u/ThreeCoasts

When I’m lifting near my maximum, I involuntarily clench my teeth, really hard. It’s started to cause pain in a molar identical to pain I’ve had when I’m clenching a lot because I’m stressed (last time was during the peak of the pandemic).

My dentist has put me in a nightguard in the past and now in Invisalign retainers at night. I asked him about the pain and whether I should be using an athletic mouthguard while lifting. He said it’s a good idea, and that I could try the inexpensive stock ones you buy OTC.

So, for fellow clenchers:

Do you get tooth or jaw pain when you’re lifting heavy?

Have you tried a mouthguard? Does it help?

How do you pick the right OTC mouthguard? Like most things lifting related, they seem to be “one size fits all,” but men’s jaws are typically wider than women’s, so I don’t see how even the ones you “boil and bite” to kind-of-customize could fit some 6’4” 250lb dude and 5’3” 125lb me.

Were you able to make the boil and bite kind work, or did you have to get custom? I’m sure my dentist will do a custom one if I want, but he’s both a very good dentist and is in no hurry to convince me to spend on things I don’t need. The fact that he thinks it’s OK to try an OTC one is making me lean that way.

Any advice appreciated.

A big group of friends and family recently went to an event run by a family from northeastern China. The featured dish (among many truly excellent dishes) was a pit-roasted lamb in what I gather is a Mongolian style. It was served with an addictive dry spice mix to sprinkle over the lamb. I’m seeking help identifying the mix.

It had a base of smoky-tasting ground red peppers—somewhat spicy, but not hot-hot. I believe there was also cumin and sesame seeds. Maybe Sichuan peppercorns but I’m not sure—it had a touch of that numbing quality, but not overwhelmingly so. Slight lemon zest taste.

I’m lost: most of the spice mixes in online recipes for Chinese lamb dishes are pretty simple: cumin, red pepper (they don’t usually specify which type), and sometimes Sichuan peppercorns. This seemed more complex than that, and I can’t identify where the smokiness would come from in those three ingredients.

Is this a known spice mix anyone recognizes? Can it be bought online? Or do you know of a recipe for it?

A big group of friends and family recently went to an event run by a family from northeastern China. The featured dish (among many truly excellent dishes) was a pit-roasted lamb in what I gather is a Mongolian style. It was served with an addictive dry spice mix to sprinkle over the lamb. I’m seeking help identifying the mix.

It had a base of smoky-tasting ground red peppers—somewhat spicy, but not hot-hot. I believe there was also cumin and sesame seeds. Maybe Sichuan peppercorns but I’m not sure—it had a touch of that numbing quality, but not overwhelmingly so. Slight lemon zest taste.

I’m lost: most of the spice mixes in online recipes for Chinese lamb dishes are pretty simple: cumin, red pepper (they don’t usually specify which type), and sometimes Sichuan peppercorns. This seemed more complex than that, and I can’t identify where the smokiness would come from in those three ingredients.

Is this a known spice mix anyone recognizes? Can it be bought online? Or do you know of a recipe for it?

This is a comment on something I’m still figuring out, so I’m putting it out there more to contribute data/anecdote than to offer conclusions (because I don’t have any yet). TLDR: I think increase in my pectoral and lat muscle development due to weight lifting has changed my shape, and therefore bra fit. Would be interested in hearing from others with their observations on this.

I’ve been lately having more problems with center spillage and empty upper/outer quadrant than I’ve had before. In bras that a year ago didn’t have these symptoms at all, it’s happening a little. And in bras that caused it a little, it’s now gotten worse.

My first hypothesis about the cause of the center spillage was increased body fat, because I’ve put on a few pounds of it in the past year. But the increasingly empty upper/outer quadrant suggests it’s more a change in distribution of tissue than in total volume. In trying to solve the problem I came across this older but very useful thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/s/bgKPW3gL8D.

To be clear, my lats and pectoral muscles have not grown to the scale serious competitive power lifters achieve. But where I had virtually no muscle development before (actual question I asked my trainer: “Lats? Where are those?” 😂), I now can feel and see those muscles. And DEXA scans over the past year show that while I’ve put on a few pounds of fat, I’ve also put on several pounds of muscle. My suspicion is since my starting point was a small frame and very little muscle, even the relatively modest muscle growth I’ve had is proportionally enough to change my bra fit.

What I know for sure is bras that a year ago fit right (or close to right) now give me noticeable quad boob in the middle. Which on the one hand is annoying, since I bought a lot of bras on a great sale then and figured I’d be able to wear them for a long time. But on the other hand, I’m glad I’m getting the results I want from my workout program.

