Do you put your hair before your health?

Having one of those rare good hair days and don’t want to sweat up your lovely locks? Most of us probably tie up our tresses and worry about our hairdos after our workouts, but apparently some worried women are letting their hairstyles get in the way of their health. A study of African-American women suggests that not wanting to mess up their crowning glories is a their excuse for not taking regular exercise. Some women are even hitting the salons and working with their stylists to create a workout-friendly style. How about your hair? Are you letting your tresses keep you from the treadmill?

If you’re thinking treating yourself to a new hairstyle in 2013 then you might want to factor in fitness when deciding on what to chop and what not to chop. If you’re blessed with an unruly mane then you might spend time, money and product on taming your tresses and turning what is naturally curly, straight. This is especially true for many black women who often have their hair straightened professionally at a salon and who might not relish the idea of a frizz-inducing workout.

Wake Forest University School of Medicine researchers found that out of 103 African-American women visiting a dermatology clinic, over half of them exercised for less than 75 minutes each week, with more than a quarter of the study participants not exercising at all. The reason? A third put lack of exercise down to their hair and half of the women said they had considered changing their hairstyle so they could exercise more. Other reasons for a lack of exercise included scalp problems, such as dandruff, which put them off working up a sweat.

The recommended amount of exercise in the US for women is around 150 minutes a week, that’s 30 minutes of moderate exercise each week day. The study also revealed that those women who cared for their coiffeurs more than exercising their muscles were nearly three times less likely to be exercising at this recommended limit, or minimum.

Of course, it is always motivating for anyone working out to feel that they are getting fitter and their their bodies are changing and getting stronger and sleeker. And this should overcome any vanity about hairstyles. But with some haircuts costing so much in terms of cash and time, there are still certain ladies who will dart through drizzle, refuse to sink when they swim and hate the idea of hair-curling cardio.

But exercise can actually be a real tonic to your hair, as well as helping to firm and tone your body. Increased circulation can prevent hair loss by nourishing the hair follicles. Working out can be the perfect antidote to a challenging day too. When we are under stress, and let’s face it, at work many of us are, we are prone to hair loss. Not to mention that fact that work situations make us want to pull our own hair out anyway. So work out your frustration in a work out: exercise gives your bangs and your body a boost.

Do you have a top tip for how to have a good hair day and still exercise and workout at the same time? Share your suggestions with us.