Maintaining a healthy body and a healthy head of hair can be difficult. Here are a few tips that have helped me!1. If you do have time to care for your hair after a work out, wash and condition to rid the hair of sweat and dirt. Apply a leave-in conditioner and heat protectant. Blow-dry the hair on med/low. Using a natural pomade, slick the hair back into a bun and cover with a clip-on ponytail like the UPA clip.
This will allow you to create a polished and work appropriate look, without the need to flat-iron or curl the hair. Once a week, deep condition at home to keep your hair strong and healthy.
2. If you are heading to work or school post-workout and have no time to wash, apply a quarter size amount of cornstarch to the roots before hitting the treadmill. The cornstarch will help absorb excess moisture during your workout and will help keep your style fresh.
3. If you are wearing your hair straight and are worried about your roots reverting, try making multiple small ponytails and then tying them back into a larger ponytail. The smaller, tighter ponytails provide more tension than regular ponytails and will help keep the roots straight during your workout.
4. Even if you are not worried about maintaining a straight style, try to keep your hair up and off of your shoulders in a ponytail, loose braids or buns. This will help protect your ends from rubbing up against your workout clothes.
5. Take advantage of your steam room! If you have time, add conditioner and cover with a plastic cap and relax as your hair deep conditions. Its a great way to keep your hair healthy during the winter months!
I hope this was helpful! For more tips and techniques, check me out at www.healthytextures.com.

Comments: (3)
Add a comment
By: Chante' on 1/02/2009 6:41PM
I work out often and I worry about my long, relaxed hair. I perspire a lot during my work outs which ruins my curls or flat ironed style. I wear a ponytail to the gym to prevent my hair from getting super wet on my neck, but the hair closest to my scalp gets drenched. By the time I make it to work my hair has dried to a much more fuller style than I wanted.
Blowdrying my hair before work is a disaster for the amount of hair I have and because of its fine texture. Wearing a bun to work is very professional, but sometimes I like to wear my hair out especially after the hours it took me to get it into shape.
I long for the type of hair that only requires a shampop and an air dry!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Victoria on 1/09/2009 3:59PM
chante' i feel your pain, i am dealing with the same thing and have been relegated to working out in the evening so i won't go to work looking like a hair bear, lol.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: cher on 2/19/2009 7:03PM
You can't beat braids, twists or cornrows for workout hair. You can workout harder because there is no fear of coming out with a bad 'do afterwards. Washing is a breeze, and it only takes the washing time, as you dry naturally...no styling. If you ever try it, you'll never go back to loose workout hair!
Reply to this Comment | Report This