Exercising with ethnic hair

Yes, you read that right! Friday I went to the salon and had my hair relaxed and styled. Last night I went to the gym and I pulled my hair back into a ponytail, of course it sweated out.. I came home, blow dryed my hair, and restyled It.. My point being, is there a solution to prevent having to reapply heat to my hair after every trip to the gym.
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Replies

  • pinkiemarie252
    pinkiemarie252 Posts: 222 Member
    Lol! I have no tips for you because I don't have "ethnic" hair. I just thought it was hilarious how you phrased that! I will say that my hair is somewhat curly and it gets frizzy after I work out hard, so it may just be one of those crappy things you have to deal with.
  • fitgirlandfoodie
    fitgirlandfoodie Posts: 1,014 Member
    I'd like to know any answer to that too..curly haired, freckled Irish girl here. I want to keep my hair straight when I want it that way.
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    No way around for me. I wear mine natural and curly and just wash more often. :ohwell:
  • AshleighTB
    AshleighTB Posts: 18 Member
    I don't have a relaxer, but I just keep mine in twists while working out seeing as it very curly. Wash when needed and let air dry. Can you not let your hair air dry instead of heat?
  • dym123
    dym123 Posts: 1,670 Member
    I got tired of dealing with it, so I cut it all off. Freeing.
  • haroon_awan
    haroon_awan Posts: 1,208 Member
    I am studying political science. I suggest you read a book on managing ethnic conflict, such as Ethnic Groups in Conflict by Donald Horowitz.

    :)
  • Candi_land
    Candi_land Posts: 1,311 Member
    LOL @ "ethnic hair". I'm Puerto Rican and my hair is naturally very curly, and I know that if I attempt to work out with my hair straightened I will leave that gym looking like an electrocuted Chia Pet.

    Also, my friends with "non ethnic" naturally straight hair still have to rewash, blow dry and style after a workout so there's probably no way around it.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    nope. the only way around it is to wear a weave or wig or not be a slave to always having straight hair. i dont relax my hair anymore and havent for about 20 years, but even when i did this wasnt a big deal to me, but then again i was competing in a few sports so my hair was like the last thing on my mind post workout or game. I just washed and conditioned it, let it dry in large twists or braids and then once it dried wore the resulting braid out/twist out.

    then i realized that i didnt have to relax my hair to do that and could also avoid the inevitable chemical burns and my head smelling like a batch of rotten eggs for 2 days after a relaxer :smile:

    by the way this is apparently the #1 excuse/reason black women use to not exercise.
  • Sreneesa
    Sreneesa Posts: 1,170 Member
    No way of dealing with it.

    Had my kinky curls flat ironed for my bday a few days ago at the salon, put it up in a bun and ofcourse the roots were sweated out.

    Just had to flat iron myself and keep it pushing. Nothing you can really do about that. Sweat, water, etc aren't our best friends. That is why I do not swim! lol
  • Sovictorrious
    Sovictorrious Posts: 770 Member
    I am natural. I wear weaves, braids and weaves, or wash-n-go. At this point...My hair means nothing my health means everything.
  • BrainyBurro
    BrainyBurro Posts: 6,129 Member
    this thread title amuses me. :laugh: :wink:

    also, i have no clue what this thread is about, but i'm guessing "try wearing a baseball cap" is not a helpful answer. :huh:
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    LOL @ "ethnic hair". I'm Puerto Rican and my hair is naturally very curly, and I know that if I attempt to work out with my hair straightened I will leave that gym looking like an electrocuted Chia Pet.

    Also, my friends with "non ethnic" naturally straight hair still have to rewash, blow dry and style after a workout so there's probably no way around it.

    :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

    That's how I looked yesterday when I got an unexpected call to have dinner with someone and rushed out the door to see them.

    Except in my case I looked like a "secksy electrocuted chia pet". FTW!
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    NOw for my answer. THIS was actually on my mind the other day, and I was knocking around an idea whereby I do my 3 days a week workouts with two days back to back and just early one day (T) and late the next (W) and those two mid week days My hair just looks hairrible and do ponytails or hats or whatnot.

