16 Gymnastics Hairstyles, Organized by Apparatus
My niece started gymnastics when she was five, and I quickly learned that gymnastics hair is serious business. At her very first meet, a strand of hair slipped out of her ponytail during her floor routine and stuck to her cheek for the entire second half. She finished perfectly, then marched straight over to me and said, “Next time, I need gymnastics hair, not regular hair.”
She was right. Gymnastics hair has to survive flips, handsprings, swings around the bars and balance on a beam just four inches wide. It needs to be tight, secure and completely out of the way.
Over the years, I’ve done her hair for countless practices and meets, and I’ve learned that different apparatus need slightly different styles. So I’ve organized these 16 gymnastics hairstyles by apparatus: vault, uneven bars, balance beam, floor, rhythmic gymnastics and trampoline. For each style, you’ll find why it works on that event, a hold check, and real stories from gym meets.
Why Gymnastics Hair Has to Be So Secure
- Safety: loose hair can block a gymnast’s vision during flips and twists.
- Bars: long, swinging hair can get caught or hit the bar during swings.
- Balance: a swinging ponytail can slightly affect balance on the beam.
- Presentation: neat hair helps gymnasts look polished in front of judges.
Vault
Vault is fast and powerful, with a sprint, a springboard and a big flight phase.
1. The Slicked High Ponytail With Stacked Elastics
A tight, slicked-back high ponytail with a second elastic added about an inch below the first. The extra elastic stops the ponytail from swinging during the run and flight.
Why it works on vault: the stacked elastics keep the ponytail controlled through powerful movements.
Hold check: stays tight through sprints, takeoffs and landings.
2. The Braided Ponytail
A high ponytail braided all the way down and secured at the end. It’s tidy, secure and won’t whip into a gymnast’s face.
Why it works on vault: the braid keeps the ponytail compact.
Hold check: stays secure through multiple vaults.
3. The Center French Braid
A single French braid down the center of the head. It keeps every strand close to the scalp.
My niece wore this for her first vault competition. She said she didn’t think about her hair once, which is exactly the point.
Why it works on vault: nothing loose to distract.
Hold check: extremely secure.
Uneven Bars
On bars, long, swinging hair can get caught or hit the bar, so styles should be compact and secure at the back.
4. The Braided Crown Bun
Braid the hair into a ponytail braid, then wrap it into a tight bun at the crown. It keeps the back of the head clear for swinging movements.
Why it works on bars: nothing hangs down to catch on the bar.
Hold check: survives giants, kips and dismounts.
5. Double Dutch Braids Into a Bun
Two Dutch braids running from the hairline to the crown, finished in a neat bun.
Why it works on bars: keeps hair flat, tight and completely contained.
Hold check: extremely secure.
6. The Wrapped Slicked-Back Ponytail
A slicked-back ponytail wrapped in a section of hair and pinned, then folded up and secured to keep it compact.
Why it works on bars: shortens the ponytail so it doesn’t swing into the bar.
Hold check: strong, especially with extra pins.
Balance Beam
On the beam, balance is everything. Hair should be still, sleek and secure.
7. The High Sleek Bun
A smooth, high bun that keeps hair completely still. It’s classic, polished and perfect for beam.
My niece’s coach once told her, “On beam, your hair should be as calm as you are.” She’s worn a high bun for beam ever since.
Why it works on beam: no swinging to affect balance.
Hold check: completely still through leaps and turns.
8. The Crown Braid
A braid wrapped around the head like a crown, lying flat and secure.
Why it works on beam: stays flat and still.
Hold check: excellent.
9. Secure Space Buns
Two tight space buns on top of the head. They’re playful, but completely secure.
Why it works on beam: nothing swings, and buns stay tight.
Hold check: strong with enough pins.
Floor Exercise
Floor routines combine tumbling with dance and artistry, so hair should be secure but can show a little personality.
10. The Meet-Day Curled High Ponytail
A tight high ponytail with curled ends and a team-colored scrunchie or ribbon. It’s fun, polished and team-spirited.
