By Janelle Richards
The GRIO
6:11 PM on 05/27/2011
WATCH THEGRIO's JANELLE RICHARDS VIDEO HERE
Locks, curls, braids, twists or just straight--black women wear their hair in all different styles. And for women who choose to wear their hair natural, sometimes hitting the gym isn't a priority.
The sweat caused by grueling hours in the gym often curls the roots, frizzes the bob and can ruin a sometimes expensive hairstyle for women.
"I work out often," said graduate student Keshia Harris. "But I feel like I can't wear my hair straight the time...and I would like to."
For some women, wearing their hair natural can actually make it easier to workout.
"I wear my hair curly all of the time, so sweating in the gym isn't my biggest problem," said 24-year-old Jillian Logan. "But having to wash it every single time after I work out really dries my hair out."
But Whole Lifestyles trainer Lisa Priestly says hair cannot be an excuse for black women not to exercise.
"Many of my clients have to plan when they are going to get their hair done around when they are going to the gym," said Priestly. "So, they will do their more intense workouts in the days before they have their hair appointment."
Exercise, of course, is critical to remain healthy.
According to the American College of Sports Medicine, a minimum of one set of eight to ten exercises (multi-joint and single joint) that involve the major muscle groups should be performed two to three times a week for healthy participants of all ages.
Workouts of lower intensity levels do make a difference. And for some women, it will allow them to avoid sweating as much as they would on their busier gym days.
Planning may be exactly what it takes for black women to figure how to balance fitness and looking their best. Women have also expanded their hairstyle options to include weaves, braids, ponytails and buns.
theGrio worked with Whole Lifestyles trainer Lisa Priestly to find out what the best exercises were for black women who struggle to keep up their natural hair and to work out. Below are the workouts featured in the video. Remember, you can go to the gym, just decide how intense to make your workout.
VIDEO shot by Todd Johnson & Kyle Harvey
Exercises:
Squat Press: Strengthens all major muscles of the lower body and tone and shapes the shoulders.
1. Squat down and sit back like sitting in a chair
2. Weight mostly in heels
3. Keep your back long and chest up
4. Push into your heels and stand up
5. Press the dumbbells over your head
Lunge Curl: Strengthens all major lower body muscles, but adds the element of balance with the legs in a staggered position. Also tones the upper arm.
1. Step one foot back a little more than a strides distance with dumbbells in hand
2. Keep the back long, and Torso slightly angled forward
3. Bend the rear leg knee almost to the floor.
4. Curl the dumbbells as you come up.
Push- up: Strengths and tones upper body and core
1. Starting in plank position knees up or down on the floor
2. Keeping the body in one straight line
3. Leading with the check lower the body 1 fist distance from the floor or at least been the elbows to 90 degrees
4. Press back up, keeping the body in one line
Single Leg One Arm Cable Row: Strengthens balance and core musculature and well as the mid- back muscles that are good for posture.
1. Standing on one leg with cable in the opposite hand
2. Extend opposite leg back.
3. As you pull the cable handle back to side ribs, you draw your back leg in and stand up.
Stay Fit ! : According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention - people need two hours and 30 minutes a week of moderate intensity aerobic activity and two or more days a week that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms).
VIDEO shot by Todd Johnson & Kyle Harvey
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Tuesday, May 31st 2011 at 8:15AM
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