Showgirls have been around since the 1800s, but in the '80s, Las Vegas took the concept to the max. With their flamboyant shows (featuring an array of male and female dancers), extensive props and sets, and over-the-top costumes, there was so much to take in.

Of course, the beautiful dancers were the primary attraction. But what is it really like being a showgirl? Clearly, there's lots of glitz and glamour on stage. After the curtain falls, though? It's not quite as lighthearted as you'd imagine.

Of course, if you're hoping to catch a showing in Vegas that features live showgirls, you'll be disappointed. Vegas 'cracked down' on such performances, and they're now a thing of the past.

Still, you can enjoy a bit of nostalgia as we explore 20 strict rules the showgirls had to follow while their shows were still an everyday attraction.

20 Back In The Day, Showgirls Couldn't Move

In 2013, a writer for HuffPost ventured to Vegas to interview a showgirl. But he prefaced his article with the fact that when showgirls first became a "thing," they had to stand perfectly still if they didn't want to don costumery... These days, of course, the ladies dance, and it's a requirement that they do so.

19 Be An Athlete Plus A Dancer

HuffPost also elaborated that the dances the showgirls do are not for the faint of heart. Literally, you have to be in athletic shape to be able to handle the demanding routines, not to mention the grueling application of inches-high heels while dancing and shimmying.

18 Have A Classical Or Ballet Background

When one of Thrillist's writers interviewed both showgirls and their manager in 2015, they reported that all the dancers had to have professional training in ballet or other classical dance. It's about pedigree and pageantry, the writer noted, so talent is a requirement.

17 You Must Know Others' Routines

With the long list of shows that one Vegas production (Jubilee!) offered, there were endless routines to learn. But even if the girls were only stars of a single show, HuffPost explained, they still had to learn every other dancer's routine to stand in at a moment's notice. What a workout that must be.

16 You've Got To Show Up

HuffPost reports that while every gal must know every show, there are no official understudies. That means the girls who are the stars are expected to show up. If they don't, however, the other ladies know their routines front and back... But it's still a point against them for dodging out on their responsibilities.

15 On-The-Job Training Is A Must

To learn all the routines of the shows, it takes at least three to four weeks of rigorous training, Thrillist explains. There are thousands of dance steps and combinations, plus the outfits to go with each show, each of which lasts 90 minutes. Um, we can't even remember what we had for breakfast yesterday, but alright.

14 The Girls Have To Treat It Like A Real Job...

Because it is! Per Thrillist, the ladies in Vegas receive a "solid paycheck" plus health insurance and a 401K. The manager who spoke with Thrillist explained that she had always petitioned for 'her girls' to have solid careers as dancers. Of course, you'd want that, too, if you were managing a team that you relied on to achieve amazing shows.

13 Heels Are Sky-High... Even When Navigating Stairs

Backstage, the showgirls had to change multiple times per show, HuffPost explained, but to get to the dressing room, they had to navigate multiple flights of stairs. And the worst part? They had to do it in heavy headdresses and super-high heels. You probably couldn't lean over to take your shoes off anyway, what with a massive decoration on your head.

12 But You've Got To Be This Tall To Wear Them

Although the ladies typically wear three-inch-plus heels, there is a minimum height requirement. It's so the girls look aligned on stage, Thrillist explains, therefore the minimum is 5'8". Plenty of women in the shows are as tall as 6'2", making the men in the shows even taller by necessity!

11 Don't Be A Gym Rat

One showgirl told HuffPost that she was required to traverse the stairs (1,500 of them per night) wearing costumes that weigh 20 pounds or more, so exercise wasn't necessary outside of work. Clearly, there's no need for leg day. At the same time, the girls obviously have to be fit, so maybe stair climbing is a ploy.

10 Keep Your Costume In Tip-Top Shape

The girls don't own their costumes, but that doesn't mean it's not part of their job to keep them maintained, HuffPost reports. In the Jubilee! show, three costume shops specialize in sewing, cleaning, and repairs. The ladies explained that they spent a ton of time in the shops, too, and that everyone was like family.

9 Improve Your Offerings For Better Money

While many showgirls opt to wear more risque costumes, the ones who forgo costumes altogether (they still have headdresses and body art, obvs) make the most money, says HuffPost. At least, they did when the show was still a vibrant part of Vegas culture, but more on that later...

8 If You Fall, Get Right Back Up

Thrillist points out that with so many stairs (and excessively high heels), the showgirls do experience a tumble now and then. The crucial point, however, is that they get right back up, preferably before the audience notices anything's amiss. We're not sure how onlookers wouldn't notice a dancer toppling over, but it makes sense to minimize the drama.

7 There May Be Wardrobe, But There's No Makeup

Wardrobe is a massive part of the showgirl experience. But girls in each show must do their own makeup, HuffPost notes. It's kind of interesting that the show's management wouldn't bring in pro makeup artists. After all, if the costumes are so crucial, why wouldn't the dancers' faces be, too?

6 You Must Cover Your Hair

Hair would probably be the toughest part of getting ready, which is why HuffPost reports that the ladies only wear pantyhose caps before putting on elaborate headdresses. That makes it easier to prep for a show, we'd guess, but must get sweaty and itchy. Props to those gals for making it look effortless.

5 Hide Wardrobe Malfunctions, Or Else

Per Thrillist, if a lady experiences a wardrobe malfunction on stage, she's instructed to hustle off without making a scene. Of course, we wonder what kind of malfunction you can have when your costume is literally no costume at all, but still. Not overreacting is key in such center-stage roles.

4 You'll Need To Give Tours

As of 2013, HuffPost wrote, behind the scenes tours were available on select days and times at a cost of $17 per person. One of the showgirls gives the tour, so not only must they be fit and energetic on stage, but they've also got to hone their customer service skills for docent duties.

3 Have A Certain (Unedited) Look

Though you might expect that the showgirls in Vegas invest in their appearance in expensive ways, the fact is, they can't. Thrillist explained that the physical demands of the work mean the ladies on stage are all-natural because enhancements would be tough to work with up there.

2 Don't Be Scared Of Special Effects

So there was nothing gory in the Jubilee! shows, but HuffPost explained that each show used 1,000 pounds of dry ice with five pounds of explosives to create an immersive audience experience. From the sinking of the Titanic (thousands of pounds of equipment and stage design) to more upbeat revues, there's a lot of noise and shock factors that come into play.

1 Pump Up Your Resume...

Unfortunately for the ladies who made a living as showgirls, the final Jubilee! performance happened in 2016, and a revival hasn't happened yet. That means if you were a showgirl, one of the "rules" was always have a resume handy in case you need to go job hunting. Of course, agencies still offer showgirls for events... But if you want authenticity, you'll have to visit one of Vegas' showgirl museums.