As an athlete your clot risk is absolutely minuscule so my advice would be don't discount oral estradiol tablets which can be a much more convenient and reliable option for those with an active lifestyle.
I also assume you shower after working out - this too significantly affects the longevity of patches.
I would just add that there is no evidence that applying the patches above the waist eg on the upper arms is harmful in any way.
The advice to use the lower body is based on fear of breast cancer, which science suggests is actually largely attributable to the progestogen.
Illogically, nobody seems to bother about applying either gel, or the much higher dosed contraceptive patch, on the arms.
Finally a couple of tips to improve patch longevity that I picked up from using patches for IVF were cleaning the skin first with rubbing alcohol to strip out the oils, using heat to bond the patch to your skin, and applying a square of hypafix dressing over the top.
However I personally prefer oral treatment and would not want the faff and lifestyle interference of patches long term.
