As you mount your bike and prepare for the fastest ride you'll have all day, that strand of hair that even thinks about falling onto your forehead is dead to you. Dead. Instead of having to fuss around with a fatigued ponytail during your session, your best move is to keep it way out of the way -- so all you have to focus on is moving your legs at the speed of light.
What the experts say: "The best hairstyle for a high-intensity workout is a high top-knot bun with a headband," says fitness expert and trainer Fitz Koehler. "If you are taking your favorite cycling class, it is imperative that your hair stays put. I love a high bun because the hair stays off your face and neck, while the headband ensures that sweat isn't falling into your eyes. Secure your hair with multiple elastics or bobby pins so that your hair is never a problem during cardio workouts."
The look: Headband bun
Try it:
1. Smooth your hair to the top of your crown using a soft bristle brush.
2. Once your hair is at the top, secure it into a ponytail using an elastic.
3. Wrap your ponytail ends around the base of the elastic, and then secure using another elastic.
4. Place a headband along the hairline of your head to finish.
What the experts say: "The best hairstyle for a high-intensity workout is a high top-knot bun with a headband," says fitness expert and trainer Fitz Koehler. "If you are taking your favorite cycling class, it is imperative that your hair stays put. I love a high bun because the hair stays off your face and neck, while the headband ensures that sweat isn't falling into your eyes. Secure your hair with multiple elastics or bobby pins so that your hair is never a problem during cardio workouts."
The look: Headband bun
Try it:
1. Smooth your hair to the top of your crown using a soft bristle brush.
2. Once your hair is at the top, secure it into a ponytail using an elastic.
3. Wrap your ponytail ends around the base of the elastic, and then secure using another elastic.
4. Place a headband along the hairline of your head to finish.
Hairstyles that you have to put in and take out to lie on your back are a nuisance, no matter how many oms you've done. A top knot is the archenemy of the headstand. What you want is a look that not even Karnapidasana can ruin.
What the experts say: "Sometimes a ponytail can be tough, because when you are supine, it won't allow the head to lay flat in alignment with the spine," says Mandy Inger, author of the book "Yogalosophy." "Or if you're doing headstands, a bun or high ponytail can get in the way. A crown braid definitely looks great for headstands ... and any other postures."
The look: Crown braid
Try it:
1. Begin your braid (reverse or French) at a section near your ear. Be sure to keep your hair in the direction of the braid as you go.
2. From your ear, braid over the front of your hair, toward the opposite ear, behind your head and around to where you began.
3. Once you reach the point where you started, braid your hair normally down through to the ends.
4. Overlap the remaining section of your hair onto your crown braid, and then secure with bobby pins.
What the experts say: "Sometimes a ponytail can be tough, because when you are supine, it won't allow the head to lay flat in alignment with the spine," says Mandy Inger, author of the book "Yogalosophy." "Or if you're doing headstands, a bun or high ponytail can get in the way. A crown braid definitely looks great for headstands ... and any other postures."
The look: Crown braid
Try it:
1. Begin your braid (reverse or French) at a section near your ear. Be sure to keep your hair in the direction of the braid as you go.
2. From your ear, braid over the front of your hair, toward the opposite ear, behind your head and around to where you began.
3. Once you reach the point where you started, braid your hair normally down through to the ends.
4. Overlap the remaining section of your hair onto your crown braid, and then secure with bobby pins.
Running pretty much requires a major amount of bouncing up and down until, eventually, your hair becomes a sopping, sweaty mess. You need something that can withstand the occasional whip, nod and tug here and there. Because you're not slowing down on that 3-mile run anytime soon -- especially to fix a slipping headband.
What the experts say: Celebrity fitness trainer Terri Walsh says, "A low ponytail or bun is best for running." Frank Galasso, celebrity hairstylist, adds, "It's best to have your hair pulled away from face with no product in it while running." Any gel or sprays can run down your forehead and into your eyes when you sweat, causing irritation.
The look: Low ponytail or bun
Try it:
1. Part your hair down the center.
2. Smooth your hair back to the nape of your neck. Use a soft brush to tame flyaways as you go.
3. Secure your hair with an elastic, leaving the ends loose. For extra long hair, wrap the ends into a bun at the base of the elastic and secure.
What the experts say: Celebrity fitness trainer Terri Walsh says, "A low ponytail or bun is best for running." Frank Galasso, celebrity hairstylist, adds, "It's best to have your hair pulled away from face with no product in it while running." Any gel or sprays can run down your forehead and into your eyes when you sweat, causing irritation.
