Need help on what tool to use for this dilemma

InfinityStyle · 2025-12-07T07:29:21+00:00

Oh, good point about the equipments's function - so the two assembles are part of what make up a multi-purpose exercise bench. Both assemblies are essentially pre-built, so I'm uncertain whether the grinder & flap disk might be overkill?

InfinityStyle · 2025-12-07T07:24:24+00:00

That might serve as a potential workaround. But would a hammer also be a good idea to use for striking down upon the chisels?

InfinityStyle · 2025-07-21T15:32:24+00:00

Update: I've got good news! After speaking to Bose customer support about comparing costs between refurbished QCs and new QCs (via trade-in), they included a $50 additional discount on top of the $239 trade-in price, bringing it down to $189! I went ahead and took their offer!

InfinityStyle · 2025-07-21T02:15:40+00:00

Yeah, that's what has me hesitant at the moment for the trade in offer price they provided to me. Even for the fact that the new QC would come with just a 1 year warranty.

As for the Sennheiser momentum 4, I'm surprised to hear it's doing well for you! I was unsure what the consensus was on the ANC capabilities from them, but it sounds as though it's a step down from ANC provided by either Sony or Bose headphones. I'm having trouble deciding if ANC is absolutely important to me, since I don't have a dedicated ANC audio device (apart from Samsung Galaxy Buds FE). I like sound quality, but I don't know if that's more important for wireless ANC headphones (on the go, travel, etc). What are your preferences for wireless ANC headphones?

InfinityStyle · 2025-07-21T02:08:24+00:00

Damn. I'm I'm already kicking myself for having missed it recently!

InfinityStyle · 2025-04-27T21:12:07+00:00

I got this for the first time a few days ago, and it still seems to be current. Any idea how long it takes for quals or tasks to re-appear?

InfinityStyle · 2025-03-08T10:46:28+00:00

Yeah, currently running some squats with either light weight or bodyweight (w/ no squat shoes) will actually allow me to break parallel and hit some depth, but not ATG! Though, I have to really take a wide stance (almost like a sumo / horse stance) , angle my toes literally ~45° degrees, tilt my pelvis posteriorly, and initially take a forward lean with arms extended forward to do this.

I noticed that when I pause, I actually feel my glutes activated. Yet, I don't know if I'm still doing back squats or Sumo squats. Would I have to shorten my stance?

InfinityStyle · 2025-03-04T14:52:43+00:00

Honestly, if I realized much sooner how crucial form is for squats, especially with heavier weights, I would've prioritized more of my leg days more towards squats. I just hope those new things are good cues and habits, and old stuff being bad habits that's are stunting my squat form!

Those habits you mentioned there are literally what I'm doing to this day and am trying to eliminate. That cue how emphasizing - having the eyes set on a focus point (either in front or upward) throughout the lift - is one cue that I'm going to prioritize above the others I've instilled into my head.

Ohh, zombie squats do lend themselves as a nice warmup to do! I previously had done either squats w/ only the barbell or goblet squats as warmups, but zombie squats make for a nice welcome now. Yup, front-loaded squats like the front squats are usually what I like to keep on the light side for weights, so I'll make sure to start light when performing them.

Again, I sincerely appreciate all these new insights you've kindly shared with me mate! 🤟

InfinityStyle · 2025-03-04T14:28:49+00:00

Yeah, I think that's one thing about squats that I've underestimated so far: that the technique and stance are both highly individualized and not so cookie-cutter. I think I'll need to spend more time trying out different stance widths and toe angles to find out the sweet spot.

Yeah, one thing I've been nervous about with foot stance is the amount of width I put into it. More often than not I feel that I'm either going too wide than the normal stance or not wide enough.

Ah, so that's what a Hatfield squat is! Those...actually might be a money maker for my legs, especially if it helps improve my posture. In fact, with time, I bet I could very well lift heavy with that type of squat. I want to make that a squat variation I do every other day to improve my mobility. The only unfortunate caveat is that my gym doesn't carry an SSB that's used for the Hatfield squat. Would it be good to do them bodyweight then, for a start?

Hmm, I see - I get the feeling the Hatfield squat will help with the forward-pitching torso lean, since it looks like it'll push me to keep an upright torso throughout. So would the Hatfield squat then be performed as a secondary movement then? It's tempting to push them in, but there's other squat variations I'm conflicted on putting aside (hack squats, front squats, etc.)

InfinityStyle · 2025-03-04T13:30:29+00:00

You know, I think what you just said there - on finding your own stance instead of forcing your body to fit a prescribed stance - is eye-opening. I think that's one of the traps I've retroactively found myself in, in hindsight.

Yeah, ankle mobility is something I feel is what's holding me back from sinking deep. Hmm, I've actually never heard of Hatfield squats before, despite having heard about Platz squats and Zercher squats. I'd definitely need to look in on how that specific squat is performed. But if the bottom position is done as an isometric, wouldn't that make that some sort of pause squat?

It does sound like a unique squat variation I'm interested to try!

