Balanced Black Girl Podcast: [Solo] How to Maintain Your Hair While Working Out

Release Date: November 19, 2024

Introduction

In the solo episode titled "How to Maintain Your Hair While Working Out," Les, the host of Balanced Black Girl, delves into the intricate balance between maintaining healthy hair and pursuing fitness goals. Drawing from her 14-year fitness journey and extensive experience in wellness content creation, Les addresses a frequently asked question from her audience: "How do you maintain your hair while you work out?" (00:01). This episode presents her comprehensive approach, coined the Fit Hair Formula, offering actionable insights for individuals striving to harmonize their hair care routines with their active lifestyles.

The Importance of Balancing Fitness and Hair Care

Les begins by emphasizing the significance of prioritizing physical health over hair aesthetics. She states, "My arteries are more important than my edges. If I had to choose between a healthy body or perfectly laid hair, I personally am going to choose a healthy body every single time" (04:30). This perspective underscores the necessity of regular exercise for overall well-being, including mental health, cardiovascular health, and reduced cancer risks, as highlighted by her reference to a study linking active lifestyles with a 20% lower chance of developing breast cancer (06:50).

Introducing the Fit Hair Formula

Les introduces the Fit Hair Formula as a strategic framework to navigate the intersection of hair care and fitness. The formula consists of four main components:

1. Sweat Type (07:15)

   • Understanding individual sweat patterns is crucial, as Les explains, "No two people sweat the exact same way." She categorizes her own sweat type as a "body sweater," highlighting that she doesn’t sweat much on her scalp but experiences significant perspiration on her neck, back, and torso during intense workouts (08:00).

2. Hair Type and Styling Preferences (09:10)

   • Les discusses the diversity in hair types and styling choices, advocating for personal expression without external judgments. She shares her own experiences with various hairstyles, noting how certain styles are more forgiving during physical activities (11:45).

3. Workout Preferences (14:04)

   • Emphasizing the role of strength training, Les advises prioritizing workouts that align with one’s fitness goals and how they impact hair maintenance. She mentions favoring strength training and Pilates, which induce less sweating compared to high-intensity cardio exercises (15:30).

4. Schedule (22:50)

   • Coordinating workout schedules with hair care routines is essential. Les recommends syncing intense workout days with less frequent hair washing days, allowing flexibility to manage sweat and maintain hair health (25:00).

Personal Fit Hair Routine

Les provides an in-depth look into her personal hair care regimen tailored to her fitness routine:

• Hair Styling for Workouts (26:16)

  • She favors placing her hair in a high bun secured with satin scrunchies to prevent damage and maintain style during workouts. "I like to put my hair in a bun on top of my head with satin elastics because they don't snag or pull my hair out," Les explains (27:40).

• Product Recommendations (34:50)

  • To support her routine, Les endorses specific hair care products:
    • Ouai Detox Shampoo: A gentle clarifying shampoo that cleanses without stripping hair (35:10).
    • Nioxin Hair Defense Dense Fall Shampoo: Focuses on scalp health and nourishment (36:00).
    • K18 Leave-In Conditioner: A bond builder that strengthens hair strands, enhancing resistance to moisture and maintaining style integrity (37:00).
    • Amika Wizard Heat Protectant: An alternative to her previous favorite, offering detangling and heat protection without packaging issues (38:20).

Les emphasizes the importance of regular washing—preferably once a week—to maintain scalp health and improve hair styling outcomes throughout the week.

Synchronizing Hair and Workout Schedules

Les outlines how she aligns her hair washing routine with her workout intensity:

• Wash Days and Rest Days (40:15)

  • Typically washing her hair on Fridays or Saturdays, Les aligns her most intense workouts around these times, allowing her hair to thrive from fresh styling (40:30).

• Intensity Scaling (42:00)

  • As the week progresses and her hair begins to "decline" in freshness, she increases workout intensity, incorporating more sweat-inducing activities like hot yoga and high-intensity strength training (43:10).

• Balancing Act (45:00)

  • This cyclical approach ensures that her workout intensity is managed in conjunction with her hair care needs, fostering a sustainable balance between fitness ambitions and hair health (46:20).

Encouraging Community Engagement

Les invites listeners to develop their own Fit Hair Formula by sharing their routines, favorite hairstyles, workouts, and product recommendations. She encourages community interaction through Instagram and TikTok, fostering a supportive environment where individuals can exchange tips and experiences (50:30).

Conclusion

Les wraps up the episode by reiterating the core principles of the Fit Hair Formula:

1. Understand Your Sweat Type
2. Align Hair Type and Styling Preferences
3. Prioritize Workouts That Support Your Goals
4. Synchronize Your Hair and Workout Schedules

She emphasizes the importance of flexibility, self-compassion, and community support in achieving a harmonious balance between hair care and fitness. Les closes with an invitation to subscribe, share the episode, and engage with the Balanced Black Girl community for ongoing support and wellness advice (56:50).

Notable Quotes

• "My arteries are more important than my edges." (04:30)
• "No two people sweat the exact same way." (08:00)
• "I really don't actually up close it is like waves on swim." (32:10)
• "Your workout schedule and your hair schedule need to be friends, not enemies." (23:00)

Final Thoughts

This episode of Balanced Black Girl offers a nuanced approach to integrating hair care with an active lifestyle. Les’s Fit Hair Formula serves as a practical guide for listeners seeking to maintain their hair health without compromising their fitness goals. By sharing her personal experiences and actionable strategies, Les empowers individuals to prioritize their well-being holistically.

For more information and to access the recommended products, visit the show notes linked in the podcast episode.