Your Pre-T Journey Starts Here
Transitioning before testosterone (Pre-T) can feel overwhelming. Many trans guys experience feeling out of place during this stage, but remember: hope and patience are vital. Thousands have walked this path before you and successfully transitioned to live as their true selves.
You don't need hormones to start your journey. Passing is possible through voice training, style changes, workouts, and confidence. Your timeline is yours alone.
This guide covers actionable tips for passing, safety, and self-care. Whether you're waiting for HRT, choosing not to take hormones, or just starting to explore your identity—these strategies will help you feel more at home in your body right now.
- Voice training — exercises to deepen your tone naturally
- Workouts — build a masculine physique pre-T
- Binding safety — protect your body while passing
- Haircuts & grooming — styles that masculinize your face
- Packing — feel complete and confident
- Clothing & style — create a masculine silhouette
- Mental health — dealing with doubts and building support
Quick Start: How to Begin Passing Pre-T
You don't need to wait for testosterone to start passing. The most effective pre-T strategies focus on creating a masculine silhouette, altering your voice, and adopting masculine body language.
👔 Create a Masculine Silhouette
Clothing that creates a boxy, straight shape helps minimize curves. Layering, structured jackets, and straight-cut pants are your friends.
🗣️ Lower Your Voice
Voice training exercises can help you speak from your chest rather than your head, creating a deeper, more resonant tone.
✂️ Get the Right Haircut
A masculine haircut that suits your face shape can dramatically change how people perceive you. Ask a barber for squared sideburns.
🚶 Adopt Masculine Body Language
Take up space. Walk from your shoulders, not your hips. Maintain confident eye contact. These subtle changes make a big difference.
Voice Training: Deepen Your Tone Naturally
Although testosterone has the most significant effect on deepening your voice, you can still work on lowering your tone with consistent training. The key is learning to speak from your chest voice rather than your head voice.
How Your Voice Works
Your voice pitch is determined by your vocal cords and where the sound resonates in your body. By engaging your diaphragm and chest, you can produce a deeper, more traditionally masculine tone—even without hormones.
Daily Voice Exercises
Hum Low
Start by humming as low as possible for 30 seconds. This stretches your vocal cords and helps you find your lower range.
Diaphragm Speaking
Place your hand on your stomach—it should move when you speak. Engage your diaphragm for more strength and depth.
Chin Position
Slightly tuck your chin closer to your neck and chest while speaking. This naturally engages the lower tones of your voice.
Speak Slowly
Speaking slowly gives you more control over your tone and allows you to maintain a deeper pitch. Rushing raises pitch.
Workouts for a Masculine Physique
Pre-T workouts focus on building upper body muscle and creating the V-taper silhouette—broader shoulders and a straighter waist. You can absolutely build a more masculine frame without testosterone.
The V-Taper: Your Goal
Feminine Silhouette
Hourglass or pear-shaped. Shoulders narrower than or equal to hips.
Masculine Silhouette
The "V-Taper" or inverted triangle. Shoulders broader than hips.
Key Exercises for Pre-T Guys
Push-Ups
The classic chest builder. Works your chest, shoulders, and arms. No equipment needed—start with a few daily and build up.
Lateral Raises
The king of shoulder width. Use water bottles or light dumbbells. These add direct width to your frame—visible fast.
Shoulder Press
Builds overall shoulder mass. Can be done seated or standing with dumbbells, water bottles, or resistance bands.
Rows
Builds back width and improves posture. Use a backpack filled with books if you don't have weights.
For a complete workout plan, check out our Ultimate FTM Fitness Guide.
Binding Safety & Tips
Binding helps create a flatter, more masculine chest appearance and can significantly reduce dysphoria. However, it's essential to bind safely to avoid health risks.
Safe Binding Rules
✅ DO: Use a Proper Binder
Always use a high-quality chest binder from reputable brands like Underworks, GC2B, or Spectrum Outfitters. These are designed to compress safely.
✅ DO: Get the Right Size
Don't size down for more compression—this causes injury. Follow the brand's size chart exactly based on your measurements.
❌ DON'T: Bind for Too Long
Limit binding to 8–10 hours maximum per day. Never sleep in your binder. Take breaks when possible.
❌ DON'T: Exercise in a Tight Binder
Consider sizing up for gym sessions or using a high-compression sports bra with layers instead. Your ribs need room to expand.
When to Stop Immediately
Remove your binder right away if you experience:
Difficulty breathing
Chest pain or tightness
Dizziness
Numbness or tingling
Skin irritation
Back or rib pain
Haircuts That Help You Pass
Your haircut plays a major role in how people perceive your gender. The right cut can masculinize your face shape and help you pass—the wrong one can work against you.
