How to Buy a Spin Bike: Ultimate Guide

Posted on April 1, 2022 at 3:06 pm.

Are you aware of how good a spinning workout is but don’t know best how to buy a spin bike that suits your needs?

If you’re not, well don’t worry, because we can ensure you that spin bikes are a different beast of a workout compared to an exercise bike.

It’s the closest thing possible to replicating cycling on a track or road, bringing that outdoor cycling experience indoors.

That’s why spinning classes are becoming so popular worldwide.

In this blog, our Home Gym Expert Team member, Emma Kate Harris, tells us about some of the most important features to consider when buying a spin bike.

While she will also give some benefits to spinning.

If spinning is not your thing, some maybe a Beginners Yoga Session is your thing?

How to Buy a Spin Bike Overview

“Hi guys, so the first thing to know is that “pin bikes are different to most of the other kinds of indoor cycle machines we stock as part of our Home Gym range.

“They are designed with the aim of closely replicating what you experience cycling on a road or a track.

“So if you want to bring that outdoor cycling experience indoors and really get that feeling of a tough cycling workout, then a spin bike is for you.

“Here are some of the main features to look out for.

“Before we start, you might enjoy our blog on the Benefits of Fasted Cardio.”

How to Buy a Spin Bike Key Features

Q Factor

“On a Spin Bike, the Q factor is one of the most significant features to consider.

“It’s the distance between the inside of the pedal attachments on both sides of the crank arms, or, to put it another way, the gap between the two pathways your feet take.

“Lower Q factors tend to be a more accurate portrayal of real bikes when it comes to recreating the most authentic riding experience.

“The Q factor of the most popular indoor cycles will be between 155mm and 175mm. A narrower Q factor is more ergonomically efficient and allows the rider to apply more effort to the pedals, according to research.

However, other experts say that riders with exceptionally broad hips are sometimes better suited to a bike with greater Q factor.

Flywheel Weight

“The first thing you should look out for on a spin bike is the weight of the fly wheel, which is generally located at the front of the bike.

“The weight will dictate the motion of the bike, so the greater the weight the smoother the motion. We recommend spin bikes with a flywheel over 6.5 kg, which is more than enough to allow a smooth and seamless workout.

“Spin Bikes are powered by a chain or belt and have an open front flywheel.

“The rolling road bike feel is influenced by both visible rotation and force transferred from the pedals to the wheel. Because of the fixed gear, you can’t coast or stop abruptly like you can on other stationary cycles.

“Magnetic discs are used to produce resistance on traditional recumbent or upright exercise bikes.”

Frame Size and Weight

“Secondly, you want to check out the weight and frame size of your spin bike.

“Not everyone will have a lot of space to work with in their home gym, so you want to find a bike that is light enough to move around and strong enough to provide optimum balance with even the most rigorous use.

“Without wheels at the front of the machine, spin bikes can be difficult to transport and move. They’re necessary for simple, convenient movement, especially at home where room is restricted.

“Today, almost every Spin Bike has wheels attached to the base of the bike for simple transporting. These are crucial for both household and professional users, as the frames and flywheels are large pieces of equipment, weighing around 50-55kg.”

Resistance Type

“You also want to become familiar with the type of resistance on your spin bike. Generally, there will be two types, friction resistance and magnetic resistance.

“Friction resistance works by pressure being put on the flywheel to slow it down and make it harder to spin.

“These bikes will need replacing the long term due to wear but would not be as expensive as their magnetic counterparts that work by bringing a magnet close to the wheel to increase resistance.”

Adjustable Seat & Handlebars

“We’re not all the same shape and size, so having an adjustable seat and handlebars is very important.

“This is key to making sure your time on the spin bike is as comfortable as possible and with the lowest risk on injury from over reaching.

“So, consider whether the spin bike you’re buying has fixed heights and positions on their seats and handlebars, or whether it is a free movement system.

“Handlebars/seats may be moved to accommodate people with longer and shorter arms/legs and upper and lower bodies, allowing users to select their most comfortable riding position.

