About Us at Finish Strong Sports:

We are an athletic specialty store dedicated to serving the fitness needs of the active Houston Community.

How are we different from the competition and self-serve “warehouse” retailers and mall stores?. WE’RE FROM HERE, WE FIT YOUR FEET, and we treat you like family!

Finish Strong Sports started as a single store on the west side of Houston:
14620 Memorial Drive, Houston, 77079 (281-497-0600)
by Raymond Cooper, a passionate, a dedicated runner and health promoter (see bio).
Seeing the need to expand and serve additional Houstonians, he opened his second store:
6426 Washington Ave, Houston, 77007 (713-861-9779)
located near Memorial Park, the Mecca of Houston running and walking.

Finish Strong Sport’s MISSON is built upon a foundation of SERVICE to its customers by providing education, EXPERTISE and EXPERIENCE to all those whom they are fortunate enough to meet. When these three steadfast principles underlie the extensive inventory and choice selection of athletic footwear, apparel, and accessories found at both FSS locations you can easily understand why FSS has become Houston’s leader in owner-operated running and walking specialty stores.

 Coop's Bio:

Raymond Cooper was trained as a corporate lawyer. He excelled at his profession. Despite achieving the admiration of his peers, something was missing. Early in his career, Raymond discovered a passion for running. As a competitive recreational runner he excelled. From sprinting on the track to marathon racing he won, and placed, in numerous local events.

But something was missing, despite the cheering and adulation from the finish line crowds. How could Raymond share his great love and passion of the sport and the benefits accrued from exerting one self in physical activity?
Raymond got the motivation to open an Athletic Shoe and Apparel store to serve the community after he had personal family experience with the consequences of physical inactivity when he saw close relatives develop heart disease. Additionally, hearing the numerous reports that Americans are getting more and more out of shape.

Research shows that many people start exercise programs but fail to stay with them. Raymond believes a big part of this problem is that consumers are exercising in the improper equipment. People must feel comfortable when exercising! Yet many start an exercise program without determining their foot type or exercise in apparel that’s doesn’t fit correctly or both. People exercising in the wrong shoe may not stay with a walking or running program because, inevitably, they will develop aches and pains that are attributable to the shoe problem. Wearing the improper shoe can cause pain in your back, legs, feet and can even lead to serious injury.

Today, you can see Raymond’s commitment to the health, fitness and wellness of his fellow Houstonians when you visit either of his FSS stores or participate in his programs and community events.

Raymond Cooper, owner-operator and Houston Health motivator.

WHY FFS?

Despite Houston’s numerous parks, trails and other walking/running destinations, before FSS opened, there was a lack of quality specialty retailers catering to active Houstonians. With little to no options, large chain retailers carrying inferior products utilizing staffers with minimal knowledge were often the only alternative. Enter Finish Strong Sports, Houston’s premier footwear and apparel retailer catering to Houston’s active lifestyle hobbyists, serious athletes, and professionals with a wide array of products and industry leading customer service.

OK, why choose FSS…we treat you like family. There are many footwear and apparel retailers in the Greater Houston area, so why journey to our specialty running and walking store? It’ not just merchandise to us! Yes you may be able to find some items in other places. However, if you seek something more; If you value expertise, experience, education or a customer centered sales staff, then venture to FSS. The trip will be well worth it.

Our goal is to ensure that you’re totally satisfied with your merchandise selection thus helping you get (or keeping) you active, healthy, fit, and pain free.

How Can FSS Help?

Research shows that most Houstonian’s are not wearing the right shoes! Improper footwear can inhibit performance, lead to stress, fatigue and even injury. Luckily active footwear and sports performance apparel have made tremendous technological advances in the past ten years. Highly specialized products are now readily available to the public which brings new levels of quality and customization to the footwear buying experience. At Finish Strong Sports, our highly-trained and experienced staff make the selection process less confusing by helping educate you about the benefits of proper equipment as well as using technical knowledge to find the best product for your needs.
Our fitting process consists of three steps:
1. Biomechanics — Diagnosing pronation (inward rotation) and supination (outward rotation) by observing how the arch reacts under weight bearing conditions.
2. Foot Characteristics — Length, width, instep height, heel to forefoot ratio, noting the differences, if any.
3. Fit, Feel & Ride — Feedback on how each recommended shoe matches your foot characteristics and how it feels while running or walking.