Hair At The Gym

Introduction

Hairstyle created by Casey Foster, Makeup by Tiffany Jackson - Seventeen Studio.spa.salon

2002 Jeffrey Hines, HairBoutique.com All Rights Reserved

Sometimes it’s easier to focus on pedaling smoothly on your Spinning bike than to worry about the damage that sweat, grim and extreme workouts can cause to your strands.

Regular workouts at the gym can pose all sorts of hair struggles that range from dealing with aerobic induced slicked back hair to preventing the adoption of green hues from a dip in the club’s pool.

Although hair at the gym is less of a problem for people with short to very short tresses, everyone has varying degrees of tress issues to address.

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Sure, of your hair is medium to long you probably have a trusty claw clip or other hair devices that keeps loose strands out of your eyes and off your face.

But do you have a workout plan that includes protecting your hair? 

Follow one or more of the following tips so that you hair will look good and feel great, even after the most intense workouts:

1. If your hair flops into your eyes or your face, or is long enough to get caught in equipment, tie it back, pin it up or clip it. 

2.  Don’t worry about ditching your fashionable image.  Check out the latest rage of hair friendly elastics like Blax and hair bungees to achieve a smooth and sleek natural ponytail or braid.  If you prefer traditional clips, check out Smoothie’s clips that come in a dazzling array of sizes, shapes, colors and styles to create an edgy yet practical twist or bun.
    

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3. Comfort counts.  Prevent potential hair breakage, traction alopecia or headband headaches by avoiding pulling your hair back too tightly at the roots.  Make sure your hair is loose enough to allow you freedom of movement while staying out of the way.

4. Block excess sweat.  Although perspiration is a good thing while working out, the natural salt from perspiration can dry out delicate roots near the scalp.  If sweat is a problem, consider wearing a wide cotton or AngelTex headband that will absorb the sweat from your forehead before it makes contact with your scalp or bangs.

5. Avoid wearing a baseball hat or similar type of headgear. Caps may actually block the sweat glands, which can leave hair drying sweat spots along your hairline.   Even worse, many caps will provide you with an instant smashed "hat head" look that might be challenging to erase after your workout is over.

6. If swimming is part of your regime, apply a leave-in conditioner to your hair before you dive in.  Wear a cap when possible. Wetting your hair with water completely before you take a dip, and right after you emerge, will help prevent excessive chlorine damage whether you go sans cap or not.

7. Although steamy showers seem tempting after a grueling workout, avoid hot water shampoos that can dehydrate your stands.  If you must indulge in a skin sizzling rinse, make sure your hair is well protected.  Lukewarm water is always best for shampooing your hair under any circumstances. 

8. Indulging in steam baths, saunas or Jacuzzis can dry out your strands.  Always apply a dab of leave-in conditioner ike Phyto 7 or Phyto 9 (or light jojoba oil) to your stands to help offset the heat.  Wrap a towel around your strands to further block hair damaging heat.

9. If you enjoy a massage or other body treatments after your workout, condition or lightly oil your hair before the treatment.  While you’re at it make sure your masseuse gives you a scalp massage to stimulate sluggish hair follicles.  Why not give your hair a wonderful treatment while you relax and recover?

10. When you know you’ll definitely be hitting the showers for a post-workout shampoo, consider applying a conditioning formula or light oil to your strands before your workout. Pin your hair back and let your hair moisturize while you exercise. 
    
    Remember to shield any equipment with a towel to avoid leaving a personalized oil slick behind.  Applying a jojoba or shea based product works wonders on conditioning parched strands and is light enough to avoid creating a greasy look. 
     

11. Many hair experts now believe that excessive shampooing will weaken hair over time. When possible, skip any unnecessary sudsing. If you indulge in a post-workout shampoo, remember to use a moisture replenishing shampoo and rinse out conditioner.  A leave-in conditioner like Phyto 7 or Phyto 9 is a wonderful way to condition while protecting your hair from your next workout.

12. If your hair doesn’t generally frizz or attract sweat, oil and dirt, you might try washing and conditioning your hair before you arrive at the gym.  Towel blot your hair with an absorbent towel like Earth Therapeutics, put it into a braid or twist and pin it up.  After your workout, take a quick shower and avoid getting your hair wet.  Undo the braid once your hair is dry and let the waves and curls cascade around your face.

13. If you must blow dry, remember to always use a heat protection spray like Phytostyle Heat Protective Spray to minimize heat damage.  Utilize a cool setting or a cold shot button, when possible, to seal in moisture and add instant shine.

Keep in mind great workout sessions don't have to be followed by major hair styling ordeals.  Depending on the length, texture and style of your hair, you may be able to recover with some quick hair fix-ups that range from dry shampoo to a quick misting with water.

Dust away greasy spots with a dry shampoo or a pinch of cornstarch. Brush well and then use a dab of paste to control wild strands.

Phytodefrisant

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When you feel you need to remove sweat from your strands, spritz or mist your hair lightly with water and then quickly blow dry with a paddle or round brush.  Banish frizz from natural curls and waves with a dab of  Phytodefrisant.  Blow-dry with a Conair or similar travel dryer that includes a diffuser to maintain shape and bounce.

Add instant volume to wilted strands by lightly misting with water, applying a volume enhancing product like Phytovolume Actif and drying with your head upside down.  Remember to direct the dryer’s airflow to the roots of your hair for instant fullness. 

Summary

Design a personalized hair care plan that compliments your workout schedule and you will be rewarded with well-behaved hair that leaves the gym soft, shiny and healthy. 

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For additional hair care articles, tips and product information check out the following links:

• Hair Boutique Tips & Articles section.  Check out the over 10,000+ different hair care and styling tips at HairBoutique.com

Credits:

Hair:  Casey Foster - Seventeen Spa & Salon - Plano, TX.
Makeup: - Tiffany Jackson - Seventeen Spa & Salon - Plano, TX.
Photography: - Jeffrey L. Hines - HairBoutique.com
Shoot Stylist:  Karen M. Shelton - HairBoutique.com
Model:  Raquel Ayala