If you are shopping for shoes in Ankeny, start with a fitting rather than a model name. Feet differ in length, width and arch height, and the shoe that suits your neighbor may not suit you. Fitness Sports has been fitting runners and walkers in Iowa since 1984, and our Ankeny store offers a free fitting with no appointment needed. Below are the ten questions we hear most often from Ankeny customers, answered the way we would answer them across the counter.
Picking the right category of shoe
1. How do I know if I need running shoes, walking shoes or everyday shoes?
It comes down to how you will use them. Running shoes are built for repeated impact and a faster roll through the stride. Walking shoes focus on all day comfort and a smooth heel to toe transition. Tell us how many hours and how many miles you expect, and we will point you at the right group.
2. Do I need a gait check?
It helps. Watching you walk or run shows whether your foot rolls inward, stays fairly neutral, or rolls outward, and that tells us how much structure to look for. A gait check is part of the free fitting at every store, including Ankeny. If you want more detail before you visit, our guide to gait analysis walks through what we look at and why.
3. Should I size up in running shoes?
Many runners end up about a half size larger than their dress shoe size, because feet swell during activity and toes need room at the front. That is a starting point, not a rule. We measure both feet, since one is usually slightly longer than the other, and we fit to the larger one.
Support, arches and width
4. What is the difference between stability and neutral shoes?
Stability shoes add structure under the arch and through the midsole to guide the foot when it rolls inward more than you want. Neutral shoes leave the foot to move on its own. We look at your gait, your history and what has felt good before, then let you compare a pair from each group on your own feet.
5. What if I have flat feet or high arches?
Flatter feet often do well with more structure under the arch. Higher arches often want cushioning that fills the space under the middle of the foot. An insole can change how a shoe feels either way, and we carry CURREX insoles to fit alongside the shoe. If pain keeps returning, it is worth talking to a doctor or podiatrist.
6. What about width?
Width matters as much as length. If a shoe presses on the sides of your forefoot, going up a half size rarely fixes it, because you end up with a longer shoe that is still narrow. Many of the brands we carry make wide and extra wide versions of their most popular models, and we keep a wide and extra wide selection in store so you can try the same shoe in two widths back to back.
Getting more out of the pair you buy
7. How often should I replace my shoes?
Most people notice a change somewhere between 300 and 500 miles, or after six to nine months of regular wear. Look at the tread on the outsole, press the midsole to see whether it still springs back, and pay attention to new aches on familiar routes. Bring the old pair with you and we will read the wear pattern together.
8. Do the right shoes help prevent injuries?
Shoes are one part of a bigger picture that includes mileage, surfaces, strength and rest. What we can say is that many customers who come in with sore feet are in shoes that are too small, too narrow, or long past their useful life, and sorting that out often helps. We do not diagnose anything. If pain persists, see a doctor or physical therapist.
What to expect at our Ankeny store
Our Ankeny store is open Monday to Friday 10 to 6, Saturday 10 to 5, and Sunday 1 to 5. Walk in whenever suits you, or book a fitting online if you would rather have a time held for you. We measure both feet, check arch height, watch you move, then bring out two or three pairs to compare. Every brand we carry sits in the same room, so you can try Brooks against HOKA against New Balance in one visit. If the pair does not work out, bring it back within 30 days with the receipt for a refit, an exchange or a refund. Online orders can be picked up in Ankeny too, normally ready within an hour.
Questions we get asked
Can I wear running shoes for work and everyday use?
Yes, and many people do. Nurses, teachers, servers and retail staff often want the cushioning and support of a running shoe for a long shift on hard floors. The things to check are the upper material and the color, in case your workplace has a dress code. Tell us how many hours you are on your feet and on what surface, and we will factor that into the fitting.
Which brand is best for me?
There is no single best brand, because each one fits a little differently through the heel, the midfoot and the toe box. We stock Brooks, HOKA, ASICS, New Balance, Nike, Saucony, On, Altra, Mizuno and OOFOS so you can try several in the same size and feel the difference for yourself. Plenty of people arrive loyal to one brand and leave in something they had not considered.
Why buy shoes in Ankeny instead of online?
Because you can be measured, see your own gait, and walk in the shoe before you pay for it. Sizing is not consistent between brands, and half a size or one width can be the difference between a shoe you wear out and a shoe that sits in the closet. You also get our fitting promise afterward, which a shipping box cannot offer you.
Do I need an appointment?
No. Walk in any time we are open and a fitter will take care of you. If you would rather have a set time, especially on a busy Saturday or at the start of a school sports season, you can book online and we will have someone ready when you arrive. Either way the fitting itself is free, whether or not you buy that day.
Do you fit kids as well?
We do. Youth fitting works the same way as adult fitting: we measure both feet, check the width, and leave growing room at the front. We also carry the widest selection of youth track spikes in Iowa, in sizes 1 to 4 and up, which helps when a middle schooler makes the team and needs spikes by Thursday.
If you have been guessing at your size or ordering pair after pair online, come and get measured instead. You will find Fitness Sports Ankeny at 604 SW 3rd St, and the fitting is free.