My details, for anyone else thinking through similar issues: UK30FF per ABTF calculator and long experience buying British brands that fit (or used to). Fairly narrow, projected, with soft tissue. My band size has not changed. Bra I have on hand that seems to fit best now: Primadonna Deauville in UK30F (their cups feel one size larger than other brands’ to me). Second best: Empreinte Thalia, also in UK30F (ditto the +1 cup size note), but the wires on it are extremely narrow—even narrower than the Deauville’s, and probably too narrow for me. Bras I plan to try going forward: well, I’ll start with the suggestions in the thread linked above, and bras with specs similar to the Deauville on Bratabase.

I’m looking for recommendations of bras with (1) narrow, projected cups; (2) close-set straps; and (3) a 3 hook closure. Or at least two out of three of these.

Here’s the situation: when I last checked my measurements with the ABTF calculator a year ago I got UK28G or 30FF (measurements 29/28/27/35/41/38). Since that measurement I’ve found 30FF to be the best fit in most bras. But I think I need to try a different shape cup. Here’s why: in bras that feel like they fit well at first, over the course of a few hours I end up with spillage near the center gore, and empty cups at the upper, outer quadrant. I think this is a symptom of fitting my soft tissue into cups that are too wide and not projected enough.

From researching other threads on this sub, I think it’s worth trying Polish bras for their narrow, projected cups. Before ordering I’ll obviously re-do the calculator with my current measurements, which will be pretty close to my last ones. But I have questions.

1. Do any Polish (or other) bras with narrow, projected cups have closer-set or center-pull straps? In the images online, that seems like a rare combination. I have chronic shoulder issues and in the images of Polish bras most seem to have wide-set straps which sit at or near the spot on the model’s shoulders that would cause me problems.

2. I very strongly prefer 3-hook bands, but in my size manufacturers often use 2 hook bands (even on styles that are 3 hook in larger sizes). Can anyone point me to a style with narrow, projected cups, close-set straps, and a 3 hook closure in my size?

3. Trying on in person is unlikely in my location, so what online vendor do you prefer for Polish bras? Miseczki, Breakout Bras? I’ve used several sites for British bras, but virtually all the bras have 2 hook backs in my size.

Thanks for any suggestions!

I plan to use this DeWalt pump to remove water from a pool cover. Because the water has debris like leaf fragments, small acorns, etc, I want to put a suction strainer on the end of the hose I attach to the intake, in order to prevent damage to the pump. I will use a standard 3/4” garden hose. Can anyone point me to the right strainer? I’ve searched online and get lost in all the different specs for thread types, diameter, etc.

https://www.dewalt.com/en-us/product/dce050p1/20v-max-transfer-pump-kit

When I was searching for swimsuits I got flooded with ads for Sheila The Label. Then sports bras, Duke The Label. Then I saw another post here mention clothes from Mate The Label. Curious, I did a little Googling and found Liaison The Label. What gives? Are these related brands? Have a bunch of different companies just decided it’s easier to get a URL by tacking “The Label” onto their brand name? Do others find this construction as awkward as I do?

Some of you may be, like I was, looking for an adjustable weight bench that sits a little lower to the ground than the well-known ones available from Rogue, Rep, etc. I also needed one that stores in a very small space. I finally gave up finding one from the usual suspects that fit that brief, and bought the Brazyn Flipbench that was flooding my social media feed with ads.

I was super skeptical: the few other things I’ve bought based on social media ads have been outright garbage. But I’m pleasantly surprised. It definitely doesn’t have the “built like a tank” solid feel of the benches designed for heavier use. You would probably not want to use this thing if you were 6’3”, weighed 250, and benched 300lbs. But for me—5’3”, 124, and I bench, well, let’s just say an embarrassingly small number—it seems fine on first impression (I’ll come back later with a longer term view). It was pretty easy to assemble, and it’s easy to adjust, stow, and move around with the optional wheel kit when in the stowed position. (But oddly, the wheels are positioned so they’re unusable when the bench is set up for use—maybe I put the base on backwards? But I don’t think so). Overall, the quality seems pretty decent, although some things look like they could be sturdier, for example, the attachment of those optional wheels. It’s decently stable considering the narrow base.

And best of all for us shorter lifters, the bench is 16.5 inches high in the flat position. That’s the lowest adjustable bench I’ve found. I know some folks my height and shorter put plates under their feet to make higher benches work, but I never liked that. If you’re in the same boat, this bench could be an option for you to consider.

Looking for suggestions to find my go-to top for everything from business casual (on its own) to business professional (under a jacket). Women’s, solid colors only. Other must haves:

1. washable, easy care, resists wrinkles. Drip-drying is OK, but not ironing or dry cleaning.