Haircuts by Face Shape
🔵 Round Face
Shave the sides short and keep the top longer, combed back or to the side. This adds angles and definition to soften features.
Try: Undercut, textured quiff, side part
⬜ Square Face
You already have masculine angles! Most cuts work well. Keep it clean and well-maintained.
Try: Classic fade, crew cut, short textured crop
🔶 Oval Face
Versatile face shape—most styles work. Avoid very long styles that can read feminine.
Try: Pompadour, side part, buzz with fade
❤️ Heart Face
Add volume on sides to balance a narrower chin. Avoid too much height on top.
Try: Textured fringe, medium length on sides
Pro Tips from Barbers
- Go to a barber, not a salon. Barbers are trained in masculine cuts and understand what you're looking for.
- Ask for squared sideburns. This small detail makes a big difference in masculinizing your face.
- Request a squared-off hairline at the back if your natural hairline is rounded.
- Keep eyebrows natural. Don't pluck or wax—thicker, natural brows read more masculine. Brush them upward and outward.
For more inspiration, check out our FTM Haircut Styles Guide.
Packing: Feel Complete & Confident
Packing can be a crucial part of passing and alleviating bottom dysphoria. Many trans guys find that having a bulge helps them feel more comfortable and confident—especially in situations like swimming, tight pants, or locker rooms.
When to Start Packing
There's no "right" time to start packing. Begin when you feel comfortable. Some guys pack daily from the start of their transition; others only pack for specific situations. It's entirely personal.
Types of Packers
🧦 DIY / Homemade
Cost: Free
Best for: Trying out packing, beginners
Rolled-up socks or a sock filled with cotton/rice. Great for testing positioning and size preference before investing.
🔷 Basic Packers
Cost: $10–$50
Best for: Daily wear on a budget
Soft packers made from TPE or basic silicone. Affordable entry point into realistic packing.
⭐ Premium Silicone
Cost: $100–$600+
Best for: Long-term daily wear, realism
Medical-grade silicone with hand-painted details. Hygienic, durable, and incredibly realistic.
🚿 STP Packers
Cost: $20–$400+
Best for: Standing to pee
Stand-To-Pee devices let you use urinals. Require practice but can be life-changing for public restrooms.
For a complete guide to choosing the right packer, read: How to Choose the Right Packer for Daily Wear
Clothing & Style: Create a Masculine Silhouette
The right clothes can highlight masculine features and minimize curves. It's not about hiding your body—it's about strategic styling that creates the shape you want.
Key Principles
✅ DO: Add Shoulder Structure
Structured jackets (denim, bomber, blazers) add width to your shoulders. Layering with open button-downs over t-shirts creates a boxy silhouette.
✅ DO: Choose Straight-Cut Pants
Straight-leg or athletic-taper jeans minimize hip emphasis. Wear pants at your natural waist or slightly lower—not on your hips.
❌ DON'T: Wear Skinny Jeans
Skinny jeans accentuate hip curves and create a more feminine silhouette. Avoid women's cuts entirely—they're designed to highlight curves.
❌ DON'T: Go Too Baggy
Contrary to instinct, super baggy clothes can make your frame look smaller. Aim for clothes that fit well without being tight.
Style Quick Wins
- Layering — Open button-down over a fitted tee hides chest shape and adds visual bulk
- Dark colors on bottom — Dark pants minimize hip visibility
- Horizontal stripes on top — Can make shoulders appear wider
- Boots — Add height and are a staple of masculine style
- Hats — Baseball caps and beanies can help masculinize your look (and hide longer hair)
- Watch or bracelet — Draws attention to wrists/hands rather than body shape
For complete style guidance, see our FTM Fashion Guide.
Grooming & Skincare
Good grooming contributes to how you pass. Small details like facial hair management and skincare can make a noticeable difference.
🪒 Facial Hair
- Shave peach fuzz. Men typically don't have visible peach fuzz after puberty—shaving it creates a cleaner, more masculine look.
- If pre-T with no growth: Some guys use makeup to create subtle stubble shadow (optional).
- Minoxidil: Some use this to encourage facial hair growth pre-T (consult a doctor first).
✨ Skincare Routine
- Cleanse daily with a gentle face wash
- Moisturize to keep skin healthy
- SPF daily to prevent sun damage
- Keep it simple — a basic routine is enough
Tip: Men's skincare is the same as anyone's—don't overthink it.
