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💪 Exercise & Fitness

Does TRT actually improve your cardio performance and VO2 max?

Asked in r/trt · Answered by the HeydayMD team ·

I’ve mostly focused on lifting, but since starting TRT I'm wondering if it actually improves running endurance or overall cardiovascular capacity. Has anyone noticed real changes in their cardio performance?

The short answer

Testosterone influences erythropoiesis (red blood cell production), which can modestly enhance oxygen-carrying capacity, though direct improvements in VO2 max are often secondary to body composition changes and better recovery rather than a direct endurance boost. While some men report feeling less winded during aerobic work, excessive doses can actually impair endurance by raising hematocrit and blood viscosity too high. At HeydayMD, our clinicians closely track your CBC labs and cardiovascular biomarkers to ensure your protocol optimizes your physical performance safely.

Every body is different. A licensed provider can look at your own labs and symptoms.

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The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Questions are paraphrased from public Reddit discussions, which are linked for reference — HeydayMD is not affiliated with Reddit. Answers are general education written by the HeydayMD team, not individual guidance. Always talk to a licensed healthcare provider before making treatment decisions.