I know this seems like a crazy topic to address, but the way your hair is styled for Pilates can make a workout go from great to irritating pretty quick. I hope my suggestions save you some trouble.
Over my years doing Pilates, I’ve had ALL the lengths of hair, from super short, to bra strap length. There are certain things with each style that can detract from your workout. The shorter my hair was, the easier and more effective it was to pull it back with a hairband. The longer it got, the harder it was for me to appreciate the hairband and I pulled it back into a ponytail. This is when I discovered HOW you wear your ponytail can be cause for frustration as well. How you do your hair for Pilates makes a huge difference to whether it’s distracting, uncomfortable, or completely annoying!
No matter how I do my hair, I tend to end up disheveled by the end of my workout. Maybe you’re blessed and every strand falls just so (don’t laugh, I actually have a client who DOES have hair like this!). But if you’re more like me, here are my suggestions on how to do your hair for Pilates class, no matter the length.
First, know that if you’ve got mid- to long hair, keeping it down for your practice can be super frustrating. It tends to fall in your face, especially while you’re lying on your stomach. I tend to get it in my mouth, and that’s not fun, either. If you’re rolling, you tend to run your hair over, which pulls and feels not so fantastic. I highly recommend keeping your hair back!
If you’re pulling your hair back into a ponytail, positioning is key. You only really have two choices for a comfortable workout…super low, or super high. Keeping your pony low towards the nape of your neck is the most effective positioning if you don’t like the feeling of your hair piled on top of your head. If it’s at the base of your skull, it feels like a rock when you’re lying on your back or rolling over. Same if it’s right at the back of your head in the middle! Every other position you’re in will feel like you’re bruising your skull over and over again.
If you hate your hair resting on the back of your neck and your hair is long enough, pile it up on top of your head and secure it with an elastic (whichever kind you like. I prefer an Invisibobble-type or a ribbon tie because they are easier for me to remove, but you do you, Boo). Think super high pony or a pineapple bun, depending on the length of your hair. Basically, we’re just trying to avoid the entire main section of the back of your head between the base of your skull to almost the top of your head.
You can also do a low side pony, which on me looks more like a throwback to the ‘90s but on you might look super fab. Go with whatever you feel great doing, my friend.
Something else that is cute and effective are braids. I am not a proficient braider, so I can’t do anything super fancy, but kudos if you can and want to. Just make sure if it’s a French braid or another kind that will be at the back of your head, it’s not too puffy, because rolling on that might not feel so comfy, either. A wraparound style that sits close to the nape of your neck, like a milkmaid braid, would probably be practical but I’d test it out before you commit!
I love double braids either side of your head. This usually looks super cute and tends to be the most practical. Again, if you can fancy it up and want to, feel free! When I do it, it’s basic like I’m in second grade because that’s about as good as it gets with my braiding skills.
At this point I’m realizing I need some tutorials on how to make cute braids. If you’ve got some suggestions, please let me know! I might have to try a little harder at getting better at them. They always look great on my clients and hair envy is real!
Now there’s the bang situation. If you’ve got long bangs, they can be a problem. Pull them back, use a hairband, or clip them so they’re not falling in your face. They tend not to stay back if you just push them there. As cute as they may look, there’s nothing worse than pushing your bangs off your face while you’re trying to coordinate the rest of you! When you clip your bangs back, be sure to clip to the side and not the front or back of your head, because in certain positions the clip will dig into your head and feel awful (especially Clam or the Celebration/Joe’s Pose).
If you’re good at the mini braids at your forehead, that’s a great way to keep your bangs back, too. Very rarely does this work out for me on my own, but they look awesome when other people do it.
So, that’s the long & short of it (pun intended!). Your hair has to feel good for your Pilates practice, or it’ll bug you and you’ll constantly redo it. It’s not worth the distraction, so when you find a style that works for you in your practice, stick with it until you’re sick of it or your hairstyle changes.
I hope this helps! Have a fabulous hair day, and let me know what style best works for you in your Pilates practice!
Xo, Kimberly
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