“This is especially crucial for inexperienced cyclists or those with back difficulties, as riding with low handlebars or a seat in the wrong position is likely to be uncomfortable.”

Small Features

“And finally, there is all the small little features that can really top off your spin bike, such as the display screen, water bottle holder, bike pedals and arms rests.

“All these little features add up to really compliment the perfect spin bike, so take time to find ones that suit your needs.

Benefits of Buying a Spin Bike

Feel Good Factor

“Endorphins are produced by exercise and interact with receptors in the brain to cause happy feelings.

“You’ll leave your class or session physically exhausted, but mentally elated, and this is the sensation to which you’ll grow addicted.

“That is why being active can aid in the treatment of depression and other negative mental and physical health issues, such as stress, in so many people.”

Low Impact Exercise

“Spinning is ideal if you’ve recently recovered from an accident or surgery, or if you simply need to ease back into things.

“Don’t get us wrong: you’ll still get a fantastic workout, but there’s no fear of falling off or colliding with another cyclist because the bike remains motionless.”

Relieve Stress

“There’s no denying it: exercise has been scientifically shown to help people cope with stress.

“Exercise clears your thoughts and allows you to temporarily forget about whatever stressful day you’ve had at work or at home.

“Exercising makes you feel good about yourself and boosts your confidence, which all contribute to a reduction in stress in our daily life.”

Build Lean Muscle

“The development in muscle definition in your legs and core is one of the finest benefits of a spin session.

“We don’t have to tell you how vital core strength is; it’s what keeps your body upright.

“Because muscle weighs more than fat, many are perplexed when they desire to remove their muffin top but notice a weight gain!

“Our recommendation is to get rid of the scales and focus on how you want your body to look rather than a number or a pant size.”

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed this blog on how to buy a spin bike.

Make sure to check out our range of leading spin bikes HERE or below.

Enjoy the spinning!

Find The Right Sports Bra: Size Guide

Posted on March 24, 2022 at 12:13 pm.

Written by Intersport Elverys

For active people, your sports bra is one of the most important pieces of equipment you’ll own – so this sports bra size guide is sure to help you.

Especially if you’re entering the 2024 VHI Women’s Mini Marathon, whom Intersport Elverys are proud sponsors for 20 years now.

Even if you’re not entering it and are just a casual or serious sports person, this should be seen as an important investment in comfort and support.

Look at the care and precision we put into choosing our running shoes; the same level of scrutiny and detail should be put into the choice of sports bra.

Just like you do with your leggings too, which we have prepared this Leggings Size Guide BLOG for.

It’s estimated that 80% of women are wearing the wrong type/size of sports bras which can result in breast pain, soft tissue damage, chafing among other issues.

Choosing the right sports bra is essential for women of any size, shape or activity level. It’s important to make sure you have adequate support so you can lead an active lifestyle without unnecessary discomfort.

Read below or find our latest blog on this topic HERE

	SUPPORT
	Low	Medium	High
Activity	Walking	Road Cycling	Running
	Yoga	Hiking	Aerobics
	Light gym work	Active gym work	Contact sports

Sports Bra Size Guide: Support

Light Support Bras

Usually, low energy activities will consist of little sweat.

Activities such as walking, yoga, or stretching would be considered low energy. For these workouts, you won’t need as much support as high energy exercises.

Choose lightweight sports bras with narrower straps and bands. An adjustable strap is not necessary for support during low energy workouts.

Medium Support Bras

These workout activities will be in between low and high energy, like gym sessions or cycling.

Just like the energy level, you’ll need a medium support sports bra to accommodate your body.

Unlike low-energy workouts, you’ll need a wider strap, and since you’ll be breaking a sweat, you need a bra that restricts breast movement more than low-support bras.

High Support Bras

Any high intensity activity, like running, will require a high support sports bra, as your body will constantly be in motion and you’ll need to make sure everything stays comfortably in place.

Find high support sports bras with wide bands and adjustable shoulder straps to adjust while you’re working out or after.

