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Looking stylish may not be your top priority while keeping fit, but that doesn’t mean your hair doesn’t matter. Keeping your hair tamed, tangle-free and healthy can help you to feel confident and capable, whether you’re doing a routine workout, running a race, or competing in your favourite sport.
Your hair routine is just a small part of your workout prep, but getting it wrong can leave you feeling uncomfortable and ultimately impact your performance.
When we feel our best, we’re ready to smash our goals. Here are 20 gym-ready hairstyles that are both practical and pretty, so you never have to sacrifice performance.
GYM HAIRSTYLES FOR LONG HAIR
Long hair looks beautiful and glamorous, but when working out, it’s best kept out of your face so you can focus more on smashing your fitness goals and less on brushing it out of your eyes.
1. Long ponytail braid
A long ponytail braid is the perfect way to tame long hair before a hard workout. This clean look secures everything, making it ideal for a run. Simply brush your hair and secure it into a high ponytail with a snag-free hair bobble, then braid the ponytail and secure it again with another hair tie at the bottom. Now you’re ready to get a PB.
2. Long high ponytail
This classic hairstyle works well for all textures, making it the perfect workout look for curly, straight, and wavy hair. After detangling, sweep your long hair back into a high position at the crown of your head, and secure with a snag-free hair bobble. We recommend silk scrunchies so your hair stays soft and damage-free, workout after workout.
3. Long braid
For a secure and chic look, braid all of your hair into a single plait down your back and secure it with a gentle hair tie. This look keeps your hair out of your eyes and away from workout equipment. If that’s not secure enough, twist your braid around itself and secure it with another hair bobble for a quick braided bun. This stylish look is ideal for any kind of high or low-impact exercise.
4. Long boxer braids
Can’t see much point in washing your hair right before a workout? Try boxer braids. Also known as double Dutch braids, this stylish look is perfect for hair that’s getting close to wash day, as the excess oils on your scalp give the braids some grip. To create this look, part your hair in the middle and split it into two even sections. Braid each section into a triple-strand Dutch plait by passing each strand under the middle and adding a little more hair each time. Secure each with a snag-free hair tie and get moving.
5. Long bubble ponytail
For an alternative to the typical ponytail, tame your hair even further with this fun look. It has a similar effect to a braid and is ideal for securing long hair or extensions while doing cardio. To style it, start with a high ponytail. Add small, clear hair ties at one-inch intervals down the ponytail, gently tugging the hair between each tie to create a puffed ‘bubble’ effect.
GYM HAIRSTYLES FOR MEDIUM HAIR
Medium-length hair may be lighter than long hair, but it can still get in the way while you’re breaking a sweat. Make your next workout a little easier with these simple styles.
6. Messy gym bun
It doesn’t get much more simple and effective than a messy gym bun. This is a quick and easy way to get hair out of your eyes, regardless of your hair type or texture. Start by sweeping your hair into a low, mid, or high ponytail, depending on your preference. Secure this with a snag-free hair bobble. Now twist the ponytail around itself, concealing the first hair tie, then secure this with a second hair tie to finish the look. Now you’re ready to hit the weights.
7. Braided bun
Give your standard gym bun a playful and creative boost with a look that’s as practical as it is pretty. Start by securing any shorter, face-framing strands at the front of your head by braiding them towards the back in a simple three-strand braid. Next, gather the rest of your hair into a ponytail, along with the braids, and secure it with a snag-free hair tie. Twist the ponytail around itself and secure it again to create a bun.
8. French braid
French style is all about looking chic with little effort – which is exactly what you need for the ideal workout look. Strike a balance between practicality and style with a simple French braid. Simply divide your hair into three even sections, and starting with a small strand of each, start braiding one over the other, gathering more hair from each section each time. Once you reach the end, bring the look together with a silk hair tie. Tamed and timeless.
9. Mid ponytail
Ponytails look great on any length of hair, and mid-length is no exception. This simple and neat style can be achieved easily on the way to the gym or in the changing rooms, with no special styling tools required. After a long day at work, brush your hair up into a mid-height ponytail and secure it with your favourite snag-free hair bobble. Now let’s work out.
10. Braids into a ponytail
This look is fearless and strong. Whether you’re headed to a kickboxing class or hitting the weights, braids into a ponytail show you mean business. Braid backwards from your hairline, then secure into a ponytail along with the rest of your hair using a hairband. This exercise-friendly hair look is perfect if you have a fringe you need to sweep out of the way.
GYM HAIRSTYLES FOR SHORT HAIR
Short hair can be more convenient if you work out often, but it also offers fewer options for tying back. Try these styles to keep your short hair looking fresh while you run, lift, or cycle.
11. Half-up ponytail
Having shorter hair means you don’t have to go overboard with the hair bobbles. For a simple half-up look, secure the front and top of your hair into a mini ponytail, preventing it from getting in your eyes. This look works great with a bob or lob, as it tucks any face-framing pieces neatly away so you can focus on your workout.
12. Half-up bun
If you can master the half-up ponytail on your short hair, you can master the half-up bun. It’s exactly the same process, with one added step. Once you’ve achieved your mini pony, simply wrap it around itself and secure it again with another snag-free silk hair tie to create a little bun. Ideal for keeping your hair in check while you run, jump or pedal.
13. Low ponytail
High and mid ponytails often leave short hair falling around your face at the gym, making a low ponytail the ideal solution. Brush your hair back to the nape of your neck and secure it with a silk scrunchie for a gentle but secure hold. If any tendrils of hair do escape at the front, add some carefully placed bobby pins for a sleek finish.
