One day while perusing the interwebs (essence.com, I think), I came across some products created by the beautiful Nicole Ari Parker called “Save Your Do” gymwraps (or head wraps) that are supposed to “save” your hair while working out.  For those of you who may not be familiar with this issue, a black woman’s hair is her crown ‘n glory.  Some of us avoid working out so we don’t sweat out our hair…it’s just THAT important.  I grew up playing sports, so it was never TOO much of an issue for me, but it’s still a thought that crosses my mind.  If I know I’m getting my hair done on a Saturday, I up my workouts toward the end of the week and probably won’t work out again until Monday/Tuesday.

Anywho, when I found this product, I immediately went to the Save Your Do web site and found that three types of gymwraps are offered: narrow band gymwrap, wide band gymwrap and full triangle gymwrap (or bandana).  They all come with open ties (so you can tie them as tight as you want), are moisture wicking and have edge-control technology:

Save Your Do™ GymWrap is a stylish headband developed with a patent-pending revolutionary “Edge Control Technology” that minimizes sweat absorption through a unique blend of materials that allows heat to escape while letting cool air in. The moisture ‘wicking’ process occurs at the molecular level within the fabric resulting in drier flat hair!

So, of course I had to give it shot.  I ordered the wide band gymwrap and received it 4 days later! I felt that the wide band would suit me best because I wrap my hair up when I work out, secure it with bobby pins, then put some heat protectant and oil on my hair and around my edges, and sometimes put on a headband to catch my sweat, all while leaving the top of my hair out so it doesn’t get flat. (Whew! Damn shame I do alladat BEFORE working out! #blackgirlproblems.)

To really test this thing out, I selected a pretty intense Cathe Friedrich step workout to make sure I would sweat.

before the workout

When I removed the gymwrap after the workout my edges were FLAT.  But the true test was how my edges would look after my hair dried.  About an hour later, lo and behold, my edges were in pretty damn good shape.  On most occasions when I wear nothing around my edges, they have a tendency to get bushy and it takes some work to get them back together.  The gymwrap also kept my hair steady and in place, which helped with all the jumping around associated with step.

after the workout - FLAT edges

After this great experience, I decided to order the bandana gymwrap to see how that would work.  While I usually leave the top part of my hair out, I am interested to see if the bandana will keep my hair even more secure and help to wick sweat from the middle of my head.  I will be sure to update this post when I test it out.

Save Your Do gymwraps retail for $24.95 (narrow & wide band) and $29.95 (bandana).  If you “like” the FB page, you get $5 off your order, which you can do right from the Save Your Do web site.  It’s well worth a shot.


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