Back To Sport Essentials

Get ready for the return of School and Back to Sport at Intersport Elverys. We know that it can be difficult to find everything your youngsters require, but we have all you need for sport, school and PE, including, backpacks, water bottles, footwear, mouth guards and balls and more. Take a look below to find all you’ll need. If you need more information, drop into one of our stores nationwide and talk to one of our many in-store experts.

Backpacks

We know Back to School shopping can be tough at times, especially when you are looking for useful information on finding the correct school bags or back packs. We thought we’d simplify the process. Picking a new school bag for Back to School is very important, and the one you choose can vary depending on your child’s age and height. Before looking through the bags we have on offer (which you can find HERE), we will take you through a few key aspects to look for when making your choice. Find out everything you need to know about backpacks HERE.

Boots

With all the excitement of getting back to games and training, but maybe not so much with getting back to school, you may want to treat the kids to a new pair of football boots. We have a wide range of kids football boots for everyone who plays GAA, Football, Rugby and more. Find all our boots online HERE or shop in-store, where our experienced staff will give you the expert advice you need. You can also click HERE to find out how to pick the perfect football boot for you. We advise that you always try on footwear before you make the purchase.

Footwear

One of the most important aspects of the kids going back to school, is finding them the perfect pair of footwear. Having a comfortable fit is very important for growing and active kids (you can find the perfect fit HERE). Here at Intersport Elverys, we have a fantastic selection of footwear from all the top brands including Nike, adidas, Puma and Skechers, as well as lots of black footwear, if that’s what the school uniform requires. Check out our range of footwear in-store or find our full range of kids footwear HERE, and have them ready to go back to school and sport.

Water Bottles

If you had been watching the Premier League or your local GAA team, you’ll have seen that players take water breaks mid way through each half, so they can have a drink from their own bottle as they cannot be shared. This is the same across all sport and in school. Everyone will need to have their own water bottle wherever they go, be in school or playing sport. Pick up your own water bottle HERE or in-store.

Balls

Almost every child (and adult to be fair) will find great enjoyment out of a ball of some sort. Be it a kick about with a Nike or adidas football, throwing a Gilbert rugby ball, or target practice with an O’Neills ball, the games are limitless. They are a great way of encouraging physical exercise. When kids are going back to school and sport, they may be encouraged to bring their own ball, in the interest of safety. Intersport Elverys has you covered, as we have a wide range soccer, GAA, basketball, rugby balls and more available in-store and online. Take a look at our range of balls HERE.

Mouth Guards

With contact sport coming back for kids, including school teams and PE, having a mouth guard is vital and in a lot of cases it’s mandatory, especially for Gaelic games and rugby. Whether you are looking for a boil and bite guard or a more comprehensive self-fit one, Intersport Elverys has all you need. Check out our range of mouth guards HERE or get expert advice in one of our stores.

Here at Intersport Elverys, we have everything you’ll need to get you kids ready for going back to school and getting ready for sport. Drop into one of our stores (when they reopen) or visit our website HERE.


Intersport Elverys Kickstart Rugby & Charity Initiatives

Intersport Elverys, through our partnership with Canterbury, are delighted to announce that we are now the official sports retail partner of the IRFU, meaning the new Irish Rugby gear will be available at Intersport Elverys from August. INTERSPORT Elverys has been at the heart of rugby since the company’s inception serving players and fans alike including sponsorship of the Provincial game as well as national teams and are delighted to be in a position to extend their involvement with Canterbury & Irish Rugby. Intersport Elverys are committed now more than ever to help support organisations hugely challenged by loss of funding (charity piece now closed).

Kickstart Rugby

Our Kickstart rugby initiative aims to help clubs and schools bounce back by raising vital funds needed to continue their activities for the season ahead. We are giving every affiliate club and school across the four provinces the opportunity to apply for a Kickstart rugby package. The successful Clubs and School will receive kit to the value of €5,000, International match tickets, signed jerseys and more. Enter HERE. T&C’s Apply.

Charity Partner (Closed)

MORE EXCITING NEWS! Intersport Elverys are on the lookout for a charity partner. Applications to be the new charity partner of Intersport Elverys are now open!

Our aim is to make a real difference by tapping into the power of sport and through the involvement of players and fans, and the association of the INTERSPORT Elverys brand, to help raise awareness as well as vital funds for a charitable cause. Intersport Elverys will look to support the successful charity with a six-figure funding donation as well as a schedule of rights, including access to Home International match tickets, pitch-side branding, and a mascot place. Entries are now closed.

