MTF HRT... Must I get weaker?

[Cyndigurl45]

prior to my transition I tried to MAN UP, My bf and I hit it hard, really hard we both bulked up, I have 22 inch arms and my body fat got down to 11% my bf is 6' 4" 28 inch arms and 9% body fat, he's a hunk now 5 years later I'm still pretty cut but I can not get my body fat below 21% I've got curves now, although I don't bench 300 lbs any more my stamina has increased, I use lighter weights and more reps and sets plus cardio and Zumba. So don't worry about loosing strength cause you will gain so much more.....

[Cassie 4 Ever!!!]

For me, I have lost a lot of strength. I am only on week 13 now. I stopped swimming competitively and almost entirely so I have lost a lot of upper body strength. I do how ever play an excessive amount of Tennis so my lets are very toned. I have shrunken a lot in 13 weeks. If you work at it, it should stay, but don't expect to keep you strength as easily.

[paxi1334]

I never had a lot of strength / muscle to begin with & when I was initially on Estradiol, I did end up physically "weaker" & that is alright with me.  However, after surgery, bed rest, and a few hospitalizations, I've gotten weak to the point where its hard to do normal things (like say, cooking), & I tend to get dizzy just by walking too much.  So, at this point, for me, it seems to be a combination of HRT and physical de-conditioning.  So, I'm trying to figure out how to get back a little bit of strength/stamina...

[bingunginter]

Yes you will be weaker. This is the price to pay for HRT.
I play sports regularly, I notice huge drop in performance.
I had time I forgot to take my hrt, the T come back slowly, at this time suddenly I feel like I gain super strength.

[Shakti]

When I began hormones my doctor told me that due to the fact that I was skinny and didn't have a lot of muscle mass to begin with I wouldn't lose much, which after being on HRT for one year and eight months I can attest to. Though I do notice that I've lost a little, it really doesn't bother me at all, I've never been vary strong, and I don't do very much that requires a lot of strength.

[luna nyan]

My personal experience is yes, I have gotten weaker.

Finger strength isn't what it used to be and I'm finessing things at work rather than brute force.
I've lost about about half a foot on my vertical leap as well.

[Robin Mack]

I've lost about about half a foot on my vertical leap as well.

Oh noes!  If *I* lose half a foot on my vertical leap, I'll be jumping 2 inches into the ground! 

So, I should expect to get weaker... I can deal.  Oddly, as I'm presenting more and more female, I've discovered getting help with things is *much* easier, often I don't even have to ask.

So, now for something completely different... does flexibility improve markedly?

[Cassie 4 Ever!!!]

I was always really really strong naturally. I never saw myself as being really that strong as it really wasnt a big deal or a focal point in my life. Sure, I wanted to out preform other swimmers, runners, tennis players. It wasnt until like a few weeks or a month ago that I truly realized what I had, and that was far stronger than I had ever imagined. I find my self being less able to depend on strength to do things, but more on technique. You may ask, would I like my strength back. In some cases, yes such as for swimming yes. But I am happy with they way my body is transforming, I knew this was the reality before I started HRT, and I dont think you quite realize what it can be truly like until you go through it. It is a very gradual change, but there comes a point where you go, how can I not do that!

I have noticed that in some things such as swimming, I have slowed down a lot since I have lost a lot of muscle, but for things lile tennis, I am better, I get around the court much quicker, and I am more agile and my fellow tennis players sometimes cant believe I can get to a ball the way I do. I have noticed that I am getting more flexible, but not drastically. People are quicker to ask me if they can help me too. I dont know if it is because I look more feminine, or if they are just curious about me.

The way I see it, the stronger you are, the more you have to lose, the less the less you have to lose.... but estrogen will make you weaker, unless you try twice, or three times as hard to keep it.

[Robin Mack]

Just a suggestion, this might deserve a new thread, but it's all good.

Good point... and thank you for the info.  I'll start a new thread...

[Khalysta]

Low weight and high reps is definitely a good way to tone up and keep some strength while keeping a feminine appearance.  It's really all about you and what you do though.  Your muscles will adjust to what you make them do.  As an ex bicycle racer I never paid attention to my arms.  Now they are definitely shrinking.  I still ride a lot though so my legs have lost a little bit of their strength and power but I can still keep up easily on fast rides.  Everyone is different though but if you are worried the low weight high reps will maintain strength and tone the muscle while not bulking you up at all.

[Megumi]

I honestly can't wait to start losing my strength and muscle tone once I start HRT. I 100% dislike having my bulky arms and I don't even lift weights which drives me crazy as to why they are as big as they are.

[Alainaluvsu]

I'm still stronger than many cis girls but there's a bunch of cis girls out there that are stronger than me.

[MariaMx]

You don't need huge bulging muscles to be a girl, so I wouldn't worry about it

That said, the muscle-loss I've experienced has been somewhat disappointing. I was hoping for massive but only got significant. While I can't do one (or even two) arm pull-ups anymore I am still way stronger than any of my cis-female friends and I still look as if I'm a hardcore fitness-nut. When people ask if I work out I say "Hell yes!" even though I mostly sit on my ass

[Gina_Z]

It is nice being strong. It helps with moving stuff. I am much stronger than I look. My arms are long with smooth looking muscles. They look girlie already. Good genes for a girl, bad for a guy. If they can look even more feminine by losing muscle mass, that would put a smile on my face.