How does smoking affect working out?

Cardio:

- Reduces endurance and overall cardiovascular health.

- Makes heart work harder to pump oxygenated blood to muscles, causing shortness of breath.

- Increases risk of heart attack during and after exercise.

Muscles:

- Reduced oxygen delivery to muscles, leading to fatigue and decreased strength.

- Poor muscle oxygenation limits recovery and growth after workouts.

- Increased muscle tension and stiffness, impairing flexibility.

Respiratory system:

- Damage to airways, causing inflammation, coughing, and shortness of breath.

- Reduced lung capacity and efficiency, making deep breathing difficult.

- Increased airway resistance, making it harder to expel air during exercise.

Metabolism:

- Nicotine disrupts insulin regulation, affecting energy storage and usage during exercise.

- Smoking alters glucose metabolism, potentially interfering with energy availability during workouts.

- Increased resting heart rate and metabolic rate due to nicotine's stimulant effect, which may affect workout efficiency.

Immune system:

- Compromises immune function, increasing susceptibility to infections and hindering muscle recovery after exercise.

- Higher risk of upper respiratory tract infections and bronchitis.

Vascular health:

- Damages arteries and veins, impacting blood circulation during workouts.

- Decreased blood flow to muscles and organs due to vasoconstriction.

Remember, the negative effects of smoking on exercise can be significant and are not worth the temporary "high" associated with nicotine. Quitting smoking is one of the best decisions you can make for your overall health and fitness.