Styling options for the workout
1. Plan your hair style around your workout schedule
If you just got a fresh silk wrap or a relaxer yesterday, I don’t think it’s best to do the most extreme of workouts today. Do workouts that help you to build up to the more extreme exercises: yoga – pilates – spinning – aerobics – treadmill – elliptical – running the track.
Try a high bun or a low ponytail if you have relaxed or have flat ironed your natural hair. If you want your hair locked down completely, do Flat Twists, Cornrows, or even Bantu Knots. In other words, you shouldn’t try to go to the gym to look cute anyways, keep your hair out of the way and focus!
2. Protect your hair and scalp with a cap or band
Sweat and working out go hand in hand. However, the more you sweat, the puffier your edges and scalp will get. Sweat bands will keep your hair and scalp as dry as possible. Try sweat bands from Amazon or a regular store. You can also try Save Your Do Gym Wraps by Actress Nicole Ari Parker to minimize the sweat that comes on your scalp as well.
If you do water aerobics or you just love to swim to get a good body workout, use a swim cap to protect your hair. Now, the swim cap won’t keep your hair fully dry, but it will keep your hair protected and will limit some of the chlorine water from getting to your hair. If you do not want the material of the sweat band or swim cap to touch your tresses, wrap your hair with a silk wrap or bonnet first then add your workout gear to protect your hair from sweat.
3. No tight hair bands*, ponytail holders, or hair pins.
When you work out, you want your hair to be out of the way, but you don’t want your hair to suffer from the use of extra tight hair accessories. Do not wear anything that adds tension to your hairline. Also, do not wear anything that pulls or tugs on your hair. The purpose of a hair band is to put your hair up and out of the way, not to keep messing with it while you workout because your workout hairstyle is too tight.