Dance + Acrobatics
Acro dance
A style that combines dance with acrobatic elements (walkovers, aerials, handsprings, bridges, contortion). Distinct from gymnastics — it's choreographed dance with acrobatic skills integrated.
Critical safety policy
Acro work shares risk profile with cheer tumbling. Must be taught by certified acro instructors. No DIY tutorials anywhere. Always with proper surfaces, spotters, and qualified supervision.
Brief history
Acrobatic Arts is the most recognized certification body for acro dance teaching. Developed as a way to safely integrate acrobatic skills into dance training.
Key technique
- Foundational dance technique
- Specific acro skills: chest stand, bridge, walkover, aerial, handstand, handspring
- Spotting safety
- Progressive skill building (Levels 1–4 in Acrobatic Arts certification)
- Floor work (similar to but distinct from gymnastics)
How it's judged
Most competitions run a dedicated Acro category — and many cap how many tricks a routine may include so it stays dance, not a tumbling pass. Judges reward how seamlessly the acro skills are woven into the choreography, the quality of the dance technique connecting them, and execution and control on the skills themselves. Entries earn the same two awards as every other routine: an absolute adjudication tier plus a relative Overall placement within their age and skill bracket.
Famous certifying body
Acrobatic Arts (acrobaticarts.com) — Level 1 through 4 certifications for teachers. Required for safe acro teaching.
Who it's for
Flexible, strong dancers who love the thrill of tricks but want them set inside real choreography. Acro pairs especially well with lyrical and contemporary, and a strong acro skill set opens doors in competition, commercial work, and circus/theatrical performance.
Common misconceptions
- "Acro is just gymnastics in dance class" — related but distinct; acro is choreographically integrated
- "Any dance teacher can teach acro" — false; certification matters for safety
Go deeper
Acro routines run on the standard adjudication-plus-overalls system — see how dance scoring works and which events feature an Acro category on our competitions directory.
Find Acro Studios
Acro requires certified instruction. Browse studios near you with acro programs, pre-filtered to the Acro genre.
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