I recently decided to buy some proper running trainers and visited Alpha Sports for the first time…read more They are a small independents sports shop that sell a range of items such as trainers, swimming costumes, rugby equipment and much more. I am not an athlete or fitness guru, however the customer service was friendly and professional. The staff at Alpha Sports are very knowledgeable about biomechanics which I learnt was important when purchasing running trainers. I got to stand on a special heat sensitive board which helped select the correct type of trainers for my needs by considering my posture and how the weight was distributed by my feet. I then got to try on differing makes until I found the right pair for me. Alpha Sports also offer gait analysis for more serious runners. I would definitely recommend Alpha Sports if you want to find a pair of trainers that are tailored to your needs. The staff have a lot of knowledge and are happy to answer your questions plus give you the time you need to find your best pair of trainers so you don't feel rushed.

There's a few sporting shops that have carved out a little enclave for themselves on Whitchurch…read moreRoad, and this one has to be my favourite. It is a really large outlet that is incredibly well stocked, with all manner of gear. You can even buy archery equipment here!!! (Not that this is what I come here for... I'm lethal enough without needing to resort to using something like a bow and arrow! My car is the only potentially dangerous piece of machinery that I'll allow myself to use... I give everything else a wide birth!) My needs that Cardiff Sportsgear meets are of a much more mundane variety. I come here for my swim suits, as I tend to call in at RatRigs, the surf shop just down the road, whilst I'm about it.. (RatRigs have a sale on a the moment, and so I called into both last week to scoop up a couple of bargains. Sadly, Cardiff Sportsgear didn't have what I was looking for in my size on this occasion, (a Speedo with long legs, like the type of suit that competitive swimmers wear... something that is proving nigh on impossible to find)... The staff were really helpful, and said that if I knew exactly what I wanted, then they would happily order it for me. Great service!

Wowee! Whatever sport you're into you will undoubtedly be incredibly impressed by Cardiff…read moreSportsgear. They offer: racquets, cricket gear, pool table, gym equipment, riding helmets, wetsuits, and so much more! Whenever I come in here with friends we like to play a game of how many sports we can count (at least 25 last count). The staff are all incredibly friendly and know their stock well (surprising considering how big this place is). The only thing they don't have much in the way of is, gym clothes, which is ironically the only thing I need.

Bailey has just got into cricket in a big way and he's wanting a bat. Boundary Sports is the bet…read moreplace to go, his friends have told him as this shop specialises in cricket equipment. (They also deal in hockey, netball, football and rugby equipment and kit). It doesn't take the owner long to come over to assist. He's accommodating and gives Bailey the low-down on the many bats that are in stock. He is also measure so that he bat is the right size for his body. Bailey has made a decision and picks a Blade grade 1 Willow bat. 'Young man', the owner delivers in fatherly tones, 'You aren't buying a bat from here before trying it out. He then takes the boy to a large area at the rear of the shop, and bowls Bailey some balls! The bat is £110 but we have £75 to spend. 'Let's call it £85' says the owner, 'And I'll knock it in for you. He does and adds a net into the bargain too. This is simply the best customer service ever.

Boundary Sports is a strange place. Not strange because the shop itself is odd, but strange because…read moreof it's location. Station Road is a residential street just off the Kings Heath High Street, the terraced houses are tightly packed and the street is ALWAYS full of cars. So, halfway down, as you're waiting for the oncoming traffic to negotiate the poor parking of others, you spot a really good Sports shop. I'm sure that years ago, before the High Street really took hold, that these side streets were littered with small shops such as this, so I'm glad Boundary is keeping that going. The staff are friendly and will help you get whatever it is you need. As they only have a small amount of stuff on display you may need to order if you want something specific. That wait, however, is better than schlepping into the city centre and fighting your way around JJB Sports.

Y C Sports provides sporting goods and accessories. The business has had a renovation and the…read morequality of products is excellent. Products range from football to more unusual sports. The staff really knows what they're talking about, so if you need advice check them out. When you really need an accessory and you can't wait to have it delivered go to Y C Sport and get it instantly.

Amazing Shop !!! Especially The Gentleman John, who showed me the tennis rackets and accessories. I…read morewalked in THINKING of buying a racket and left with a racket. Babolat Pure Drive Play was amazing!! The quality of the strings and they are basic are outstanding!! The RRP for this product was £250 and the gent bumped the price down :) Such an amazing store, My go to shop for tennis stuff 10/10, youll be seeing more of me.

