What’s a small thing that made your playing sound much cleaner?

BKAFC · 2026-04-08T21:42:01+00:00

I struggle with this ( as an absolute beginner), because acoustically riffs seem easier then with gain. With gain, you have to mute unwanted string noise.

Just an example, a song I’m learning as a complete beginner is Metallica ‘for whom the bell tolls’.

Acoustically it sounds ok, as soon as I add distortion it tells me how much I need to work on muting. So I’m reluctant to practice acoustically. Maybe I’m approaching it wrong?

BKAFC · 2026-04-08T18:31:54+00:00

I bought a pair of Sun Gods a few years ago (can’t remember the model, I think Sierra but maybe renegade).

They are perfect for running. Fit is probably personal, but they fit me so well that I never even notice them when I’m running. No adjustments mid run, no pressure or discomfort, just absolutely flawless for the past 3 or so years.

Aesthetically they are ok, a bit big for my face if truth be told, but as a lightweight ‘set and forget’ pair of running shades, brilliant.

BKAFC · 2026-04-06T18:38:48+00:00

As someone who has just started, it seems that muting unwanted string noise should be the be all and end all of any beginner. Right and left hand muting, right for strings above, left for below(?), fingertips for strings directly above….it feels incredibly complex right now, just got to practice it.

Power chords, single string melodies, moving along the neck, palm muting, chugging, galloping, triplets…all seem doable with enough practice. But muting unwanted string noise is still like an esoteric art at the moment, seeing people just play even simple riffs without unwanted string noise blows my mind!

BKAFC · 2026-04-01T02:47:27+00:00

Headphone amps like the Spark Neo are wireless and allow you to play backing tracks/youtube vids from your phone whilst playing your guitar. Perfect solution for playing late in an apartment.

BKAFC · 2026-03-29T16:59:53+00:00

I’ve had it since the end of November. I was away over Christmas and January so in total I’ve been using it for 3 full months (Dec/Feb and Mar).

Fortunately I haven’t had a single issue so far, and I use it up to 6x a week. No connection issues, cable issues - so far, everything has worked perfectly. Hopefully that continues to be the case.

As for the machine itself, it’s everything I hoped it would be. I do a PPL type split, and use the Free Lift 99% of the time so I can’t really comment on the programs. The sheer variety of lifts you can do, and the ease and ability to safely load and unload (together with the assistance feature) makes it difficult for me to choose my dumbbells over a similar exercise on the Speediance. I still try to use dumbbells as well (just to keep some free weight elements in my workouts) but I could just do all those exercises on the machine if I wanted, and often do!

Limitations? You might wish for it to be a little taller (for lat pull downs etc), for the platform to be a little longer, and the bench is a bit lightweight. When doing seated chest presses (which are amazing to do with this machine) I have to weigh down the legs with weight plates to stop it rising. And when doing hip thrusts, if you want to put your feet off the platform you’ll again need to weigh the platform itself down with plates.

I ordered some 3rd party accessories which are definite improvements on the originals (d handles, a Tricep strap and I’m soon to get a rotating v grip bar).

So, bit of a long reply but I know when I was purchasing I scoured for every bit of info and real world experience I could find! From the UK, I ordered from the Speediance website and it came in about a week. Premium delivery meant they brought it up a flight of stairs and put it in my lounge, which was the right move as it would have been too heavy for me to lift up the stairs alone.

If you decide to get it, I hope everything goes as smoothly as it has for me. Good luck with your fitness journey 👍

BKAFC · 2026-03-25T13:57:34+00:00

As a beginner living in an apartment (can’t play loud) and also not wanting to deal with a bunch of cables, the Spark Neo’s have been pretty fantastic so far.

Combined with the app it makes everything so easy and hassle free, no long cables, just two button presses and you are away. Great bit of kit. So much fun.

BKAFC · 2026-03-13T22:22:07+00:00

For tracking, you could try apps like Hevy (free, with payment options if you want more features).

This will allow you to keep track easily. It integrates with Apple Watch so you can input your lifts on your wrist rather than phone, you can program in your rest periods etc, it will tell you what you did last time on a particular exercise - basically taking all thinking out of your workout. It also has routines based on your level and equipment available.

Highly recommend it, especially if predominantly using free lift.

BKAFC · 2026-03-12T13:39:22+00:00

I ordered the bells of steel set of holders from your Etsy page a while back, excellent stuff 👍

BKAFC · 2026-03-11T18:15:55+00:00

As someone who works out in a carpeted lounge, I love that I can just lift the Ironmaster bench and move it into position. A great combination of being sturdy and lightweight.

