16 Workout Hairstyles That Can Stand Up to Sweat

If anything can ruin the rush of endorphins from a good, sweaty workout, it's having to stop midway through to fix your hair. To save you from having to pull your sweaty hair off your face in the middle of a HIIT circuit, we've rounded up the best workout hairstyles that stand up to sweat. Plus, they're cute enough to keep in place after you leave the gym. Keep scrolling for the best workout hairstyles to wear the next time you pop into the gym.

Low Ponytail

A slicked back low ponytail is the perfect hairstyle when you need to wear your hair down soon after a gym sesh and have it still look intact. Make sure any loose strands are pulled back off your face to avoid post-workout frizz and secure the ponytail right at the nape of your neck.

Tied Back With a Headband

One of the most low-lift hairstyles—tying back your hair into a bun, then securing flyaways with a thin headband—will ensure you get through your workout without another thought to your hair.

Topknot

A high, messy bun will keep your hair out of your face and off your neck so that you can give your full concentration to your workout. To keep it in place, pull the top half of your hair back and pin it at the crown of your head, then gather the rest of your hair into a high bun. Use bobby pins to pin up any stray hairs underneath to let your neck breathe.

Half-Up Topknot

This style will keep your hair away from your face but still let you enjoy all the pretty hair-blowing-in-the-breeze benefits of a down ’do. Make a side part in your hair, then tie up the top half into a topknot. This workout hairstyle is perfect for short-haired girls.

Braided Bun

Braids on each side will keep your hair locked in place while you exercise and look just as great after a good sweat sesh. Divide your hair into two sections and braid or French braid both sides of your hair back toward the nape of your neck. Secure both sections together with a hair tie, then pin your hair into a bun to keep it off your soon-to-be-sweaty neck.

Stay-Put Ponytail

Side braids keep those pesky baby hairs out of your eyes. Take the top section of your hair, braid it toward the back, and then secure it into a ponytail. Optional: If you want to look extra put-together, wrap a section of hair around the hair tie to cover it up. 

High Ponytail With a Headband

There's a reason this go-to workout hairstyle is so popular. It keeps hair out of your face no matter how much you sweat and looks sleek and chic commuting to and from your workout.

Ponytail Braid

Brush your hair back into a ponytail, secure it with a hair tie, and then braid it to the bottom. For more security, a thin elastic headband makes sure every last flyaway stays in its place. 

Twisted Side Braid

For a pretty workout hairstyle that looks totally effortless but will also stay put, try this twisted low braid on one side.

Low Bun With a Middle Part

Fitness influencer Robbie Darby, shown here, often wears a middle part slicked back into a low bun when she hits the gym. “When I work out, I don’t really like a lot of things on me,” she has told Byrdie. “I’m a ‘sports bra and slicked-back hair’ type of girl so I can just get it in. I use a pomade mixed with water to lay down my edges, which is why I always keep a boar bristle brush in my bag. My hair is naturally curly so I like to keep it pulled back to avoid oils and hair in my face.” 

Box Braid Pony

Kerry Washington's box braids in a high pony could withstand a grueling workout. If you want to replicate this style, use Bungee cords to tie your braids up—they offer good tension and flexible sizing. You could also cut your own custom-sized hair ties from a spool of elastic.

Ultra-High Pony

This sky-high ponytail looks great anywhere. We can just see it with jeans for a coffee shop study session, with a cute dress for happy hour, or—more to the point—putting the final touch on a great workout outfit at the gym. It will keep your hair out of your face, and it's easy to recreate. Just gather your hair into a high ponytail and secure it with an elastic. For extra hold, add in a few bobby pins.

Low Braided Bun

As Yara Shahidi demonstrates here braided hair looks great in a low bun. Plus, a style like this will stand up to sweat and won't fall out with movement—even if you hit the treadmill hard.

Space Buns

Yara Shahidi's space buns have a cute, '90s-style vibe. Easy to recreate, the style will stay in place for a workout and beyond. When you're ready to leave the gym, just hit the buns with some shine spray, tease them a little to bring back some natural texture, and look adorably spacey for the rest of the day.

Double Braids

If you need a way to keep long hair secure during a workout, take a look at Tessa Thompson's double braids. The look will keep even the longest, thickest tresses in place for any sweat session.

Banded Ponytail

Want to make a long ponytail ultra secure? Add a few extra bands. This banded ponytail not only looks chic—and more intricate than it actually is—it's a great workout style.