Even after years of hormone therapy, transgender women might still be able to do more push-ups than cisgender women on average, possibly because some strength differences stick around longer than expected.

Trans women on feminizing hormones slowly lose upper body strength over time, and after about 2 years, their push-up ability becomes similar to that of cis women.

Trans guys who aren't athletes gain noticeable muscle and strength in their first year on testosterone, and after about 3 years, their push-ups, sit-ups, and running get close to or match the average fitness levels of cis men.

Before starting hormone therapy, trans women can do 31% more push-ups and run 1.5 miles 21% faster than cis women under 30 — probably because of the effects of testosterone during puberty.

Trans women who aren't athletes and take feminizing hormones tend to gain fat and lose muscle in the first year, with muscle continuing to decrease over three years, leading to a more typically feminine body shape.

Trans women under 30 who've been on hormone therapy for a year are still 9% faster at running than cis women the same age, even though they've lost their edge in push-ups and sit-ups. This suggests that one year of hormone treatment might not completely level the playing field for endurance sports.