Despite the fact that I would easily say Athletic Annex is not particularly targeted toward a person like me, it's one of those places I always enjoy shopping and I consider it to be one of the best options for runners in Central Indiana.
I went back in to Athletic Annex following a 5k early in the morning where I won the wheelchair division and my prize was an Athletic Annex gift card. This was not the first time I'd won this 5k's wheelchair division (Punch Line: Usually because I'm the only wheelchair user participating). Athletic Annex is a sponsor of the event and I'm always grateful to be able to head back into this shop in Nora.
As you probably know, they're located in the same strip center as Whole Foods, Global Gifts, and other shops I enjoy. They're also across from Target. There's accessible parking throughout this parking lot and appropriate curb cuts. It's an older shopping center, however, it's had multiple renovations and is pretty well kept.
The doorway here is a 2-door glass doorway. It's a little heavy, but nearly every time I've ever been here an employee has been nearby if I needed assistance. Yesterday, there were 3 employees working.
While this is called "Athletic Annex," there's little denying they are primarily a running store.
Why do I say they're not for someone like me?
First off, they're primarily about running footwear. I don't have feet. Enough said about that.
Secondly, while I'm an active wheelchair user who has done multiple long-distance events the truth is I'm not what you'd call a "serious athlete." I would easily call Athletic Annex a store for the more serious runner and more of a premium store (both price and quality). They offer running shoes and running clothing for men and women with a simple store layout. They offer electronics, compression items, nutrition products, and a few other odds and ends. It's a relatively small and very specialized store with sales reps who are knowledgeable and fiercely encouraging. I tend to joke a lot about my tendency to come in "first and last" in wheelchair divisions, but in a place like Athletic Annex there's an awful lot of encouragement for having gone out and given it one's best.
The store is co-owned by Bob Weddle and Bob Kennedy. Weddle is an original co-owner of the story. Kennedy is a known name to any true runner (or wheeler in my case) as a former Olympic runner and held the 5,000-meter American record for 13 years. He ran at IU and was a 20-time Big Ten champ and 4-time NCAA champion.
In other words, these folks know running.
They offer a virtual gait analysis, training programs, community runs, and typically do have clearance items.
Athletic Annex is also immensely involved in the community (such as sponsoring yesterday's 5k) and they have a rather extensive social justice statement on their website.
I do wish they carried at least some items for wheelchair athletes (admittedly, a hard argument to make when I am typically the only wheelchair user in local 5k events). I also find that while they have the occasional XL item, their clothing seems very geared toward people who are in a more traditional shape for running. I could easily see someone just starting out getting kind of depressed in here.
However, there's so much to like here that I'm still going 5-star. For my gift card, I was able to get a t-shirt and multiple nutrition supplements for energy and endurance. The store layout is attractive (and accessible). The employees are supremely friendly and helpful and encouraging. While selection is not broad, it's all high quality and you get dependable advice for using it.
I think we sometimes forget that Athletic Annex is one of Indiana's own. It's been so dependable for so long and it's just always there. It's truly a store for the serious Indiana runner (and the not so serious Indiana wheeler like me). read more
