How to Keep Your Hair Healthy at the Gym and Post-Workout: Here are 5 Ways  

Did you know that exercise can help you with your healthy hair journey?

However, many women still dread exercising because sweating too much can mess up your hair.

But what if there were ways to exercise and still keep your hair healthy (and looking good) during and after your workout.

In today’s article, I am going to share with you 5 ways to keep your hair healthy at the gym and post-workout.

Some Benefits of Exercise

We all know that exercising is great for our health. For example, engaging in physical activity several times a week has been linked to:

• Strengthened muscles and bones
• Reduced health risks
• Weight management
• Increased chances to live longer
• Better blood circulation
• And so much more

But did you know that exercise can also help with your hair?

Some research suggests that exercise can support hair growth because it increases blood circulation, nutrients, and oxygen to the scalp. As a result, your hair follicles are more likely to get the nutrients that are needed to growth.

To be clear, just exercising alone is not enough to grow your hair. Hair growth requires several other important activities. Besides, your hair typically only grows about ½ inch per month. But the point remains, regardless, exercise is important an important aspect of healthy hair. 

What about your hair?

Let’s face it.

There are many women who still won’t exercise because they don’t want to mess up their hair.

I’ve been there (many of times).

Here’s the reason: If you exercise too hard, then you will start to sweat. And if you sweat too much, then your hairstyle will not last too long. And I don’t know about you, but I am not trying to sweat my hair out after recently having it done.

But the good news is that there are some things that you can do to keep your hair healthy at the gym.

5 Simple Ways to Keep Your Hair Healthy at the Gym

#1) Wrap Your Hair

This may seem simple, but still far too many women don’t take this step to protect their hair when they go to the gym.

And it is this: when you go to the gym be sure to wrap your hair.

You will especially want to protect your hair with a silk or satin scarf or headband. The reason that you want to do this is to help stop your hair from sweating out.

#2) Protect Your Hair

Before you start working out be sure to tie your hair up in a ponytail or bun (if your hair is long enough).

I have had many people ask what should they do if they have short hair. If your hair is not long enough for a high or low ponytail, do a half up-half down style.

This will help prevent breakage from all of the movement that you’ll be doing during the workout.

Another good way to take care of your hair during a workout is to wear a protective style such as braids, locs, or ponytails.

#3) Let Your Hair Dry

If you are doing an intense-heavy sweating workout make sure to let hour hair dry or use the dryer on a cool setting to help your hair dry (even if it’s in a protective style) before unwrapping it.

#4) Moisturize Your Scalp

It’s important to use a light, natural oil on your hair and scalp after working out. When you workout you consistently release sweat from your head. The thing is that your sweat contains of a lot of salt. As a result, this means that the salt can dry your hair out. This is a problem for women wearing their natural hair because it is already dryer than other textures. 

The best way to combat this is the moisturize your scalp and hair. 

#5) Cleanse Your Hair Regularly

Heavy sweating from an intense workout releases natural salts into the scalp that can cause it to become dry.  If you’re committed to a workout regimen don’t neglect your scalp— and be sure to wash and condition your hair regularly. 

Finally, working out is important for your overall health and hair health. If you can workout two to three times per week or walk for 30 minutes for three times a week, this is a great start. 

But the next time that you go to the gym or workout at home, don't forget these tips so that you can keep your hair healthy while your getting your body healthier.