Tips For Exercising With Extensions

Read Time: 2 minutes, 30 seconds

One of the biggest myths about hair extensions is that they don't work with an active lifestyle. But Covet & Mane's hand-tied hair extensions, The Cut Point Weft specifically, are designed to move with you—not hold you back. With our tips, you can keep your extensions looking (and smelling) fresh, even on your sweatiest days. We've compiled the best advice (with a few personal tips from our team) to help you maintain gorgeous, exercise-ready hair.

Read on to learn how to keep your locks in perfect shape without sacrificing your active routine.

How to Work Out While Wearing Hair Extensions

Always Protect Your Hair 

Taking your workout outdoors? That's great for your mind and body, but exposure to the elements can take a toll on your hair extensions, especially under the sun’s intense rays. Here's how to shield your strands and keep them healthy.

TIPS FOR PROTECTING EXTENSIONS FROM SUN DAMAGE:

1. Apply a UV Protectant: A UV spray shields your extensions from color-fading and dryness caused by sun exposure. Regular use helps maintain their softness and keeps the color vibrant.

2. Wear a Hat: Besides blocking the sun, a hat prevents dust and pollen from settling on your extensions, which can cause them to feel sticky and tangled over time. This simple trick is essential for outdoor runs or hikes.

3. Try a Headband: If you’ll be outdoors for a longer session, a moisture-wicking headband can help preserve your hairstyle by trapping sweat from ruining your hair.

Choose Hairstyles that Minimize Friction and Tangling


High-impact workouts can lead to tangling and matting if your extensions rub against sweaty skin. Opting for hairstyles that reduce movement and friction keeps your extensions secure and tangle-free. Don't forget to keep it in place with a silk scrunchie to minimize breakage and prevent snagging.

PROTECTIVE STYLES FOR WORKOUTS:

1. Ponytail: Simple, easy, and works with a variety of hair lengths. 

2. Bun: Do your neck and back get ultra sweaty? A bun protects your hair from this and keeps them up on your head.

3. Braid: Perfect for low-impact workouts, plus they give your hair a soft wave once you've taken it out.

Wash and Dry Your Hair Properly 


After your workout, a gentle wash routine ensures that sweat and buildup won’t damage your extensions or lead to any unwanted odors. It’s all about balance: you want to cleanse without stripping the hair of moisture.

1. Use a Gentle Shampoo and Conditioner: Choose a hydrating, lightweight formula that targets sweat and buildup on the scalp without over-drying your extensions. Focus on the roots while shampooing, and apply conditioner to the ends for an added boost of moisture.

2. Gently Double Shampoo: For extra sweaty sessions, consider double shampooing. Start with the natural hair near the roots and then gently work the product into your extensions with downward strokes to avoid tangling.

3. Cool Air Drying for Roots: After washing, use cool air to dry the roots and wefts first. This helps prevent odor and keeps the hair looking and feeling fresh. Make sure the weft is completely dry before applying tension during blow-drying, as hand-tied extensions are more delicate when wet.

Keep Your Roots Dry

Speaking of roots, excess moisture there can cause trouble over time. If you can’t fully shampoo after a workout, blot sweat along the hairline or use a dry shampoo to keep your hair smelling and feeling clean. Dry shampoo can help extend the time between washes, but it shouldn't replace regular cleansing.

DRY SHAMPOO TIPS:

1. Look for Lightweight Formulas: Opt for residue-free, lightweight dry shampoos. Avoid formulas heavy in oils or silicones, which can weigh down your extensions. 

2. Focus on the Scalp, Not the Extensions: Use dry shampoo only where you need it—on the scalp and roots—rather than the extensions themselves. Make sure you spray it 6-12 inches away from your head to prevent that dreaded white powder cast over your scalp.

Try Top Washing 

Top washing has become a favorite at Covet & Mane. By cleansing only the hair around your crown and hairline, you can keep your style fresh without a full wash.

BENEFITS OF TOP WASHING:


1. Refreshes Key Areas: By focusing on the areas most prone to oil buildup, you keep your hair looking clean and itch and odor-free while saving time.

2. Minimizes Water Exposure: This low-maintenance wash method protects your extensions from water, which extends their lifespan.

Detangle, Detangle, Detangle

Detangling is essential to keeping your extensions looking sleek and polished. Make it a part of your post-workout routine to prevent matting.

COVET & MANE DETANGLING TECHNIQUES:

1. Carry a Hair Extension-Safe Brush: Keep a gentle brush and detangler spray in your gym bag to detangle on the go.

2. Brush Immediately After Exercise: Brushing soon after your workout keeps tangles from setting in and preserves the smoothness of your extensions.

Working out with hair extensions doesn’t have to be complicated. With these tips, you can keep your extensions fresh, tangle-free, and odorless through any workout routine.