Other Grooming Tips
- Keep nails trimmed short — long nails can read feminine
- Let body hair grow — if you have it, don't shave arms/legs
- Eyebrows: Don't pluck or wax. Brush them upward for a fuller, more masculine look
- Avoid makeup (generally) — unless you're specifically using it for subtle masculinizing effects like stubble shadow
Body Language & Presence
How you carry yourself can be just as important as how you look. Cisgender men and women are socialized to hold their bodies differently—learning masculine body language can powerfully influence how people perceive you.
🧍 Take Up Space
Sit with knees apart. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart. Men are socialized to take up more physical space—it signals confidence.
🎯 Shoulders Back
Hunching forward to hide your chest makes you look smaller and less confident. Roll shoulders back and down. Open your chest.
🚶 Walk from Your Shoulders
Let your upper body lead your stride, not your hips. Keep your torso steady and movements grounded. Avoid hip sway.
🗣️ Confident Communication
Make direct eye contact. Speak with clear, concise sentences. Use purposeful hand gestures—avoid overly expressive movements.
Mental Health & Dealing with Doubts
Taking care of your mental health is just as important as any physical change. It's completely normal to feel anxiety, frustration, or doubt during your transition—especially when waiting for changes that feel out of your control.
Common Struggles
- Dysphoria days: Some days are harder than others. That's okay.
- Impatience: Wanting results faster than they come is normal.
- Doubt: Wondering if you'll ever pass, if you're "trans enough," if you're making the right choices.
- Isolation: Feeling like no one understands what you're going through.
Focus on Action
What can your body do? Shift focus from appearance to strength, capability, progress.
Affirmations
"I am valid." "I am making progress." "My timeline is mine." Say them even when you don't believe them.
Connect
Find community—online forums, local groups, therapists who understand. You're not alone.
Tips for Dysphoria Days
- Wear an outfit that feels safe — layers, your favorite hoodie, whatever helps
- Do the minimum that counts — even 10 push-ups is progress
- Avoid mirrors if needed — it's okay to take a break
- Talk to someone who gets it — friend, online community, therapist
- Remember: this is temporary — feelings pass, even the hard ones
Building Your Support Network
Surround yourself with people who respect and affirm your identity. This might include:
- Friends and family who support you
- Online communities (Reddit, Discord, Facebook groups for trans guys)
- Local support groups if available
- A therapist who specializes in gender identity
For more coping strategies, read: FTM Bottom Dysphoria: How to Deal & Feel Supported
Remember: You've Got This
T Will Help
If HRT is part of your plan, significant changes will come with time. Pre-T is just one chapter.
Confidence Is Key
How you carry yourself often matters more than individual features. Own your space.
You're Not Alone
Many cis men are short, slim, or baby-faced too. Masculinity comes in all shapes.
🎯 Key Takeaways
Train Your Voice
Daily exercises can lower your tone. Speak from your chest, not your head.
Build the V-Taper
Focus on shoulders and lats. Avoid heavy oblique work that widens the waist.
Protect Your Mental Health
Connect with community. Celebrate small wins. Your journey is valid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pass without testosterone?
Yes! Many trans guys pass pre-T through voice training, strategic clothing, masculine haircuts, confident body language, and packing. The combination of these factors can be very effective. T helps, but it's not the only path.
How long does it take to see results from voice training?
With consistent daily practice, many people notice changes within 2–4 weeks. Significant improvement typically takes 2–3 months. The key is consistency—practice speaking from your chest during everyday conversations, not just during exercises.
Is binding safe?
Binding is safe when done properly. Always use a proper binder (never ace bandages), get the correct size, limit to 8–10 hours daily, never sleep in a binder, and remove immediately if you experience pain, difficulty breathing, or dizziness.
What if I can't afford a binder?
Several organizations provide free binders to trans people in need, including Point of Pride, GCFB (Gender Confirmation Fund Binder), and In A Bind. You can also layer high-compression sports bras or use trans clothing exchanges.
How do I find a good barber?
Look for barbers who have experience with diverse clients. Many trans guys recommend asking in local LGBTQ+ groups for barber recommendations. When you go, bring reference photos of the exact cut you want and ask for squared sideburns.
What's the best packer for beginners?
Start with a DIY option (rolled socks) to figure out what size and positioning feels right. When ready to invest, a basic soft packer in the 3–4" range is ideal for beginners—small enough to be discreet, realistic enough to feel affirming.
How do I deal with being misgendered?
Being misgendered hurts. Remember: it's about their perception, not your validity. In safe situations, you can correct people ("Actually, it's he"). Have supportive friends who will back you up. On hard days, connect with trans community who understand.
Your journey is unique. Approach this process with patience, determination, and kindness to yourself. Don't let doubts hold you back from embracing your true self. You've got this. 🏳️⚧️
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