When you're working out, a ponytail might seem like the perfect way to quickly throw your hair back and keep it out of your face. But the popular hairstyle is best avoided for certain types of exercise, according to an expert. While the updo is sleek, stylish and simple to complete, it could be wrecking your hair, warns celebrity hairstylist Tom Smith.
Taking to TikTok, the expert revealed why you shouldn't pick the style if you're completing an energetic workout, which could see your ponytail swishing from side to side. If you have long hair, it is a warning you'll want to take note of - or you could risk dry hair and split ends.
Tom shared his wisdom with fans in a short video posted to @tomsmithhd. He explained: "If you exercise and you also care about your hair, you're going to want to listen to this.
"I've just been in the park this morning and I saw someone jogging, and I thought good for you, it's a Sunday. But as she was running her hair was swishing from side to side, and I thought that is like whiplash for your hair.
"If you go for a run and you have your hair loose whipping back and forth, it's an absolute recipe for split ends and really dry friction burn on the ends of your hair."
Luckily, there's a simple solution. "Make sure you wrap it, maybe braid it into a little bun, keep it all tightly tucked away so that it's not moving as you run," he recommended.
"Don't let your morning jog ruin your hair," added the video's caption.
In response, viewers were quick to thank the hairdresser for sharing the tip. "Thanks Tom never considered this before but will go back to a bun!" read one such comment. "No way! I’m a runner with dry ends and had no idea. Thanks!" said a second person.
"Not to mention the tangles after," wrote another, pointing out another reason not to opt for a ponytail. "Yes! Detangling too roughly damamges too!" replied Tom.
Some cheeky commenters also took the video as a sign not to workout at all. "Better be safe and not run at all," someone joked. And a different person quipped: "All I heard was that running is a terrible idea."
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