How can I keep long hair tied neatly for martial arts training?

Does anyone know how I might keep my hair tied in way as to minimize it's volume and prevent it from coming undone?

It is approximately shoulder length and gathers in thick, curly strands. When I wash it I generally untangle it first, then let it air-dry afterwards. I'm not in the habit of tampering with it much afterwards, as it always comes out best this way.

I study Genbukan Ninpou, a martial art with extensive acrobatics including cartwheels, rolls or flips to avoid locks.

The last time I trained was before the winter, when my hair was not at a sufficient length to cause trouble. But now that it is, I would rather learn to deal with it appropriately other than to cut some of it. It doesn't have to be pretty, but it can't be a distraction to either myself or my partner.

Also, the hair near my face is not long enough to be tied back, but does stretch past my ears.

I plan to enjoy it at it's full length when I'm not training. Plus, this hair is part of my soul, you see. :p

How can I keep long hair tied neatly for martial arts training?

All good ideas, but, since I have long hair and experience alot of the same problems that you do, here's how I have combatted the problem in the ring and the cage: ponytail at base of neck with regular hairtie, then use the plastic bands every inch to keep that in a tight tail. It'll fall right down your back and, unless your opponent decides to cheat, they can't claim it was ever in their way because it is stiff enough it won't come over the shoulder, and it always returns right back to your back.

I used this in all of my ring fights and in my last cage fight. The kickboxing matches I was always getting hassled, the judges tried to tell me that it was part of the rules, no long hair. Thankfully, I carried a TAKA handbook with me everytime I went to a fight and would pop it out to show them that as long as it was "controlled and did not present a distraction (no unnatural colors, adornments or accessories)", that I was within the rules. regardless, I've found alot of people do not like fighting against someone with long hair because it offers too much of a temptation to pull on, especially in contact sports.

Regardless, I hope you find a way to keep the hair and continue training, because I feel you on the "part of my soul". I don't cut my hair for anyone anymore, not since I got out of the Army.

How can I keep long hair tied neatly for martial arts training?

straighten it and then pull it into a ponytail

How can I keep long hair tied neatly for martial arts training?

Straighten it and pony tail it..

or how about cut it!?

How can I keep long hair tied neatly for martial arts training?

Inetresting topic. I cut my hair because it was always in the way during training. I recommend getting these little rubber bands that are actually more plastic than rubber. They tend to hold better than regular rubber bands. I'd skip the hair products as they will wipe off your hair during training (and besides that, your training partners don't appreciate reaching up to your head and grabbing a handful of goo). The best thing I found for bangs was to spray them with water and bury them into the rest of my hair when I gathered it up for a pony tail.

P.S. Do consider getting a trim. You can still have long hair but if it is a neater cut, it will stay better when you train. We recommend this to every long-haired newbie when they come in. Usually, trying to get up while have a 300 LBS guy has a knee on their locks remedies the situation.

How can I keep long hair tied neatly for martial arts training?

The other posts are good, I have the same problem, you could use a small amount of hair setting gel on the hair that falls in your face and a sweat band. You could also use a skull cap or hair net. Hair is part of the soul, let it flow!

How can I keep long hair tied neatly for martial arts training?

But in a pony tail, then but in a bun! It will work for ya!

How can I keep long hair tied neatly for martial arts training?

Tsk, don't you watch classic kung fu movies? Just tie them up into a braid or into a pigtail and wrap it around your neck : P

How can I keep long hair tied neatly for martial arts training?

I do Judo almost every day of the week and my long hair at the back gets stood on and wripped out and my fringe at the front gets in my eyes if i dont tie it back! I use little elastic bands to tie the short bits back, and then i get a really tight hair bobble with no metal bits in it and scrape it into a hair ponytail! Good luck!

How can I keep long hair tied neatly for martial arts training?

a few of my students put there hair in either pony tail or bun