In this blog post, we’re breaking down the biggest takeaways from our latest Black Iron Radio episode on the myth of the “athletic look.” What does it really mean to look fit—or look like an athlete? If a specific image comes to mind, you’re not alone—but it’s time to challenge that narrative. Krissy, Kelsey, and Chelsea dive into where this idea came from, how media and the fitness industry have shaped it, and why true athleticism has nothing to do with aesthetics. Whether you lift, run, ski, or climb—if you do the thing, you are the thing. Keep reading for an honest conversation on identity, body image, and redefining what it means to be an athlete.

In this blog post, we’re breaking down the key takeaways from our latest Black Iron Radio episode on returning to running postpartum. If you’ve recently had a baby and are eager to get back to running, you’re not alone—but the process isn’t as simple as just picking up where you left off. Postpartum recovery comes with unique challenges, from healing tissues to hormonal shifts, and rushing back too soon can lead to setbacks. That’s why we brought in pelvic floor PT Whitney Doran, along with BIN coaches Christin and Chloe—both moms and experienced trainers—to share what postpartum athletes need to know. Keep reading for expert-backed insights on a smart, sustainable return to running—and be sure to check out the full episode for even more!

It’s here! The final week of the 2025 CrossFit Open. This workout has the longest time cap of all 3 open workouts- which means, for the majority of us, it will be the longest workout of the Open. Which means, pacing will be extremely important if you are looking to finish under the time cap. 

In this blog post, we’re breaking down key takeaways from our latest Black Iron Radio episode on ditching the all or nothing mindset. If you’ve ever felt like you’re either completely on track or totally off the rails with your nutrition and fitness, this one’s for you. We explore why this mentality can be so damaging, how to reframe setbacks, and ways to build a more balanced, sustainable approach. Keep reading for actionable insights—and be sure to check out the full episode for even more!

In this blog post, we’re breaking down key takeaways from our latest Black Iron Radio episode on finding joy in movement and food. We explore how shifting your mindset, staying open to new activities, and letting go of rigid rules can help you build a sustainable, fulfilling approach to health and fitness. If this resonates with you, keep reading for actionable insights—and be sure to check out the full episode for even more!

Week 2 of the 2025 CrossFit Open is here, and the Black Iron Nutrition Performance Team is back with another nutrition strategy to help you fuel, recover, and perform at your best. Dialing in your nutrition can make all the difference in how you feel and execute this workout. Whether you’re adjusting your schedule, redoing the workout, or just looking to optimize your energy levels, we’ve got you covered.

In this blog post, we’re diving into key takeaways from our latest podcast episode on maximizing recovery. We break down the conversation with actionable strategies to help you optimize rest days, balance active recovery with full rest, and fuel your body for better performance. If this resonates with you, be sure to check out the full episode for an even more in-depth discussion!

This is a fun workout to kick off the 2025 CrossFit Games Open, even though the pain is going to BE THERE. Pacing, grip management, and not coming out too hot will be BIG here. And the BIN Performance coaches are here to help you this week with your own Black Iron Nutrition strategy.

The supplement industry is filled with promises, but not all of them hold up under scientific scrutiny. In this blog post we take a deep dive into the most common pre-workout ingredients and their real benefits.

Dive into the world of 'Fuel for the Work Required' (FFW) with Coach Amanda as she breaks down the intricacies of optimizing performance through targeted nutrition. Learn how FFW can enhance your training regimen, adapt to your unique energy demands, and propel you towards your fitness goals.

Whether you're lacing up your shoes for the first time or seeking to improve your performance, running coach Chelsea Myntti share valuable advice to guide your running journey. Explore essential tips on pacing, recovery, nutrition, and more to maximize your potential and enhance your running experience.

This is a fun workout to finish the ‘24 Open with, even though the pain is going to BE THERE. Grip management is going to be huge, and not coming out too hot.

Just like that, we are rolling into week 2 of the 2024 CrossFit open. The nerves are still in the mix, but we have gotten our toes in the water and know that the training we have been putting in will shine through. It’s time to put our heads down and WORK, let’s have some fun with this twenty-minute grind. 

It’s our favorite time of the year - the start of a new CrossFit Games season!! All of the excitement and nerves mean that you care, that this is important, and we’re FIRED UP to give you some suggestions on how to structure your eating the day before, and day of the Open workout.

If you’re a lifter, you’ve no doubt heard that cardio kills your gains. If you’re a runner, you’re probably familiar with the argument that lifting makes you bulky and slow. So, what’s the deal there? 

Running and lifting are indeed two separate disciplines with their own unique set of adaptations and training requirements, which has caused many to be worried about something called the “interference effect”.

Manipulation of body composition is a common goal in a variety of pursuits, but how do we accurately and objectively measure and track changes over time? Body composition devices and techniques offer a solution here. However, people often place undue confidence in both the accuracy and precision of body composition values that they get from techniques that are regarded as high-quality.

Chelsea delve’s into the essential aspects of fueling for ultramarathons, what to consume in the days leading up to the race, during the event itself, and post-race recovery. She also includes examples from her prep for the Mogollon Monster 100 and lessons learned from what went wrong during the race. 

Have you ever wondered if training on a low carb diet could be beneficial for overall endurance performance? Enter the "Train Low, Compete High" strategy: an approach where athletes manipulate carb intake during training to push metabolic boundaries and heighten glycogen usage thresholds. By staying low-carb during training and refilling glycogen before events, athletes might delay tapping into these energy stores, theoretically enhancing endurance. But how substantial is the evidence? 

In this article, we delve into a series of claims put forth by LMNT within their collection of articles focusing on the scientific backing of their sodium intake recommendations. The intent here is to scrutinize the evidence provided in LMNT's articles and assess whether it adequately substantiates the claims they make.

There are probably two types of people who clicked on this article. The first is your average person who just wants to make sense out of the conflicting and confusing information that is presented to them in the mainstream media, social media, or other sources who seem to use research to present completely contradictory views on fitness and nutrition. If this is you, maybe you were hoping to read this and come away with a fool-proof strategy that enables you to enter the correct things into Google to come away with the right answer to your fitness or nutrition question. The second kind of person, might be a graduate student who is curious how I possibly hope to condense the 6-15 credits of courses that they took, or are about to take, dealing with conducting research into a single article.