Ok, so I'm new here, and it don't know if this is the right place to post this but.... I guess I will anyways.

So next semester I will be taking a weight training class at my school. I'm kind of excited because I want to get stronger, and hopefully get a more masculine looking body, but in school I'm still known as female. But, with what I wear to school, I usually pass a a boy with people I don't know in the hallways, even to the point where I get nasty looks when using the girls bathroom. So my problem is deciding whether to go to this class as male or not. I don't think I will know anyone in that class. The things I'm worried about are:
1.) I'm really weak, and I don't want to get bullied or anything, so it might be better if people see me as a dainty girl than a really weak boy
2.) I don't know if people usually have to change in these classes, does anyone know? And if so, what's the best way to change in the locker rooms?
3.) Should I email my teacher beforehand to tell him what I want to be called and that I'm trans, or should I just correct my name when it's first called out for roll?
4.) I do not know how to use weights at all. The teacher makes personalized things for each student, but are there any things I need to know beforehand?
5.) if I tell the teacher beforehand and there is someone I know in that class what should I do? No one other than my therapist and one friend know I'm trans, so everyone I know in school thinks I'm just a tomboyish girl.
6.)Should I even go to this class as male at all?

And I guess just general thoughts about this? Thanks guys.

Hi Nutty, welcome to Susan's.

You might want to pick up some dumbbells and do some practice before the semester starts. Stickied on top of the FTM page is "basics to starting a bodybuilding routine" (or it's called something like that). That thread has lots of great advice on starting out. https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,84528.0.html

Hey, for locker room etiquette theres an ftm handbook. So you can just google that (I'm too lazy to put the link) and go to the locker room part. For your Q about the name, I would talk to your teacher beforehand because I don't know how girly your birthname is and the guys might tease you about it. There's plenty of cis guys that are scrawny, but I'm guessing if these guys are taking a weight class they've already got some muscle. So, yeah you might wanna start lifting before the class starts and you should start gaining some weight. Try protein powder to help you gain a little more muskles. Good luck dude

I took a weight class when I was a junior right before I realised I was trans. (and dropped out the following semester because of it)

Quote from: NuttycrackerSuite on November 26, 2013, 09:25:09 PM
1.) I'm really weak, and I don't want to get bullied or anything, so it might be better if people see me as a dainty girl than a really weak boy

I was the weakest person in my class but most people tried helping me. I suppose they would have teased me if I was more outgoing.

Quote from: NuttycrackerSuite on November 26, 2013, 09:25:09 PM
2.) I don't know if people usually have to change in these classes, does anyone know? And if so, what's the best way to change in the locker rooms?

Yes, you probably have to change just like gym clothes.

Quote from: NuttycrackerSuite on November 26, 2013, 09:25:09 PM
4.) I do not know how to use weights at all. The teacher makes personalized things for each student, but are there any things I need to know beforehand?

You'll probably learn safety protocols during the class, (you're there to learn) such as how to posture yourself correctly to carry the 2-handed weight without it being bad for your back. (This is useful to know in life too for when you have to carry heavy things).

Quote from: NuttycrackerSuite on November 26, 2013, 09:25:09 PM
6.)Should I even go to this class as male at all?

If you're comfortable with it, you want to, and they'll let you my dear.

If your comfortable going to class as male just have the gym or weight trainner refer to you as your birth name all my teachers refer to me as Brandon, As far as strength goes I'd suggest picking up so dumb bells all you need to know is the certain posture. Don't start off with something you can't handle you have to work your way up their, I lift weights and I'm not scrawny some things take patience I'm pretty toned to where people ask me if I work out but I worked for it so you can to, As far as changing goes you have to go into the locker rooms just as you would for gym class it sucks I know

Is this a college course, or are you still in high school? If it's a college course, I don't see any reason why you couldn't just show up and leave in your workout gear, and if anyone asks just tell em you prefer to shower at your dorm. Schedule allowing, of course. I don't think using the locker room would be absolutely mandatory (or at least, it wasn't at my university).

I'm a junior in highschool

Quote from: NuttycrackerSuite on November 27, 2013, 08:36:40 PM
I'm a junior in highschool

Yea same you have to change in the locker rooms

I'm not sure how school works in america, but do they force you to change there, or could you slope off and change in a toilet cubicle beforehand? That's what I did at school for quite a few years, but they didn't care as long as we were there for registration and weren't missing lessons to get changed/turning up to them in sports gear.