“Is all protein created equal?” you ask yourself as you shovel down a dinner of chicken breast for the fourth time this week. Carnivore enthusiasts would say animal protein is king, while vegans and PETA would argue that you can get your fair share from tofu, beans, veggies, and the like.

Pre-existing bias aside, the answer comes down primarily to bioavailability. Simply put, protein from animal sources is found in higher amounts, has a more prolific amino acid profile, and is easier for most human beings to use, digest, and benefit from.

For some people, for ethical reasons and otherwise, this balance is impossible. Vegetarian and vegan diets are on the rise, and often touted as “healthy” alternatives to what many consider “balanced” (meat-based) diets. I will never condemn veganism – there are countless healthy, strong, muscular, and/or fit adults who prescribe to this lifestyle. However, the forcing of young adults and children into veganism, as New York City public schools have done recently, adds a wrinkle to this ethical dilemma. Simply put, children and young adults deprived of animal proteins will struggle to develop in both mind and body compared to their meat-eating counterparts. Furthermore, these school lunches, for many children, are the best chance they get at having a full meal. Apple slices and a handful of raw vegetables are not a full meal, no matter how many “healthy” boxes that may check for city officials and administrators. Be better, NYC.

#NutritionTips

Is the deadlift the single-greatest exercise most people could be doing to increase overall strength, improve posture, burn fat, build muscle, and prevent a number of injuries? Perhaps. Is it any of these things when not done correctly? Not even close.

Most people lack the technical ability, motion patterning, or overall mobility to get into a correct position to deadlift, turning the exercise into a minefield of awful form, bent spines, and back injuries. Enter the trap bar deadlift.

The trap bar allows deadlifters to assume a more upright position with their back and chest, keeps the shoulders in a neutral position, emphasizes leg drive, and allows the lifter to pull from an elevated position to enable those with lesser mobility to still get in a great position. The trap bar makes it realllllllllllly hard (but, disclaimer, still not impossible) to mess up your deadlift, as well as packing a few punches that a traditional barbell would not.

#WorkoutIdeas

Finding the right personal trainer is tough. Luckily, we have completely fictional characters to base our hopes, dreams, and decision making around, so here’s a guide to the 12 best fitness coaches and personal trainers that Hollywood movies have to offer… A very important resource to consult before dropping a few thousand real-life dollars on your own personal trainer.

#TFSRecommendations

Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect $200 Former fitness influencer Brittany Dawn might be going to jail for allegedly scamming customers with her workout programs.

Enjoyed The Fresh Squeeze? Subscribe to our weekly health, fitness, and nutrition newsletter, sent straight to your inbox… See you next week!

Have questions about your own fitness routine you’d like us to address? Or feedback about what you’d like to see more or less of? Shoot us an email – [email protected], we’d love to hear from you!

#GetSmarter