Taking Care of Your Natural Hair While Working Out: 13 Must-Know Do's and Don'ts

You don't have to choose between your workout and your natural hair....

You put time and money into styling your hair, and the last thing you want to do is to ruin it with 30 minutes of sweaty exercise. If you have natural kinky or curly hair, chances are you understand the frustration. Matter of fact, according to a 2014 study 45% of African American women avoid exercise because of their hair. Don't get me wrong, there are many naturals who work out often and stay healthy! But sadly, many find it difficult to adjust their hair regimen and avoid sufficient exercise because of it.

Overall hair health is connected to the health of your body. Therefore, getting the right amount of exercise shouldn't be dependent on your hair type or texture. You can absolutely enjoy a sweaty workout several days a week without damaging your curls or major inconvenience.

DO - Put your hair up

In order to reduce contact and sweat, it’s important to place the hair in a bun, ponytail or pineapple to keep your curls away from you neck and face. You can also use a low manipulation protective style like twists or cornrows for the week until wash day

DON'T - Be afraid to get sweaty

Don’t hold yourself back from a great workout routine! By making sure you stick to a good exercise and wash routine you can ensure your hair stays clean and moisturized.

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DO - Look for cooler environments if sweat and frizz become a problem

Working out early in the morning may work best if you live in a warm climate or you can make sure your workout space is well air-conditioned. Wearing lightweight, breathable workout clothing that doesn’t trap heat will help control your body temperature and reduce sweat.

DON'T - Tie your scarf/headband too tight

A tight headband ( even if it is satin) can increase and trap sweat if tied too tightly. It’s important to let your scalp breathe.

DO -Use a satin or satin-lined scarf/headband

Satin reduces friction and therefore reduces hair damage/ breakage. Just remember not to tie it tightly.

DON'T - Touch or takedown your hair until it is dry

Taking your hair down while wet will increase frizz. Let your hair and scalp air dry or use a blow dryer on the cool setting to decrease dry time.

DO - Refresh and clean your hair and scalp

Washing your hair after each workout can increase dryness. If your hair feels dirty between your scheduled wash days, try adding a co-wash to ensure your scalp stays clean and your curls get moisture. Many naturals who work out often choose to shampoo once a week and add a co-wash mid-week. Once you establish your workout routine, experiment with how often you should shampoo and co-wash to maintain balance and keep your hair happy.

DON'T - Shampoo after every workout

Sweat can dry out your hair, and shampooing it can even strip your hair of natural oils. When you do shampoo, choose gentle sulfate-free shampoos.

DO - Make a schedule and stick to it

Planning ahead will help you schedule your hair and workout days without you having to choose between caring for you hair or your health.

DON'T - Forget to drink water and eat well

Your hair is affected by the amount of water you drink and the nutrients available within your diet. Healthy hair starts from the inside out.

DO - Deep condition regularly

Deep conditioning is essential to restoring and retaining moisture. Moisturized curls are better protected from damage and sweat.

DON'T - Get discouraged

Allow yourself time to adjust to a workout and hair routine that fits your goals. Don’t let the trial-and-error process overwhelm you. You’ll feel amazing once you get into a routine that makes you feel and look you best.

DO - Prioritize your health

Even though it may be tempting to skip the workout in order to prolong a hairstyle, remember at the end of the day your health is far more important than any hairstyle. Instead, focus on finding styles to help complement an active lifestyle.