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Style Guide | 5 Workout Hairstyles That Are Perfect For The Gym

The bond between a girl and her hair is about as rocky as Ross and Rachel's relationship, but it doesn't always have to be that way. Learn how to create 5 simple hairstyles that are as effortless and resilient as they are feminine.

clock-circular-outline-lightPosted 3 Feb 2020
Style Guide | 5 Workout Hairstyles That Are Perfect For The Gym

When it comes to finding hairstyles durable enough to withstand even the most of intense of workouts - we're talking a multitude of burpee box jumps, followed by a 5K run kind of intense - Alice Lindsay, (freelance hair and make-up artist) has nailed it.

Transforming conventional gym hairstyles from years past into iconic workout staples for the new decade, her voguish style is slowly becoming eminent within both the sporting and fashion industry - creating gym hairstyles that are as effortless and resilient as they are feminine.

Now we know what you're thinking... "that's all well and good, but the bond between me and my hair is about as rocky as Ross and Rachel's relationship. I mean, have you seen the list of things that I've got to deal with on a day-to-day basis?!"

  • Wispy baby-hairs. Aka, look at me, I'm a lion. 

  • Lumps and bumps Unwanted when we're trying to look like the sports model with a slick pony.  

  • Flat and volume-less. Karma. I guess this is what I'd look like bald.

  • Short hair in an up-do. Ah, joy... it's the return of the unwanted mullet. 

It's a hard, hard world. 

And, although the classic ponytail is always there to save the day by default, sometimes - especially when a new gym outfit has arrived nicely on our doorstep - we just want a little more flair in the hair. 

Luckily, Alice Lindsay is here to help us out. Taking into consideration all of the above, plus a variety of different hair types and lengths, the guru talks us through how to create 5 simple workout hairstyles - from the ultimate messy bun, to the iconic braided ponytail - believe us, they're worthy of a gym sesh.

1. The Braided Ponytail Tutorial 

Now, we're not one to have favourites but believe us, this gym hairstyle for long hair is up there with the best of them...

A godsend for those of us that are actively lazy (yes that really is a thing) - the braided ponytail is the perfect workout hairstyle for the days where our hair unfortunately, looks a little more like Hagrid's than we'd like to admit. 

What You'll Need:

  • 2x Hair Ties

  • Dry Shampoo

How To Do A Braided Ponytail

  1. Don't Brush Your Hair:

     Start with your hair relatively messy. This is a genuine: "no brush, no problem" moment so try to embrace the mess.

  2. Pull Hair Into A High Ponytail And Secure With A Hair Tie:

     Don't worry about your ponytail being slick and smooth; those textured lumps 'n bumps are what keep the finished look sporty and effortlessly cool.

  3. Add Texture:

    This hairstyle is all about looking effortless chic; try adding a spritz of dry shampoo to your ponytail for added volume.

  4. Braid:

    Complete a simple 3-strand braid on your ponytail.

  5. Loosen The Braid:

    To accentuate the texture you added in step 3, take pieces of the braid between your fingers and gently tug out sections of hair to create a feathered, loose braid.

  6. Frame Your Face

    Let's face it, not all of us have been blessed with god-like cheek bones to support this hairstyle. Gently tease out sections of hair towards the front of your face to frame your features.

  7. Secure With A Hair Tie:

     Secure your braid with a hair tie.

2. The Ultimate Messy Bun Tutorial

Flattering for girls with short or curly hair, this gym hairstyle is designed to keep those wispy baby hairs out of your face, and far far away from the back sweat...

Contrary to belief, a messy bun is not quite as simple as scrunching your hair into a bun and calling it voila. Reality is, there's something of a simple art to this workout hairstyle and lucky for us, Alice is here to explain.

What You'll Need:

  • Brush

  • 1x Hair Tie

  • Hair Pins/Bobby Pins

How To Do A Messy Bun

  1. Comb Through Your Hair:

    While it's true that a messy bun is meant to be imperfect, it doesn't always mean that knotty hair is ideal. Gently brush through your hair until it's tangle-free.

  2. Pull Hair Into A High Ponytail And Secure With A Hair Tie:

    Don't worry about your ponytail being slick and smooth; those textured lumps 'n bumps are what keep the finished look sporty and effortlessly cool.

  3. Separate Your Ponytail Into Two Strands And Twist Together:

    To complete the ultimate messy bun, separate your ponytail into two sections and twist together to form one strand.

  4. Wrap Your Hair Around Your Hair Tie:

    Wrap the twisted hair around the hair tie which currently secures the ponytail.

  5. Pin And Secure Your Messy Bun:

    Using a bobby pin, secure the end of the twisted strand. Remember, the more disheveled it looks the better, so don't worry about the ends poking out.

