Always a lifesaver, this litte neighborhood bike store. They are always so helpful with my little…read morebike and it is one of the cheaper shops in the area. No need to go all the way to Quiapo to get something fixed or readjusted. The bike mechanics work super fast and they give good advice for bike care and maintenance.

I've started joining my husband with his weekend morning run and just last Saturday, while running…read moreat the trail in Vista City, we saw a big gathering of cyclists at the side of the street near Fernbrook Gardens. I thought there was a big biker's competition happening there, but there was no sign or any event marshall to indicate such a thing. I got really curious so I decided to check it out. It turns out that the tented venue was a mini Divisoria for bikers and cycling enthusiasts. Inside were little stalls that sell all kinds of biking paraphernalia such as shirts and cycling shorts, helmets and shades (don't expect too much, most of the Oakleys are only replicas), bicycle parts and accessories. I'm no bike enthusiast but I suddenly wanted to be one because of the cute outfits and accessories. I asked one of the vendors what this place was called, and he said everybody calls it Evia Bikers' Station and it happens every Saturday at that same spot. I later on found out that it's sponsored by Evia, the community of Vista Land. Outside the tent, there's a corner selling food (Batangas Goto for breakfast, anyone?) and drinks, and cyclists can have their breakfast or brunch there on the plastic chairs and tables set up nearby. Evia also sponsors free water refill, coffee and bike tune-up. Cool, right? A few steps away, there is a wide vacant lot where bikers can practice their exhibitions or just a place for beginners to practice biking.

I like to support local when I can and when it comes at a price my wallet can afford, I'm all for…read moreit. Which is why Conquer's outdoor equipment is my go-to for when I need to build or re-stock my outdoor arsenal. I treat my outdoor equipment shopping the same way I do my handbags and shoes, so it was a definite treat for me to walk into a shop that sold green rain covers and pink sleeping bags. Who says a girl can't have her choices? I'm no outdoor connoisseur, heck, I'm simply just an outdoor enthusiast as far as I'm concerned. But even if I had stepped into the store without a more knowledgeable companion, the guys over at the shop were nice enough to guide me through my shopping. Its location is not the most idyllic, but I'd definitely come back here any day mostly because they sell quality goods at darn good prices.

Fox is a brand that mainly sells gear and equipment for people who are into motocross. It's a rich…read moreboy's sport usually since buying a bike and filling it with gas and so forth tends to cost a lot of money. That said, I found myself going to this store for the simple reason of wanting to buy gloves. I walked by the park one day and saw people doing calisthenics and using the park's pull up bar. I approached one of the people and he talked to me about how to start building myself up towards my first ever pull up. He then gave me advice that should I ever need gloves, the Fox gloves are some of the best. Their durable and of a decent price. True enough, I ended up buying a pair, and these things help me grip the bar and do push ups so I avoid grazing my palms against the concrete or the ground.

Whenever you're driving along D.Tuazon in Quezon City, your eyes will be immediately drawn to…read moreSimple Cyclery and the bikes they have on display. Bikes of different colors, shapes, and sizes line the outside of the shop, seducing passersby with their sexy aluminum alloy and steel curves. Simple Cyclery is all about simplicity. Their focus is on fixed gear and track bikes as well as single speeds, commuters, and even folding bikes. Each bicycle they sell is captivating and looks like they were just plucked from a magazine. If you're thinking of getting a bike for your own (or someone else), go inside and talk to the man in charge, Mr. Gilbert Sy Chan. Whether you plan on building one from scratch or buying one off the rack, he'll gamely walk you through on what you need and what to expect if you want to dive in this wonderful world of 'simple' bikes.

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.

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.

There are many establishments that sell sporting goods and apparels. But when it comes to my…read morebadminton equipment, I usually go to Juego in Greenbelt 4. This store has a complete line of accessories from shuttlecocks and rackets to grips and badminton apparel. Based on my experience, this store carries several brands of badminton shoes, including Yonex, Babolat, Li-Ning, and Kason. Badminton enthusiasts, and even those who are just starting to play the sport, know the value of wearing the right kind of footwear. Badminton shoes need to be lightweight with ample cushioning, particularly in the ankle area, and with thinner non-marking rubber soles that have good traction and grip. So I really appreciate the time and guidance that the staff at this Juego branch gives to their customers, specifically to those buying their shoes for the first time. I also respect the fact that they sell locally-made shirts and shorts at very affordable prices. Although this store specializes in badminton goods and apparels, they also have items for tennis, volleyball and basketball. It is also worth noting that this Juego shop is small, so it could be quite difficult to try on badminton shoes for someone who's big and tall as me. Do not hesitate to ask for assistance from the staff.