2. breathable so I don’t melt into a puddle of sweat. It’s hot and muggy here in the summer.

3. Dressier fabric than a plain cotton T. I have some round neck, cap sleeve, semi-fitted cotton Ts but they’re a little too

4. casual for my purposes, especially because cotton tend to wear and fade a bit after laundering several times.

5. Knits with a little give/stretch work better for me than non-stretch button-fronts, so I don’t have to size up as much or pin to avoid pulling and boob gap.

6. Any sleeve length except sleeveless.

My condo building is considering letting residents have Door (previously Latch) smart locks put on their apartments. For those in buildings with these locks, what’s your long-term experience with them been like?

Most of the issues mentioned in past Reddit posts about forced adoption of this system in rental buildings don’t apply to our case or to the lock version we’re considering. Residents are asking for this, it’s not being forced on us. Every resident can decide if they want the smart lock or not, they can keep using their existing physical keys even if they get the lock, and the locks are battery operated and connect to the app by Bluetooth so no concerns about power or WiFi outages. There’s a keypad code for backup. And this is a 24-hour doorman building so if all else fails you can borrow a physical key to get into your apartment.

So I’m interested mainly in usability, reliability, and durability. Any troubles with the app? Does the keypad work reliably? Does the lock or door strike require frequent adjustment? How long do the batteries last? Have any of the locks failed? How’s the finish looking after a couple of years’ use? Things like that. Thanks for any info you can share.

Has anyone tried the Brazyn Flipbench? If so, what did you think? I’m looking for actual hands-on experience with this bench (not skeptical opinions without first-hand experience since I already have plenty of those myself). Or if you haven’t tried this bench, but have a different one that fits the storage dimensions below, I’d be interested in hearing about your experience with the one you have.

My Tonal is inside a shallow closet, 15.75” deep and 8’ wide, with foldback doors. The original Tonal bench can be stored inside the closet, just barely. The only types of adjustable benches I know of that fit are the Flybird folding benches (or similar no-name-brand Amazon ones), and the Brazyn one.

The Flipbench is intriguing—FID, zero gap, small storage footprint, wheels—but I’m doubtful. The only review I’ve found is clearly paid placement. Most stuff pushed on social media ads is garbage. And the narrow feet look unstable. Of course neither will be anything like a good FID bench from REP, Rogue, Ironmaster etc. But those won’t fit in the space I have. The stated weight capacity of the Brazyn or Flybird benches is fine for me: my weight plus the maximum I lift is well under half their capacity.

Can anyone who has worked with the Door (previously Latch, they changed branding) M3 smart mortise lock offer your experience and opinions about it? Quality, failure and repair frequency, user-friendliness, etc?

My condo building is evaluating options for retrofitting smart lock functionality to fireproof doors with existing mortise locks. An important constraint is the existing cylinders must be kept so the existing physical keys, including master keys, can access all units. The Door (previously Latch, they recently changed branding) M3 smart mortise lock retrofit is under consideration because it meets that constraint. Can anyone who has used this system for some time comment on reliability, long-term ease of use for residents and property managers, etc?

For those using standard 3” OC Slatwall (not proprietary systems like Gladiator, Proslat, or Rubbermaid) for storage, what brand of hooks do you use for your barbells, especially bulky specialty bars? I have NewAge Slatwall, which is compatible with other standard 3” OC brands, and plan to store equipment including an SSB on it. I’m looking for good locking, heavy duty, long reach hooks. Can you recommend any brands you like?

I’m installing some NewAge slatwall to store gym equipment like specialty barbells etc. It’s theoretically compatible with any brand of hooks for standard 3” OC slatwall. I’m looking for heavy duty, long-reach hooks, and they need to lock in securely: I’d rather not have hooks falling on my toes while I’m wrangling an unwieldy safety squat bar. Any brands of hooks you like that stay firmly in place and are heavy-duty enough for this use?

I’m considering adding a slatwall system for storing specialty bars and other equipment in my basement gym. It’s a multi-use finished basement with white walls, so I’m thinking about a white slatwall system. If you’ve had one for a while, what brand is it, and how has it held up? Has it cracked, dented, or gotten discolored or marked up?

I’m not planning to intentionally abuse it, but I’m going to be repeatedly hanging and removing bulky metal things, some of them with black rubber coatings: safety squat bar, dumbbells, etc. So it’s going to get bumped. Will it end up damaged / looking cruddy?

Can anyone who has the Rogue RML-90Slim rack installed with the crossmember option on the Rogue metal stringers tell me the exact depth from the wall to the outside face of the uprights? Rogue’s website and customer service both say “about 15 inches,” but for my location (hidden behind a set of fold-back doors when not in use) I need to know the exact depth.