Phidippides Sports Center

 

0

11

malia j.

Los Angeles, CA

I went to Phidippides religiously for several years because everyone said it was the ONLY place to buy running shoes.  I guess I was just waiting faithfully for the magic to happen, because I was never really happy with the experience.  First, it's PACKED all the time, and you have to take a number and wait--a long time--for service.  Then they do sit you down with a shoe salesperson and allow you to try on as many shoes as you like.  They ask you to jog up and down the sidewalk to supposedly assess your stride, but I never felt like the salesperson knew what he was talking about.  And they are somehow condescending at the same time.  

I finally gave up on them when, during training for a half marathon, I was getting huge blisters across the ball of my foot after longer runs.  I had been to Phidippides complaining of this problem but the salesperson's advice was basically "wow, that's weird."  The new shoe they sold me caused the same problem.  

I went to Top to Top, where the shoe technician immediately diagnosed the problem as a too-loose toebox that was allowing my foot to pronate inside the shoe, causing friction on the bottom.  He put me in a running shoe that I have been with for four pairs now.  And I didn't have to take a number, stand around in the cramped shop, and feel condescended to by the salesperson.

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Elite '08

44

67

Lyd A.

Burbank, CA

Well first off I don't know what you recent 1 star only people are talking about. I just got home from my very first trip to Phidippides and the only thing I wanted to do is sit down & write a review because of the GREAT EXPERIENCE I HAD!!!

My husband was referred to the shop years ago by his orthopedic surgeon (so he obviously liked it enough that he took me there today when I needed new shoes). I am new to running & am possibly going into the police academy so I needed some good cross trainers AND a good pair of running shoes. We'd planned to buy me both.

We walked in & were instantly greeted by 2 very kind sales associates. The first one, David, helped us immediately. I told him that I wanted good socks for running, good shoes for both running & cross-training and that I'd somehow screwed up my left ankle in the last 3 days. He quickly went about finding me the best socks (super cooshy moisture wicking goodness!), having me try on 3-4 different pairs of shoes, watched me run in each, suggested a fantastic ankle support/brace for the sprained ankle & then after I'd decided on a pair of shoes (which he said could be used for both running & training so HELLO... dude saved us money when he could have just sold us 2 pairs!) a really nice woman helped me find the perfect sports bra. Everyone we encountered was incredibly nice, helpful and friendly. I never felt rushed or like I was getting the "hard sell". They let me walk around in the shoes as much as I wanted, go back out to run by myself, look at other shoes... and in the end I even got some free sunblock samples and a mesh bag for washing my new sports bra.

This shop & it's employees are really top notch professionals who know what they're doing & saying... and you can tell they're not just "taught" what to say but truly live the lifestyle themselves so they speak from experience. I would highly recommend this shop to anyone who ever runs or even simply works out!!

(P.s. Anyone who reviewed or read the review that this shop is "cramped" or "crowded"... they moved into a new BIGGER shop right next door to the old place over 2 years ago so do not worry. It's plenty big inside! And plus, if the place is ever crowded, doesn't it stand to reason this must be THE place to buy shoes? For the record though when we went today, Friday at 2pm, it wasn't very busy at all.) :)

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5

28

Stephanie S.

Canoga Park, CA

I have been to this store on sveral occasions to buy stuff for my husband....first, the service is beyond horrible.  And.....the owners are a**holes!!!  They have like 10 people working there, but they don't want to help anybody.  It's as if they want to put on their own running shoes and leave.

My husband & I went there together on a day they wer closed (I want to say Monday) and the door was open, but screen/gate was closed, and we walked up not realizing they were closed because one of the owners was in there working.  And we asked...bc the screen was lock.."Are you open", and the guy in a pissed off tone said "No! We're not!" and my husband & I kinda looked at each other and laughed, and said "Oh sorry, we thought with the door open maybe you were open..." and the guy said "We're f***ing closed, what the F**k do you want..." So needless to sy, they may have a great selection of shoes but they have no respect for their customers.

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7

11

Mike S.

Encino, CA

I've been running competitively for about 13 years now. Ever since I was in the 3rd grade. I've got years and years of experience with different athletic stores, and none have yet to even come close to what Phidippides Encino offers. (Well, All Pro Sports on Balboa DID have a great store, and I know because I used to work there, but they have since closed, and were really the only real competition that Phiddipides had).

