Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
Close Banner
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.

This Popular Workout Hairstyle Is A Recipe For Damage, Says A Top Stylist 

Jamie Schneider
Author:
October 13, 2024
Jamie Schneider
Former Senior Beauty & Lifestyle Editor
By Jamie Schneider
Former Senior Beauty & Lifestyle Editor
Jamie Schneider is the former Senior Beauty Editor at mindbodygreen. She has a B.A. in Organizational Studies and English from the University of Michigan, and her work has appeared in Coveteur, The Chill Times, and Wyld Skincare.
Woman Tying Her Hair in a Ponytailq
Image by Leandro Crespi / Stocksy
October 13, 2024
We carefully vet all products and services featured on mindbodygreen using our commerce guidelines. Our selections are never influenced by the commissions earned from our links.

When it comes to workout hairstyles, experts generally advise against too-tight 'dos. Snug braids, slick buns, and sky-high ponytails certainly look chic, but they can put stress on your strands and lead to breakage.

Even when you're not working out, you might want to limit the slicked-back styles in the name of hair growth. 

So, consider my utter shock when I came across this TikTok video from celebrity hairstylist Tom Smith, in which he declares looser styles can lead to brittleness and split ends. Is there simply no way around the damage? Not quite, much to my relief—discover Smith's tips below. 

Wait—can loose ponytails cause damage? 

If your ponytail reaches beyond shoulder length, it likely swishes back and forth as you move. This, Smith says, is where you can (literally) run into issues: "If you go for a run and you have your hair loose whipping back and forth, it's an absolute recipe for split ends and really dry friction burn on the ends of your hair." 

Too much friction, as we know, can trigger physical damage, lift up the cuticle, and cause frizz. It's why you might sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase as opposed to cotton or linen fabrics, so your strands glide easier across the surface, which helps them retain their smoothness and shine. (And on that note, you might want to invest in some silk scrunchies to further protect your tresses.)

If you're not engaging in intense activity, this obviously poses less of a problem; low-to-moderate intensity training (think yoga, Pilates, or walking) won't create as much friction, so a loose ponytail may be A-OK. 

It's more of a warning for HIIT workouts or jogs: As much as you may want to resemble an iconic Baywatch babe when you hit the pavement, all that swishing back and forth can harm your hair in the long run. "That's like whiplash for your hair," Smith adds. 

Instead, he recommends wrapping your hair into a bun or braid so that your ends stay tucked in and protected. Again, just make sure you're not pulling too tightly when you're tying, so you don't cause breakage at the hairline. For buns, you might also want to switch up the placement from time to time: "This way, it's not repeated damage in the exact same spot—you're giving your hair a break," hairstylist Levi Monarch once shared with us

It's a delicate dance, and at the end of the day, a few broken hairs shouldn't deter you from breaking a sweat—regular exercise, after all, is great for your beauty routine. But if you're an avid runner or you find your pony bopping around during a spin class, you might want to tuck in the ends a la buns or braids. Perhaps save the cute pony for your walk home. 

The takeaway

Too-tight hairstyles can often lead to flyaways, breakage, and frizz—but looser styles aren't totally off the hook, either. According to Smith, swishing your hair back and forth can create friction and lead to those same frustrating concerns.

Try to keep your mane as protected as you can while exercising with buns or braids, or if your strands need a little extra TLC, feel free to snag a hair growth serum to feed those follicles. 

Watch Next

Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes

Watch Next

Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes

What Is Meditation?

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Light Watkins

Box Breathing

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar

What Breathwork Can Address

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar

The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?

Yoga | Caley Alyssa

Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips

Yoga | Caley Alyssa

How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance

Nutrition | Rich Roll

What to Eat Before a Workout

Nutrition | Rich Roll

How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life

Nutrition | Sahara Rose

Messages About Love & Relationships

Love & Relationships | Esther Perel

Love Languages

Love & Relationships | Esther Perel

Related Videos (10)

What Is Meditation?

Box Breathing

What Breathwork Can Address

The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?

Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips

How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance

What to Eat Before a Workout

How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life

Messages About Love & Relationships

Love Languages

Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.

More On This Topic

more Lifestyle
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.