What size should I choose?

You should stick to the size that you wear in a standard bra (once you’re confident you have been fitted/measured properly). Various brands will offer size conversions either on in-store signage or on the product packaging.

Sports Bra Size Guide: Features

Band

The main source of support comes from the band, which forms the foundation of a sports bra. The band should be snug around your rib cage, but comfortable. If it feels too tight, it is.

If you can fit two fingers between your body and the band (but not more) that’s the sign of a good fit.

Shoulder straps should feel secure and provide minimal stretch to reduce up-and-down movement.

Straps that fit properly should not slip, and they should also not dig into your skin.

Adjustable straps allow you to fully customise the fit of your bra.

Closure

Some bras are pulled on over your head, some have a back closure with hooks.

Bras with back closure are easier to get on and off, and gives another option to further adjust/customise the fit.

Underwire

The benefit of underwire in a sports bra is that it supports each breast individually and can help to minimize movement.

Wicking fabrics move moisture away from your skin and keep you comfortable.

The more supportive a sports bra is, the less effective it will be at wicking away moisture because of its sturdier fabric and construction. Look out for moisture-wicking technologies.

Strap Types

Please note, thin straps are generally easier to hide, however wider straps offer more/better support.

Tank top: This style is most similar to a “normal” bra. The straps are often adjustable so you can customise the fit.

Criss-cross: These straps cross over each other and usually provide good support. The straps are often adjustable so you customise the fit.

Racerback: Sports bras with a racerback have shoulder straps that come together between your shoulder blades to create a Y-shape. This style is more suited for medium- to high-impact activities, but they are typically not adjustable.

Conclusion

It’s recommended that you re-assess/update your sports bra every 6 months to 12 months as over time the fibers, elastic and other components weaken, which compromises support.

More even more content that could benefit the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon in 2022, check out our Running Shoe Size Guide.

Shop our entire range of sports bras HERE

How To Find The Best Leggings: Size Guide

Posted on March 24, 2022 at 11:30 am.

Written by Intersport Elverys

Love them or hate them, sports leggings are a staple in the wardrobe of any active person – so having a leggings size guide is super helpful.

This year Intersport Elverys is delighted to partner the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon for 2022 and like the last 18 years, we;re committed to offering the best advice and the leading products to all participants.

So whether you’re going to run, walk or jog the marathon.

Or if you’re not taking part at all and are just committed to a sport, training for your own fitness journey or simply wanting to look good, feel good and perform good, then this guide will help you.

Because we know leggings aren’t all about sporting performance, they are a great way of expressing your personality thanks to all the unique styles.

Leggings Size Guide: Where do I start looking?

There are a few things to consider when trying to find a great pair of sports leggings.

Don’t forget, every sport and every body has its own individual needs, so deciding on a few main factors before you start your search will help pin down the perfect leggings for you.

Choosing the best leggings for your sport

If you’re dedicated to one sport and looking to invest in the perfect pair of leggings to improve performance, our quick guide will point you in the right direction.

Running leggings

Many running leggings offer higher compression, designed to help reduce muscle fatigue and speed up recovery.

They usually use temperature-regulating fabric technologies and tend to have a lower waist band to avoid any chafing.

The Nike Dri-Fit Fast Leggings in Black are great.

Gym leggings

Generally speaking, training leggings tend to offer medium compression and have a higher waist band to support controlled movements.

For high impact training like HIIT, seamless high waisted gym leggings will provide great support and ensure comfort throughout your workout.

Try the Puma Logo Eversculpt Women’s Training High-Wasted 7/8 Tights are a great option.

Yoga leggings

Yoga leggings tend to have a lighter compression, wider waist bands and fabric that allows for maximum stretch so you can easily slide from downward-facing dog to baby cobra.

They can come in tight and flared styles, with features like drawstring waists.

The new and amazing Casall Seamless High Waist Yoga Tights are amazing.

Will you be committed to one type of training, or are you more of a jack of all sports?

This decision will help determine your first step on the treadmill to finding the best leggings for you.

