9 Ways Black Women Can Protect Their Natural Hair While Working Out

The struggle is all too familiar: your fitness goals are in sight, but the thought of sweating out your perfect twist-out as you power through a good run just doesn't seem worth it. Wash day is a hassle, no doubt, but it shouldn't come at the expense of sacrificing the exercise groove you've gotten into.

"When we wet the hair, we remove a salt bond. Water and sweat reverts the hair like water. It doesn't do it in a drastic state like jumping in a pool, but it gradually has this effect," hairstylist Pekela Riley of Salon PK explained. "Perspiration after a deep workout can have the effect of being caught in the rain." Whether you're a natural who loves a good blowout, or a curly girl attempting to save your just-right coiled style, there are actual ways to keep your hair from turning to a frizzy, sweaty mess. Pekela and Glamsquad artistic director Giovanni Vaccaro share best practices and exactly which styles work well for a workout.

01

Bantu Knots

"These are so easy to do on yourself and great for working out. Use a leave-in conditioner and cream on each section of your knots before styling. These will hold up beautifully after a workout," Giovanni said.

02

Wigs

"Kanekalon, crochet braids, protective styles like sew-ins, and wigs are very popular now because they allow for hair to be braided down and not susceptible to swelling, which makes the hair more resilient to environmental factors [like sweat]," Pekela said.

03

Box Braids

"Box braids are a go-to style to protect hair during workouts. I recommend wrapping them up into a bun and securing them so that your braids are never in your face during an intense workout. Once you've finished and your hair has dried, then take it down," Giovanni said. He also said to make sure your hair is detangled well prior to installing braids. If not, the combo of sweat and the twists can lead to a matted mess when you take the braids out.

04

Faux Locs

When it comes to keeping the hair in optimal state, it's more about the physical positioning of the hair — putting more twists in it, or tying it up, for example. Pekela recommended applying curling creams, humidity-resistant sprays, and shine-protectant sprays, prior to sweating — even on styles like faux locs, particularly if they are made from human hair.

05

Head Wraps

Sounds basic, but it's not the best idea to leave hair loose during a workout. Protect your blowout or twist out with a head wrap. "If you're rocking accessories to the gym, don't tie your headband or scarf too tight. Yes, satin will protect your hair from breakage, but your scalp needs to breathe," Giovanni said.

06

Pineapple Updo

A pineapple is a good options for workouts because most of the ends of the hair are brought to the top of the head, keeping the hair along the face where the curls would normally get wet, away from the perspiration. "This style is protective in a sense because it moves the hair away from the moisture," Pekela noted. The key is not fussing over it while it's damp. This will only lead to frizz. "Never allow for your hair to dry from that perspiration not repositioned. If you're working out and sweat out your hair, you should reposition it by retwisting it with twisting creme; if not it could ruin the style," she added.

07

Cornrows

Cornrows and other similar protective styles are the most forgiving when working out. With braids, the hair is bound together, which controls the tendency for it to swell from sweat.

08

Crochet Braids & Twists

Even if you have braids or twists, Giovanni suggested keeping the hairline tamed. "Edge control is key to prevent frizz during a sweaty workout," he said.

09

Wash-and-Go

Pekela said that a wash-and-go can be an optimal workout style because of the nature of the style itself. It's a wet defined style that has been allowed to air dry. So adding a bit of moisture back in when you sweat isn't the worst thing in the world. "Water and moisture created the wash-and-go, so water and moisture won't destroy this look," she said.