Why it works on floor: secure for tumbling while still adding style.
Hold check: strong when combined with hairspray.
11. The Zigzag Part With Braids Into a Ponytail
A zigzag part with two braids leading into a high ponytail. It looks creative and stays secure through tumbling passes.
Why it works on floor: braids hold hair close to the scalp.
Hold check: excellent.
12. The Sleek Bun With Glitter Accents
A smooth high bun with a little cosmetic glitter or small rhinestones along the part, if competition rules allow.
At my niece’s championship meet, her whole team wore sleek buns with a line of glitter along their parts. They looked amazing under the arena lights.
Why it works on floor: sleek and secure, with a touch of sparkle.
Hold check: strong.
Rhythmic Gymnastics
Rhythmic gymnastics combines dance with ribbons, hoops, balls, clubs and ropes, so hair must be completely contained.
13. The Decorated High Bun
A sleek, high bun decorated with sparkly hair jewelry that complements the gymnast’s leotard.
Why it works in rhythmic: keeps hair away from apparatus like ribbons and hoops.
Hold check: very secure.
14. The Slicked Bun With a Hairnet
A tightly slicked bun covered with a hairnet and smoothed with gel. Not a strand out of place.
Why it works in rhythmic: prevents hair from tangling with ribbons or ropes.
Hold check: extremely secure.
Trampoline and Tumbling
These events involve repeated bouncing and flipping.
15. Boxer Braids Into a Low Bun
Two tight braids finished in a low bun at the nape.
Why it works on trampoline: keeps hair tight and close to the head through repeated bounces.
Hold check: extremely secure.
16. Short Hair With Gel and Clips
For gymnasts with short hair, slick back the front with gel and secure shorter pieces with flat clips or a thin headband.
Why it works: keeps short hair out of the face during flips.
Hold check: strong with enough gel.
Know Your Competition Rules
Gymnastics organizations and competitions may have rules about hair, accessories and decorations. Generally, hair should be secured away from the face, and some competitions limit large or distracting accessories. Always check with your coach or the competition guidelines before meet day.
Meet Day vs. Practice Hair
- Practice: simple, secure styles like ponytails, braids and buns.
- Meet day: polished styles with team-matching scrunchies, ribbons or glitter, if allowed.
Practice your meet-day hairstyle during the week before the competition, so you know exactly how long it takes and how well it holds.
The Team-Matching Tradition
Many gymnastics teams match their hair on meet days, with the same style and scrunchie or ribbon in team colors. It builds team spirit and looks great in group photos.
Your Gymnastics Hair Kit
- Strong elastics without metal pieces
- Plenty of bobby pins and bun pins
- Strong-hold gel
- Firm-hold hairspray
- Hairnets for buns
- An edge brush or old toothbrush for smoothing
- A wide-tooth comb
- Team scrunchies or ribbons
Getting Chalk Out of Hair
Gymnasts use chalk to improve grip, and it often ends up in their hair. To clean it out:
- Brush out as much chalk as possible while hair is dry.
- Rinse with warm water before shampooing.
- Use a clarifying shampoo occasionally to remove buildup.
- Deep condition to restore moisture.
Protecting Hair for Daily Training
Daily tight ponytails can stress hair over time:
- Change the position of ponytails and buns.
- Use gentle elastics.
- Let hair down after practice.
- Deep condition regularly.
Tips for Busy Gym Parents
- Do hair the night before for early morning meets, using braids that hold overnight.
- Keep a spare hair kit in the car.
- Practice styles before meet day.
- Teach older gymnasts to do their own practice hair.
Final Thoughts
Gymnastics hair has one important job: to stay out of the way so gymnasts can focus on their routines. Whether it’s a sleek bun for beam, a braided crown bun for bars or a curled high ponytail for floor, the right style keeps gymnasts safe, confident and ready to shine.
Choose a style for each apparatus, practice it before meet day, and get ready to cheer from the stands.
Which event does your gymnast love most? Let me know in the comments below.
