Sweat, style and struggles

The gym baddie’s guide to hair that works as hard as you do.

Being a gym baddie is no small feat. It takes serious commitment, like turning down that spontaneous brunch invite because you’ve got leg day (again), or dragging yourself to the gym when all you want to do is binge-watch your latest Netflix obsession.

Sacrifices become part of the lifestyle – suddenly, you have more athletic tights than jeans, and the allure of cute gym fits becomes irresistible.

Every “new in” e-mail from your favourite fitness brand? You’re checking out before you even finish your pre-workout. And don’t get me started on the laundry – the piles of sweat-soaked clothes that seem to multiply faster than you can fold them.

But hands down, the biggest challenge is figuring out how to style your hair.

Whether you’re grinding through a cardio session or pushing yourself to lift heavier, keeping your hair intact through it all can feel like a losing battle.

I’ve been there – I’ve tried every style under the sun: protective styles, braids, perms, rocking it bald, ponytails, locs, wigs – you name it, I’ve tried it.

After years of constant change, I’ve come to realise that your hair game is constantly evolving, but the gym grind? That’s here to stay.

Black Girls: the hair battle with sweat

If you’re a sista, a black woman who’s dedicated to fitness, then you already know the tightrope we walk between maintaining our hairstyles and staying active.

The gym is a great place to work on your body, but it can wreck your hair if you’re not careful.

The sweat, frequent washing, and overall wear and tear can be brutal on natural hair or chemically treated hair alike.

Protective styles are often the MVP of the hair game, letting you slay while you sweat it out.

Box braids, twists, faux locs, and crochet styles are the ultimate gym-hair solutions because they let you focus on your reps, not your roots.

They’re low-maintenance and can last through weeks of workouts without constant restyling.

Plus, they offer that added bonus of protecting your natural hair from breakage caused by too much manipulation or heat.

If you’ve ever had to deal with post-gym frizz, you know exactly why this matters.

For those who love rocking their natural curls, it’s all about high puffs, buns, or pineapples (you know, that cute high ponytail that keeps curls out of the way).

These styles get your hair off your neck, allowing you to push through those sweaty workouts without feeling like your hair is suffocating you.

Let’s be real – humidity and natural hair don’t always play nice. Adding a sweatband or scarf to keep your edges intact can be a life-saver.

Trust me, I've spent more than enough post-gym time trying to revive my edges after they surrendered to a tough workout.

And for the sisters who still relax or perm their hair? I feel you. When your fresh perm is on point, the last thing you want is sweat messing up your sleekness.

A low, tight ponytail with a silk head wrap or bandana can help you keep the smoothness. But let’s be honest, sometimes you just have to accept that wash day comes a little sooner than you planned.

For Black women considering a long-term commitment, locs can be a fantastic option.

More and more women are choosing to *loc up, not just for the cultural significance, but because it’s a versatile and practical style that handles sweat and frequent gym sessions like a champ.

Whether you’re going for traditional locs or sisterlocks, they offer low maintenance and durability, perfect for a gym-heavy lifestyle.

The best part? Locs can still be styled in a variety of ways, from updos to intricate braids, so you don’t have to sacrifice versatility for convenience.

White girls: the never-ending frizz and dryness dilemma

Now, for my acegirl, white girls, you might not be stressing about protective styles, but gym hair problems still plague you in other ways.

Sweat and frizz? The struggle is real. Your perfectly styled blowout can go from voluminous to flat in 20 minutes flat.

Let’s not even talk about the flyaways that suddenly turn your sleek ponytail into a halo of frizz.

Messy buns are basically the holy grail when you’re trying to balance keeping your hair cute and functional.

There’s no shame in admitting that it’s not just “messy” because it looks effortless – it’s messy because you gave up halfway through your dead lifts.

Braids – whether you’re going for a classic French braid, boxer braids, or a cute fishtail – are another go-to style that will keep your hair out of your face while adding a little flair to your workout gear.

It also doubles as a strategy for avoiding the post-workout, “I just ran through a rainstorm” look.

For those of you who love a sleek look, slicked-back ponytails and buns are a dream.

You can add a little dry shampoo to the roots to soak up excess sweat and keep your hair looking fresh even after a gruelling session.

Dry shampoo becomes a must-have staple, especially if you’re trying to stretch out your hair wash schedule or avoid heat damage from constant blow-drying.

And let’s not forget the short hair crew! Bob cuts, pixies, and shoulder-length styles are super gym-friendly. Black or white, a quick pin or a stylish headband can keep your hair in place without any fuss.

Plus, the lower maintenance means you can literally go from the gym to brunch with minimal touch-ups. Watch out for post gym flat ironing on partially sweaty hair though!

Short hair doesn’t have to mean boring; you can play with textures, add a cute clip, or even rock a sporty hat on those bad hair days.

The key is finding what works with both your workout intensity and your personal style.

The universal struggle: picking your style based on your routine

No matter what your hair type is, finding a style that works with your workout routine often feels like trial and error.

You have to figure out not only what works for your hair but also what aligns with how often you train. If you’re hitting the gym multiple times a week, low-maintenance is key.

Styles that require daily heat styling or constant adjustments will quickly become your worst enemy. And if you’re trying to balance gym life with a busy work schedule or a social life, you’ll want something versatile that can go from the gym to a meeting – or a night out – with minimal effort.

Protective styles, braids, twists, buns, or even going short are all great options.

The point is to give yourself a break – your hairstyle should help make your life easier, not more complicated.

If you’ve ever caught yourself skipping a workout to preserve your hairstyle, it might be time to re-evaluate your hair routine. Been there, done that, and trust me, it’s not worth it.

Ultimately, I’ve accepted that my hair will change just as much as my workouts evolve. Some weeks, I’m feeling bold and go for a bald fade.

Other times, and some months later, I'm growing it out, embracing my natural curls or getting braids that let me focus on my grind.

The key is to remember that your fitness lifestyle doesn’t need to be at war with your hairstyle.

Whatever you choose, know that there’s no right or wrong way to rock your hair while breaking a sweat.

Just do you, keep showing up, and let your hair follow your lead.

Happy Wednesday gym baddies! As usual, remain unapologetic about your fitness and wellness journey, stay true to yourself and remain honest with your efforts.