Consider your own style – do you want colourful or black gym leggings?

The cherry on top of the best gym leggings is of course style.

Modern gym and yoga leggings come in a myriad of colours and styles, from solid prints to mesh panelling.

If you’re not sure what to go for, black gym leggings are a fail-safe option that slim and streamline every body shape. Hone in on your favourite shades to wear and take it from there.

We’ve got leggings like the Puma Flawless High Waist in pink or the Nike Yoga Dri-Fit in blue as well as a big array of black leggings.

Leggings Size Guide: Choose your rise

Where the waist of your leggings sits is just as important as your leg length:

• Low rise sports leggings: Low rise gym leggings sit well below the waist, across the middle of the hips.

• Mid rise sports leggings: Mid rise leggings usually sit somewhere between the belly button and the top of the hips.

• High rise sports leggings: High waisted gym leggings sit at the belly button or slightly above it.

The waist of your leggings will be determined by how much support you want, as well as the kind of look you’re going for.

High waisted gym leggings provide the most support and will help streamline any wobbly bits in the tummy area.

The Nike Pro Mid-Rise above are proving very popular.

Low-rise gym leggings, in contrast, provide virtually no tummy support, but can be much more comfortable for those that don’t like feeling constricted. They’re particularly great for running, as they won’t chafe your midriff.

Unsurprisingly, mid rise leggings are a great middle ground, and the best bet if you’re really not sure which fit you’ll find most comfortable.

Leggings Size Guide: Choose your leg

There are a few different lengths to choose from for your gym leggings:

• Full length leggings: These gym leggings cover the entire leg, ending just under the ankle.

• 7/8 leggings: Very slightly cropped, 7/8 leggings cover most of the leg, ending just above the ankle.

• Capri leggings: Capri leggings end just below the knee, covering the entire upper thigh.

A great place to start when choosing leg length is by examining your workout environment.

Outdoor workouts like running will often benefit from full length gym leggings to keep you warm throughout the seasons, whereas something indoors and sweat-inducing like HIIT will be more comfortable in capri leggings.

7/8 leggings are great all-rounders for all sports and environments.

Leggings Size Guide: Consider material

Leggings or pants made for sport will offer breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics to keep you cool and dry, which is what sets them apart from the everyday leggings you might use as loungewear.

When it comes to leggings, fit is everything.

Whatever the workout, you want to be able to give it every ounce of your energy and attention; you definitely do not want flapping legs or sagging waistbands ruining your performance.

A well-fitted pair of leggings can go beyond the gym, too – you might find you’re so comfortable in them, you just can’t take them off!

High compression vs low compression gym leggings

The compression level of your leggings is the biggest contributing factor to how supportive they’ll be.

Compression basically refers to how thick and tight gym leggings are, so they usually come in high compression or low compression options.

High compression gym leggings are thicker, tighter and generally best suited for sports with a lot of movement, like running, pilates or HIIT, as they don’t tend to shift as you move.

High compression leggings can also be used for lower impact sports like yoga, but if you find a looser fit more comfortable, low compression works well too.

When choosing low compression, go for a sports leggings with a drawstring waistband to avoid any sagging or twisting while you work out.

Leggings Size Guide FAQs

Can you run in normal leggings?

Running in normal leggings isn’t advised, as they don’t offer the same support and benefits as running leggings and can cause chafing and other discomforts.

Running leggings are made from specially designed fabric that wicks sweat away from the body and allows skin to breathe during long runs, which will help keep your body at a comfortable temperature and avoid chafing.

Running leggings are also usually made of high compression fabrics to provide maximum support.

Should I wash my gym clothes everyday?

Yes, it’s best to wash gym clothes after each use. Your gym leggings are constantly absorbing sweat while you work out, so can harbour all sorts of bacteria and other nasties.

If you need to deep clean a pair of sports leggings after a particularly hot and sweaty session, try adding some anti-bacterial detergent to your normal washing detergent and wash your leggings on the highest temperature setting stated on the care label.

