Hi Pete,
You’re doing the right thing by taking action now. Waiting only makes the transition more dramatic.
The blending on a crown piece wil not be more difficult than a topper that covers your entire head. In fact it will be easier since you don’t need to worry about getting your front hairline lined up correctly. The blending will not be more difficult. If you’d like a crown please mark it on the template. Some people prefer a crown since it makes the unit look more realistic. And please remember to mark the front and back of the crown. Lace or thin skin will both look realistic. Thin skin would be easier for you. Since you workout frequently you could use a mild adhesive like
‘Got 2 Be Glued Spiking Glue’ for a 4-6 day hold. The beauty of this adhesive is that it’s so easy to clean the unit--it’s water soluble so all you have to do is rinse it under water. Not tape or glue to clean off a lace unit. You’ll change more often due to workouts but it’s an easy job. The thin skin material (as well as the lace) is translucent and allows the color of your scalp to show.
Best,
John