"I don't workout because of my hair"

Fitandsexy_fe

I had a thought come across my mind today. I remember a while ago I was listening to the radio and there was a discussion about black women and not working out because they do not want to mess up their hair. This may sound crazy. I partly agree that it sucks that my hair gets messed up every time i exercise, but that has not stopped me from working out of course. To me, my hair is such a problem because I do not have a relaxer and it is just a wild crazy mess after sweating so bad. I have a sew-in weave right now and it works great except for the part of my hair that is out. So my question to the black women, or other women who have this problem of course, what do you do to maintain your hair while exercising. Any special hairstyles? I want to know what you all do!

redcurlygirl

I have very thick curly hair and often find this to be an obstacle for me. It takes 35 minutes for me to style it and some days it comes down to not having enough time to work out AND do my hair. As I only shampoo every other day, I've found that doing my workouts right before I was scheduled to shower helps to overcome this. Hope this helps!

Helice

im not black, but wen i exercise my hair puffs up into like a ball.
its so annoying sometimes i will try to avoid exercising if i know im not going to be able to get a shower afterwards.

bmw4deb

My best friend also has a sew- in weave she wears a cotten head
wrap to absorb the sweat and uses a dry shampoo after a hard
work out (puts it on shakes it off) her hair is always beautiful

Neize

I have a relaxer so, I pull my hair high up in a pony tail so it doesn't touch my shoulders or neck. Sometimes b4 work I have to blow dry my hair! I do wash it more often than I would if I didn't exercise!

SusanneWhittington

friend of mine keeps her hair real short, she said when she had long hair she did not work out either, because it was too expensive and time intensive to maintain it, with her relaxer she usually only washed her hair once a week and really did not want to wash it daily. But now with the real short her, she looks great with it and she works out every day with 0 hair problems.

KourtneyP83

I used to only wash my hair every other day, like a previous poster I have think curly hair that takes quite a but to straighten...but I've just been sucking it up and washing it daily. It's so hot with it being summer anyway I don't want to have a sweaty head

Kjandcuttysmom

Good question. I haven't been running in a while (not because of my hair but because I don't have anyone to watch the kids) but when I was running I would put my hair (relaxed) in a high ponytail so it didn't lay on my neck and get wet with sweat. It gets pretty hard to maintain a style other than a pony tail.
shine

trini14

Well, I definitely know what your talking about, I have dreadlocks, so its not really a problem for me (except when I'm wearing my locs in curls, and its "sweats" out a little, relaxing the curl). How about a headband over the hair that covers over the tracks? You could even get a way with "wrapping" your hair with a head scarf, or up in a ponytail? Have you thought about doing two strand twists as a protective style? HTH

demonNIИ

I am just blessed for the most part. I'm currently growing my hair REALLY long. Getting it trimmed an inch every 6 months to keep it smooth. My hair has a bit of a natural wave to it I've been told. When I style it a certain way in the morning with a headband cute clips with hairpins to keep the hairband in place and doesn't move much I also use a moderate amount of strong hairspray

LadyPippen

i got a weave! but even when i didnt have it, i still worked out. i got tired of messing up my natural hait so i got a weave

Heather75

I just walk around looking like crap all the time.

Forensic

I keep my hair bound into a very tight bun while I exercise. I have to, otherwise it's just in my way (mind, my hair goes past my bottom...) But beyond that, I have no specific hair-concerns with working out.

lynn1982

The title of this post made me actually laugh out loud! I'm not black and I don't have a weave, but I have problem hair. It is super thick and can't make up its mind! It's partially wavy and partially straight. Due to this, I used to flat iron it every single morning, but since I started working out regularly, I have stopped flat ironing it since I usually shower in the morning and then work out in the mid to late afternoon and shower again. I feel like it's not worth it to flat iron it in the morning if I'm just going to shower again in the afternoon. And in the afternoon after my workout, I'm usually just too tired and lazy (unless I have a date later). A friend recently asked if I was depressed because I stopped flat ironing my hair! I think the title of your post makes complete sense!

nacobi

Braids have made it easier for me since it's summer. When my hair is out I have to wash it more often than I normally would. I haven't quite figured out a solution myself.

NaturalBeauty82

I'm African American and I have natural hair. It's thick and curly. Most of the time when I exercise, I plait my hair or I just tie it up. It sweats but it's more manageable when I do those steps b/c it prevents tangling.

lynn1982

I just walk around looking like crap all the time.

If MFP allowed us to "like" posts, then I would like this one... you sound awesome.

Xandralexa

I've never had this problem much, and I'm kinda lazy with my hair. I usually wear braids a lot.
I would wear a headband at times. Or I would completely wrap my head in scarf. I know a lot of Black women that do the same.

