If you’ve ever had your hair smack you in the face during burpees, slide out of a ponytail halfway through a run, or somehow end up in your mouth during double unders… welcome. You’re among friends.
The truth is, the best workout hairstyles are not just about looking cute in the gym. A good gym hairstyle can actually help you stay focused, comfortable, and confident while you train. Whether you’re lifting heavy, running, climbing, doing conditioning workouts, or spending half your session upside down in handstands, having your hair secured properly makes a HUUUGE difference.
And while we fully support the chaotic “messy athlete” look, sometimes you just want a hairstyle that survives the workout.
Have you seen those pictures of athletes mid-workout or mid-lift, and you’re impressed not only by what they’re doing… but because they somehow have a full curtain of hair hanging in front of their face? HOW are they working out like that? Isn’t it annoying to have a mop covering your eyes while trying to breathe through a workout?
And then there are the people who look absolutely flawless mid-session. You know the ones. Not a single hair unintentionally out of place. Meanwhile the rest of us are one burpee away from looking completely feral.
Either way, we know you look good no matter what. Buttttt sometimes it’s nice to have a rock-solid hairstyle that actually gets the job done.
So whether you’re heading into a sweaty conditioning workout, a lifting session, or just trying to survive cardio without redoing your hair every five minutes, here are our top workout hairstyles that combine style and functionality.
Quick Answer: What Are the Best Workout Hairstyles?
The best workout hairstyles are the ones that keep your hair secure, comfortable, and out of your face while you train. Braids, buns, high ponytails, low ponytails, and power braids are all great options depending on your hair length, hair texture, and the type of workout you’re doing.
For high-impact workouts like running, burpees, double unders, and conditioning, braids or secure buns usually work best. For lifting, walking, mobility, or lower-impact workouts, a high ponytail, low ponytail, or messy pony can be simple, cute, and functional.
Best Workout Hairstyles That Actually Stay Put
1. Pineapple Bun
There are a few versions of this hairstyle, and depending on your hair texture and length, your pineapple might look more like an apple bun. Still cute though.
If you have curly or textured hair, this style tends to hold up especially well during workouts because it keeps your hair secure without needing a ton of effort. And honestly, we love a hairstyle that looks intentional even when it took approximately 14 seconds to throw together in the parking lot.
This is one of our favorite workout hairstyles for:
- Burpees
- Double unders
- Conditioning workouts
- Quick gym sessions
- “I haven’t washed my hair in a few days” days
Pro-tip: Soft hair ties usually work best for keeping everything secure without pulling too tightly on your scalp.
The best part about the pineapple bun is that it’s low maintenance. No complicated styling. No 45-minute tutorial needed. Just flip, twist, tighten… and you’re ready to crush your workout.
2. French Braid
This is elite-level double under hair.
French braids stay in place while you’re jumping, running, rowing, or doing basically anything high-impact, which means you don’t have to waste precious workout time stopping to fix your hair every 30 seconds.
If you have really long hair, you still might accidentally whip yourself in the face with your gorgeous mane, so if that’s the case, twisting the braid into a low bun with an extra hair tie usually helps.
One of the reasons people love braids for workouts is because they distribute tension more evenly than a super tight ponytail. Translation: fewer headaches and less scalp pain after training.
They’re also great for:
- Long workouts
- Outdoor runs
- Sweaty conditioning days
- Busy gym sessions where you don’t want to think about your hair at all
Fun fact: French braids didn’t actually come from France. Different cultures around the world have been braiding hair for centuries, so nobody really knows why we call them French braids. What we do know is that they are a very solid gym hairstyle choice.
The only downside? If you don’t know how to braid, this hairstyle can become an arm workout before your actual workout starts.
3. Ariana Grande High Ponytail
Depending on your generation, you might call this hairstyle something different, but no matter what, everybody knows the high pony.
It is bold.
It is sassy.
It is fierce.
Let’s bring that energy into the gym.
The high pony is perfect because it’s low maintenance, easy to throw together, and somehow still makes you feel put together even when your workout absolutely destroys you.
It’s also one of the best workout hairstyles for in-between wash days. In fact, Ariana Grande’s hairstylist Josh Liu once mentioned that ponytails are often easier to style when the hair isn’t freshly washed. Say less.