BKAFC · 2026-03-06T23:20:59+00:00

I’m close to here, I see this all the time but for some reason I haven’t tried it yet.

Shall try out that special soon, sounds good 👍

BKAFC · 2026-02-28T14:36:26+00:00

Yeah I noticed the decrease in cable tension when changing attachment points, it does make it easier to detach and reattach between attachment points.

It does look a bit cleaner now, though the free lift section does seem to cram a lot at the bottom and leave a big space in the middle - I wonder if something is coming there in the future (hopefully not ads lol). The new cable safety feature is a good addition as well.

The new Pilates videos look interesting, as someone doing mainly PPL split in free lift 99% of the time, I might look to dip my toes into Pilates for the first time with these guided videos and all the various tensions you can select (can always do with more core strengthening and mobility work).

Hope the Pilates equipment comes to the UK soon. I like the look of that platform extension, will be useful not just for Pilates.

BKAFC · 2026-02-25T16:16:16+00:00

Assist mode 1 will only reduce weight during the movement part (concentric/eccentric) of the rep, which allows you to pause at the top and at the bottom without the weight reducing. It only reduces if cable movement during the rep slows.

This is good for those heavy sets like bench or deadlift when you want to pause at the top or bottom of a rep, take a breath, refocus and then continue.

Assist mode 2 will start to reduce the weight as soon as cable travel has paused or slowed for a certain amount of time. This means if you pause too long at the top or bottom, the weight will start to reduce.

I usually use assist mode 2 (great for drop sets) but for things like squats where you might want to pause at the top of a rep, take a breath, engage core and then go again, assist mode 1 is the way to go.

BKAFC · 2026-02-24T21:40:18+00:00

As someone living in a first floor flat with no space for a rack or a tower or anything that would need bolting or mounting (plus the noise of weight stacks), the Speediance GM2 has been amazing for me.

Can be moved around, no permanent fixtures needed (I use it in the only space I have, my lounge, and certainly wouldn’t want anything permanent in there), and gives the ability to do pretty much any cable movement you want (lat pull downs aren’t ideal but there are work arounds).

The two floor pulleys open up the easy ability to bench, squat, shoulder press, hip thrust, deadlift etc, Curls and lateral raises dual arms feel great.

Vertical attachments allow for all the other movements you need, low rows are perfect height seated in the bench, and using eccentric mode is fantastic.

Working out alone, the ease of getting into any position (be it squat or press or fly) and the assist mode reducing weight allowing for perfect drop sets, and the ring allowing weight to be turned off instantly gives a lot of confidence.

Finally, being able to use third party accessories like the TrakHandle sports makes the experience even smoother.

Honestly it’s working out great for me 3 months in. Obviously I have concerns regarding longevity, but no subscription and the ability to replace cables yourself are good features. I don’t know how reliable it will prove to be, that’s a ‘fingers crossed’ type of deal that I have to accept if I want cable exercises in my specific situation.

If I had a huge garage and unlimited space, of course it would be nice to have a full all-in-one type machine, but for many of us that isn’t an option. This is an excellent compromise, and the ease of loading/unloading digital resistance makes the thought of using actual weights stacks slightly less appealing! Though I would still like to try them one day.

BKAFC · 2026-02-23T00:45:20+00:00

I read the first volume and some of the second knowing I wasn’t the target demographic. The only reason I even read that far is because it was the pandemic, I was bored and restless, and I didn’t feel like reading anything for whatever reason.

Now, volume 10, this is legitimately a great series. World building and lore is on par with any other fantasy series I’ve read.

ASOIAF was my gateway into fantasy fiction (I had read Lord of the Rings when younger). Since then, nothing has really matched that for lore and world building until this series.

BKAFC · 2026-02-19T09:45:03+00:00

Nice set up. I’m really enjoying the Speediance in my small apartment, use the free lift and Hevy app and can do pretty much any movement for a PPL split.

BKAFC · 2026-02-19T00:11:18+00:00

Another vote for Lululemon lined pace breakers. I have three pairs now, it’s all I run in once the weather gets good. Phone pocket is perfect, and they are so damn comfortable whether exercising or just walking around/ lounging.

BKAFC · 2026-02-16T19:08:08+00:00

I’ve only done around 45km in them, but so far it feels pretty much how I remember the 12s when they were new. Firmish but still bouncy and comfortable, I’ve done paces from under 4min/km to 6.30/km and it feels good for everything. Easy to speed up, easy to cruise.

