My siblings grew up playing tennis when Bonifacio Naval Station was still a Philippine Navy Base…read moreinside Fort Bonifacio. Every weekend, my father would get us out of bed, on to the car and in the courts as early as 7:00 or 8:00 in the morning. And Toby's was always our go-to place for tennis supplies...racquet strings, overgrips and down to tennis balls. Everything we every needed was always there, and in stock. The staff are attentive and even offer advice to your equipment needs. And the price is always reasonable and the products are of great quality. Of course, Toby's doesn't just stock tennis gear. You can also find items here for other sports or for fitness. I always make it a point to browse what's in store...often helps to see what's new with the sports I play, as Toby's stock is always up-to-date with the times. Don't look any further than Toby's for your sports and fitness needs...

Toby's sports is probably the biggest and best store for all your fitness needs! I started playing…read moretennis at six years old, and for as long as I can remember, I've always headed straight to Toby's for any of my sporting goods needs! They carry really good and real quality brands! Toby's has helped me reach a lot of my fitness goals because of their very affordable prices too! I was able to attain my dream of having all sorts of weights and equipment for my home gym! Their personnel are very attentive and helpful in the physical stores of Toby's. But if you want to shop in the comfort of your own home, you can even shop in their online store http://www.tobys.com/!

Urban Athletics is an athletics store that doesn't really focus on one particular brand or sport…read more It drew my attention cause I've been looking for a new pair of shoes to repair the old ones that I ruined. They have a lot of different shoes to choose from. I saw basketball shoes and shoes for skaters when I walked in. I didn't have the time to check out what else they had but I bet that they have a huge collection. I was drawn to the store because they had this huge TV that greeted passerbys. I got to see one of the shoes that I was looking for and decided to walk in. Effective marketing I would say. That said, the staff was friendly enough and knew enough to give me good answers when I asked questions. If you're on the search for a particular shoe and you can't seem to find it anywhere else, then Urban Athletics would be a great option I feel. The price of their shoes are the same anywhere else, or at least I didn't notice a difference.

Urban Athletics was the shoe store I would frequent before becoming a patron of Sole Academy…read more Located at Greenbelt 3 in Makati, I would make sure to drop by their store and check the latest sneakers available. I love that they have a wide range of stuff in the store compared to Sole Academy that has limited goods. Urban Athletics doesn't just sell sneakers, but goods like bags, sunglasses, flip flops, headgear and many more. They have stocks of famous brands all over the store. I usually drop by here when they have new arrivals since the chances of me getting my size is still high. The staff is accommodating even if I fit a couple of pairs before deciding which pair to get. Urban Athletics has limited branches though in the city so if you want to check them out, do drop by their Greenbelt 3 branch instead.

Toby's Sports is one of the biggest retailers of sporting goods in Metro Manila. You will find…read moretheir stores in leading shopping malls here in the big city. Whatever type of sports and fitness apparel or equipment you need, there's a big chance that you can find them at Toby's Sports, particularly in their big branches at SM Mall Of Asia and Glorietta. If you're a die-hard UAAP fan, you can also get genuine UAAP apparel and accessories from Toby's. My branch of choice is in SM Aura Premier. Although the store is smaller compared to other Toby's Sports branches, I like it here because the display racks are clearly organized by theme or sport. The last time I visited was when I bought swimming goggles for the summer. They have a wall of different types, brands, and colors of goggles. The choices can be a bit overwhelming. It's a good thing that a salesperson approached me and guided me on what type of goggles would best fit my needs.

You can buy everything inside a health store and you still wouldn't be healthy without exercise…read more And if you're not naturally athletic and the thought of free running is making your joints ache then it's best to buy equipment that will help you achieve your goal. Welcome to Toby's- your one-stop fitness store filled with the latest exercise equipment in Manila. I've made a little home gym from buying their merchandise and so far it's been a worthy investment. I have a couple of weights, a yoga mat, a medicine ball and boxing gloves all purchased at reasonable prices. I wish somebody would give me a P10,000 gift certificate in this store because there's so much here that I want to take home. (Okay, maybe I'm being cheap, let's raise it to P25,000) I don't know what else to say except that I hope my wish comes true because Toby's is great and I'm a fan.