Keep an eye out on Intersport Elverys social channels over the coming weeks and months for updates on the new IRFU kit, giveaways, videos and much more!


The Best Home Workout Without Equipment | Elverys

Working out at home with no equipment? We’ve teamed up with Cavan LGFA player Aishling Sheridan who is also a Certified Athletic Therapist & Trainer, Online Personal Trainer & Nutrition coach to bring our audience a body weight workout that can easily be done at home, in the gym or wherever you have space.

This is a quick body weight workout that is easy to follow, requires no equipment and can be done in the comfort of your home.

Workout

40 seconds ON 20 seconds OFF for 4 rounds.

Take a minute rest in between each round
*note you can add weights to some of these exercises if you’d like.

Exercises

1. Body weight squats(40 ON , 20 OFF)

1 MIN REST
2. Shoulder taps(40 ON , 20 OFF)

1 MIN REST
3. Mountain Climbers(40 ON , 20 OFF)

1 MIN REST
4. Reverse lunge(40 ON , 20 OFF)

1 MIN REST
5. Knees to stand(40 ON , 20 OFF)

This is a great workout for burning calories and really getting the heart rate up. Let us know how you get on with it.

WATCH Aishling demonstrate the workout in the video below;

See the latest in training on our website HERE


Preparing & Recovering Your Body

No matter what type of exercise regime you have, whether it is core sessions, jogging, swimming, training or matches, preparing your body for exercise is vital. Everything from stretching, recovery, sleep, the correct footwear, nutrition and energy sources are all very important to your performance. Here at Intersport Elverys, we’ll take you through some of the most important things you’ll need to do.

Nutrition and Energy Sources

For anyone who has exercise as part of their daily or weekly regime, nutrition is vitally important, as it provides you with the energy required to perform the activity. The food and energy sources you consume impacts on your performance levels in terms strength, training and your bodies ability to recover. Carbohydrates are important to have before an intensive exercise session, while taking protein post workout helps the muscles recover. Choosing from a wide-variety of nutrient-dense foods helps you increase intake of vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients. If you have nutritional gaps within your diet, then may consider a multivitamin as they are a great way to boost your immune system and help keep your body at its peak. Here at Intersport Elverys, we have Opti-Men multi-vitamin capsules which help to support metabolic & immune function, while also reducing fatigue. You can find them in-store (when they reopen) or online HERE.

Pre-Workout

There are lots of things you can do to prepare yourself before any workout or training session. Take a look at some of the key aspects you should consider.

1 Drink plenty of water throughout the day and around activity as needed. Water is the most abundant substance in the body and all cells need it to function.

2 Getting between 7 & 9 hours sleep is key to having your body at its optimum.

3 Eat the correct food and consume the correct energy sources between 2 & 3 hours before your session. Carbohydrates are the primary fuel source utilised during exercise and can be stored as glycogen within the muscles and the liver.

4 Taking multi-vitamins can help your straighten your immune system, when taken daily.

5 As well as multi-vitamins, taking a pre-workout supplement which includes caffeine, vitamins, creatine and aminoacids such as Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Work Out, can really help your performance.

6 Ensure you warm-up thoroughly. Make sure your heartbeat is up and your muscles are loose and limber. Take a look HERE where you’ll find one of our sample warm-ups.

7 Creatine is also a good supplement to take if you are looking to build muscle and power. On the days you workout, some research shows that it is better to take creatine shortly before or after you exercise. On rest days, it may be beneficial to take it with food, but the timing is probably not as important as on exercise days. Here at Intersport Elverys we have Optimum Nutrition Creatine, which you can pick up in-store (when they reopen) or HERE.

8 If you are looking for a supplement to help fuel and repair you body during a workout, taking Optimum Nutrition Amino is perfect. It accelerates muscle recovery, while also improves energy levels and focus.

Recovery

After workouts and exercise, it’s vital that you give your body every chance to recover. There are lots of ways to do this. Take a look at some of the key aspects you should consider below:

1 Consuming protein with 15 to 60 minutes after your workout is vital for maximum recovery. A quick option could be the Optimum Protein bar, if you have no meal prepared. Protein powders are also a fantastic option to have in your gear bag and we have Optimum Nutrition Whey Gold Standard in multiple sizes in-store and HERE. Protein powder can also be used in cooking, for cakes, pancakes and more.

