If you are looking for track spikes near you in Iowa, Fitness Sports has seven stores that fit and stock them: Ames, Ankeny, Clive, Coralville for the Iowa City area, Des Moines, Marion for the Cedar Rapids area, and North Liberty. You can walk in without an appointment, get measured, try a few pairs for your event, and leave with the pins and the wrench in the box. You can also bring the shoes back if the first meet does not go well.
Why spikes are worth buying in person
Spikes are the least forgiving shoe an athlete owns. The upper is thin, the padding is minimal, and the plate has to sit under the right part of the foot. A trainer that is half a size off is annoying. A spike that is half a size off slides on the plate, rubs a blister into a heel, or jams toes for a whole race.
Event matters just as much as size. Sprint, middle distance, distance, cross country, jumping and throwing shoes are built for different jobs, and the wrong category is a wasted purchase no matter how well it fits. Trying a few on in the store settles both questions quickly.
What happens at a spike fitting
Our fitting is free, needs no appointment, and works the same way for a seventh grader as for a varsity athlete. We measure both feet for length and width, look at arch height, and watch you walk or jog. Then we ask what you race and pull the models that suit it.
- Toe room checked with the socks you actually race in.
- Heel lockdown checked standing and up on your toes.
- Width across the ball of the foot, so the plate lines up with the widest part.
- Two or three models side by side, so you can feel a stiff plate against a softer one.
- A quick talk through the event, in case another category suits the season better.
You can book a time if you prefer, or just walk in during store hours. Here is more on how our fitting works.
Sizing spikes for kids who are still growing
This is the question we get most in the spring. A growing athlete will be in a different size next season, so the instinct is to buy big and get two years out of one pair. It rarely works. Extra length lets the foot travel forward on the plate, which costs power and causes rubbing over a long race.
Fit the pair that works now, and check again before the next season starts. We carry youth sizes starting at 1 and the widest selection of youth track spikes in Iowa, so there is usually more than one option in the right size. If you are outfitting a first-year athlete, our guide to the best youth track spikes covers what to expect.
Pins, the wrench and the rest of the details
Spikes ship with a set of pins and a small wrench, and both go missing easily between the store and the first meet. Check the box before it gets thrown out, keep the wrench somewhere safe, and practice changing a pin at home rather than in the infield before a race.
Pin length depends on the surface and on the rules where you compete. Shorter pins suit synthetic tracks, longer pins bite on grass and soft cross country ground, and many indoor facilities set their own limit. If you are not sure what your meet allows, ask your coach, or ask us when you pick the shoes up.
Exchanges and the fitting promise
Buying in person also means you have somewhere to go if something is wrong. Bring the shoes back within 30 days with the receipt and we will refit, exchange or refund them. Track season is short, so we would rather fix a fit problem in week one than have an athlete race a whole spring in the wrong shoe.
Shopping local does not mean paying more, either. We take 15% off track spikes in store until February 28, 2026. If you order online, standard shipping is free over $70 and you can pick up at any store, normally within an hour. Picking up in store also gives you the chance to have the fit checked before the shoes ever see a track.
Questions we get asked
Where can I buy track spikes near me in Iowa?
Fitness Sports stocks track and field spikes at all seven stores: Ames, Ankeny, Clive, Coralville, Des Moines, Marion and North Liberty. Coralville serves the Iowa City area and Marion serves Cedar Rapids. Stores are open Monday to Friday 10 to 6, Saturday 10 to 5 and Sunday 1 to 5. You can also shop our full track spikes range online and pick up at the store nearest you.
Do I need an appointment for a spike fitting?
No. Walk in any time during store hours and we will measure you and pull models for your event. If you prefer a set time, or you are bringing several athletes in at once, you can book ahead through our website. Early in the season is busier than midweek in the middle of the season, so a weekday afternoon is usually the quietest time to come.
What if the spikes do not work out after the first meet?
Bring them back within 30 days with your receipt and we will refit, exchange or refund. That is our fitting promise, and it applies to spikes the same as it does to running shoes. Tell us what went wrong, whether it was rubbing, sliding or the wrong category for the event, and we will use that to pick better the second time.
How should I size spikes for a kid who is still growing?
Fit the size that works now rather than sizing up for next season. A spike that is too long lets the foot move on the plate, which costs power and causes blisters over a race. We measure both feet, since they are often slightly different, and check width as well as length. Plan on rechecking the fit at the start of each season.
Do track spikes come with pins and a wrench?
They normally come with a set of pins and a small wrench in the box. Check for both before the packaging goes in the trash, and keep the wrench somewhere you will find it on meet day. Pins wear down and can be replaced without replacing the shoe. If you are unsure how to change them, ask us when you pick up your spikes.
Can I buy online and pick up in store?
Yes. Order online, choose in-store pickup at any of our seven locations, and your order is normally ready within an hour. Standard shipping is free on orders over $70 if you would rather have them sent. Picking up in store has one advantage worth using: we can check the fit at the counter before you take them home.
Track season moves quickly, so come in early and get it right the first time. Find the store nearest you, bring your race socks, and tell us what you run.