Workin' It Out: Do You Go "Natural" To Get Healthy?

April 13, 2009

During all my years in Chicago, I never saw newscaster Robin Robinson with anything but a sleek relaxer. However, she recently opted for a more natural style for a segment on African-American hair and the gym. As she notes — and Curly Bella reiterates — getting from curly to straight hair is enough of a process itself . . . then sweating it out at the gym is just like washing money down the drain. Instead of making a definitive choice between straight tresses or healthy priorities, the piece points out, there are plenty of other hairstyles that promote easier gym visits. Check out this video and share your reactions in the comments below.

Hair Multicultural Beauty

40 Comments

3 years 44 weeks

"Thank goodness there is one" Wow! I can't believe you don't think that your natural hair is beautiful. There are many benefits to going natural! Its sad that you believe the reason black women are going natural due to health reasons. No, black women are going natural because they love themselves and their natural hair. I personally went natural because I was tired of trying to potray something I am not and I found that I LOVE IT! I am black and my hair is "ethnic" as you say lol! You were not born with straight hair Robin Robinson, stop trying to fit in with those people at Faux News!

AvaLaila 4 years 2 weeks

wow i am shocked people would sacrifice health over beauty. I work out and i'm natural but i'm sure there are ways to style relaxed hair whilst exercising. Wow.Just wow.

4 years 2 weeks

This issue here should not be about hair type but about health. Why are so many black women overweight and obese? Two-thirds of the US is overweight and obese, however Black women are leading in most diseases and illnesses. Is there a correlation between black women's hair choices and their physical health? Are women choosing hair over health? What does it matter if you have your hair relaxed if you still don't want to mess up your investment? Are we investing in our outward appearance while letting our inner state suffer?

pikkin 4 years 4 weeks

nice post....been natural for 5 yrs now and never have to think twice about exercising because of my hair. And even if your hair is reaxed so what if you have to wrap it. Why does looking cute in the gym matter?

Kelliegrl 4 years 4 weeks

I would NEVER use my hair as an excuse for not exercising. I work out 5 days a week and of course it gets sweaty, but I'd rather get up extra early to workout and have time for my appearance than be overweight and unhealthy.

TheGlamSpot 4 years 5 weeks

African American hair is widely misunderstood...and there is soo much that a lot of us have to learn. Not all African American hair is the same each person have to become the master of their own hair. There is a lot of trial and error and you have to find techniques that work for your hair. I love hair weather is natural, processed or weaved...do what works for you!

Ladytron7000 4 years 5 weeks

I love naturally curly hair on African American women. I think it looks cool and super cute. I also like relaxed looks, sometimes.

Rinnyriot 4 years 5 weeks

I've been natural since 2007 and let me just say it is a true blessing! There really is no such thing as "can't go without a relaxer". You can get the same results as relaxing with a blow out if you absoulutely need your hair straight. There also is no such thing as hair being "too nappy or kinky" Your hair is apart of you and how you were divinely created. Embrace it and forget the rest. My hair is thick and kinky and all sorts of curls but I wouldn't change it for the world. Its 2009 ya'll lets try out a new empowering attitude about ourselves.

msmishka 4 years 5 weeks

My hair is definitely relaxed, but I always wear it down and wavy. In order to keep it that way, I (sponge)roller-set my hair just about every night. I know that setting it nightly isn't something most people want to do, but to me, it's worth it. I just started a new workout routine (10yr reunion coming up!), and to deal with my hair, I'm setting it earlier in the evening, and then doing my workout. Granted, I'm incredibly fortunate to have a lot of equipment here at home, as I would NEVER leave the house like this. But yeah, set it, work out, blow dry the roots. It's working so far.