2 Like with pre-workout, drinking water is very important as it helps you re-hydrate and recover.

3 Using stretch bands and rollers really helps with muscle aches or DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness). Find out more HERE.

4 Getting between 7 & 9 hours sleep is key to helping your body recover.

The most important thing to do after hard sessions, is to REST. All of the above steps will really amplify your recovery and have you raring to go for your next exercise session, workout, training session or game.

If you are looking for workout ideas, footwear advice or other sporting tips, head over to our blog HERE. Alternatively, you can head into one of our stores nationwide (when they reopen) and talk to one of our expert staff. Take a look at all we have to offer on our website HERE.


Intersport Elverys Start Re-Opening Stores

We’re happy to announce that from Monday 8th June, we’ve started to re-open the majority of our stores.

Our in-store experience may look different, but our fantastic teams have been working hard toward bringing you a great service, whilst ensuring the safety of all. Find out all the information you need below.

New Operational Measures

To ensure the continued protection of our colleagues, customers and ultimately our communities, we will be taking the following measures to help stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus: managing traffic flow to help facilitate social distancing; hand sanitizing stations; more frequent cleaning and sanitizing of the store; contactless payments, returns and online order collections; protective screens at the checkouts and closing selected stores from 2pm to 3pm each day to refresh staff, stock and the store.

When Are You Re-Opening/What Stores Will Be Open?

We will have a selection of stores open from June 8th, please refer to our store locator to see your nearest store and their opening hours. Remaining stores will open in accordance with government guidelines in the following weeks. Find our store locator HERE.

Will The Full Store Be Open Or A Limited Range?

Some stores may need to reduce retail space to ensure our customers can shop safely. In this event, our teams in store will ensure our full range of products is still available to our customers.

Will I Find Products In Store That Are Out Of Stock Online?

It is possible that our stores will have stock that has now sold through on our website. If you are looking for a specific item that is no longer available on www.elverys.ie, you can contact your local store in advance and check availability. You can also enquire through any of our Customer Service channels.

Will There Be A Range Of Home Gym Equipment Available?

Select stores will have Home Gym Equipment available. Some stores will have Display Models/pre-Assembled items available. These can be purchased and collected, however our team members can not assist with any item that is a 2-person carry, and will not be permitted to bring items to customers’ vehicles. Stock once available, will be on www.elverys.ie for Home Delivery. If you are looking for a specific Home Gym item that is no longer available on www.elverys.ie you can contact your local store in advance and check availability.

Are You Offering Assembly On Home Gym Equipment?

At present, our Keepfit Team are offering delivery only. Assembly Services are suspended for the safety of both our customers and our team members. We will recommence this service once it is deemed safe to do so.

Can I Still Collect Online Orders?

Once stores are back open, we will safely re-commence our Click & Collect service. Each store will have a designated area where customers can collect their order safely. Please note, select items will be “Home Delivery Only” based on size/weight and will not be available for Click & Collect.

Can I Return Purchases That Were Bought Online/Were Bought More Than 60 Days Ago?

We are happy to exchange/refund items purchases from February 17th (30 days before our stores closed) up until July 8th (30 days after stores reopen. Purchases made from June 8th will be subject to our standard returns policy of 30 days for exchange/refund. For all returns, customers need to bring a copy of their receipt/order confirmation for us to see date of purchase and method of payment.

Can I Return Faulty Goods?

Items with a perceived fault can be brought to stores for inspection by one of our team members. For all returns, customers need to bring a copy of their proof or receipt/order confirmation for us to see date of purchase and method of payment.

Can I Purchase FootBalance Customised Insoles?

We will not be offering the 100% Custom Fit insoles initially in the interest of the hygiene and for the safety of our customers and team members. We offer a full range of styles and sizes of the FootBalance Quickfit Insoles which can be moulded safely at home, offer similar benefits, and also come with a 30-day guarantee. Our team members in store will be more than happy to give you advice on the range of products and sizes available.

If you want to be notified when the full 100% Custom Fit service is available, our store team can take your details and contact you once it’s deemed safe to offer this service again.

 

Can I Get My Child’s Foot Measured In Stores?

