A strong sporting background makes learning stunt skills easier, faster, and safer. The more you push your body, understand how it moves, and build endurance, the better prepared you’ll be for the physical demands of stunt work. Every discipline below strengthens a different aspect of performance, helping you grow into a versatile, adaptable, and production-ready stunt performer.If you have an area of expertise, you’ll often be hired specifically for that specialty. However, training across all other disciplines is non-negotiable. A well-rounded skill set keeps you safe, adaptable, and employable, no matter what the production requires.<h3 id="c7165990-bc42-4e5f-b21a-b1c2b90f6fe3" data-toc-id="c7165990-bc42-4e5f-b21a-b1c2b90f6fe3" style="font-size: 20px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Martial Arts</h3>Martial arts build discipline, spatial awareness, and controlled aggression—key elements in screen combat.<ul><li>Boxing</li><li>Muay Thai</li><li>Kickboxing</li><li>Taekwondo</li><li>Karate</li><li>Judo</li><li>Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu</li><li>Krav Maga</li><li>Capoeira</li></ul>How they help in stunts:<ul><li>Improve striking, footwork, and safe fight distance.</li><li>Develop timing for complex choreography.</li><li>Build confidence under pressure.</li><li>Teach reaction skills for believable “hits” and falls.</li></ul><h3 id="0bd23b85-fbe6-419a-842f-c7c49200b583" data-toc-id="0bd23b85-fbe6-419a-842f-c7c49200b583" style="font-size: 20px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Gymnastics &amp; Trampolining</h3>Gymnastics offers excellent training for body control and aerial movement.<ul><li>Artistic gymnastics</li><li>Trampolining</li><li>Tumbling</li><li>Acrobatics</li><li>Power tumbling</li><li>Cheerleading (stunting and tumbling)</li></ul>How they help in stunts:<ul><li>Teach safe, controlled flips, rotations, and landings.</li><li>Build core strength and overall body awareness.</li><li>Support wire work, high falls, and fast reactions.</li><li>Improve explosive power and coordination.</li></ul><h3 id="0bfd0df3-af9f-4f21-9d8d-193dbb5769e4" data-toc-id="0bfd0df3-af9f-4f21-9d8d-193dbb5769e4" style="font-size: 20px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Dance</h3>Dance enhances rhythm, posture, and performance quality; essential for movement on camera.<ul><li>Contemporary</li><li>Hip-hop</li><li>Ballet</li><li>Jazz</li><li>Ballroom</li><li>Latin dance</li><li>Breakdancing</li></ul>How it helps in stunts:<ul><li>Develops timing for fight choreography.</li><li>Improves balance, fluidity, and clean body lines.</li><li>Strengthens partner work skills.</li><li>Helps blend emotion and movement for more believable action.</li></ul><h3 id="a783a2cb-6209-491d-a2af-3b9ee8a64486" data-toc-id="a783a2cb-6209-491d-a2af-3b9ee8a64486" style="font-size: 20px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Parkour &amp; Free running</h3>Parkour trains efficient movement through obstacles and confidence at height.<ul><li>Parkour fundamentals</li><li>Freerunning tricking</li><li>Urban obstacle training</li><li>Vaults, wall runs, precision jumps</li></ul>How they help in stunts:<ul><li>Improve jumping, vaulting, and climbing skills.</li><li>Teach safe rolling and impact management.</li><li>Build adaptability on rooftops, alleyways, and complex sets.</li><li>Strengthen quick decision-making and spatial awareness.</li></ul><h3 id="639b9de5-c869-440c-bc00-7eb5eaaed1d7" data-toc-id="639b9de5-c869-440c-bc00-7eb5eaaed1d7" style="font-size: 20px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Circus Arts</h3>Circus disciplines build unique physicality and creative movement skills.<ul><li>Acrobatics</li><li>Handstands</li><li>Aerial silks, hoop, or trapeze</li><li>Tightrope or slackline</li><li>Juggling and object manipulation</li><li>Physical theatre and clowning</li></ul>How they help in stunts:<ul><li>Enhance strength and flexibility through acrobatics and aerial work.</li><li>Improve balance, coordination, and precision.</li><li>Support speciality gags that require refined control.</li><li>Encourage expressive, character-driven movement.</li></ul><h3 id="dadf1d47-c1cb-429c-9fdf-44b06f734fc8" data-toc-id="dadf1d47-c1cb-429c-9fdf-44b06f734fc8" style="font-size: 20px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Strength &amp; Conditioning</h3>A strong, well-conditioned body is essential for longevity in stunt work.<ul><li>Functional fitness</li><li>CrossFit</li><li>Calisthenics</li><li>Weightlifting</li><li>Mobility and flexibility training</li><li>Yoga or Pilates</li></ul>How it helps in stunts:<ul><li>Boosts stamina for long shooting days and repeated takes.</li><li>Strengthens joints and muscles for impact-heavy work.</li><li>Improves mobility and flexibility to reduce injury risk.</li><li>Supports quick recovery and consistent performance.</li></ul><h3 id="613c0bbe-6e9b-4c43-9b32-06ed62f0c77d" data-toc-id="613c0bbe-6e9b-4c43-9b32-06ed62f0c77d" style="font-size: 20px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;"> Horse Riding</h3>A valuable speciality for period pieces, Westerns, and fantasy productions.How it helps in stunts:<ul><li>Builds balance and confidence at different speeds.