How tight should gym leggings be?

This really depends on what you want to use them for.

Yoga benefits from lightweight, low compression leggings to allow for bending and stretching, whereas high impact training and running will be much more comfortable in tighter, high compression leggings that give you the best support possible.

As a rule of thumb, if your leggings are too tight on the waist and causing bulging, size up. If they’re saggy at the crotch, size down.

Why do my leggings roll down at the waist?

This can happen for a few different reasons.

First, your leggings could simply be the wrong size. If your leggings are a little loose all over, then sizing down should fix your problem.

Your leggings might also sag if they’re not the right fit for your body shape. Bodies come in all shapes and sizes, so finding a pair of gym leggings to fit waists, bums and tums can take some trial and error.

Try out different rises to see which one prevents your leggings falling down at the waist.

Finally, it could simply be that the elastic has worn out in your leggings. Invest in a new pair, and make sure to follow the care instructions to the letter to make sure they last as long as possible.

Conclusion

No matter what you wear, the most important thing is staying active, and feeling comfortable doing so.

To help stay motivated, connect with us on social media where we’ll offer daily advice and content to support your workouts at home.

Intersport Elverys is one of the biggest supporters of Irish sport in the country and we’re at the heart of sport.

Make sure to check out our amazing full range of leggings below.

Irish Yoga for GAA Players and Athletes

Posted on February 9, 2022 at 1:50 pm.

Written by Ger Flanagan

Irish Yoga continues to grow and grow, in part due to the huge benefits it can bring but also due to the many expert yoga instructors we have.
Intersport Elverys is fortunate to have our own expert Irish yoga instructor, Roberta Harrington, who has already given some great tips and classes on our platforms.

Check them out here blog on Basic Yoga Poses HERE and her Ultimate Guide to Yoga at Home HERE.

In this blog, Roberta takes you through some myths, tips & tricks, plus all the advantages for yoga for footballers, GAA players and athletes.

Irish Yoga Myths

“People always think they are to inflexible for yoga and I always laugh at this because if you’re poor at a particular skill in GAA, then the first thing you do is practice it.

“So if you’re practicing your shooting at first, it can be slow to improve. Equally so with your mobility. But once you practice and give it some time, you will see massive improvement and your body will actually crave it.”

Is Yoga Beneficial to Weight Loss?

“Pending on your fitness and body type, it differs from individual to individual.

“But certainly the more rigorous styles of yoga, such as Vinyasa or power yoga, is a very dynamic type of yoga where you will work on strength-based postures and challenge yourself mentally and physically.

“They may not be suitable for beginners, but certainly for weight loss, to get a good sweat on, or just to tone up and strengthen your core, power yoga is the answer.

“And it burns a lot of calories while also working on that range of motion and flexibility.”

Benefits of Irish Yoga to GAA Players and Footballers

“Yoga can be absolutely incredible when it comes to working towards injury prevention – it’s very proactive in that sense.

“With GAA and other sports, you see a lot of reoccurring injuries, like hamstring tears, ACL injuries and shoulder issues, and with yoga, we learn to adapt in any given situation by increasing or lengthening the muscles within the body.

“So with GAA, you’re doing a lot of the same motions over and over again but when your body is taken out of that position, the potential for injury increases. Yoga is amazing for exposing your body to those positions and getting it used to it.

“You see huge build up in quads and hamstrings with GAA players and other footballers, but sometimes there can be imbalances in glutes or knees and yoga is amazing for these.”

Yoga for Mental Health

“Yoga is also fantastic for concentration, mental focus and clarity, which works wonders on the GAA pitch.

“For game days, simple breathing techniques that you learn in class can really help to ground you and become that little bit more present for the match.”

Is yoga becoming more popular in Ireland with GAA players?

“I see a huge amount of teams now using yoga in pre-season and I am working with a lot too, which is fantastic to see.

“Once it was woman dominated in our classes, now you see a lot of GAA players, rugby players, soccer players, who find it a great way to complement their training on the pitch or in the gym.

