-
Presumably this counts as cheating, but what is the best way forward?
No, but could be a sign of tightened hams or reduced range of motion sonewhere and the instability could lead to an injury.
You could also slide a 1.25kg plate under your heels and see how that feels, would be more stable than just raising on the balls. Or the lifting shoes mentioned ^Breaking through, it depends what you're doing and how long you have been doing it. When was your last de-load and how long are your cycles? Or have you been doing linear progression to this point?
Oh, and eat more and sleep more :DI find this insta account good for constant reminders and tips for movement
https://instagram.com/squat_university?utm_medium=copy_link
Yukirin-
Or have you been doing linear progression to this point?
Pretty much.
Any de-load in the past couple of years has always been un-planned, i.e. whenever I found myself having to take a few weeks off, and then just starting again at a lower number.OK, so I should probably take my downward dogs more seriously in order to improve my hamstrings and see if that sorts it out.
As for indulging my tendency to lean forwards by getting those wedged shoes. As I am still just about able to squat my body weight, wouldn't it be better to teach myself to do my lifts au naturel for the time being?
Weight lifting shoes at this stage sounds a bit like getting an aero helmet for my commute.
starfish&coffee
I am reaching the limit of my squat. So to complete the last couple of sets I find myself leaning slightly forward and pushing up with the weight on the ball of my foot on the last couple of reps.
Pushing from the ball of my foot I can handle roughly 10% more weight than when 'flat footed'.
Presumably this counts as cheating, but what is the best way forward? Stay disciplined with evenly balanced flat footed form and (hopefully) persevere through my plateu – cutting my sets short if need be. Or use those last few cheat lifts as a way to eventually break through the plateau?