Does Exercise Help With Hair Growth?

Does Exercise Help With Hair Growth?

We’re guessing that your hair wasn’t the first reason you joined the gym or started going to a workout class but that doesn’t mean there aren’t hair benefits. Sure working off your daily coffee and croissant habit is important but working out will give your hair a serious boost too. 

One of the main benefits is that exercise can boost hair growth. This is because it increases blood circulation and the amount of oxygen and nutrients going to your scalp. This will ensure your follicles are getting everything they need to grow strong and healthy hair. Cardio and yoga are particularly good for this so you might want to incorporate them into your routine if you're looking to get longer locks.

It’s not just about increasing blood flow either, exercise can also help to reduce stress which is a major cause of hair loss. This is because working out increases the production of endorphins, a chemical known as a happy hormone which boosts your mood for up to 24 hours. Along with this, you’ll find it easier to sleep and being well-rested is another great way to reduce stress.

While your workout is boosting your hair from the inside, there are a few other things you can do to keep your hair healthy at the gym. One of the main things is avoiding tight hairstyles and elastics that can damage or snap your hair as you’re moving. Instead, you’ll want to use an invisibobble or scrunchie and tie your hair at the nape of your neck to prevent causing too much tension. You can also give your hair a boost by putting on a hair mask before you work out. We know it sounds crazy but as your head warms up it’ll help to open your cuticles so that the mask can really sink into your strands.

Along with regular exercise, eating the right foods is really important for your hair health. Things like iron, Omega-3 and Vitamin A will help to supercharge your follicles to promote healthy hair growth. Being deficient can lead to brittle and dry strands or at the very worst, hair loss which is why it’s so important. Along with a healthy diet you need to make sure that you’re keeping your scalp and hair hydrated too by drinking lots of water. Water actually makes up around 25% of a single strand of hair so not drinking enough can lead to dull and brittle strands.

Even if you’re not seeing major results from your workout yet, we hope this post has you inspired to hit the gym just for the hair benefits! Improving your lifestyle and making healthier choices will benefit your locks in the long run, which is why it’s worth being more mindful with your choices now. We just wish that blowdrying counted as cardio…