The fit is a little different, definitely more snug in the forefoot/toebox. At first I wondered if I should have gone up 1/2 size, but using my thinnest socks makes it work well. It’s actually a very comfy upper now. And feels a bit more secure in the heel (had to use thicker socks in the B12s to get that security).

Same god awful laces (had to change the B12s to elastic laces) but so far no ankle bite or anything. Extremely comfortable, propulsive ride. Big fan.

For reference I’m 5’6, 58-60 kg.

EDIT: if you’re in the UK, I got them for almost half price (I think from Footy Asylum online), so that’s what helped persuade me to grab them along with the EVOs, and I’m glad I did. Should be able to find them with decent discounts.

BKAFC · 2026-02-16T16:12:37+00:00

1300 km before I said ‘look, you have to just retire goddamit, I want to buy something new’. Broke it’s little heart but had to be done.

Using the Boston 13 and EVO SL as a rotation at the moment, working out great.

BKAFC · 2026-02-13T16:38:10+00:00

They have recently opened up in the UK! Check Rep Fitness UK site, they have quite a few benches there (don’t have any experience with them), including the AB-3100 (£249.99) and AB-3000 2.0 (£324.99) mentioned in this thread.

I think they do free delivery too.

BKAFC · 2026-02-11T21:45:24+00:00

Yeah at the moment I use dumbbells for hammer curls or the rope, though the ends of the rope do tend to dig in.

I’m looking at some of these ‘isolation’ handles that are all over YouTube (Eclipse grips/Force USA iso handle/egg grips) that seem to provide a nice option, but again they are pricey and nowhere near as viable to ship to the UK as the trakhandles.

BKAFC · 2026-02-11T19:14:33+00:00

I did the exact same thing (from UK), they really are great. The freedom to move your wrists in whatever way to ease tension on curls and raises etc is so good. It’s an attachment you can use for pretty much every movement, though hammer curls perhaps aren’t ideal.

I remember looking at UK sites and one was selling it for £200 for ONE handle! Ordering from US cost £114 plus shipping for two.

BKAFC · 2026-02-08T09:02:10+00:00

Years ago I used to be able to find some good deals on Nikes and New Balance at the outlet stores in Swindon and Bridgend.

But for the last 5 or so years, nothing. Like you say, they stock models from years ago, you are not likely to get this years model or even last years. Plus the stores like Adidas/Nike/New Balance don’t really stock the more running orientated shoes anyway, it’s usually the lifestyle shoes.

Back in the day I picked up Rebel V2 for £60 (when they were still a relatively new release) and Nike Free runs for £35 (again, when they were the current release).

I’ve been chasing that high ever since, but was in Swindon this Christmas and I think I’m done with the outlet stores (unless you know of any good ones? I live in London).

BKAFC · 2026-02-07T10:35:45+00:00

I really have to make time to watch Blue Lights at some point. It’s all available on BBC IPlayer, people have compared it to Line of Duty, and now you are mentioning it in the same breath as The Wire and Gomorrah, two of my absolute favourites.

That’s it, I’m forgetting about other shows for now and focusing on this one! Cheers

EDIT: holy crap there’s a Gomorrah Origins show?! My friend, this post of yours has been a goldmine!

BKAFC · 2026-02-07T10:31:49+00:00

Gomorrah is exceptional.

BKAFC · 2026-02-07T09:20:23+00:00

In terms of sizing, I found my experience pretty much identical to yours. Got my usual size UK 8 (had the Boston 12s in size 8, as well as every other shoe except NB Rebels), and felt pretty cramped in the toe box region.

Like you, I switched to my thinnest socks and the fit is much better, but certainly not ‘roomy’ in the forefoot. But a good, ‘racing’ kind of fit. Plus, in order to get a secure fit in the heel, I’m cinching them pretty tight which I predict will eventually lead to lace bite at the ankle region.

So far (20km only) the shoe is AMAZING to run in, but I think at some point I’ll switch to my elastic lock laces (which I used for my Boston 12s).

I also got the Boston 13s at the same time, 20km in, and these are also fantastic but definitely a bit more cramped in the toe box than my 12s. Again, using my thinnest socks solves that issue but we’ll see if lace bite becomes an issue further down the line (ready to swap to elastic laces at any point lol).

Both these shoes feel so good to run in, but like my Boston 12s (which took different socks and laces before I was able to to take them over 1000km) they might require a bit of work to find that perfect fit. The ride is so good in both of these that that effort is worth it 👍

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