This hairstyle works especially well for:
- Lifting days
- Walking workouts
- Moderate cardio
- Gym selfies obviously
- Days when dry shampoo is carrying the entire team
One thing to keep in mind: if your ponytail is too tight, it can start pulling on your scalp during longer sessions. If that happens, loosen it slightly or switch to a lower pony to avoid headaches.
4. Lauren Fisher Ponytail
Okay okay… we admit we’re a little biased on this one.
Our fearless leader LF became known not only for being an incredible athlete, but also for the iconic Lauren Fisher messy ponytail. It somehow always looked effortless while surviving some of the toughest workouts imaginable.
The beauty of the messy pony is that it doesn’t need to be perfect. In fact, the slightly undone look is part of the charm.
And honestly? Some of the best gym hairstyles are the ones that don’t require perfection.
This hairstyle is especially great if:
- You want something quick
- You don’t like super tight hairstyles
- You’re going straight from life into the gym
- You want something practical but still cute
If you find loose pieces distracting during workouts, adding a headband can help keep everything under control while still keeping the relaxed look intact.
Also, can we all agree that there’s something powerful about a messy ponytail during a hard workout? It gives “I came here to work.”
5. Power Braids
Warning: PRs may or may not happen while wearing power braids.
Okay, maybe not scientifically proven… but you will absolutely feel stronger wearing them.
This is the ultimate “don’t talk to me, I’m locked in” hairstyle.
Power braids are amazing because they stay secure during almost every movement you can think of:
- Handstand push-ups
- Running
- Double unders
- Olympic lifting
- Box jumps
- Long conditioning workouts
They also work really well for people who get frustrated constantly fixing their hair during training.
One of the biggest advantages of braids is that they help reduce tangling and friction, especially during sweaty sessions or outdoor workouts.
And let’s be honest… they just make you feel athletic.
6. Low Pony
No, you will not look like a colonial man from the 1800s.
Low ponytails are chic, practical, and surprisingly underrated for workouts. They’re especially helpful for people who get headaches from constantly wearing high buns or tight ponytails.
This style works well for:
- Strength training
- Lower impact workouts
- Recovery days
- Walking
- Pilates or mobility sessions
You can keep it simple or add small braids, clips, or face-framing pieces if you want something a little more styled.
Pro-tip: If you’re wearing a low pony on back squat day, we definitely recommend twisting it into a low bun. Not because you’re going to fail your squat obviously… but IF you have to bail a lift, we don’t want your hair getting caught on the bar.
Cute and safe. That’s the goal.
How to Choose the Best Workout Hairstyle
Not every hairstyle works for every workout.
A hairstyle that survives a lifting session might completely fall apart during sprints or burpees. The best workout hairstyle for you usually depends on:
- Your hair texture
- Your hair length
- How sweaty your workouts get
- Whether you’re doing high-impact movements
- How long your training sessions are
- Whether tight hairstyles give you headaches
Sometimes the best hairstyle is simply the one you don’t have to think about once the workout starts.
Because let’s be real: the fewer things distracting you during training, the better.
Common Workout Hair Mistakes
We’ve all made them.
- Using weak hair ties that snap mid-workout
- Wearing super tight ponytails that cause headaches
- Leaving hair completely down during lifting
- Forgetting how sweaty your neck gets during conditioning
- Wearing hairstyles that get caught during barbell work
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s finding something functional that helps you train comfortably and confidently.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the best workout hairstyle is the one that lets you focus on your training instead of constantly fixing your hair between sets.
Some days that’s a messy ponytail.
Some days it’s power braids.
And some days it’s whatever hairstyle survives the workout.
The goal is not perfection. The goal is finding something that helps you feel comfortable, confident, and ready to train hard.
And if you’re looking for structured workouts to pair with your gym hairstyle of choice, Explore Grown Strong Fitness Guides. Whether you train at home or in the gym, our programs are designed to help you build strength, improve conditioning, and stay consistent.
Now go test out one of these hairstyles during your next gym session and tag us in your workout pics. We want to see which hairstyle survives the sweat. #IamGrownStrong