“They often had the idea that yoga is really spiritual and done by lads with dreadlocks, and are pleasantly surprised to see that that is not the case. Yoga is a great humbler for them too, because they might think they are really strong or flexible, but one class of yoga shows they are not!

“So my advice is to start basic, don’t feel like you can go straight into an advanced class, find your feet and start to progress from there.”

Your Go-To Shoe Size Guide

Posted on January 26, 2022 at 1:24 pm.

Written by Intersport Elverys

We know buying shoes online can be difficult in getting your perfect size – this Shoe Size Guide is here to help!

With the 2024VHI Women’s Mini Marathon just around the corner, it is even more important too!

For the last 20 years we have been offering unique product, advice and benefits to marathon participants.

We’ve got brands like Nike, adidas, Puma, Brooks, ASICS, Reebok, Skechers, North Face, HOK A and Merrell.

If you’re thinking of taking up running for the event, this might be for you?

Because of this, we’ve compiled a comprehensive Running Shoe Review for 2024 with all the best makes and models you can get!

So, to take the hassle out of your online shopping, we’ve compiled a lost of all the leading brands below.

Shoe Size Guide: NIKE

Brooks and Nike tend to be slightly broader in comparison to Asics and Adidas.

Check out our full range of Nike shoes right HERE:

Shoe Size Guide: ADIDAS

You can’t beat a pair of adidas, to make you look good and feel good.

Check out our full range right HERE:

Shoe Size Guide: PUMA

Puma have some of the freshest kicks around, check our full range right HERE:

Shoe Size Guide: BROOKS

Brooks are the ideal runner for every occasion, check them out HERE:

Shoe Size Guide: ASICS

Packed with performance and style, ASICS running shoes have been one of the market leaders for a long time.
We’ve a fantastic range right HERE:

REEBOK

Reebok hone in on technology, comfort and style, check out our full range HERE:

SKECHERS

Kids love Skechers, and so do we – check our full range HERE:

THE NORTH FACE

If you’re into the outdoors, The North Face is sure to help you out.

Check them out HERE.

MERRELL

For all your outdoor need, check them out HERE:

Conclusion

We hope this helped you out.

You might also like our blog on How to Start Running: The Beginners Guide

Find our extensive footwear selection on our website HERE.

Training Advice from some Top Irish Female Athletes

Posted on January 25, 2022 at 1:39 pm.

Written by Ger Flanagan

There are some seriously talented Irish Female Athletes across the many sporting codes in this country right now.

We’re lucky to have some of these top Irish female athletes collaborating with us at Intersport Elverys.

From football, GAA, running, sprinting, rugby and boxing, we’ve been working closely with some of the leading Irish Female Athletes through their careers and we’ve managed to get some insight into their thinking, with them providing some brilliant advice on training, motivation, tips on reaching your goals and more.

Irish International Sprinter/Hurdler Sarah Quinn, Irish Rugby 7s/Xvs Stacey Flood, Republic of Ireland’s Rianna Jarrett, Team Ireland boxer Gráinne Walsh, international runner Grace Lynch and Cavan LGFA/Collingwood AFLW star Aishling Sheridan answer our quickfire questions.

Check them out below.

Or you can also watch them over on YouTube, right HERE:

International Sprinter/Hurdler: Sarah Quinn (Mayo)

Advice for everyday Athletes: “To start off with a focus that you know you will be able to stick to and build your daily routine around. Don’t start off with ten things at once, because the likelihood is you won’t be able to stick to them all. Start small, it could be something as simple as increasing your water intake and make sure you nail that before you go focusing on something else.”

Best Advice you ever got: “Definitely, ‘Don’t compare your step 1 with someone else’s step 10′”

How do you get motivated: “Setting goals and working towards beating them.”

Sporting Goal for 2022: “I’m hoping to stay injury free and grab every opportunity that comes my way.”
Advice on sticking to your goals: “Every Sunday, write down what you want to achieve that week. And at the end of the week, do a quick slef review and see if you achieved it. If not, make changes for the following week.”

