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Testing methodology
Every recommendation on DanceGymCheer follows the same process, so you can compare pages with confidence.
Sized for the athlete
Every guide covers sizing and fit first, because the wrong size is the most common problem.
A clear verdict
Each guide says who the gear suits, who should look elsewhere, and what to check before you buy.
No paid placements
Brands cannot buy a review or a spot on a list. Partner codes save you money; they never decide what we recommend.
Kept current
Prices are dated, codes are updated across the site at once, and pages are revised when a product, standard or rule changes.
Where our facts come from
We use manufacturer specs and size charts, USA Gymnastics and FIG apparatus norms, USA Cheer and AACCA safety rules, and dance teachers' and studios' published dress codes as context.
What we check, by product type
| Dance shoes | Style, sole type (full or split), material, sizing against street shoes, and teacher requirements. |
|---|---|
| Gymnastics equipment | Dimensions, foam type and thickness, weight limits, base stability, and home or club use. |
| Grips and apparel | Grip type and sizing, leotard fabric and fit, competition rules. |
| Cheer shoes and gear | Weight, sole flex and traction, grip for stunting, sizing and squad requirements. |
| Tumbling and studio | Air track size and pressure, mat firmness and thickness, barre height range and mirror safety. |
Hands-on testing versus research
A review carries a "Hands-on tested" badge only when our team has used the product, and it lists the date and what we did. Every other page is built from published specs, governing-body rules, the brand's own documentation and owner feedback, and says so. Comparisons are research-based unless marked otherwise.
Prices and codes
Prices come from each brand's own store and are dated on every review. Reader codes come directly from the brands we partner with. When a brand changes an offer, we update the code everywhere it appears on the site at once.
Corrections
If you spot something out of date, email [email protected] and we'll check it and fix it.