I've only this week decided to actually start excercising and have joined a gym. On monday I used the treadmill for roughly 10-15 mins and wasn't terribly out of breath and didn't develop a stitch. Yesterday had the same experience again although I used the treadmill for 25 mins and more consistently had the speed setting at 7-7.5 km/h; with a slower setting after 5 mins to get my heart rate back down. Now I am not a fit person or particularly thin; although I would say I wasn't overweight. When I tried jogging a few years back I found it extremely difficult. Are treadmills simply an easier form of excercising than jogging/running outside? I do notice an increase of energy since starting T but didn't think it would make excercise this much easier and less painful.
Yep. I honestly didn't have the energy to do much pre-T. On T, much much easier.
Treadmills are easier than running outdoors. To get it as close as possible to the same, you'd want to set the treadmills to a 1-3 level incline.
Yep.
T is known for increasing the number of red blood cells per unit of blood so you may carry more oxygen to cells, meaning this might be why you're less out of breath for the same exercises. (Although my hematocrit shows no change, last check).
Less painful - yes. Can't stress this enough, my joints are definitely stronger and do not feel the same amount of pain they did before T when using weights. Cartilage may enhance on T, giving this effect I guess. I am not sure if bones change, but male bones and joints are known for being a bit more robust.
Energy levels are improved as well. Which means I can do more exercise and get better results from it.
I noticed in general on a low dose of T my arm/trap muscles were just increasing in size on their own. I didn't expect that, as I wasn't exercising at the time of starting. My legs are a bit better too - when I go walk all over the cliffs around here I was sore as hell after pre-T because I typically don't do it every single day. After T the "sore muscles" issue next day following a workout the body didn't expect is almost unnoticeable. Which is awesome. Before I'd be mewling just getting up after a hard slog after the pain sets in, and it would last for days. Not anymore.
It's just all round better.
Should mention I used to develop a weird back pain while sleeping that is now gone since T.
The only problem I do have is that I haven't been working out consistently, so my stamina still sucks. But I've been slowly increasing what I do. I'm sure prior to T I was in real bad physical shape - not to look at, but inside due to my hormone levels being universally low. T seems to have helped put me back on the list of the living.
I hate running and jogging in general but I will take it up shortly.
Thanks for your replies :). Just got back from the gym and set the incline onto setting 2. I definitely felt more tired and started developing a mild stitch; but I was still able to do half an hour of running with less cool down periods. It's still strange to me that just after 3 days of this I'm able to do that much excercise. No way would I have been able to pre T. It's almost like I've been given a superpower thanks to T ;D
I wouldn't say more energy for me personally. I'm just way more motivated now.
Quote from: CMD042414 on January 12, 2017, 03:55:50 PM
I wouldn't say more energy for me personally. I'm just way more motivated now.
Definitely more motivated as well. I'm actually starting to like my body; even though I'm not as thin as I'd like. Never thought that would happen.
From the other point of view, in my early days of HRT I started and stopped estrogen a few times, and every time I stopped I'd notice a huge surge of energy when exercising as the T came back. I found it quite enlightening as to the physical difference between male and female.
Huge, huge differences, some even right off the bat. Vast improvements in both strength and stamina.
All of my free weight sets have massively increased:
Pre-T: DB Incline Press 50lbs (two 25's)
Currently: 140lbs (two 70's)
Pre-T: Benchpress 80lbs
Currently: 175lbs
Pre-T: Deadlift 190lbs
Currently: 315
Pre-T: Military press 50lbs
Currently: 110lbs
Pre-T: One arm DB rows 30lbs
Currently: 75lbs
Also, I completely sucked at cardio before undergoing HRT as I had no sticking power whatsoever. I'd become fatigued very quickly. Cardio still isn't my strong point but I can whip out a good 3 miles before I start wanting to quit.
My recovery time is crazy, too. I used to be sore for days sometimes after a particularly punishing workout; now I might experience some mild soreness the following day but I've yet to encounter anything unmanageable.
Quote from: Elis on January 12, 2017, 01:14:24 PM
I've only this week decided to actually start excercising and have joined a gym. On monday I used the treadmill for roughly 10-15 mins and wasn't terribly out of breath and didn't develop a stitch. Yesterday had the same experience again although I used the treadmill for 25 mins and more consistently had the speed setting at 7-7.5 km/h; with a slower setting after 5 mins to get my heart rate back down. Now I am not a fit person or particularly thin; although I would say I wasn't overweight. When I tried jogging a few years back I found it extremely difficult. Are treadmills simply an easier form of excercising than jogging/running outside? I do notice an increase of energy since starting T but didn't think it would make excercise this much easier and less painful.
Now that i think about it, I think its possible yes.
I just wanted to say the reverse backs this up in my case too. Losing T and replacement with E had definitely made workouts harder and i have been an athlete my entire life. I tire quicker and bounce back slower.
Yeah, loss of T has lowered my red blood cell count and made running A LOT slower to improve.
It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.
André Gide, Autumn Leaves
Quote from: Elis on January 12, 2017, 01:14:24 PM
I've only this week decided to actually start excercising and have joined a gym. On monday I used the treadmill for roughly 10-15 mins and wasn't terribly out of breath and didn't develop a stitch. Yesterday had the same experience again although I used the treadmill for 25 mins and more consistently had the speed setting at 7-7.5 km/h; with a slower setting after 5 mins to get my heart rate back down. Now I am not a fit person or particularly thin; although I would say I wasn't overweight. When I tried jogging a few years back I found it extremely difficult. Are treadmills simply an easier form of excercising than jogging/running outside? I do notice an increase of energy since starting T but didn't think it would make excercise this much easier and less painful.
Yes.