I don't require as much as many people do when I go there since I already know which running shoes I like and don't like, which racing shoes/spikes I like and don't like, and which accessories I need and don't need. But for the absolute running newbie, they will set you up from head to toe. They'll even get you outside the store and ask you to jog back and forth so that they can evaluate your stride, as well as evaluate your feet, how you land, etc. From there, they'll give you a shoe recommendation, and these guys definitely know what they're talking about.

The employees that work there are all runners. Every single one of them has run track or cross country or road races of all sorts and distances. In fact, one of the guys that works there now is a guy whose team I trained with for a short time.

Bottom line-- if you need running shoes, or anything running related, or if your feet just hurt, this is definitely the place to go.

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Elite '08

141

153

Sarah G.

New York, NY

I hate running....it hurts my knees, my ankles, my shins...i just plain HATE IT!

...or at least I thought I hated it....

Little did I know...I was just wearing the wrong shoes!

I hoped in my car and drove the 1/2 mile to Phidippides (remember...I hate running) to see what they had for a shoe selection. I never imagined what the experience would be like.

I spent over an hour trying on shoes to determine what is best for my foot. The guy I worked with (I am sooooo sorry I do not remember his name) was so helpful and knowledgeable. He made me try on a plethora of shoes and actually go out to the parking lot and run so he could analyze what my body was doing and what shoe would best fit my run.

I was never rushed or pushed to buy a certain shoe. He educated me on the different types of shoes and why certain ones would be better for me and why.

I walked out with a pretty snazzy pair of shoes and a new outlook on running.

Who knew all I needed was a new pair of kicks!

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2

10

Katie T.

Valencia, CA

It's crowded. It's small.

Why five stars, you might ask?

Because it's also one of the best places in L.A. to get running shoes. The reason it's crowded is because you take a number and actually wait for the undivided attention of a salesperson. They talk to you about your running goals and your body, and help you pick a pair of shoes to cater to those needs. They even let you take them out for a spin along the nice, flat sidewalk right outside.

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Elite '08

2330

1958

stephy s.

San Francisco, CA

As a girl who pretty much despises the ridiculous notion of working out (yes denial has served me well over the years), I absolutely hate shopping for things that make this task easier. I swear it ranks right up there with oil changes and getting new tires for the ride. But when reality kicked in and it became clear that I had to start doing something, I found this little store and I have been forever thankful.

It's not just a shoe or workout clothes store, no, OH NO, this place is the store your feet will thank you for. When I needed a pair of sneakers to train for my 60 mile breast cancer walk I came here and they didn't let me pick the cute pair, they brought out about 10 pairs and made me strut my stuff outside of the store in each one of them to see how I walked in them. I thought this was a little much, but after trying on the 7th pair, holy hot damn, it was like coming home!

I never knew a shoe could fit your foot so well. But thanks to Phidippides I found it and it is still with me to this day. So if you want some great guidance and a lovely staff to give it to you, then definitely give this place a go. You'll be happy you did! :)

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15

8

Leslie M.

Encino, CA

Need athletic shoes?  Look no further, but be prepared to spend at least an hour there...two if it's a Saturday.  It's not so bad though, because while you wait for your number to be called, the energy in the store is so fun to watch, and there's plenty of "stuff" to check out.  Socks, shorts, sunglasses, water carriers, sunscreen, and yes, athletic men and women.
The staff is great, probably the most knowledgeable group of people when it comes to running, anywhere.  Charlie, Jeff, and the rest of the guys take great care to see that you get the best shoes for YOUR feet.  
My only issue...they tend to bring out the Brooks shoes first (which makes me wonder if Brooks is giving incentives), but they'll always show you whatever shoes you like and encourage you to make your choice based on comfort and not fashion.
You even get to test drive your shoes before purchasing them.  They'll watch you run down the sidewalk outside to be sure you aren't pronating or supinating.  
On Saturdays there's even a podiatrist working the floor to answer questions about injuries, orthotics and other special needs.
It doesn't get much better than this.
Tell them you're in Leslie's Bootcamp and they might just give you a little discount!

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