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Trading Hair for Health

Wednesday Aug 20, 2008 – By Glennisha Morgan

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“I can’t mess up my hair”

“I might sweat my hair out”

“I just got my hair done”

Does this sound familiar to you?

These phrases are often the responses from Black women when it comes to exercising. Hair seems to play a huge part in the lack of exercise in the Black community. We can’t let something as simple and silly as hair stop us from being healthy!

So here are some hair styles that are great for exercising:

If you aren’t willing to change your hairstyle to accommodate the amount of sweat your going to produce while exercising then simply try keeping your hair well moisturized and conditioned so that the sodium that is produced while sweating will dry your hair out less. Also always, tie your hair up while exercising and drink lots of water. Exercising in a well air-conditioned place will also help the scalp and hair to sweat less.

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14 Comments – Add Yours

  1. Camille Camille says:

    This is too true. I was reluctant to learn to swim as a young girl because I didn’t want a lick of water on my permed (or pressed!) hair, but I have locs now and I am free from such hair burdens, so I just learned how to swim this year (I am 27). I am so thankful to have this potentially lifesaving skill late rather than never, and swimming is also a fantastic sport.

    I also lift weights (note, weightlifting and bodybuilding are not the same thing), and there are always too few women in the weight room. Ladies get on it, weight lifting has so many benefits for us even above and beyond getting that fly body.

    Thanks for this real talk Clutch Magazine.

  2. ceecee ceecee says:

    Such a great tip! I’ve got to say mine is more of a laziness thing than anything else, and I wonder if a lot us use that as a fallback excuse instead of owning up to laziness lol.

  3. Jennifer Jennifer says:

    My friend and I are always talking about this. We feel like we can’t go as hard as we’d like at the gym because I’m afraid to sweat out my perm and she’s afraid for her press. I pride myself on having my hair on point at all times, so this is tough for me. I wouldn’t consider weaves, braids, or twists, so what I’ve been doing is going to the gym with my hair wrapped and wearing a head scarf. It keeps it out of my face and even if the hair at my scalp gets a little moist from the sweat, it’s easier to tame than if it were out and flailing about.

    I also read somewhere that if you know you’re about to get a perm/wash, do the sweaty cardio stuff then. But if you just got your hair done, keep it less ’sweaty’ with excercises like weight lifting and pilates.

  4. Erica Erica says:

    Ceecee, i’m with you. i’m just lazy! i could careless about my hair getting wet! i just say it cause it sounds better than saying i’m lazy! lol

  5. Opium Opium says:

    I use to be so concerned about sweating out my relaxed hair that I just would not work out or even barely go outside in the summer. Now that I wear my hair naturally curly, I work out 6 days a week. Sometimes I want my hair straight (pressed) for no special reason but then I think and decide my workouts are more important so maybe {I’ll straighten it} another time for a special occasion. I just love working out now.

    Also, since working out {and changing my diet}, my hair grows like it’s on speed or something. I use to wonder why all those female track stars have such long hair and great skin…. diet and exercise ya’ll!

  6. CocoaBabies CocoaBabies says:

    This is the truth……..If I didnt have to worry about my hair I would probably be 15 lbs lighter.

  7. Yvette Yvette says:

    It is always beneficial to continuously promote a healthy lifestyle as it relates to the individual or society. I too am guilty of putting off excercising because “my do” cost me XYZ dollars. I have come to the realization that my stylists salon is not going to keep me healthy. It’s time to be proactive ladies. Let’s get it!

  8. Erika Erika says:

    A year ago I switched back to a relaxer after being natural for years….this has been a nightmare for my working out. I love to sweat and will not scarifice my love for physical activity for a hairstyle. So a lot of the times I am forced to wear my hair in a ponytail. This article just confirmed to me that perhaps a relaxed do may not be for me. Also, Camille, I lift weights and love it so I feel you!

  9. Cool Crys Cool Crys says:

    YAAAY!!! Good job Glennisha!!! Such great info! Keep it up!!!!

  10. Fresh Fresh says:

    This has always been a huge issue with me. But my problem is that I am a college student who is broke as h*ll and I can’t afford spending money to get my hair done. Sew-ins are far beyond my reach and dreads are just not my style. I’ve pretty much come to the conclusion that I will just have to walk around with sweaty :( hair. It sucks!

  11. Stuff like this makes me glad I went natural. Now if I could get off the couch, I’d be good. LOL.

  12. violeta violeta says:

    One of my bestfriends and I just talked about this! It’s so true, it seems so superficial. Not to mention, you could just put on a scarf and get to workin!

  13. Jasmina Jasmina says:

    Too true…I’ve just gotten back into the gym on a regular routine and love it, but the hair was definitely an “issue”. I’ve got a short cropped relaxed look now and it’s much easier for me to pin my hair with a few bobby pins or wrap it in a headwrap to work out.

    Also, I agree 100% with the positive weightlifting stories! With the help of a trainer, i finally learned how to properly use the weight machines and free weights and my body is showing the results! I’m getting buff, ya’ll!

  14. [...] at 1am EST. I’m interning for Clutch Magazine and you can check out my latest piece here. In addition to this personal blog I have another blog dedicated to female emcees. It’s [...]

  15. Yolanda Yolanda says:

    That is so true, and it’s also something I didn’t have to worry about when I went natural. Even though I’m no longer natural, I can still get my workout on in some braids.

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