We will not be offering these services initially in the interest of the hygiene and for the safety of our customers and team members. We would encourage customers to try footwear on at home, and return if necessary. We will recommence this service once it’s deemed safe to do so. We also have some useful information available HERE on how to measure your child’s foot at home.

Can I Try On Footwear And Clothing In Store?

Our fitting rooms will initially be closed in the interest of hygiene and for the safety of our customers and team members. Footwear can be tried on, and any footwear not purchased will be placed in a quarantined area for 2 days before another customer can try on.  We’d encourage customers to try on items safely at home, and return if necessary.

Is Jersey Printing Available In Stores?

We will not initially be offering Jersey Printing. If you want to be notified when this service is available, our store team can take your details and contact you once we can offer this service again.

Can I Pay With Cash?

Customer can pay in with cash, however we do encourage contactless/chip & pin transactions wherever possible. We would also encourage customers to opt for e-receipts over paper receipts.

We hope all this information help you out. We look forward to see you in one of our store soon. You can take a look at all our product ranges HERE.


How To Find The Best Running Shoe | Elverys

With the sun continuing to shine and the evenings getting longer, more people are getting out in the fresh air for walks and runs.

Many people are looking for expert advice to help them select the correct footwear and to find the best running shoe.

At Intersport Elverys, we asked our customers to send us their running and footwear questions.

Our running and footwear expert, Phil has answered some of the questions below, including tips on starting your running journey, injury issues, footwear recommendations and much more.

How to find the best running shoe: Beginners

Q. I want to know what I should consider, so that I can start running. What are the most important recommendations to take into account?

Phil: “Lace up a pair of running shoes and get out, putting one foot in front of the other.

“You can start off as a walk, work up to a walk/jog by intervals and increase it to more of a jog compared to running. A couch to 5km plan is a great way to start.”

Q. I would love to start running, however I don’t know were to start. Do you have any tips to begin?

Phil: “First thing you need is the correct pair of running footwear.

“If you are female, you also require a sports bra suitable for running.

“Set yourself a goal such as run a 5km in a couple months time. There are tonnes of apps you can get that will help you create a plan, based on your current level of fitness and what/when you want to achieve your goal.

“I’m personally using the Nike Run Club app, though there are many other ones available.”

Q. What are the best runners for walking/jogging?

Phil: “Check out our blog to find the best type of runner, which is best suited for you HERE. 

Dealing With Specific Pains

Q. I think I have plantar fasciitis and it’s very painful. I walk about 5km a day. Is there any runners that you can recommend?

Phil: “It could be the case that you over pronate when you walk and are currently not getting enough support from your shoes.

“Check out our blog on selecting correct footwear for your foot type, but in the mean time spend some time each day massaging and stretching your planter fascia.

“There are plenty of demos how to do it on YouTube which are great and easy to follow.”

Q. Any tips on recovery from shin splints?

Phil: “Stretch each day, not just before running, can help the recovery process.”

Q. My hamstring can ache up into my glutes when I run. I have been stretching. Any advice?

Phil: “This can be as a result of a number of things. Aches and pains are not uncommon with beginners as their body adjusts to getting out running or if you have increased your distance recently.

“A common mistake people make when it comes to stretching for running is the type of stretching they do. You are best to do dynamic stretching and avoid static stretching.

“Check out YouTube for examples of what ones to do for running.”

Q. Just finished doing the couch to 5km and have serious hip pain. Any tips on how to help heal it?

Phil: “Yoga is a great form of exercise to help loosen up your body. It helps my lower back tremendously.

“Spend extra time on your warm up and warm down. As your distance increases, so should the time you spend on warming up and warming down.

“Our yoga expert, Roberta, has some great yoga poses for athletes and runners in this blog. “

Q. I tried to start jogging again recently (on the road not grass) but after a few minutes my shins felt like they were on fire. Can you recommend a good runner and any idea what the problem is?

Phil: “Running can be unforgiving at times and if you have had a long period of time away, it can take the body time to get used to running again.

“It wouldn’t be out of the ordinary to experience pain. If you are using an old pair of running footwear, the cushioning is possibly degraded over time from use and needs to be replaced.”

Q. I have fallen arches. What are the best running shoes?

Phil: “Check out this blog from Runners World with some expert advice.” 

Q. I’m crippled with pain at front of both knees and tightness at the back. Any ideas, as I cannot run at all?

Phil: “Did this pain originate from running?

