Long Hair

• If you have long hair, you're in luck. There are any number of variations you can use to style your hair. The easiest and simplest style is the ponytail. First, give your hair a light spray with hair lacquer. Next, brush all of your hair back to one point on the back of your head. Secure together tightly with hair elastics, and give your hair another final spray with the hairspray, making sure any wispy bits are brushed back with the rest of the hair. Really long hair has the potential to whip back into your face during gymnastics moves, even when it's tied back into a ponytail. If this is the case, try braiding your ponytail and looping the braid back up on itself, securing the end to the base with another elastic.
  
  Now onto French braids. These are a little more difficult and may require assistance from a friend or relative. However they are popular as they give more of a feminine look than a straight-up ponytail. First, divide your hair, using an imaginary line that stretches from the top of your left ear over your head to the top of your right ear. Taking the top section, divide this into three smaller sections, holding all three sections in your hands. Now, begin to braid the the hair, taking a little more hair from the bottom section each time you make a pass. Secure at the bottom with a hair elastic. For variation try double French braids, by dividing hair straight down the center and braiding each half of the hair individually.
  
  

Short Hair

• Shorter haircuts have always been popular in gymnastics, as worn by superstars Mary Lou Retton and Svetlana Khorkina. If you have short hair, the trick is to keep it tamed so it doesn't fly around the place during practice. Experiment with different hair products such as gel, hairspray and mousse. It may take a few tries to get the balance right. A couple of hair clips or a headband can be used to hold back unruly strands around the face. For curly hair, try some mousse specifically for curly hair to define your curls and keep them from bouncing around.