</li><li>Develops control while performing action on horseback.</li><li>Prepares you for scenes involving chases, weapons, or falls.</li><li>Opens opportunities for mounted stunt doubling.</li><li>Rodeo for rodeo scenes, horse falls and safety landing.</li></ul><h3 id="68da6b7f-78a9-4f5d-9212-afbd20e9d5b4" data-toc-id="68da6b7f-78a9-4f5d-9212-afbd20e9d5b4" style="font-size: 20px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Precision Driving</h3>Driving is a major area of stunt work, and many performers need multiple licence types and plenty of practice.<ul><li>Manual driving</li><li>Motorbike riding</li><li>Quad and off-road riding</li><li>Rally driving techniques</li><li>Skid control</li><li>Drift fundamentals</li><li>Heavy vehicle or trailer handling</li></ul>How it helps in stunts:<ul><li>Manual, motorbike, and heavy-vehicle licences broaden job opportunities.</li><li>Rally-style training improves high-speed manoeuvres and skid control.</li><li>Motorbike and quad riding develop balance and reaction time.</li><li>Extensive practice teaches mark-hitting, consistency, and safe coordination with camera teams.</li></ul><h3 id="059530e8-2d80-4275-a2c1-91d3502907fb" data-toc-id="059530e8-2d80-4275-a2c1-91d3502907fb" style="font-size: 20px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Water Sports</h3>Confidence in water is essential for aquatic stunts.<ul><li>Swimming</li><li>Water polo</li><li>Surf lifesaving</li><li>High diving</li><li>Scuba diving</li><li>Free diving</li><li>Surfing</li></ul>How they help in stunts:<ul><li>Build endurance and breath control.</li><li>High diving teaches safe entries and aerial awareness.</li><li>Lifesaving adds risk awareness and rescue capability.</li><li>Scuba and free diving prepare you for underwater scenes and breath-hold work.</li></ul><h3 id="214192a3-3c1e-4c9f-980a-2452aa35c43c" data-toc-id="214192a3-3c1e-4c9f-980a-2452aa35c43c" style="font-size: 20px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Additional Useful Disciplines</h3><ul><li>Rock climbing or bouldering</li><li>Archery</li><li>Stage combat</li><li>Acting</li><li>Fencing</li><li>Skiing or snowboarding</li><li>Ice skating</li><li>Weight belt</li></ul><h2 id="2829795d-0135-40cc-b472-45b3d92e4c52" data-toc-id="2829795d-0135-40cc-b472-45b3d92e4c52" style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Why a Strong Sporting Background Makes Stunt Training Easier</h2>Every sport you train in teaches you more about your body; coordination, strength, flexibility, timing, and mental control. The more you challenge yourself physically, the easier it becomes to learn stunt techniques and adapt to on-set demands.A wide sporting background helps you:<ul><li>Learn stunt movements more quickly and safely.</li><li>Build endurance for long days, multiple takes, and heavy gear.</li><li>Understand your limits and push them safely.</li><li>Stay flexible, strong, and ready for unexpected adjustments.</li><li>Develop the work ethic required for professional stunt performing.</li></ul><h2 id="63817def-7cdd-451e-a976-0835e048c7ab" data-toc-id="63817def-7cdd-451e-a976-0835e048c7ab" style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">The Path to Becoming a Professional Stunt Performer</h2>Becoming a professional stunt performer takes years of learning, training, repetitions and consistent practice. It’s best to combine two or three complementary disciplines alongside your stunt training sessions to build a strong, balanced foundation.Most stunt guilds in the world—which assess and list you as a professional stunt performer—require between one and three years of documented training and sometimes required national competition level in certain areas such as body control disciplines. Each guild sets its own standards, so check the grading manual in your country to understand the exact requirements and pathways to registration.It’s common to be hired for your specific expertise, but relying on just one specialty will limit your chances of being booked regularly as a stunt performer.The more you move, the more you train, and the more skills you build, the easier your stunt journey becomes. A strong sporting background sets you up for success; both in training and on set.

A strong sporting background makes stunt training easier, safer, and more effective. Explore the key disciplines that build body control, versatility, and readiness for on-set stunt work.

Sports and Disciplines That Help You Become a Stuntman

Why a Strong Sporting Background Makes Stunt Training Easier

The Path to Becoming a Professional Stunt Performer

Discover acting and stunt training insights from NZSS. Blog articles and practical tips to help you start and grow a career in film and television.

Action Acting & Stunt Training Resources | NZSS Blog

Articles and insights on stunt training, acting, and performance from NZSS. Learn, prepare, and progress toward screen work.

Sports and Disciplines That Help You Become a Stuntman

Sports and Disciplines That Help You Become a Stuntman

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