Exercise Excuses

Has your hair ever held you back in the gym? A new study shows, in some cases, women may avoid exercise to save their style. African-American women are the least likely to meet recommended levels of physical activity and hair care plays a role.

They questioned 103 African-American women 21 to 60 years of age. More than half of them reported exercising less than 75 minutes a week… while 26 percent said they don’t exercise at all. Their reasons 38 percent said that they avoid exercise at times because they don’t want to ruin their hairstyle.

36 percent said they avoid swimming, 29 percent said they avoid aerobic activity like running or biking due to their hair’…and 26 percent said they stay away from sports like tennis, basketball, golf and soccer.

Sweating, and ruining a hair style can be expensive…but avoiding exercise can add up to poor health. Consistent physical activity is associated with a decreased risk for obesity, diabetes and heart disease.