Let's be real: you don't just "watch" a Cody Rigsby ride. You experience a full-blown production. And for a long time, the star of that production—aside from his hot takes on Britney Spears and his unwavering hatred for "tacky" behavior—was the Cody Rigsby man bun. It wasn’t just a hairstyle. It was a whole personality.
If you’ve been on the bike lately, you might’ve noticed things look a little different. Cody’s hair has its own arc, much like a character in one of the pop-culture dramas he loves to recap. For the "Boo Crew," the evolution of Cody's hair is basically a timeline of the Peloton era itself.
The Era of the Top Knot
The man bun wasn’t just about keeping hair out of his face while he barked at us to "fix our lives." It was a vibe. Cody’s aesthetic has always been about that intersection of high-energy fitness and effortless "cool girl" energy. During the peak of his man bun era, it served as a signal: we’re here to work, but we’re also here to gossip.
People get weirdly attached to celebrity hair. It’s a thing. When Cody would drop into a heavy climb with that bun perfectly slicked back, it felt stable. Reliable. But honestly? It was also a lightning rod for "X" (formerly Twitter) debates. Is it too tight? Is it receding? Is it... iconic? Yes. To all of it.
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Why the Cody Rigsby Man Bun Became a Meme
The internet loves to dissect everything Cody does. When a parody of him appeared in the Netflix show Running Point recently, fans immediately started comparing the "wish.com version" of Cody to the real deal. What was missing? The authentic attitude, sure, but also that signature grooming.
Cody actually addressed the parody on social media, calling the knock-off bike "tacky" and pointing out that the show-runners put him on hold but never hired him. The fans were outraged. You can't just throw a man bun on a guy and call him Cody Rigsby. It's the sass, the protein-dense snacks, and the "de-funking" shower routine that makes the man.
The Science of the "Slick Back"
Maintaining a man bun while sweating through a 30-minute Pop Ride isn't just about a hair tie. It’s an Olympic sport. Cody has been open about his beauty and self-care routines. He’s a big advocate for:
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- Hydrating first thing in the morning (two glasses of water, no excuses).
- Using quality toners and creams to keep the skin glowing under studio lights.
- Intentional "me time" to taper off energy after a high-octane day.
When you’re pulling your hair back that tightly, you’ve gotta have a routine. Otherwise, you’re looking at breakage and "traction alopecia," which is a fancy way of saying your hairline is retreating faster than your motivation on a 10% incline. Cody’s hair always looked healthy, which suggests he wasn't just slapping a rubber band on it and calling it a day.
The Great 2024-2025 Hair Shift
If you follow him on Instagram or catch his 2026 rides, you’ll see the man bun has mostly been replaced by shorter, more structured cuts or the occasional bleached moment. Styles change. People grow. Cody told ELLE Canada that he’s always trying to laugh at himself, and that includes his look.
Change is scary for fans. We like our instructors to stay in the little boxes we’ve built for them. But Cody’s brand is about evolution. He went from a dancer in North Carolina to a global fitness icon. If he wants to chop the bun and go for a more "Cody in his 30s" refined look, we kinda have to just ride with it.
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What We Get Wrong About the Look
Most people think a man bun is a "lazy" hairstyle. For someone like Cody, it’s the opposite. It’s deliberate. It’s part of the costume. When he moved away from it, it signaled a new chapter. He’s less "the guy with the bun" and more "the guy with the book, the talk show appearances, and the Netflix beefs."
How to Get the Look (Without the Drama)
If you're trying to pull off your own version of the Cody Rigsby man bun, don't just wing it. Use a snag-free elastic. Seriously. Your hair will thank you. And please, for the love of all things holy, follow Cody’s lead and actually wash your hair. He’s big on "de-funking" after a workout. Nobody wants a "meditation routine" that smells like a locker room.
Actionable Steps for Your Own Style Routine:
- Prioritize Protein: Cody swears by 30g of protein every three hours to stay "satiated" and keep his hair and skin looking good. Think cottage cheese or turkey sandwiches.
- Hydrate Early: Two glasses of water before your coffee. This is a non-negotiable Cody rule.
- Invest in Good Ties: If you’re growing your hair out, use silk or soft fabric ties to avoid the dreaded "ponytail line."
- Accept the Evolution: Your hair doesn't define you, but a good haircut can definitely fix a bad mood.
The man bun might be in the archives for now, but its impact on the Peloton aesthetic is permanent. It was the "North Star" for many of us during the pandemic rides. Whether he's rocking a buzz cut, a bleached mop, or a classic bun, the energy remains the same: "Get it together, Boo."