A gym hair wig is a designated wig someone uses to go to the gym or wear during sporting activities. A gym wig can be any style, colour and type of wig you feel most comfortable in; however there are a few recommended styling types and helpful criteria you can refer to when choosing your designated gym wig. These specific types and styles are more work-out friendly than others.
This blog will help determine what wigs are the best for gym use, as well as offering advice on how best to secure your wig when working out, so you can focus on feeling the burn!
Can you wear a wig to the gym?
You can wear a wig to the gym; however, you need to be prepared for your wig to potentially wear quicker than some of your other wigs, due to sweat and also potentially any quick/rough styling that may occur.
For example, our wig wearer Steph has a designated wig for gym wear and finds that wearing a wig is no problem when working out. Listen to what Steph says about her gym routine and the type of wig that is the most comfortable.
Here are Steph’s top tips from her own gym routine to help you manage your gym wig.
Choosing your gym hair wig:
1. Wear an older wig
If you have any older wigs that you don’t tend to wear as much anymore, then these can be given a new purpose in the form of your new gym wig! You don’t want to be wearing your best wig to workout in, it will inevitably get sweaty and you’ll have to keep washing it, it’s best to stick to something that you’re not attached too as it may wear faster.
2. Styling
In terms of styling for your gym hair wig, if you want no-nonsense then the shorter the better, you can then push it behind your ears so it is off your face and does not get in the way. However, if you find all your older wigs are long or you feel a short hair look doesn’t suit you, then styling your hair in braids is recommended so it doesn’t bother you.
3. Human hair vs synthetic hair
Overall, there are pros and cons to using human hair and synthetic hair wigs for going to the gym; it depends entirely on your preference. Human hair is generally more expensive and heavier; however, if you want to be able to style the hair differently each time you visit and would prefer to have a more natural-looking wig, then it’s ideal. Similarly, synthetic hair wigs are lighter and cheaper but they maintain their style and are sometimes difficult to manipulate, which could affect how you style your gym hair wig.
Securing your Gym Wig
If you would like a full guide on the best ways to secure a wig and also some top tips on wearing a wig during sporting activities, then please read our previous posts.
When doing any form of exercise, you need to feel comfortable and safe in the knowledge your wig is as secure as can be before you start, which is why we recommend using wig tape and/or wig clips to secure your wig when working out.
We hope you now have the confidence to get back in the gym and feel the burn, safe in the knowledge that your gym hair wig looks fabulous and feels nice and secure!
Yes! There’s nothing worse than dripping from the bottom of the wig.
Thank you so much. Another great idea for me to try – one wig to the swimming pool and another for coming home. Happily I do have duplicates of some so it would work well for me.
What a great idea Lorrie! We do need this kind of product. x
Thanks , Steph, some excellent points
im a trans woman and so there are some extra hurdles but generally i have the same problems as youve described . I sptaorted ( back) at the gym new years day this year and alfter nearly 9 months and several alterations in routine have more or less got it to perfection now !! ( well….nearly!!)
i absolutely agree about wearing an old(er) wig …..sweat , make up and swimming pool chemicals very quickly damage fibres . because i exercise and then swim / sauna …i found that trying to amke the wig look at all decent on the way home, impossible . So i wear a wig of the same style and colour(s) going to and home from the gym, but change into the older one when i get there . that way i can go home looking ok and as though ive just dried and styled my hair !!!
for added salfety I use mini wig tape tabs at the front of t
he wig AND a broad very secure headband .
the added salfety precautions mean i can go for a swim straight after exercising and the wig is still secure . the headband works well , and i think is necessary ( for me) because , eventually, the tabs lose their stickiness on my head ( they are still stuck to the wig , but not my skin, by the time i’ve finished )
so far , ive not had any faux pas !! but have been able to enjoy keeping fit and weight balancing , despite the potential problems
thanks for rasing the issue
I also wear an older wig when exercising, but it is awful when the sweat drips off the ends of it. My most recent attempt at comfort when I know I’m going to get hit is to stick a couple of ‘tena ladies’ inside my wig. They soak up some of the extra moisture.
Surely there is an invention waiting for us around the corner….. disposable wig liners…
Thanks for your idea. There are some really good ideas here for me to try, looks as though I will be back swimming again soon.
That’s a really good idea! Thank you!
What a great routine! Thanks for the suggestion.
Tips for swimming – wear a cap. I found a very soft swimming cap made by Zoggs – it is very stretchy and close fitting. I use my usual tape – an old wig and the cap pulls on and nothing MOVES. Nothing like the old rubber ones I used to wear when swimming caps were mandatory in most public pools.
The issue with other activities is movement from behind. For the gym, running and cardio class I wear a head band – just like I used to – I sometimes get comments about looking good and all is safely anchored – again with an older, well worn piece of head wear.
Keep exercising ……
I love swimming but have been unsure about what to do at the pool. Thanks for your ideas.
Hi! I have recently started swimming, I do breast Stoke, head underwater etc. I use a specific one (an old should length one) use a hair clip at the front to keep it out of my eyes and goggles (which help to make it more secure but I mainly wear them to keep the chlorine out of my eyes!!) ……… and that’s it!!! I rinse it in the shower afterwards and wash it at home, using lots of balm afterwards. Not sure how often I’ll have to replace it yet!!
Julie G
Hi Ann
I swim a lot and have got a nice routine. I go into the changing room take off my wig and put on a zogg Lycra swim cap which is very comfortable and secure. When I have finished my swim I have a towelling turban which I take into the shower so I can cover my head once I have my shower with it so my head is never exposed . I always use a personal changing room too! The way I deal with it is by saying to myself it’s the art of disguise but it works and it means you can swim . Good luck and enjoy it’s liberating!!
Thanks for the tips …Didn’t think to use an older wig for the gym,thats a great idea
Great post Steph! Being a very long-term wig wearer I’ve never let It stop me going to the gym. I do wear an old one that I don’t mind spoiling (if that’s the right word!) and tape the front so it’s very secure, I do tie it back and sometimes clip it up at the back. The only thing I would like some advice on though, is swimming. I haven’t dared try this, and I would love to go swimming again. Any tips?
Thanks Steph. Very helpful particularly using an old in my case hairpiece. I keep them all so good to find a use. Marion
When does Steph ever look anything but gorgeous?
My ‘go to’ wig for anything vigorous: hot yoga, ballet, gardening, DIY and housework is an elderly RoP Amore Erika wig. I’m sure that the neighbours have worked out by now that I am a wig-wearer, but nobody has ever said anything to me about long to short and back to long again, not to mention the 50 shades of blonde, all within 24 hours!
Interestingly, the hot yoga is in 40 degrees, but the wig doesn’t get too sweaty if I spray the inside with a little dry shampoo beforehand (I do have some hair, so this might not help if you don’t)