Would You Vape While Working Out?

Would You Vape While Working Out? — A Story About Fitness, Nicotine, and Self-Redemption

This photo was taken in the spring-summer of 2019. I had spent three months transforming myself from a chubby guy with a belly into someone with visible abs.

At that time, though, I was still smoking.

I had been a smoker for 12 years. I tried quitting several times—some attempts lasted a few weeks, others only a few days. Life was tough, and the feeling of that first puff of smoke rising always gave me a strange kind of comfort. Especially that first drag—it felt like letting go of all the stress and emotion.

Once, I visited an outstanding fitness studio. The owner had incredibly high standards for the trainers, and I thought that was fair. He was a highly disciplined man who didn’t smoke. He once said: “A coach who doesn’t respect or take care of their own body can’t guide others.” That hit me hard. I knew deep down that I wasn’t a truly qualified coach.

Things started to change when e-cigarettes began gaining popularity.

From Cigarettes to Vaping: A Compromise, or a Transition?

The rise of e-cigarettes offered people like me—long-time nicotine addicts—a “less harmful” alternative. No open flame, no tar, no lingering smell. At first, I didn’t expect it to help me quit; I just wanted something not as bad as smoking.

But over time, vaping helped me strike a balance between fitness and life. You could control the nicotine level, even taper it down to zero. You could choose mint, fruity flavors, or even flavorless options, allowing the psychological dependency to fade gradually. Sometimes, I’d stand outside the gym with my vape—not smoking a cigarette, but using something that helped me ease out of an old habit.

Vaping and the Fitness World: A Conflict or a New Trend?

You might ask: isn’t fitness and vaping a contradiction? Honestly, yes, there is a conflict. Many hardcore fitness enthusiasts believe that “true health” means staying completely away from nicotine. But more and more people are seeking a practical middle ground. E-cigarettes seem to offer a transition—a gentler way to reclaim control.

The market quickly caught on. From closed pod systems to refillable pod kits, from sleek design to pocket-friendly formats, modern vape brands are increasingly blending lifestyle with tech. It’s no longer just a product—it’s a statement, a symbol of how addiction and choice are being redefined.

One Last Thought

I no longer feel ashamed of having smoked. Nor do I chase the image of being a perfect health role model. I just want to live more honestly, improve slowly, and keep moving forward—without looking back.