I always saw New Balance as kind of like a boring brand. They have been around since 1906 and I…read morecan't remember they every modernized their logo. My mom always swore by New Balance shoes when she was playing tennis, but as a teenager I always wanted cooler and hipper tennis shoes. Now that I have grown a bit older I actually understand where my mom is coming from and I found myself buying New Balance tennis shoes last month. Now I understand it is actually a good thing that this company has been privately held for more than a 100 years. Where other brands focus on the latest trends, this company really just focuses on quality and giving your feet the best support. Especially for tennis where you make a lot of quick turns, these shoes are perfect. So if you look past the boring brand, maybe you'll actually learn to appreciate the quality just like me.

How cool is it for athletes to sport a gear that are all the same with their teammates? I only see…read morethis happen for professional athletes who have the luxury of getting sponsorships from brands that provide customized colors and styles of shoes, socks and gear for the whole team. A few years ago, a store with this concept was opened to the public to provide shoes and apparel specifically for players who want to have that complete team vibe once they step on the court. This store is called 1 United Team, the 1st ever team-oriented store in the country. Located in Pasong Tamo, the store offers different sports apparels and shoes (which are mostly Nike) that can be packaged for an entire team with a minimum of 6 heads. Once you walk in the store, you'll see what other sports stores usually offer - various color-ways of shoes, hot gym bags, elite socks and jersey uniforms. But what's special about 1 United is that they offer customized jerseys using the fabric and material that are usually sold in Nike stores. If you and your friends have plans to join a basketball league, you can check 1 United and have them design your basketball uniforms. When I found out about this, I immediately told my brother and my boyfriend to check them out. Since they love joining leagues, I figured this is a cool way of owning the competition. They usually offer a set package with 1 jersey, a pair of shorts and shoes that are on the same color-way as the apparel. The good thing about getting the set package is that jerseys are always open for customization so you can add a team name at the back, a logo (if you're team is THAT into it) plus your name and number at the back. They also offer big discounts for group buys of at least 6 members for shoes and apparel, perfect for your team's starting 5. Discounted rate for team packages can get up to 20%! Sweet deal, right?! Usual colors you can see as soon as you enter the store are black, white, red and blue. I guess those are the more popular ones. While 1 United has a ton of Nike apparel fit for customization, they also carry other brands such as Adidas, Puma and Mizuno.

We all like seeing items which are at a discounted rate. Whenever we see the word SALE on a store,…read morethere's an urge to check what's inside and see what items we can possibly consider a "steal." However, I'm not a fan of weekend sales in malls because I really don't have the patience to walk around a crowded area and bump with other people rushing from one store to another. That's why nowadays, outlet stores are a big blessing for people like me who are into anything cheaper! Luckily, there's an outlet store we found in Marcos Highway called The Playground which sells sneakers and sports apparel at discounted prices. The Playground carries mostly Nike products. They've got Nike sneakers, bags, socks, clothing apparels and a ton more. But they also carry brands like Onitsuka, Asics, Converse and Vans, to name a few. Actually if I'm not mistaken, they might also have New Balance in stock. What I liked about The Playground is that they offer items which are kind of freshly released in the market at a discounted rate. Imagine being able to score a pair of Nike Flyknits which was released 1-2 months ago at 30-40% off? What a steal, right?! Plus, if you frequent their Facebook page, you get acquainted on their newer items. If you're lucky, you might even get a Nike Roshe almost half its selling price in malls! Also available at The Playground are basketball shoes so girls, you might want to bring your boyfriends here. When we visited the shop together with my older brother, both of them looked at the shelves of shoes in awe! They couldn't help but try on a few pairs, and I was originally the one who wanted to buy my very first pair of sneaks. The only problem with The Playground is the availability of sizes, which is actually the more common disadvantage of most outlet stores. Some models would have the smallest and biggest size available but none for those in between. So sometimes you also need lady luck on your side. I wasn't too fortunate when I dropped by. The black Roshes I wanted didn't have my size. Boo! I also asked the store's staff when they would get new deliveries and she said they usually have fresh batches on Tuesdays. I'm guessing patrons of The Playground already know this so you're gonna want to come in just a couple days after that if you wanna score good items.

