February 14th, 2023
Matching two of our major obsessions in this post: hair and the gym. With our own major hair color and length changes, we've had to navigate leaving the gym with polished hair in creative ways that shorten styling time plus avoid damage. Read on for options that daily gym goers can take advantage of, whether you wash your hair daily or don't.
CLEANSING FOR THICKER HAIR
(1) Don't shampoo every day.
If you’re doing exercises that cause you to sweat excessively, like daily cardio, and you usually only shampoo your hair 1 - 3 times per week, try rinsing your scalp with water after working out versus opting for fully shampooing and conditioning. Dirt and sweat are water-soluble, therefore, they rinse out of your hair without the use of soap. This can be done quickly at the sink, shortening the prep time for your post-workout look. If you have curly hair, try a co-wash (with co-wash or conditioner, but not shampoo) after working out. Co-washes help clean your hair without stripping away essential oils, which on curly hair helps maintain smoother versus frizzier texture. If you normally air dry your hair, this is the fastest way to clean hair after the gym. If you don't normally air dry, this in combination with a light blowdry is still better for your hair than shampooing daily after working out. Co-washes work on straight hair as well, but may weigh the hair down a bit depending how fine versus course your strands are.
(2) Try the "no rinse" option - dry shampoo.
Before working out, apply dry shampoo to your roots, prior to any sweat setting into the hair. This approach is best for long or fragile hair where heat styling should be conducted sparingly to avoid damage. For example, textured hair that requires the use of an iron heated at 340 to 450 degrees for straightening or dark hair that has been dyed platinum blonde. To prevent breakage, hair styled or dyed in either of these manners is usually washed once a week, touched up with an iron the day after washing, and smoothed with a blowdryer every day after that until the next wash.
CLEANSING FOR THINNER HAIR
(1) Consider washing your hair daily.
If your hair becomes oily easily, consider washing daily. Some people can't leave the gym without washing because of this.
(2) Try a "mini-wash".
Section off hair in a circular shape at the top of your head. Only shampoo, condition and blowdry that section of hair. Wear hair down or pulled back in a ponytail.
(3) The "no rinse" option - dry shampoo + styling with cool air.
Before working out, apply dry shampoo to your roots, prior to any sweat setting into the hair. Post-workout, use a blowdryer set to "cool air" to smooth out your style. Try curling your hair, wearing it up, or braids to finish the look.
HOW DO I LET HAIR AIR DRY POST-WORKOUT?
WHAT HAIRSTYLING TOOLS SHOULD I KEEP IN MY GYM BAG?
CLEANSING FOR THICKER HAIR
(1) Don't shampoo every day.
If you’re doing exercises that cause you to sweat excessively, like daily cardio, and you usually only shampoo your hair 1 - 3 times per week, try rinsing your scalp with water after working out versus opting for fully shampooing and conditioning. Dirt and sweat are water-soluble, therefore, they rinse out of your hair without the use of soap. This can be done quickly at the sink, shortening the prep time for your post-workout look. If you have curly hair, try a co-wash (with co-wash or conditioner, but not shampoo) after working out. Co-washes help clean your hair without stripping away essential oils, which on curly hair helps maintain smoother versus frizzier texture. If you normally air dry your hair, this is the fastest way to clean hair after the gym. If you don't normally air dry, this in combination with a light blowdry is still better for your hair than shampooing daily after working out. Co-washes work on straight hair as well, but may weigh the hair down a bit depending how fine versus course your strands are.
(2) Try the "no rinse" option - dry shampoo.
Before working out, apply dry shampoo to your roots, prior to any sweat setting into the hair. This approach is best for long or fragile hair where heat styling should be conducted sparingly to avoid damage. For example, textured hair that requires the use of an iron heated at 340 to 450 degrees for straightening or dark hair that has been dyed platinum blonde. To prevent breakage, hair styled or dyed in either of these manners is usually washed once a week, touched up with an iron the day after washing, and smoothed with a blowdryer every day after that until the next wash.
CLEANSING FOR THINNER HAIR
(1) Consider washing your hair daily.
If your hair becomes oily easily, consider washing daily. Some people can't leave the gym without washing because of this.
(2) Try a "mini-wash".
Section off hair in a circular shape at the top of your head. Only shampoo, condition and blowdry that section of hair. Wear hair down or pulled back in a ponytail.
(3) The "no rinse" option - dry shampoo + styling with cool air.
Before working out, apply dry shampoo to your roots, prior to any sweat setting into the hair. Post-workout, use a blowdryer set to "cool air" to smooth out your style. Try curling your hair, wearing it up, or braids to finish the look.
HOW DO I LET HAIR AIR DRY POST-WORKOUT?
- Brush your hair before showering while it's dry, versus post-showering when it's wet.
- Don't let your hair dry stuck to your head (i.e. smoothed down on your scalp).
- Wear your hair in twists pre-workout, and twist out into waves/curls post-workout.
- Use a ton of the complimentary gym gel to create a sleek "off the face" wet look.
WHAT HAIRSTYLING TOOLS SHOULD I KEEP IN MY GYM BAG?
- Sock diffuser: a collapsible cover placed on the end of your blowdryer that adds volume while minimizing frizz and flyaways.
- Tools for keeping hair swept back that don't cause "creases": hats, twisted bobby pins, elastics (for braids), and scrunchies.
- Hair Masks: can be worn in the sauna post-workout (after COVID clears).
- Dry shampoo or dry shampoo towelettes.
Related blog posts:
Simplifying Hair Products I
Simplifying Hair Products II
Cleaning Your Hair Tools