    Then after that second day (W) late workout shower and blowout and have great hair for the following TWO days (Th), (F). (no workouts, just showercap if needed from a regular days worth of shvitzy].

    Then 3rd day (S) workout in the AM shower and blowout and have good hair for that day and the next (Su). I think that's all the days. someone do my maths, this is where my thinks ran out.

    ETA: No now that I went back to insert days I see I am missing monday. and my brain has run out of thinks. anyone feel free to take over from here. It's just basically a 3 days a week workout plan with slammin' blowouts in between and one pair of rough looking days mid week.
  • Achrya
    Achrya Posts: 16,913 Member
    I wanted to work out, so I stopped relaxing my hair. If I started relaxing again I'd stop working on.

    I just can't get the two to mesh in my life, so I got rid of one.
  • Sreneesa
    Sreneesa Posts: 1,170 Member
    Honestly, I didn't wear my hair natural all the time it would be bothersome.

    Even wearing my natural hair is a problem as it's too kinky and still when wet or dry it just kinks up and hard to manage. I have thick, dry, curly, kind of hair that when straighten reaches the middle of my back. When not just a half inch past my shoulders. Constant struggle! lol

    Either way its a problem. lol... Just the difference in wearing it natural is I can at least condition it more often then the other one. As you know that washing it all the time isn't good.
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    NOw for my answer. THIS was actually on my mind the other day, and I was knocking around an idea whereby I do my 3 days a week workouts with two days back to back and just early one day (T) and late the next (W) and those two mid week days My hair just looks hairrible and do ponytails or hats or whatnot.

    Then after that second day (W) late workout shower and blowout and have great hair for the following TWO days (Th), (F). (no workouts, just showercap if needed from a regular days worth of shvitzy].

    Then 3rd day (S) workout in the AM shower and blowout and have good hair for that day and the next (Su). I think that's all the days. someone do my maths, this is where my thinks ran out.

    ETA: No now that I went back to insert days I see I am missing monday. and my brain has run out of thinks. anyone feel free to take over from here. It's just basically a 3 days a week workout plan with slammin' blowouts in between and one pair of rough looking days mid week.

    Quoting self to add... I think I need a spreadsheet. Is anyone around who is good at those? Even someone who might not have hair?
  • Achrya
    Achrya Posts: 16,913 Member
    Honestly, I didn't wear my hair natural all the time it would be bothersome.

    Even wearing my natural hair is a problem as it's too kinky and still when wet it just kinks up and hard to manage. I have thick, dry, kind of hair that when straighten reaches the middle of my back. When not just a half inch past my shoulders. Constant struggle! lol

    Either way its a problem. lol... Just the difference in wearing it natural is I can at least condition it more often then the other one. As you know that washing it all the time isn't good.

    I do like being able to condition basically whenever I feel like I need it, and I'm much better with my natural hair than I ever was with it relaxed. I'm a twist out master, tbh. Oh and don't get me started on nice long hot steamy showers without worrying about my roots.

    Never going back.
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    this thread title amuses me. :laugh: :wink:

    also, i have no clue what this thread is about, but i'm guessing "try wearing a baseball cap" is not a helpful answer. :huh:

    It's only good for damage control. I almost did that on friday. That will be my mid week solution but I really don't wanna have bad hair for two whole mid week days. Really don't. Really.
  • Sreneesa
    Sreneesa Posts: 1,170 Member
    Honestly, I didn't wear my hair natural all the time it would be bothersome.

    Even wearing my natural hair is a problem as it's too kinky and still when wet it just kinks up and hard to manage. I have thick, dry, kind of hair that when straighten reaches the middle of my back. When not just a half inch past my shoulders. Constant struggle! lol

    Either way its a problem. lol... Just the difference in wearing it natural is I can at least condition it more often then the other one. As you know that washing it all the time isn't good.

