Vaping and Fitness

Can Vaping Impact Your Workout Performance?

E-liquid Advice Health & Wellbeing

Smoking and workouts don’t go well together. Due to toxins, tar and carbon monoxide, tobacco products can have a huge impact on your health and body. But what are the affects of vaping on fitness? Well, in this article we’re going to look at exactly how it can impact or improve your workouts and gym sessions.

Vaping vs Smoking

Vaping is healthier than smoking, that’s a fact. Numerous governing bodies such as the OHID and Cancer Research UK have hailed using an e-cig as a 95% safer alternative to combustable tobacco products. The NHS state that you’re around twice as likely to quit smoking if you use a vape.

The same NHS page also discusses the thousands of chemicals that are found in cigarettes. Around 70 can cause cancer, there’s also an increased chance of heart disease, lung disease & strokes. E-liquid doesn’t contain any of these chemicals or carbon monoxide. There’s also no evidence that passive vaping has an effect on those around you.

Does Vaping Affect Cardio?

In short, yes. But, it’s much better than if you smoke. Carbon monoxide and nicotine in cigarettes make your heart work harder. There are also toxins that raise the chances of blood clots and damage the lining of your arteries, which leads to clogging. The NHS have said:

Smoking doubles your risk of having a heart attack, and if you smoke you have twice the risk of dying from coronary heart disease than lifetime non-smokers.

NHS Wirral University Teaching Hospital.

The harmful chemicals found in cigarettes also hardens arteries, reducing blood flow (1). But switching to a vape actually reduces vascular stiffness as found in a 2019 study by George, J et al.

Something that vaping and smoking share is the inhalation of nicotine. This temporarily increases blood pressure, but this isn’t a long-term change, as suggested by a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine report.

Another key element of a cardio workout is lung function. Breathing is significantly impacted by smoking because of the build up of tar and harmful chemicals that are inhaled. In 2019, e-cigarette direct conducted a study and found that 70% of users that switched to an e-cig noticed a huge improvement to their breathing.

So, if you’re a smoker then switching to vaping will drastically improve your cardio work out. But if you’ve never used either, then it’s best to avoid it.

Can Vaping Affect Muscle Gain?

Believe it or not, vaping actually does slow muscle growth. Well, at least using nicotine does. Apoptosis is the process that our bodies use to make new cells and grow muscle. Nicotine impacts this, causing it to slow (2).

If you’re trying to gain muscles, consider switching to a lower strength or using nicotine free liquids.

Vaping and Fitness – Staying Hydrated

You might have noticed that when you vape, your mouth might start to feel dry. That’s because the PG and VG in e-liquid absorb moisture. It’s not dangerous, but it does mean that it’s always a good idea to have a drink around.

The good news is that staying hydrated is also advised when working out, so most will already have a bottle of water to hand.

The Best Vape Kits For Your Gym Bag

When choosing a vape to take with you to the gym, ideally you want it to be small, lightweight and easy to use. Here’s some examples of kits that would be a perfect addition to your gym bag.

Pre-filled pod kits

Small open tank kits

Vaping and Fitness – Conclusion

The long and short of it is that yes, vaping can effect workouts in both negative and positive ways. If you’re looking to bulk up, then nicotine isn’t your friend. But, if you’re a smoker then switching to vaping is a definite must as it will improve your lung capacity and blood flow. If you don’t smoke or vape, then we highly recommend that you don’t start as it will only impact your fitness.

If you have any questions about vaping, feel free to contact us.

Sources

[1] NHS. Wirral University Teaching Hospital. NHS Smoke Free: Health Issues Related to Smoking.
[2] Zeidler, R. Albermann, K. Lang, S. Pub Med. (2007). Nicotine and Apoptosis: Nicotine and Disease Association.