Product Review: Elivar Endure

As a triathlon and endurance sport coach, I am always looking for top-quality sports supplement products which I can recommend to clients (and use myself). Here's my review of Elivar Endure which is to be taken during exercise.

The intra-working (during exercise) period is often a tricky one when it comes to sports supplements, energy drinks and food. The body is already under considerable strain racing or training (in my case, swimming, cycling or running) and the digestive system isn't operating as it does during rest.

So we have to be choose very wisely when picking a drink to take on board during long training sessions or endurance races.

Elivar's Endure is specifically designed for over-35 year old endurance athletes to take during exercise. You could be forgiven for thinking I am 21 (again) but, believe it or not, I do actually fall into the target demographic! I was very excited to try this new product from a new company. I put in many hours and miles during training and whilst accompanying clients in their own training through my coaching company WhittleFit. My next race will be the Ironman 70.3 triathlon, under the heat of the Mallorcan sun in May. So I'm keen to find a great-tasting, palatable, digestible sports drink which will keep me fuelled and hydrated and help maximise my own sporting performance.

What did I think of Endure?

Taste: I tried the orange and mango which I thought was authentic, refreshing and not too sweet.

Mixability: Endure mixes quickly and easily in a shaker bottle with no clumps. It is slightly cloudy when mixed, but this is normal for drinks that contain whey protein.

Nutrition: it contains protein to aid with recovery, and a steady source of slow release carbohydrates in the form of isomaltulose (so no "spikes" in energy like you get from quick-release energy gels, or drinks that use high GI sugars like fructose)

Plus points: whey protein, BCAAs, calcium and vitamins are great extras not found in most endurance sports supplements

Negatives: Endure is only available in two flavours at the moment (I'm looking forward to try the newer Watermelon flavour during my Ironman 70.3 in Mallorca) but I'm sure if we send the Elivar guys some flavour ideas, they will consider making a third… ?

In summary, this is a really top-quality intra-workout endurance drink which tastes great, works well and is very easy to consume during training. It's clearly been designed and produced by people who really understand what endurance athletes need (and what the body goes through during endurance sport). I'd be happy to recommend it to clients and will be using it in my next race.