I got my Nike Free pink running shoes here at a very good price. I'm no sneakerhead but I think…read moreit's a pretty good pair with great fit and traction. It's super comfortable, light, flexible, and well-cushioned, and I got it at around 3K from an original price of around 5,000. Good deal, right?? This place has so many good shoe options, although their men's shoes are often more well-stocked. Watch out for their seasonal sales and when they get new stocks at the start of each month! They also have lots of exercise wear sold at a discount. It's good to buy here if you want to build on your basic outfits without breaking the bank. I'm eyeing a couple of running shorts here that are about 60% off (yes, 60) the ones at the Nike store! There's always a lot of that around. I like that they sell quality, stylish things despite being an outlet store.

Nike doesn't need any explaining. One of the world's largest supplier of athletic shoes and sports…read moreapparel sponsors many athletes and sports teams around the world, that's why we all know nike and that's why many of us like nike. After watching shia labeouf saying 'Just do It' for over a minute, I somehow felt like visiting the Nike store last time I was in SM Aura. They don't carry all brands here (e.g. Nike Golf, Nike Pro, Nike+, Air Jordan, Nike Blazers, Air Force 1, Nike Dunk,Air Max, Foamposite, Nike Skateboarding), they mainly focus on running shoes. I just love how Nike showcases all their shoes on the wall. It makes it so easy to have a look at the shoes you like and this makes for a great shopping experience. The staff lets you browse around without bothering you, but are there to help you if you want to try on some shoes. Just a great experience, so go and visit, just do it!

#SwooshLove is one of the ways I like to describe myself. I might not show it often to my friends,…read morebut I love frequenting blogs that show the latest shoes by the sporting apparel giant that is Nike. My brother loves it just as much, and even says "Nike" in place "Just do it" to us siblings when he's asking for a favor (not the best way to ask for a favor, by the way). Nike has got the most popular sporting or working out apparel in the Philippines, if not the world. I literally can't go out without seeing at least one Nike product, be it a shirt, cap, pair of shoes, bag, etc. Aside from their workout apparel, people have been buying casual wear from Nike as well, particularly their SB and Janoski selections. Their shoes are of incredibly high quality and last years with proper use. While I like this branch (it's right next to an Adidas and New Balance so there's plenty to look at and compare), there are plenty of outlet stores out there, so find one and join the #SwooshLove movement!

This is the brand of my favorite pair of running shorts, specifically the Great Escape Shorts. They…read moreare black and white and pretty and comfortable and moisture-absorbent and dry-fit. Under Armour is an amazing sporting goods store. The reason that this design stood out to me is because actual runners served as the brains behind their conceptualization and eventually, realization. The fit of these shorts is quite flattering and I've often worn them not just for running but on grocery runs, coffee runs, errands, etc. There's a secret key pocket in the seam and the material is polyester. This is just one of the many high-quality products that you'll find here. Staff's super eager to help too.

Believe me when I say that you can really find anything you'll need inside BF Homes. For a quick…read moredose of shoe shopping, a lot of women here head to Step-Rite. They're a local brand and manufacturer of shoes, and they've really made quite a name for themselves here in the south. They have a lot of styles available, but I do believe they're more known for their sandals/slip-ons. I've purchased several pairs of shoes here while growing up. School shoes, slippers, wedges, espadrilles... Their styles lean more towards classy than trendy. They have a pretty good variety most of the time, and they often have sales!

When you live in BF Homes, you don't have to go too far to get anything. Need clothes? Shop at…read moreRuins. Want dinner? Eat at Bamba Café. Want to get drunk? You have over 40 bars to choose from. In this dining neighborhood, everything is accessible, even a perfectly good pair of shoes and you can find it in a little shop called Step Rite. I've been here several times before on different occasions and it's mostly when I'm too lazy to drive to the mall. They've made buying shoes more than just a fun activity; they've made the whole experience easier. They have a good selection of shoes, parking is never a problem and the shop is right along a Thai restaurant and a cake shop. Shoes here are well made and I've been using my pair for quite some time now. This shop has been around for years and it's there for all the right reasons.