PeachyKeen19 4 years 5 weeks

naturally renowned whoops, I meant *Nationally

PeachyKeen19 4 years 5 weeks

BellaSugar, I just noticed these posts and I'm so glad they are here!! I think you should consider doing a feature on Miss Olive Benson, she is a naturally renowned hair expert and her salon is called Universal Textures. It's in Chesnut Hill, MA (Boston). Her hair salon has been featured in Essence Magazine and she did Hillary Clinton's hair for the 2004 DNC. The website is www.universaltextures.com There are some videos and scans of articles...also her education is GREAT!! She studied with, like, Revlon and beauty school in London and knows a lot about Chemistry. We're so fortunate to have her in the area and though they may specialize in relaxed hair, they know plenty about 'going natural' and encourage it. You can even contact them with questions on their contact sheet and they answer back! Well, I hope you will consider it! :)

NaturalHairRules 4 years 5 weeks

I really hate that many see natural hair as unprofessional. But workout is one of the perks of being natural.

berijoy 4 years 5 weeks

I just cut my locs, Symphonee, but I'm natural all the way!

Symphonee 4 years 5 weeks

This was one of the things that made me happy about my choice to go natural. I didn't have to chose between my health or my hair. Now that I am locing my hair I am actually in the same boat again, though.

berijoy 4 years 5 weeks

You look great!

berijoy 4 years 5 weeks

You look great!

silversnowflake 4 years 5 weeks

I am completely torn between going natural and keeping my hair relaxed. However, I go on walks 4 times a week and I'm going to start pilates or tai chi in about a month. I just suck it up and go out there and do whatever I have to do. When it comes to looking pretty, I worry about my hair then. Scarves, ponytails and twists can always solve a problem. I don't like using flat irons on my hair, something about hot plates of metal doesn't sit right with me.

ThePerfectScore 4 years 6 weeks

This is sooooooo STUPID. I am relaxed and when my hair gets all sweaty and crazy I just co-wash it and hair dry it in a bun. I think a slicked back bun is chic and stylish.

mwmsjuly19 4 years 6 weeks

I have natural hair and run and work out nearly every day. Having natural hair is the best thing I ever did for myself. It has literally added YEARS to my life because it has freed me in so many ways. That Fox News sister looks good, but she sounded...apologetic about her natural hair. That is just a shame...and kinda weak, too.

mwmsjuly19 4 years 6 weeks

I have natural hair and run and work out nearly every day. Having natural hair is the best thing I ever did for myself. It has literally added YEARS to my life because it has freed me in so many ways.That Fox News sister looks good, but she sounded...apologetic about her natural hair. That is just a shame...and kinda weak, too.

margokhal 4 years 6 weeks

Strange...I have really fine, moderately long hair (at least now it's longer, it's taken forever for me to find a way to make it grow!). Because it's always been shorter, I never wear it natural - it just breaks and isn't manageable. So I've always had my hair permed. However, my hair has never stopped me from exercising. I let my hair be - put a headband on and go work out. And I don't wash it all the time after I work out, either. Of course, my main issue isn't losing the perm/getting curlier hair [my hair is just wavy to begin with], it's the sweat buildup near my scalp, and dandruff and those other things. I found a great no-water volumizing spray that helps me rub that gunk out and restyle my hair without stripping it - saves time, too! :D

cdent4 4 years 6 weeks

I'm glad to see the media is starting to address all types of skin and hair solutions. For so long, I was like "okay great that works for everyone else - except me." At any rate, I could never sacrifice working out. I have a relaxer, and that helps to keep my hair manageable. I don't know if black women will ever have a definitive solution, but you just gotta work with what you're given.

starsinmypocket 4 years 6 weeks

Thanks SillyGirl... :-)

starsinmypocket 4 years 6 weeks

Thanks SillyGirl... :-)

Talldiva45 4 years 6 weeks

Wow - great piece! I have worked out off and on for years but I stopped bc. of exactly this. I pay a lot of $$ for relaxers and I just refuse to sacrifice my hair to work out. Sad I know but true. I just don't think I could handle my hair in any natural state and live normally bc. it's so so thick and nappy at the roots. My tender head can't take all that so no working out 4 me at this pt. Oh wells.

Link Love

40 Comments

You Might Also Like