GYM HAIR FUNDAMENTALS

HAIR-OBICS



Girls, as you already know, living in a large metropolis can be very stressful. Your days are spent doing all the things that need to be done to preserve one’s sanity. On top of that, you try to squeeze in a trip to the gym to maintain your health and promote your well-being. And then there is the hair issue. Could life get any harder?

Here are some tips that will allow you to make wise use of your time while protecting your hair at the gym.

1. Invest in some plastic, travel size containers from your local Beauty Supply. Use these containers to store all of your professional hair products – shampoo, conditioner and hair mask. Shampoos at the gym can be harsh, especially for my color treated ladies.

2. If you workout every day and have to wash and blow-dry your hair every day, try rinsing instead of shampooing each time. If your hair is color treated, this is frankly too much shampooing for you. You can condition after rinsing being sure to avoid the roots and applying to the ends only.

3. Try not to be aggressive with your hair when quickly twisting it into a ponytail. Use gentle fabrics or hair bands to help keep your hair under control. American Apparel has a variety of hair bands and they are all made in America!

4. If you have long hair with bangs and the hair in your eyes is driving you crazy, there’s a solution. Simply braid your hair and tuck it away safely, then wet your bangs combing them back and use a bobby pin

or a headband to keep those babies down.

5. If you know beforehand that you’re going to workout, why not shampoo your hair at home, towel dry and then apply a hair mask? Braid or put your hair in a bun and head to the gym. After working out, you can sit in the steam room while giving your hair a deep treatment.

The steam will help the mask work better than just doing it for two minutes in the shower. If you are going to do some serious cardio, I would suggest applying the mask after your workout. Otherwise, you may end up looking like someone slapped you across the face with a tamale.

6. DO NOT go into the steam room for three days after getting your hair colored.

7. DO NOT leave hair masks in your hair after the gym under the false assumption that the longer you leave it in, the better. If it does not say “LEAVE IN”, do not do so for too long. This can cause build up on the scalp. And where does hair grow from? I rest my case.

8. DO NOT gossip at the gym (just kidding).

9. DO NOT use cheap plastic brushes as your “gym brush”. They will ruin your hair!

I hope these bits of advice are helpful. If you have any tips of your own, please feel free to share them.

I wish you a great workout and healthy hair!

Antonio