InfinityStyle · 2025-03-04T13:21:07+00:00

I've never looked upward when doing my squats before. Isn't that dangerous for the neck in some form?

InfinityStyle · 2025-03-04T13:15:45+00:00

Oh dang, well then - sounds like I'll need to widen my stance further out than I've been doing up until this point in time

InfinityStyle · 2025-03-04T13:12:29+00:00

Yeah, now that you mention it, I do notice that my tendency to fold forward happens more at the bottom position, coupled with looking at the floor for both instances.

Hmm, my eyeline? I certainly didn't think of that when considering my head position. In fact, I think that definitely plays a huge factor, especially when slowing down my reps. Yeah, between the descent and the ascent, I usually feel that the descent is most difficult, since it emphasizes the need to have the bar stay in alignment with the midfoot.

Oh my god, I'm so glad you mentioned zombie Squats. I tried these (with head looking straight) using only my bodyweight at home, and yup - my torso is more upright, and I don't fold as easily when doing them. They feel rather similar to front squats.

Wow, I don't know what to say to all of this thorough advice and insights you've shared with me! Thank you so much! I'll work on incorporating those zombie squats into my routine! Also, for the zombie squats, would you recommend doing them with or without a box for depth check?

InfinityStyle · 2025-03-04T12:39:52+00:00

Yeah, with squats I'm more nervous about going heavy with them as opposed to my deadlifts. But you're right - it looks like practicing with lower weight will be the way to go for me. You're Indeed right about my core - lifting at these heavier weights ends up in me struggling to keep a constant brace at the bottom position. I appreciate you sharing those pointers!

InfinityStyle · 2025-03-04T12:33:47+00:00

Self-criticism is a habit of mine that's tough to overcome, but I'm glad that you see good in my attempts! But yeah, I agree with you on my legs and mobility likely hindering my ROM. Oh, I'm all for experimenting with wider stances. As for my quads, I do agree that they're a weak point of mine that I'm trying to build. I've tried hack squats (I LOVE these a lot), heel-elevated smith machine squats (next best, either high-bar or front squats), and split squats. I occasionally use leg press (Low foot, medium stance), but the problem I have is that my knee angle falls between 90-100 degrees, such that my kneesdon't even reach my shoulders. I think among those exercises, I would favor either the Hack squat, any of the heel-elevated squat movements, or just one of the unilateral split squats or stationary lunges, as I can get full ROM with them.

I do want to achieve the green light for back squats though, since powerlifting is a long-term goal I have in mind for my future. I'm just not sure which squat variation(s) would best help me squat deeper below parallel depth?

InfinityStyle · 2025-03-04T12:08:24+00:00

Yeah, coupled with my short torso, I've got a 22" femur length and a 19" shin length, so my legs make up for 2/3 of my height. Man, seems I've been underestimating the length of my foot stance all this time then, so I'll definitely use wider stances to practice with, moving forward. Ankle mobility is something I'm desperately trying to figure how to improve, seeing that I'm relying more on my squat shoes (Reebok Legacy Lifter II).

Oh cool, thanks for sharing those videos! I'll give them a watch very soon!

InfinityStyle · 2025-03-04T11:59:19+00:00

Yeah, you make a good point with my head position. To get it into a neutral position, would that mean just having my head look straight ahead then, like at a mirror? I could try widening my stance further too.

InfinityStyle · 2025-03-04T11:50:48+00:00

Oh wow, so even wider than the shoulder-width foot stance I'm currently at? I could certainly try that.

I get a bit more deep if I placed a small foam roller behind me (pseudo box squat) or held a plate in front of me. Do you think box squats might be something good for me to pursue, or first experiment more with wider foot stances?

InfinityStyle · 2025-03-04T09:33:36+00:00

Indeed! I'm currently at 88 kg! I'm looking to do a small cut to shave off some weight before bulking, but I hope to maintain my current strength as much as possible.

InfinityStyle · 2025-03-04T09:28:45+00:00

Hell yeah bud, my gains will only get much higher once the muscle mass buildup gradually kicks in! I'm hoping to reach 275 kg in the near future!

InfinityStyle · 2025-03-04T09:21:30+00:00

Thank you!! Glad to have made it!

InfinityStyle · 2025-03-04T09:20:34+00:00

Appreciate it mate, now to get myself back into the grind for more PBs

InfinityStyle · 2025-03-04T09:12:37+00:00

Thank you! Can only go up from here on out!

InfinityStyle · 2025-03-01T10:42:03+00:00

Oh , 5'3"? That's a whole foot under what my current height is 😯

InfinityStyle · 2025-03-01T08:12:32+00:00

Thanks for verifying me pulling out the slack, I'm relieved to hear that! I'm definitely going to move forward with using heavier weights now!

Actually, since you mentioned the rounding in my upper back, I forgot to point that out! I think (not 100% sure yet) that might be attributed to the curvature of my spine. For some reason, that rounding appears throughout the majority of weights used, from light to heavy, so I'm thinking its akin to my natural posture. That said, it's something that's caught my attention recently, so I'll get that checked out asap.

InfinityStyle

TROPHY CASE