Long hair problems

aettinger448
aettinger448 Posts: 44 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I have waist length thick hair. The usual top knot is so heavy, and I have to spend 20-30 minutes after my workout to detangle it. Any advice is welcome! Detangling spray or other products or ways to put my hair up that will prevent this, etc. Thanks!

Replies

  • aettinger448
    aettinger448 Posts: 44 Member
    I should also add: I do a circuit including treadmill, bench presses, sit ups, free weights, etc. Like 5x5 but with treadmill "breaks" between sets.
  • lisarenee127
    lisarenee127 Posts: 14 Member
    I use soya want it all by healthy sexy hair to detangle. Plus I wrap mine tight so I'm worried about breakage and it helps with that
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    edited June 2017
    braid it and then wrap it into a bun. and secure with a scrunchie or something along those lines. I used to have long hair too.I got tired of finding hairs in my underwear and everything else.so I cut it short now(shorter than what is in my pic). never thought I would but its a lot easier to work out with and easier to manage. not recommended you cut yours at all.Im getting too old to deal with keep up with long hair lol
  • junodog1
    junodog1 Posts: 4,792 Member
    I cut my waist length hair about 15 years ago. I was about 40. Loved the hair, hated the upkeep and the headaches. I totally get keeping your hair long, but you might be surprised at how much you like shorter hair and how different you can look. I keep mine a little longer than shoulder length now. I have to be able to put it up and pull it back into a ponytail quickly. Like yours it's thick.
  • jesspen91
    jesspen91 Posts: 1,383 Member
    A braid works for me
  • Amys712
    Amys712 Posts: 86 Member
    I just chopped off about 10 inches of my hair recently. Long hair is pretty, but not very conducive to a regular work out routine. I would usually just put mine in a ponytail while dancing, since it is a lot of movement in the hair would fall out anyway and then I would do a bun for wraps that could handle it, like the squat bar.
  • DebLaBounty
    DebLaBounty Posts: 1,169 Member
    French braid until you reach the nape of your neck, then use an elastic band to create a lower ponytail. It lies flat against your head, catches all the side strands of hair, and doesn't result in a bunch of tangles (in my experience).
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    My hair is waist length too. I braid it for workouts. In fact I keep it braided most of the time because it's so convenient.
  • DanyellMcGinnis
    DanyellMcGinnis Posts: 315 Member
    I like the It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Spray for detangling (I use it after showering, then air-dry my hair; not sure how well it works under other circumstances). If you are in the US and have a Target or Ulta nearby you can probably get a 2 ounce bottle of it to try out before committing to a larger one. I spend like 30 seconds detangling my hair with this stuff.

    I have waist-length hair and don't really have any trouble during workouts. I usually wear a headband and a scrunchie and that seems to work fine for me.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    edited June 2017
    Braid it.

    When you need to detangle it, take a wide toothed comb into the shower with you and comb the conditioner through it. Not only does this help distribute the conditioner better, the comb works with the conditioner to detangle before rinsing.

    One thing I started to do which really helps prevent tangles is that I stopped using shampoo. The harsh surfactants in it strip the natural oils from your hair and make it more prone to tangling. Conditioner-only washing has made it much easier to manage and it has helped bring out my natural waves. I have been doing this for about 4 years now and will never go back.

    ETA: For a few years I used a detangling spray I made myself with 95% cyclomethicone, 2% dimethecone, 2% argan oil and 1% essential/fragrance oils.
  • 1princesswarrior
    1princesswarrior Posts: 1,242 Member
    Braids and pony tails are my way of life. I have used fructise leave in conditioner, now I use various detanglers but like the Aussie kids detangler best. I've actually considered using some of the stuff I use on my horse with a long mane.
  • Asher_Ethan
    Asher_Ethan Posts: 2,430 Member
    I only French braid my hair or i don't put it up at all.
  • zdyb23456
    zdyb23456 Posts: 1,706 Member
    I pull into a low ponytail, then braid. I have to use the cheap rubber bands (like from the office supply store) to secure the bottom otherwise it will slip off.

