on-and hear people cheering for you! There are heaps of competitions held throughout the year, from regional and national events, to fun competitions and chances to represent your school. The atmosphere is amazing and you form really close bonds with the other people in your club as you wait nervously together backstage!

Why you should start:
You’ll never do a sport like it. You will meet so many new people and make great friends. You’ll get the chance to travel around New Zealand and maybe even overseas. There’s nothing like the feeling you get waiting backstage for you turn, cheering for your team mates (or hearing your team mates cheering for you!), and coming offstage having performed a great routine. Just give it a go- there’s something for everybody, every age, every skill level – and boys can do it to!

For further information or to find a club in your area you can email the author at sportsarobix@yahoo.co.nz or check out www.nzgymnastics.co.nz.

Claire Grant