    I do like being able to condition basically whenever I feel like I need it, and I'm much better with my natural hair than I ever was with it relaxed. I'm a twist out master, tbh. Oh and don't get me started on nice long hot steamy showers without worrying about my roots.

    Never going back.


    Yes, I haven't had a relaxer in years! But, I can flat iron it myself if I want a straight, sleek, more manageable look. Like right now its straight but I'm able to get up and go. My hair is just really unmanageable. The kind where I can comb it out or detangle and not even an hour later it will be back to "kinky." Yeah it looks cute but nobody knows what I go through until they have to deal with then they become a believer to my dilemma! lol
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    Honestly, I didn't wear my hair natural all the time it would be bothersome.

    Even wearing my natural hair is a problem as it's too kinky and still when wet or dry it just kinks up and hard to manage. I have thick, dry, curly, kind of hair that when straighten reaches the middle of my back. When not just a half inch past my shoulders. Constant struggle! lol

    Either way its a problem. lol... Just the difference in wearing it natural is I can at least condition it more often then the other one. As you know that washing it all the time isn't good.

    i wash and condition in section of large braids or twists. i also dont let it air dry loose otherwise i get tangles.

    i dont consider my hair a problem but then again i work WITH my hair's texture, not against it. i also have the typically villefied type hair (ie not the "good" kind of ethnic hair). when you work with your hair in terms of styling, products, techniques, etc it's actually pretty easy.
  • QueenBishOTUniverse
    QueenBishOTUniverse Posts: 14,121 Member
    I love wearing my hair curly so I'm one of the lucky ones that doesn't have to worry about that (too lazy to iron out anyways), BUT, can someone please tell me how to find a damn stylist that actually knows how to cut and shape curly hair!
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    I love wearing my hair curly so I'm one of the lucky ones that doesn't have to worry about that (too lazy to iron out anyways), BUT, can someone please tell me how to find a damn stylist that actually knows how to cut and shape curly hair!

    devacurl and miss jessies in NYC is about the only places i've ever found that have been consistently good.

    in the bay area there's a salon called madusalon that i've heard mixed reviews about. one fay i'll try them.. maybe
  • QueenBishOTUniverse
    QueenBishOTUniverse Posts: 14,121 Member
    I love wearing my hair curly so I'm one of the lucky ones that doesn't have to worry about that (too lazy to iron out anyways), BUT, can someone please tell me how to find a damn stylist that actually knows how to cut and shape curly hair!

    devacurl and miss jessies in NYC is about the only places i've ever found that have been consistently good.

    in the bay area there's a salon called madusalon that i've heard mixed reviews about. one fay i'll try them.. maybe

    I randomly got one really good cut while I was in Los Angeles, in a mall no less....

    Seriously, I'll go six months to a year between cuts for the simple reason I don't want to deal with the disaster. They're called layers, they need to be at specific lengths to build the correct shape. I can tell you EXACTLY what length they need to be, HOW is this so hard?!/rant over
  • svsl0928
    svsl0928 Posts: 205 Member
    I decided my "Ethnic Hair" would not be a reason for me to not workout. In the spring/summer, it is real short either texturized or natural. I work out in the morning before work most days. In the winter, I go with hair rollers. After workout, I got to the locker room to use their hair dryer to dry the roots. I shower there Also. My hair is the las thing I do before I walk out the door. This works for me. Also, the day after I get my hair done is my day of rest.
  • MaryJane_8810002
    MaryJane_8810002 Posts: 2,082 Member
    Cant help you I have dreadlocks. I do see black girls at my gym wearing wigs during their workout though...
  • Achrya
    Achrya Posts: 16,913 Member
    I love wearing my hair curly so I'm one of the lucky ones that doesn't have to worry about that (too lazy to iron out anyways), BUT, can someone please tell me how to find a damn stylist that actually knows how to cut and shape curly hair!

