March 06, 2022 3 min read

Whether you’re new to working out or work out regularly it’s good to know whether your extensions will be long-lasting after some intense exercise sessions. If you’re new to extensions you’ll want to see if extensions will fit well into your lifestyle or not.

Let’s run through some concerns before you decide whether hair extensions and the gym make a good combo. Plus we'll give you some tips along the way if you do choose to wear them at the gym 😘

1. Sweating 💦

Woman Sweating at the Gym

The first and most apparent concern is sweat. If you get hair extensions, you will need to wash them more often depending on how much sweat you generate during exercise. You should be able to create a wash schedule around when you work out and you should wash your extensions around 2-3 times a week.

You also want to make sure that your hair does not touch your skin so that your hair doesn’t absorb the sweat, to help with this you will want to tie your hair back. However, hold that thought as there will be more to come on how to tie back your hair 😉

When sweat touches your hair, the salt in the sweat dries and tangles the hair so it may be beneficial for you to wear some leave-in conditioner to counteract the effect of the sweat.

2. Washing

Woman Showering

If you decide to exercise with extensions you will need to wash it more than usual. However, there is no reason to wash it daily as it might damage the hair if washed too much 🚿

When washing your extensions try to use products that are free of phosphates and sulfates. Along with washing, you should seek to have your extensions regularly maintained about every 4-6 weeks for the best results.

After washing your hair, make sure to dry and detangle and condition it as hair extensions do not receive their own nutrients from the scalp to recover from dryness.

3. What Type of Extensions?

Woman Thinking

There are a few different types of hair extensions, some you can learn about through our previous blog here. Generally, the most resilient extensions are Micro or Nano Ring extensions.

These extensions unlike their weak counterparts (clip-ins, sew-ins, tape-ins and keratin bonds) are less likely to detach themselves because of their application being metal rings. The regular washing needed to maintain the extensions may be too much for something like a tape-in and its adhesive.

Wefts and sew-ins may be too bulky to get out of the way when working out and might put more strain on your actual hair if tied up. Clip-ins are a possibility for the gym but they may expose your real hair if tied up.

4. How To Wear That Hair

You'll want to put your hair up to avoid the skin and the sweat that comes with it. Make sure you choose a hairstyle like a secure bun, braid or ponytail that does not move around too much as to not get caught in a machine or equipment 🏋️

If you choose a ponytail or bun ensure that it's not too tight! When you pull on your hair you are pulling the rings of your extensions as well as your own hair and scalp. Even more so, pulling on your extensions can cause them to shift around and become uneven.

You will want to switch your hairstyle frequently as well so that you do not pull on the same extensions each time you visit the gym.

5. Other Circumstances

Swimming Pool

If you'll be visiting a pool or a sauna there are a few different and extra steps to take 🏊

Make sure you have a cap for the pool as the chlorine will affect both the color and texture of your hair making the color fade and hair tangled. You will also need to wash your hair more frequently and condition it before entering the pool to avoid damage.

Now, if you will be entering a sauna, ensure to cover your hair with a towel and dry your hair upon exiting the sauna as well.

That's it, you're good to go! Be sure to arm yourself with the right products to maintain your gym hair and test out our suggestions!

Thanks for reading and we hope you visit us again soon 😊