Ireland Rugby 7s/Xvs: Stacey Flood (Dublin)

Advice for everyday Athletes: “Enjoy every single training session you do because not everyone gets to what you do and what you can do.”

Best Advice you ever got: “Hard work beats talent when talents doesn’t work hard.’ I believe if you work hard in whatever you do, it will go a long way in getting you where you want to be.”

How do you get motivated? “I always bring it back to why I am there and who I am doing this for. It’s also really easy to motivate yourself when you’re in a good group of players or training partners.”

Sporting Goal for 2022: “To quality and compete at the World Cup 7s in Cape Town in 2022″
Advice on sticking to your goals: “Find a way to hold yourself accountable. Whether it’s writing it down in a diary or journal, or finding a training partner that will motivate you and keep you going, or maybe even buying a smartwatch that will show you all your fitness data, just find something that will help you in that sense.”

Cavan LGFA & Collingwood AFLW: Aishling Sheridan (Cavan)

Advice for everyday Athletes: “It might sound simple, but investing in some top quality gym gear and footwear is great for preventing injuries firstly, but it will also motivate you to train.”

Best Advice you ever got: “The best advice I ever got was to not be afraid of making mistakes. Not everything will go 100%, because you learn from mistakes.”

How do you get motivated? “Wanting to better myself every single day.”

Sporting Goal for 2022: “To give everything I can when I play and to leave every ounce of energy on the pitch.”
Advice on sticking to your goals: “Make sure you get a diary plan so you can work out your days and weeks ahead. It will keep you motivated and give you direction and routine.”

International Long-Distance Runner: Grace Lynch (Kerry)

Advice for everyday Athletes: “My advice to you is to invest in a really good pair of running shoes. I love the ASICS Novablast 2 for my easy running days.”

Best Advice you ever got: “It’s something that I still abide by today, and it’s as simple as enjoying your training, making sure you do it for you.”

How do you get motivated? “Setting short term and long term goals. Write them in your training diary and every thing else you do on your sessions, because you can then look back and see your improvements.”

Sporting Goal for 2022: “I am aiming for PBs in the 10k road and also the half marathon.”
Advice on sticking to your goals: “Track everything. Improvements keep you hungry and wanting more.”

Team Ireland Boxer: Gráinne Walsh (Offaly)

Advice for everyday Athletes: “A good friend of mine told me that comparison is the thief of joy. You see so much of peoples’ lives these days through social media like Instagram and everyone is comparing their’s to others. I would tell people to only focus on being the best version of yourself, and no one else.”

Best Advice you ever got: “The best advice I can give is to be honest with yourself. Set a goal and stick to that goal and never let that negative voice in your head get the better of you – always stay one step ahead.”

How do you get motivated? “I think about the time recently when I spent 18 weeks in a cast and was unable to train. So I push myself over all them hard times, thinking about what I want to achieve and I use this every single day.”

Sporting Goal for 2022: “I want to get back on the World stage competing for Ireland.”
Advice on sticking to your goals: “Write everything down on a Sunday night for your week ahead. I also write down what I am grateful for at the end of every day – it’s great to keep you grounded and humble,”

Republic of Ireland: Rianna Jarrett (Wexford)

Advice for everyday Athletes: “Set goals that are measurable and realistic. Break your long terms goals down into short-term goals.”

Best Advice you ever got: “Don’t let setbacks define you, use them as motivation.”

How do you get motivated? “The beauty of playing team sport is that you’re pushed daily by the people around you, like the players and management, which really helps me keep going.”

Sporting Goal for 2022: ““To break back into the Irish set up and qualify for the Fifa 2023 Womens World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.”
Advice on sticking to your goals: “Make sure you have the right tools to get the job done. I use a journal on a daily basis, and I’m also loving my adidas Ultraboost 21 and massage gun for my recovery.”

You can also read about Rianna’s top 5 favourite weight training exercises for women here:

Conclusion

We hope some of this advice from these top Irish female athletes will help you and your training.

Hear from them below.