14. Gym headband
Short hair and accessories are the dream combo when it comes to exercise-friendly styling. Opt for a simple, soft cotton headband to sweep your shorter strands off your face and out of your eyes. It has the dual purpose of styling and sweat absorption, making it the ultimate practical choice for bobs, lobs, crops and pixie cuts.
15. Low pigtails
Add a touch of cuteness to your next run or workout with low pigtails. They’re as easy to achieve as they are to wear and guarantee to keep your short hair completely secure, whatever your workout schedule. To create them, brush your hair then part down the middle and split into two equal sections. Secure these at the nape of your neck with one hair tie each. This look is even achievable for hair that is too short to create a single ponytail.
GYM HAIRSTYLES FOR TEXTURED HAIR
There are plenty of versatile and stylish looks that also keep textured hair protected and secured while you exercise. Check out these options:
16. Braided bun
Buns are a workout-appropriate style for every textured hair type, whether your hair is natural, braided, or chemically straightened. First, create a ponytail, then twist that around itself and secure it again to create a bun. This style is fast and convenient, ideal for transitioning from a busy day at work to an energetic gym session, class or run.
17. Braided ponytail
Secure your braids out of your face in a quick braided ponytail before you start working out. We recommend using a silk scrunchie for this, as it’s gentler than a standard elastic hair tie and creates less friction, helping to keep your braids looking fresh and un-frayed for longer.
18. Ponytail with headband
If you’re looking for a gentle and low-manipulation style that’s also workout-proof, the ponytail and headband combo could be for you. Simple and stylish, it keeps those frizzy bits under wraps. Start with a ponytail tied with a snag-free silk scrunchie and wrap a silk scarf or cotton headband round the front section of your hair.
19. Half up half down
For a gym look with attitude, the half up half down look delivers. This easy half up do is a practical and stylish way to show off the naturally coily texture of your hair. To achieve it, simply secure the front and sides of your hair with a snag-free hair bobble or silk scrunchie at the top of your head. If the back of your neck gets a little warm, simply sweep the whole lot into a beautiful curly updo.
20. Space buns
Space buns are a cute way to secure natural textured hair. Whether you’re in between braiding appointments or loving the natural life, space buns keep your hair secure while you exercise. Part your hair straight down the middle, and depending on your length, either tie each side into a high pigtail and leave them as they are, or wrap each pigtail around itself and secure them again.
HAIRSTYLES TO AVOID AT THE GYM
Loose and flowing styles
The biggest workout hairstyle faux pas is leaving your hair loose and flowing. Not only is this impractical – getting in your eyes easily, creating tangles and potentially getting your hair much dirtier and sweatier – it’s also unsafe. Long, unsecured hair can snag on clothing and get stuck in workout machinery like weight machines and benches, possibly leading to injury and definitely damaging your hair.
Tight or high-manipulation styles
It can be tempting to tie your hair back as tightly as possible before exercising to ensure no strands come loose and disrupt your session. However, tight or high-manipulation styles can be uncomfortable or even painful, leaving you unable to perform at your best. They also put unnecessary stress on your hair which can lead to breakage, and create excess heat and humidity on the scalp that can cause irritation.
Hair accessories
When working out, avoid heavy and rigid accessories like plastic hairbands and large bows or clips that could get in your way or break and cause injury. Instead, choose light, flexible and breathable accessories like cotton headbands and silk scrunchies.
Poorly secured updos
When crafting the perfect gym style, keep things simple. Keep the complex braids, perfect curls, and high-volume up-dos for nights out and special occasions. These styles can come undone easily, snag on your surroundings and cause pain while you exercise. Instead, secure a simple style with a soft and flexible hair bobble with strong elastic hold.
CLOUD NINE’S GYM KIT HAIR ESSENTIALS
Now you’ve got your exercise-friendly hairstyle shortlist, you need the tools to perfect your workout look. Upgrade your gym back with these innovative tools from CLOUD NINE:
The Cordless Iron
Fitting a workout into your routine can be a tight squeeze. There’s often no time to head home to restyle your hair after breaking a sweat. That’s where the CLOUD NINE Cordless Iron comes in. This super practical styling tool is ideal for post-workout touch-ups in the changing room or work bathroom. With no plug-in needed, and easily stowed in your gym bag, you can top up your style in a hurry and smooth out any kinks from having your hair up while working out.
The Hot Brush
The Hot Brush is your new best friend for second-day styling after a low-intensity session like yoga or Pilates. If you’re squeezed for time or haven’t quite sweated enough to wash your hair, keep your look fresh by running the Hot Brush through it to smooth and re-volumise.
The Luxury Dressing Brush
Whether you need to perfect your ponytail before heading into a spin class or detangle before mastering the perfect boxer braids, the CLOUD NINE Luxury Dressing Brush is a gym bag must-have for every style and hair type.
The Wet Hairbrush
Hopping in the shower at the gym? Take TLC on the go with the CLOUD NINE Wet Hairbrush. This essential tool makes detangling while you wash a breeze. Simply slather on the conditioner, brush through gently, and rinse.
Magical Quick Dry Potion
Speed up your changing room blow-dry so you can get back to your day, with CLOUD NINE’s Magical Quick Dry Potion. This innovative formula not only offers heat protection and nourishment, it also helps to dry your hair in half the usual time.
Silk Scrunchies
To secure your hair gently while you work out, without risking snagging or breakage, silk scrunchies are essential. We recommend keeping a couple of these in your gym bag or around your wrist, so you’re always ready to switch your hair to workout mode.
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