From Running to Rugby, and Badminton to Bouls, there is prety much any piece of sporting equipment…read moreyou could want from this shop (or the website if it's not in stock) I find that alot of the central sports shops only deal in the more mainstream sporting goods and equipment, more specifically football and semi casual sports wear. Doug Hillard is good if your after something that is a little bit more specialist. Also for all the budding and fresh new teams out there they also do a design embroidery service. So you can design your own team logo and email/give it to them and they can see what they can do in terms of creating it and placing it on some sports wear/equipment. Go on, get that proffesional look for your team!

I enjoy sports to a certain extent. I like a bit of squash or rugby for instance, and I don't mind…read morewatching a bit on the TV. An entire shop, however, dedicated to sporty stuff is a bit much for me. For those that aren't too overwhelmed and are in need of some good quality kit, head down to Doug Hillard's. From swimming to soccer to cricket all the kit, balls, bags and supplies you could ever need are all down here. They keep it local too supplying local teams with their kit and some Bristol Rovers merchandise. If it's kit you need they run a little T shirt printing bit on the side, make an already able store a little better.

My family and I have had several pairs of running shoes from Moti and it has been my go-to place…read moredue to excellent service however my recent experience has soured this. I had driven 12 miles or so into Bristol and paid for parking only to spend very little time in the shop. The sole member of staff there did not seem enthusiastic and told me if I wanted a replacement Asics shoe they had very little stock of them and none in my size. He tried looking on their website but there was no stock anywhere. I would have thought my size of 8.5 or 43 was reasonably common and that a running shoe shop would have stock. He did not make much effort in finding something else. I had gone to the shop thinking I'd buy some new kit - leggings, at least one top and socks as well as the shoes but just wanted to leave. Disappointed.

For my sins I have recently attempted to try exercising. When I had a go at running recently I was…read moreirritated to find that my regular gym kit doesn't quite cut the mustard so I came to Moti looking for some advice. The woman behind the counter was cheerful and sprightly (although I'm increasingly finding this to be the case with most exercise loving Bristolians) and was quick to point me in the direction of some decent socks. I won't get into too much detail but after the state my feet were in after my first run I'm now only too aware about the importance of a lightweight, breathable sock. She explained all I needed to know, answered all my questions and the fact that I was new to running didn't put her off in the slightest. If anything she was very enthusiastic, even though I didn't commit to buying anything (I'm still not convinced running is for me). As well as running there is plenty of kit for sporty types, including a large selection of specialist trainers. There are group running sessions on a Thursday evening and a team of in-house therapists who offer free 15 minute assessments on your physical health.

On entering this bright shop, I spy an oversized promotional tennis racket on the wall and make the…read morejoke about the giant that I imagine the sales person has heard a hundred times before. On the contrary, it turns out that she's delightfully charmed by my quip. Particularly big on sales of tennis kit, accessories and tennis wear, many other sports are catered for including swimming, running and darts. They have some kids swimming toys in stock. The ones in the shape of stick-like seals wearing swim goggles that parents or swimming teachers throw in for kids to retrieve from the bottom of the pool. At £11.99, I'll have them, as they are £15 at the pool I go to. At these prices, I'll be back in soon to score some darts too.

I like Maurice Robinson Sports, mainly because of the name. It harks back to a bygone age when…read morefootballers hung up their boots and either ran a pub or opened a sports shop. For many years, as a kid, I was taken by my Granddad to the now defunct Harry Parkes shop in central Brum. Harry played for Aston Villa in the 1940s and 50s, and my old Granddad was a fan, so that's where we went for my boots. Similarly, in the 1980s, George Graham had a sports shop in Cockfosters, North London. By the time I went there to attend University in the early 1990s, Graham was managing Arsenal but the shop remained. I'm not sure if Maurice ever played professional sport, but given that this is a very old school sports shop reminiscent of times gone by, I rather hope that he did. See, this isn't your stack-em-high-sell-em-cheap sports emporium typified by JJB and the like, this is a small shop that carries only one or two of each item, yet still manages to cater for pretty much any sport you can mention. We've bought swimming stuff for our sun, tennis balls, and, most recently, a gum shield for my wife, who has recently taken up the terrifying sport of Roller Derby. On each occasion we've been in the staff have been friendly and helpful and, should you not find what you're looking for, are happy to order it in.