The look: Low ponytail or bun
Try it:
1. Part your hair down the center.
2. Smooth your hair back to the nape of your neck. Use a soft brush to tame flyaways as you go.
3. Secure your hair with an elastic, leaving the ends loose. For extra long hair, wrap the ends into a bun at the base of the elastic and secure.
With all the jump squats, high knees and burpees you're doing, replacing your bobby pins and redoing your (now droopy) top knots will be the furthest thing from your mind.
What the experts say: "Ponytails are always my go-to," says Ashley Johnson, Nike trainer. "Throwing a larger headband on it keeps my flyaways out of my face and makes going through each move easier without my hair in a mess."
The look: Wide headband ponytail
Try it:
1. Apply a texturizing spray throughout all of your hair.
2. Gather your hair up into a ponytail at the back of your crown.
3. Secure your ponytail with an elastic.
4. Place your headband (we love the Forever 21 Ruched Wide Headband) just slightly behind your hairline to finish.
What the experts say: "Ponytails are always my go-to," says Ashley Johnson, Nike trainer. "Throwing a larger headband on it keeps my flyaways out of my face and makes going through each move easier without my hair in a mess."
The look: Wide headband ponytail
Try it:
1. Apply a texturizing spray throughout all of your hair.
2. Gather your hair up into a ponytail at the back of your crown.
3. Secure your ponytail with an elastic.
4. Place your headband (we love the Forever 21 Ruched Wide Headband) just slightly behind your hairline to finish.
Sure, the motions aren't too fast-paced and the studio is likely indoors, but that doesn't mean you're not working your butt off during barre class. Your toes will be cramping, your thighs will be shaking and you'll be staring at yourself sweating more than Beyoncé at the Ms. Carter World Tour in the myriad mirrors that line every wall. Choose a style that lets you sparkle just as much as you sweat.
What the experts say: "A higher pony(tail) that wraps into an easy bun is a really great style to keep the hair off of your face and neck," says Jennifer Williams, creator of Pop Physique. "Add bright-colored hair ties (like these ones from Bandtz) that double as bracelets before or after class for fun."
The look: High bun
Try it:
1. Flip your head upside down as you gather your hair to the top of your crown. Use a soft bristle brush to smooth the sides down as you go.
2. Secure your hair with an elastic. Then, tease your ponytail ends with a fine-toothed comb for added fullness.
3. Wrap your ponytail ends around the base of the elastic, then secure with multiple bobby pins.
4. Finish with a medium-hold hairspray as needed.
What the experts say: "A higher pony(tail) that wraps into an easy bun is a really great style to keep the hair off of your face and neck," says Jennifer Williams, creator of Pop Physique. "Add bright-colored hair ties (like these ones from Bandtz) that double as bracelets before or after class for fun."
The look: High bun
Try it:
1. Flip your head upside down as you gather your hair to the top of your crown. Use a soft bristle brush to smooth the sides down as you go.
2. Secure your hair with an elastic. Then, tease your ponytail ends with a fine-toothed comb for added fullness.
3. Wrap your ponytail ends around the base of the elastic, then secure with multiple bobby pins.
4. Finish with a medium-hold hairspray as needed.
They say wearing workout clothes makes you more than twice as likely to actually work out. We say throw a neat hairstyle on top, and you've got a girl ready to sweat up a storm.
Your workout of choice plays a big role in how you should style your hair (especially for women of color). If you work out on a regular basis, chances are you've had your fair share of hairstyle conundrums -- finding the perfect, sweat-resistant headband for barre, using an elastic hair tie that doesn't slip down after your first burpee during plyometrics. So instead of opting for a standard ponytail, we've come up with 11 Pinterest-inspired, cute hairstyles for every kind of workout -- from Pilates, swimming and yoga to running, dance and kickboxing. Here's how to make sure your hair stays in place along the way.
Your workout of choice plays a big role in how you should style your hair (especially for women of color). If you work out on a regular basis, chances are you've had your fair share of hairstyle conundrums -- finding the perfect, sweat-resistant headband for barre, using an elastic hair tie that doesn't slip down after your first burpee during plyometrics. So instead of opting for a standard ponytail, we've come up with 11 Pinterest-inspired, cute hairstyles for every kind of workout -- from Pilates, swimming and yoga to running, dance and kickboxing. Here's how to make sure your hair stays in place along the way.