In gymnastics, hair isn’t just about looking good—it’s about staying secure through every flip, twist, and landing. Below are the hair tools and trends that gymnasts, coaches, and parents are loving in 2024–25—straight from product launches, athlete forums, and best-seller lists.
1. Bling-Edged & Oversized Scrunchies
Think of a classic ’90s scrunchie—but supersized. These 4 to 5-inch-diameter accessories are made from holographic lamé, foil spandex, or rhinestone-edged satin. The wider fabric not only adds sparkle but distributes tension more evenly, reducing breakage from tight elastics. Soft, stretch-backed, and hardware-free, they meet competition safety rules.
Why They’re Trending in 2025
Statement Sparkle, Judge Approved: Rules prohibit hard accessories, but fabric-backed rhinestones are fair game—as long as they stay on. Oversized scrunchies are easy to spot on livestreams and help gymnasts stand out in identical leos.
Sources: Hello! Magazine, TikTok.com
Social Media Buzz: Elsa Hosk’s viral pony + jumbo scrunchie look jumped from Instagram to TikTok to the gym. Now, #oversizedscrunchie racks up millions of views weekly.
Sources: Cliphair.co.uk, Woman & Home
Styling & Security Tips
- Wrap for Fit: Twice for medium/thick hair, three times for fine.
- Pin First: Secure the bun with two spin-pins before sliding on the scrunchie.
- Set & Seal: Mist with Got2b Freeze Spray or smooth with wax to keep rhinestones and flyaways in place.
2. Spin-Pins > Bobby Pins
Spin-pins are 4–5 cm corkscrew-shaped metal fasteners that twist into a bun, gripping the entire coil from the inside. Two pins can do the work of 20+ bobby pins without poking or slipping.
Why Coaches (and Judges) Love Them
- Fewer Pins, Fewer Deductions: Less hardware means fewer chances of pins falling out and earning a 0.30 deduction for “foreign objects.”
- All-Day Security: Holds heavy braids and long hair securely through full routines.
- Less Breakage: No pin stacking means fewer snapped strands at the nape.
Source: Chalkbucket.com
Quick How-To (Two-Pin Method)
- Make a tight bun.
- Spin the first pin down through the top center.
- Spin the second pin up from underneath, avoiding the first.
- Shake to test—if loose, reinsert deeper. Done in 90 seconds.
3. Ballet-Weight Mesh Hair Nets
Imagine an ultra-fine, stretchy nylon mesh—so sheer it’s nearly invisible, even on camera. These ballet-weight hair nets are designed with a soft elastic edge that stretches up to 20 inches (50 cm), wrapping smoothly over any finished bun. The mesh hugs every stray strand, creating a clean, secure, and judge-proof finish without adding bulk or extra weight.
Why They’re Trending in 2025
- Trusted by Coaches: Known as the “belt-and-suspenders” solution for meet-day buns.
- Proven by Parents: One net often outperforms 20 bobby pins.
- Upgraded Fabrics: Super-elastic grids now withstand 35 lbs of tension—ideal for thick, tightly wound hair.
Sources: Chalkbucket.com
How to Use It (2-Minute Routine)
- Make a bun with spin-pins.
- Stretch the net wide and loop it over the bun.
- Tuck loose corners and top with a matching scrunchie or ribbon.
- Mist lightly with freeze spray. Lies flat—won’t catch on vault or bars.
4. Industrial-Strength Hold Sprays & Wax Sticks
Think of these styling tools as the chalk and tape of gymnastics hair. They’re built to hold strong under sweat, motion, and even the occasional fall.
- Freeze sprays like Got2b Glued Blasting Freeze coat each hair with a light shell that dries fast and stays firm.
- Wax sticks (like Samnyte or TIGI Bed Head) smooth down edges and flyaways without that crunchy, stiff feeling.
When used together—wax first, spray second—they create a sleek, sculpted bun that holds from warm-up to awards without leaving any mess on the floor.
Why They’re Trending in 2025
- Scoring Demands Clean Hairlines: A quick wax-and-spray combo keeps styles sharp and avoids flyaway deductions.
- Affordable + Viral: Samnyte sold 80,000 units after a TikTok comparison went viral.
- Cleaner Formulas: New products offer 72-hour hold, humidity shields, and plant-based waxes for soft post-wash hair.
Sources: Chalkbucket.com, Tiktok.com
Coach-Tested Application Routine
- Prep: Brush smooth and mist with water.
- Wax: Apply to part lines, nape, and edges.
- Style: Build bun with spin-pins + hair net.
- Spray: Freeze in place from 8-10″ distance.
- Test: Touch-check and reapply wax to stubborn spots.
5. Cooling, Sweat-Wicking Headbands
These aren’t your average headbands. Made from advanced moisture-wicking fabrics, these bands pull sweat away from your skin and help it evaporate quickly—so nothing drips into your eyes or loosens the gel in your bun.
The 2025 versions come with serious tech upgrades:
- Snap-to-cool polymers that chill 8–12°F when wet—like a mini ice pack for your forehead
- UPF 50 sun protection for outdoor meets
- Antimicrobial yarns to fight odor
Why They’re Trending in 2025
- Climate Control: Meets are hotter, and these bands keep athletes cool without breaking uniform codes.
- Inspired by Olympians: Marathon cooling tech seen at Paris 2024 made its way to the gym.
- Zero-Slip Fit: Sleek styles lie flat under buns and redirect sweat sideways—not down your face.
Source: time.com
Quick Fit & Care Checklist
- Size Wisely: Choose 2″ for meets, 4″ for practice.
- Chill Prep: Soak, squeeze, snap.
- Lock It In: Slide on before styling hair.
- Care: Cold rinse, hang dry—no heat.
6. Velvet Bows, Monogram Ribbons & Team-Logo Ties
Big velvet or grosgrain bows (4–6 inches) mounted on elastic bands, often printed with names, initials, or team logos in glitter vinyl or foil. Custom shades match leotards precisely.
Why They’re Everywhere in 2025
- Coquette-Core Meets Team Pride: Kate Middleton’s 2025 bow moment reignited the trend, now all over social feeds and gym meets.
- Custom Color Matching: Vinyl cutters let sellers match any PMS shade.
- Fabric = Code-Legal: Soft and flexible, they add style without breaking safety rules.
Source: allure.com
How to Rock It
- Build your bun with spin-pins or a mesh net.
- Slip bow elastic over the bun, twist to center logo.
- Anchor with one U-pin.
- Mist with freeze spray to keep tails flat.
7. Braided Elastics & Sweatband-Scrunchie Hybrids
Braided elastics weave 3–5 strands of sport-grade material into a flat band—spreading tension and reducing breakage. Sweatband-scrunchie hybrids wrap moisture-wicking fabric (like Gymwrap’s EvapoCOOL™ mesh) around an elastic core for both hold and sweat control.
Why They’re Everywhere in 2025
- Strong Yet Gentle: Braided bands test 3x stronger than singles and pull out easily.
- Built-In Sweat Control: Hybrids soak up sweat at the scalp, protecting gelled styles and hands on bars.
- Gen Z Approved: TikTok’s #BunBand challenge made these the go-to for gymnasts who want post-meet content without hair touch-ups.
Source: self.com, thegymwrap.com
Coach-Tested Fit & Care Tips
- Anchor First: Use braided elastic as a pony base before styling.
- Hybrid Over Net: Add mesh net, then top with sweatband-scrunchie.
- Wash Cold, Dry Flat: Heat warps elastic and ruins absorbency.
From spin-pins to sweat-wicking headbands, today’s top accessories are all about combining style, comfort, and competition-ready hold.