“If so it could be down to unsuitable footwear. Incorrect support can cause the body to be misaligned and put the body under extra stress.

“A lack of cushioning can increase the impact on joints.”

Q. I do a small amount of jogging, up to 10km. I’ve worn ASICS Keyano for the past six years or so but not the same pair. I’ve fallen arches and wear orthotics to correct them. I was recommended ASICS by a staff member in Intersport Elverys. I’ve always found them comfortable but would I be better off at this stage to be fitted again in the shop and see if there’s another brand that I should change to?

Phil: “Runners can spend years trying different types of running shoes and never find one that really works out how they’d like.

“When you fInd a pair of shoes that works for you, then I would often recommend to sticking with them – ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.

“Although, if you are really eager to try something from a different brand, like Brooks or Nike Running. Both are slightly wider fitting models and will have a different feel underfoot compared to the ASICS Gel Kayano but similar type of shoes.”

Q. Should running be avoided if there is any kind of knee pain or discomfort?

Phil: “It’s not uncommon to feel pain when you start as beginner or if you have recently increased your distance.

“You can normally run through this and the pain will go as your body gets use to it. If it is due to an injury, try to do low impact activities for a period of time like cycling or swimming and then building the running back up.”

Q. I have fallen arches and planter fasciitis. I walk about 10km a day. The last couple of days I can’t walk with the pain in my foot. What runners would you recommend?

Phil: “Firstly, spend time on stretching to help relive the tension, rolling a golf ball under the foot is a great simple way to massage it and there are many other examples you can find on YouTube.

“To prevent it, insure you are wearing the correct running shoes for your foot type, as people with fallen arch are normally recommend to use stability footwear to help support their arch.”

Product Recommendations And Tips

Q. What is the best way to break in a new pair of runners and how long do you need to wear them before running 10km in them?

Phil: “Most runners shouldn’t take really much to any time to break them in.

“I would generally wear them around the house for a few hours in the evening to make sure I’m generally happy with the fit.

“The first run is generally a short one, so that I can check to see if I need to change the tension in the laces and that should be enough.”

Q. Should women buy men’s runners (for wider fit)?

Phil: “Ideally women should wear women’s footwear as they have specially designed for a woman’s gait.

“Brands such Nike and Brooks have a wider first in compassion to ASICS, Adidas etc. It is possible to get wider version of certain models. If needed contact your local store or member of customer service.”

Q. What kind of footwear do you recommend for person on their feet 10 hours a day. Any tips to help with keeping runners clean due to sweaty feet?

Phil: “It’s worth investing in a shoe with extra cushioning for that increased comfort, particular those 10 hours days.

“Odour eater balls are a great way to keep your footwear fresh and any dirt you get on the shoes, wipe down with a damp cloth as soon as you can, as it is not recommend to put them in the washing machine.

“The washing machine can shorten the lifespan of the cushion and cause the upper to come away from the sole.”

Q. Best runner for heal spurs?

Phil: “Reducing the pressure on a heel spur will reduce the pain, so a shoe with extra cushioning will help.”

Q. I’ve plantar fasciitis and I wear ASICS kayano 21 as I’ve always worn ASICS. Since lock down I’ve not been able to buy a new pair as these are no longer available what is next to this style.

Phil: “The current model is the ASICS Gel Kayano 28.

Q. Nike Pegasus or ASICS for functional training /classes?

Phil: “A specific training shoe is best suited, as they are designed for multi-directional movement. Opposed to running shoes which are designed to simply go forward.”

Q. I can only wear one pair of runners. All others hurt my left foot and I’m terrified of buying a new pair so I’ve gotten insoles. Can they be used in the next pair? How long do insoles last?

Phil: “All depends on what type of insole you have. You got a pair of Footbalance insoles in your local Intersport Elverys store, then these can be transferred from shoe to shoe.

There is no exact timeline on how long they will last. The EVA cushioning will generally wear down over time like any form of cushion.

“If in doubt, drop into your local Intersport Elverys when stores reopen or contact customer service for more assistance.

“If the insoles are orthotics, that you got from a podiatrist, then it is recommended to use these in neutral running shoes.

“These insoles can last a number of years, but follow the advise of your podiatrist on the lifespan of the particular ones you have.”

Q. Are there specific blister socks that stop blisters occurring when you run?

Phil:  “blister free socks can be a life saver, check them out on this link.”

 

How To Find The Best Running Shoe