    I do this for long runs. If I don't, my hair is so knotty it takes forever to detangle it.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • maranarasauce93
    maranarasauce93 Posts: 293 Member
    edited June 2017
    I generally do I high ponytail but my hair is bewb length. I think for you French braids are the way to go. Either that or if you want to get fancy, do waterfall braids and tie whatever is left of your hair into a bun. There's tons of tutorials on YouTube for all sorts of braids in YouTube; use em gurl!
  • clicketykeys
    clicketykeys Posts: 6,575 Member
    If I want something really secure, I do a high ponytail, then secure it into a topknot with an octopus clip. My hair probably isn't as thick as yours anymore, but I was able to use that when it made me look like Hermione Granger ;)

    hermionehair.jpg
  • jennwill3
    jennwill3 Posts: 7 Member
    I do a side braid.
  • MariannePhoto
    MariannePhoto Posts: 75 Member
    Boxer braids are awesome.
  • Sunshine_And_Sand
    Sunshine_And_Sand Posts: 1,320 Member
    I have thick hair that tangles easily and when it long, I find two French braids works best. The top knots and ponytails never stay in place when your doing a lot of moving fast with the cardio anyway.
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    I make a ponytail with a strong thick goody or scuncci elastic band, then bun it with a hair stick. Braiding the ponytail and then bunning works well too, either held with hair stuck or linzi clips. If I'm just running or lifting, a ponytail braid or French braid is ok, but I don't like it slapping me during other high intensity cardio. These styles work for me when my hair is anywhere from just past waist to Classic length(top of thigh).
  • SCoil123
    SCoil123 Posts: 2,110 Member
    I braid mine for my boxing class then put it in a bun. I also deep condition after with a hair mask.
  • cerise_noir
    cerise_noir Posts: 5,468 Member
    Double French or Dutch braid bunned.

    Do you use hair forks/sticks or ficcare or flexi-8?
  • SweetP27
    SweetP27 Posts: 218 Member
    edited June 2017
    earlnabby wrote: »
    Braid it.

    One thing I started to do which really helps prevent tangles is that I stopped using shampoo. The harsh surfactants in it strip the natural oils from your hair and make it more prone to tangling. Conditioner-only washing has made it much easier to manage and it has helped bring out my natural waves. I have been doing this for about 4 years now and will never go back.

    My daughter just started doing this. It seems so bizarre to me but maybe I should give it a try!
  • Fflpnari
    Fflpnari Posts: 975 Member
    clicketykeys wrote: »
    If I want something really secure, I do a high ponytail, then secure it into a topknot with an octopus clip. My hair probably isn't as thick as yours anymore, but I was able to use that when it made me look like Hermione Granger ;)

    hermionehair.jpg

    Haha my hair is like this but curly lol I do crossfit, I prefer to French braid it. When I put it in a bun it ends up falling several times during the workouts.
  • cerise_noir
    cerise_noir Posts: 5,468 Member
    SweetP27 wrote: »
    earlnabby wrote: »
    Braid it.

    One thing I started to do which really helps prevent tangles is that I stopped using shampoo. The harsh surfactants in it strip the natural oils from your hair and make it more prone to tangling. Conditioner-only washing has made it much easier to manage and it has helped bring out my natural waves. I have been doing this for about 4 years now and will never go back.

    My daughter just started doing this. It seems so bizarre to me but maybe I should give it a try!

    Co-washing is awesome. There is an adjustment period, but it's worth it! I love suave!
  • archishaganguly23
    archishaganguly23 Posts: 6 Member
    I French braid it every time I go to the gym..the braid doesn't flail around that much then.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    edited June 2017
    SweetP27 wrote: »
    earlnabby wrote: »
    Braid it.

    One thing I started to do which really helps prevent tangles is that I stopped using shampoo. The harsh surfactants in it strip the natural oils from your hair and make it more prone to tangling. Conditioner-only washing has made it much easier to manage and it has helped bring out my natural waves. I have been doing this for about 4 years now and will never go back.

    My daughter just started doing this. It seems so bizarre to me but maybe I should give it a try!

    Make sure you use a conditioner that is not stuffed with silicones. It also works best if you don't use product in your hair. Slather the conditioner on your hair, pile it on top of your head and let it sit while you do the rest of your shower, Comb through if you have longer hair that needs detangling, rinse.

    Ingredients you want which make a conditioner cleansing Most will have only one or two:

    Behentrimonium chloride
    Behentrimonium methosulfate (gentler)
    Benzalkonium chloride
    Cetrimonium chloride
    Cocotrimonium chloride
    Dicetyldimonium chloride
    Dicocodimonium chloride
    Stearalkonium chloride

    Types of silicone that build up and need harsh surfactants to get off (like you find in shampoo):
    Amodimethicone
    Dimethicone
    Cyclomethicone

    Just be aware that your hair will not necessarily "squeek" when rinsing. That squeek actually is a bad sign.
  • Spartan_Gingi
    Spartan_Gingi Posts: 194 Member
    I braid mine. It's about waist length. I also use Goody spin pins if I don't feel like braiding. About three if I'm running. They work fantastic!

Categories