  6. Add Texture:

    With your fingers, gently tease out sections of your messy bun to add texture and volume.

  7. Secure:

    Add more bobby pins to your messy bun until secure.

3. The Braided Bun Tutorial

We promised you feminine flair and this is where we - sorry Alice, not us, definitely Alice - delivers. 

Ideal for sports which involve low-impact movement such as yoga, pilates, low-intensity cardio and weight lifting, the braided bun transforms the iconic french braids into something a little more modern. 

What You'll Need:

  • Brush

  • 4x Hair Tie

  • Hair Pins/Bobby Pins

How To Do A Braided Bun

  1. Brush Through Your Hair:

    Gently tease through your hair with a brush until it's tangle-free. This hairstyle requires separating your hair into multiple sections and braiding, so the less knots the easier.

  2. Separate Your Hair Into 4 Sections:

    To create four sections, follow your central parting down to the nape of your neck, and then create a new parting from ear to ear. If you find it easier, clip each section until step 3 is complete.

  3. Braid Each Section Of Hair:

    Braid each section and secure at the ends with a hair tie. You should now have two braids towards the back of your head, and two braids towards the front.

  4. Cross The Braids Over:

    Take the two braids towards the back of your head and cross them over to the opposite side using bobby pins to secure.

  5. Repeat Step 4 With The Remaining Braids:

    Take the two braids towards the front of your head and lay them over the braids that you pinned earlier. Secure with bobby pins.

TIP: Once you've finished your workout, spray your hair with dry shampoo and pull your fingers through it - your hair should be left with a soft beachy wave. 

4. The Slick Knot Bun Tutorial

Lower layers, or a modern mullet...  whatever you call the baby strands of hair that stick to the nape of your neck during a workout because of their obscene length, we promise you, this gym hairstyle is the answer to your prayers.

Designed so that the knot/bun keeps your short, lower layers in place, but still following trends for the new decade by incorporating a slick, side parting it's proof that hairstyles for the gym really can be linear in regard to both function and aesthetic.

What You'll Need:

  • Comb

  • 1x Hair Tie

  • Hair Pins/Bobby Pins

  • Hairspray

How To Do A Slick Knot Bun

  1. Brush Through Your Hair:

    Gently tease through your hair with a brush until it's tangle-free. 

  2. Create A Sharp Side Parting:

    This hairstyle is all about sharp confident lines; using a comb, create a sharp parting on the preferred side of your head.

  3. Pull Hair Into A Low Ponytail And Secure With A Hair Tie:

    You want this ponytail to be as slick as possible so use a brush if needs be to remove any unwanted lumps and bumps. 

  4. Separate Your Ponytail Into Two:

    Separate your ponytail into two separate sections.

  5. Tie Into A Knot And Secure:

    Take the two sections of hair and tie into a standard knot. If your hair is long enough, repeat until you're no longer able to continue. Secure the knot with bobby pins.

  6. Finish With Hairspray:

    To create the ultimate slick knot bun, complete the look with a spritz of hairspray to help smooth down any fly-away hairs.

5. The Waterfall Braid Tutorial

Okay, so it's not your typical waterfall braid, but we told you that we were taking conventional gym hairstyles from years past and turning them into something a little more 'stylish' for the new decade.

Perfect for those with either long, or short hair - styled, or completely natural, this hairstyle is for so much more than just the gym... 

What You'll Need:

  • 1x Hair Tie

  • 2x Hair Clips

How To Do A Waterfall Braid

  1. Don't Brush Your Hair:

    Start with your hair relatively messy. This is a genuine: "no brush, no problem" moment so try to embrace the mess.

  2. Section Your Hair And Twist:

    Take a section of hair above your right ear and separate into two smaller strands. Twist these strands together until you reach the back of your head and then use a hair clip to hold in place.

  3. Repeat On Alternative Side:

    Repeat step 2 on the alternative side.

  4. Remove The Clips And Secure The Two Sections Together:

    Carefully removing the hair clips from either side, secure the two twists into a ponytail using a hair tie. 

  5. Loosen The Ponytail:

    To ensure that you get the full effect of this hairstyle, loosen the ponytail slightly so that it doesn't sit flat against your head.

  6. Tuck The Ponytail Through The Hair Tie:

    Grasp the bottom of the ponytail, and with your finger tug a little at the hair tie to create an opening above it. Tuck and pull the bottom half of the ponytail through the space created. Repeat twice.

Give these workout hairstyles a go and let us know what you think in the comments below.

Workout Hairstyles from Alice Lindsay; follow her on Instagram or www.alicelindsay.co.uk

GymsharkBy Gymshark