Phi2004

I usually get a sew in as well. However, I tend to get the invisible part in the front . If you get the invisible part it will help so there is none of your hair out. I hope this helps!

babygurl48

I just walk around looking like crap all the time.

If MFP allowed us to "like" posts, then I would like this one... you sound awesome.

"Like!"

redheadmommy

I am not black neither have curly hair, but I have soo much hair that hairdressers charge me extra on services because the insane amount of hair I have.

When I exercise I sweat a lot, and all those hair gets soaked wet, and it takes forever to dry it. Since I bike to work, and it dripping sweat both ways, it added over an extra hr hair maintenance to my day.

As much I ( and my husband) loved my super long thick hair, it was unmanageable. I had to choose between my long hair and exercising. Well finally I made the painful decision, and today the hairdresser chopped down over 15 inch of my hair.
It was a great sacrifice, but my health is more important then my beauty.Since i am donating my hair to the cancer society, I am sure somebody will be very happy with it.

Fitandsexy_fe

I am not black neither have curly hair, but I have soo much hair that hairdressers charge me extra on services because the insane amount of hair I have.

When I exercise I sweat a lot, and all those hair gets soaked wet, and it takes forever to dry it. Since I bike to work, and it dripping sweat both ways, it added over an extra hr hair maintenance to my day.

As much I ( and my husband) loved my super long thick hair, it was unmanageable. I had to choose between my long hair and exercising. Well finally I made the painful decision, and today the hairdresser chopped down over 15 inch of my hair.
It was a great sacrifice, but my health is more important then my beauty.Since i am donating my hair to the cancer society, I am sure somebody will be very happy with it.

you are so brave! way to donate to the cancer society!

Fitandsexy_fe

I love the replies, lets me know i am not the only one dealing with this issues and also its all women (not just black) that have issues with hair. your responses are helping a lot.

shannonkk

I try and straighten on my non workout days then when I do work out I put it in a high pony secured wit a rubberband. Then I wrap the long pony in a bun, but don't twist it because that makes creases. After I shower I blow dry my damp sweaty roots and touch up with the flat iron. I can only go two days then I have to wash. I either air dry while I sleep and straighten in the am or wet it spray it and wear it thick n curly. Oh buns and braids are quick but I don't feel as cute

VickiMitkins

I try to plan heavy exercize right before wash day. I''m caucasion, but have very curly hair. It's always been a problem in humid weather or when I sweat. Can't tell you how many brushes I broke as a kid. It used to be really thick, not so much anymore which can be a little blessing. I also have some coming in much less curly. Because of that, I have to wash about every other day. The days that I don't plan to wash, I keep exercize a little lighter so I don't sweat as much. I also put it up in a pony tail. If I get too hot and can't wash, I will put some water on my finger tips and rub my scalp, followed by cool air. It helps distribute the natural oil and makes my hair and scalp feel cleaner.

catlady100

I have a relaxer. I just do a ponytail most days. My hairdresser is disgusted with me, "all that hair and you always have it up". If I worked outside the home I would just have to learn how to style it in a professional looking updo....too lazy to mess with blowdryers and flat irons everyday.

Brigantia

Hello,

My trick was that I cut my hair. I ask my hairdresser to relaxe and cut it short. This way it's easier to manage. And I replace doing weave with buying 3 nice wigs in case I have an event that comes up. So yes people know What I do with my hair but I decided not care anymore just do what convenient for me.

Have a good day

Brigantia

jocelyne17

I'm natural and I plan my exercise to have enough time to style my hair. Although because of the summer and the fact that I work in the food industry, I have my hair in a bun at all times. My sister and I wear those black cotton headbands sometimes, but I usually wet my hair, slick it back, add some gel, and tie a scarf around it to keep it flat. Then if i sweat it out I just get my edges wet, smooth my hair again and I'm done because there's tons of product in it still.

Because I'm natural, I get a sew in weave to match my texture. I usually wear my hair curly too. If you want to try that you can get a sew-in to match your texture. Also try braiding, or twisting your hair at the hairline, and pulling the rest back in a bun. Anything that keeps your edges from sweating out is what you want.

atsteele

I just walk around looking like crap all the time.

LOL Been there, done that!!

Armycane

I am in the transition stage with my hair, I usually put it up in a ponytail, or two braids regardless of the activity. Before transition from relaxer, I used to wrap my hair/braids/pony tail and put a hat on top if I was working out outdoors. I work out in the early mornings, so usually co-wash twice a week and deep condition on the weekends. When I don't have time or hair is not working with me, I put on a wig and enjoy the day.

ChantalGG

I am half black and have been blessed with curly hair not black texture but i just fuzzes up because my hair is damaged. it is thin too so wearing a pony and bouncing around breaks it. I wear a sweat band sometimes. I should look into so hair products and accessories for working out. Hmm maybe i should design some...