    What the hell is this 'cut and shape' you speak of?
  • Sreneesa
    Sreneesa Posts: 1,170 Member
    Honestly, I didn't wear my hair natural all the time it would be bothersome.

    Even wearing my natural hair is a problem as it's too kinky and still when wet or dry it just kinks up and hard to manage. I have thick, dry, curly, kind of hair that when straighten reaches the middle of my back. When not just a half inch past my shoulders. Constant struggle! lol

    Either way its a problem. lol... Just the difference in wearing it natural is I can at least condition it more often then the other one. As you know that washing it all the time isn't good.

    i wash and condition in section of large braids or twists. i also dont let it air dry loose otherwise i get tangles.

    i dont consider my hair a problem but then again i work WITH my hair's texture, not against it. i also have the typically villefied type hair (ie not the "good" kind of ethnic hair). when you work with your hair in terms of styling, products, techniques, etc it's actually pretty easy.

    Thank you for the tips.

    If I have time I usually will do it in sections. Makes life much easier. Just a lot of time I do not make it so I end up doing it the hard way. lol

    And I will try and not let it air dry. That might help me.


    LOL.. sorry OP for hijack.
  • MaryJane_8810002
    MaryJane_8810002 Posts: 2,082 Member

    then i realized that i didnt have to relax my hair to do that and could also avoid the inevitable chemical burns and my head smelling like a batch of rotten eggs for 2 days after a relaxer :smile:

    by the way this is apparently the #1 excuse/reason black women use to not exercise.

    This and This

    I hadn't relaxed my hair for almost 4 years before I just decided to get dreads. I hate those relaxers they burn and scar the scalp just so you can walk around with processed hair for a couple of weeks. Just.Not.Worth.It.
  • I have thick curly/wavy hair that will generally do as it pleases!
    I can get it straight but it usually takes at least 2 and a half hours to get it all straightened and then, despite using straightening balm and hairspray. I've given up now and only do this when I feel like a change.
    Now, if showering in a morning before work, I usually just put some curl-enhancing mousse on and clip my fringe back and then when it comes to the exercising part of my day I can put it in a scruffy ponytail. I sometimes do a french plait for something different, but I have to re-do it a couple of times a day as the layers in my hair means it comes out of the plait easily. If I shower before bed I blowdry it ready for ponytail in the morning.
    Whatever works for you is the best approach - for example, I work some early morning shifts, so I consider sleep and having breakfast to be more important than styling my hair on those days but if I'm on a late shift I have time to pamper myself a bit more :)
  • Achrya
    Achrya Posts: 16,913 Member
    Honestly, I didn't wear my hair natural all the time it would be bothersome.

    Even wearing my natural hair is a problem as it's too kinky and still when wet it just kinks up and hard to manage. I have thick, dry, kind of hair that when straighten reaches the middle of my back. When not just a half inch past my shoulders. Constant struggle! lol

    Either way its a problem. lol... Just the difference in wearing it natural is I can at least condition it more often then the other one. As you know that washing it all the time isn't good.

    I do like being able to condition basically whenever I feel like I need it, and I'm much better with my natural hair than I ever was with it relaxed. I'm a twist out master, tbh. Oh and don't get me started on nice long hot steamy showers without worrying about my roots.

    Never going back.


    Yes, I haven't had a relaxer in years! But, I can flat iron it myself if I want a straight, sleek, more manageable look. Like right now its straight but I'm able to get up and go. My hair is just really unmanageable. The kind where I can comb it out or detangle and not even an hour later it will be back to "kinky." Yeah it looks cute but nobody knows what I go through until they have to deal with then they become a believer to my dilemma! lol

    I get a lot of 'your hair is so cute, who do you ever braid it/get weave' and I'm always like "*sideeye* Because I don't want to spend 3-4 hours doing it every 2-3 days? Novel *kitten* concept, right?"

    A person's hair doesn't just go from

    FhKwZy2.jpg?1

    to the lovely curls in my profile picture, sadly. Which reminds me. It's wash day. SIGGGGH