Whether relaxed or natural; wearing weaves, braids, or locks, when asked about the No. 1 barrier to fitness for Black women, you can expect a large percentage will say "hair." With the growing number of health disparities for Black women worldwide, it is more important than ever to demonstrate ways to get (and keep) Black women moving, unobstructed by the roadblocks we face each day.
Let's be real: It’s a commitment for Black women to stay active and also care for their hair.
RUNGRL’s My Running Hair™ initiative is bringing attention to how we can reduce hair as a barrier to fitness by providing tips and resources for hair care and maintenance while running. We're also celebrating the many women who are already making it work. Our goal is to improve our community’s health and wellness overall, and encourage more women in joining the movement to sprinkle more Black Girl Magic in the streets. We're showing the world what our hair looks like and why that is so beautiful.
No Excuses
As part of My Running Hair™, we surveyed RUNGRL readers about hair care and maintenance so that we can use those insights to propel our efforts to reduce these things as barriers to health and fitness for Black women.
Our survey respondents--U.S. women, aged 18-44, who identified as Black, Hispanic or Multiple Ethnicity--overwhelmingly agreed that the maintenance and styling of their hair plays a major role in the decisions they make around when and how often they work out.
Since we believe that health and wellness are vital, not just to personal wellbeing, but also to the wellbeing of our communities, we’re calling out our own excuses, in order to push right through them and prove it can be done.
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Read more on the topics we're tackling around Black women's wellness, our hair, and the many, nuanced concerns that come with maintaining both!
Join the My Running Hair movement
We want to see your looks! Show off your beautiful style and share your favorite running hair moments with us on Instagram by posting a photo of yourself using #MyRunningHair in your caption and tagging @rungrlco.
MY RUNNING HAIR™ is a trademark of RUNGRL Co.
We’ve got all the tips on caring for your running hair while maintaining a rigorous training schedule through cold winter months. Let's make sure your hair stays looking as fire as your running spirit.