Month: May 2025

Nike’s never just sold sneakers – they’ve sold a lifestyle.

Now, they’re taking it to a new level with Nike Studios gyms, opening across California and Texas. But at £249/month, people are raising eyebrows.

Is it a smart strategy or just another branded hustle?

Here’s what Nike’s doing, why people are mad, and what it means for the culture.

Welcome to Nike Studios

Nike has stepped into the gym business. Their new project, Nike Studios, brings luxury workout spaces to fitness lovers across California and Texas.

With sleek designs and different studios for training, running and strength, it’s a new chapter for the Swoosh.

Nike quietly launched this move on Instagram through their @nikestudios page, kicking things off with a post that read:

The weights are officially moving at Nike Strength Studio East Austin. As the plates stack up, so does the momentum. The mission is clear: show up strong and win every day.

But the internet isn’t sold on it — yet.

The Price Tag Problem

At £249/month, many say the cost is out of touch. Comments like:

“$250!? Is a pro athlete gonna train me??”
“Overpriced ahh membership. Even if there were basketball courts it would still be robbery. 3k/annual?!”
“240 a month to do the same thing you can do in Crunch for $20?”

The backlash is loud — not just about money, but value.

What’s Included?

Nike Studios are broken into three categories:

• Training Studio – Personal coaching, small classes
• Running Studio – Indoor tread sessions and technique work
• Strength Studio – Functional fitness with high-end gear

That said, many people noted the lack of basketball courts, especially given Nike’s history with the sport:

“Where the basketball courts at “
“Nike gentrified working out my god”

So What’s the Real Play Here?

Nike isn’t just selling gym access. This looks more like a data and brand play. Even CEO Elliott Hill reinforced this during Nike’s Q3 FY25 earnings call in March 2025, stating:

• Creating a Nike-powered fitness ecosystem
• Offering premium spaces to collect user feedback and performance insights
• Building in-brand loyalty through lifestyle experiences

Think of it as the Apple Store for fitness — less about profit, more about presence.

What the Community’s Saying

Scrolling the comments, you’ll find a mix of:

• Outrage at the price
• Humour (“I’d rather die than pay $249”)
• Scepticism about Nike’s intentions
• Requests for locations in New York, Florida, and beyond

The sentiment is clear: people care — even when they’re hating.

What It Means for the Culture

This move might not be for everyone, but it signals something bigger: Nike wants to own your entire fitness journey, not just your shoes.

And whether or not these gyms succeed, they’re already dominating headlines — and that’s a win in itself.

Nike fans and sceptics alike — what’s your take on this premium fitness move? Would you pay £249/month for a gym if it’s wrapped in the Swoosh?

Before You Dip…

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Sources

• Nike Studios official Instagram: @nikestudios
• Nike Q3 FY25 Earnings Call Transcript (March 2025)
• Community comments via Instagram

Remember when rocking your Total 90s off the pitch got you roasted at school?

Now it’s cool to wear studs to the corner shop?!

As someone who grew up playing ball, I’ve seen this before—and it didn’t end well.

Sneakerheads, fashion lovers, Gen Z style kings and queens, let’s break down this trend.

Where it came from, what people are saying, and whether you should rock, roast, or retire.

What’s Happening?

Right now, people are wearing football boots — yes, with the studs — as part of their everyday outfits.

Scroll through Instagram or TikTok and you’ll see lads pairing Total 90s or Adidas Predators with jeans and oversized tees like it’s normal. It started popping off in Gen Z fashion circles, but older heads are looking on like: “We tried that in Year 8, bro.”

Some say it started with vintage cleats popping up in resale markets. Others point to old-school photos from the 90s in Mexico and LA, where it was lowkey a thing. Either way, it’s now everywhere.

Why People Love It

• Nostalgia: Football culture is in again. These boots remind people of school matches, Sunday league, and childhood.
• Hype: Old boots that used to cost £30 are now reselling for over £100. The rarer the pair, the louder the flex.
• Different = Cool: Gen Z doesn’t follow rules. If it shocks people or starts a conversation, it’s worth doing.
• Sport + Style Crossover: Streetwear has always borrowed from sports. Think Jordans or Sambas. This is just the next (maybe dumb) step.

Real comment: “Mexican kids did it first” — a nod to cultural roots and the trend’s cyclical nature.

Why Some Think It’s Mad

Let’s be real: cleats aren’t made for pavements. The backlash is LOUD:

• Safety? Studs on concrete are slippery. People are predicting sprained ankles, broken wrists and cracked heads.
• Comfort? Zero cushioning. Zero flex. You’re walking on plastic teeth.
• Practicality? They sound like horses on tarmac. Not quiet. Not slick.
• Aesthetic? Some say it looks ridiculous. A PE kit throwback, but make it fashion? Not everyone’s convinced.

Real comment: “This is the dumbest trend ever”

Real comment: “The Summer of Slip & Falls. Urgent Care and ER’s will be exceptionally busy this summer.”

Real comment: “I had a homie that did that in the 8th grade. Wore the spikes down til they became shoes.”

The Culture Clash

This trend shows a bigger cultural shift. Fashion is more performative now than ever.

Older generations see cleats as something you couldn’t wait to take off after a game. Gen Z? They wear them to Tesco.

It’s a tug of war between:

• Practicality vs Statement
• Comfort vs Clout
• Experience vs Experimentation

Even people who wore them in the 90s or early 2000s are surprised: “We did that once. It was dumb then too.”

Real comment: “Growing up in LA, been seeing the little paisa homies doing this since the 90s. Def not new to see here.”

Should You Try It?

Look, if you want to try it, do it smart:

• Go moulded, not metal. No one wants to end up in A&E.
• Try turf shoes or indoor versions. Same vibes, less danger.
• Don’t break your bank. Some pairs are reselling high, but check your local sports shop or eBay.

Drip, Flip or Skip?

• Drip: If you’ve got a full fit and confidence to match, maybe you can pull it off.
• Flip: Got an old pair? Cash in on the trend.
• Skip: Just not your thing? Fair. Watch the chaos from the sidelines.

Real comment: “Nobody has a mind of their own anymore lol”

What It Says About Fashion Today

Fashion today is all about moments. Being seen. Being reposted.

Football boots as fashion? It’s not practical, not timeless, and not comfy. But for some, that’s the point. It’s bold. It’s funny. It gets people talking.

If we can wear basketball shoes on road, why not football ones too? The difference is, Jordans were designed to double as lifestyle kicks. Cleats? Not so much.

Real comment: “This gotta be in the UK”

Real comment: “Some of them never even kicked a ball in their life.”

Final Whistle

This trend might be gone by next season. Or maybe Nike and Adidas drop collab cleats for lifestyle wear (watch this space).

Either way, it’s a moment.

Would you wear cleats with your fit?

Drip, Flip or Skip?

Drop your thoughts below, and don’t forget to follow for more fashion madness.

#BootsOnlySummer is here. Are you in or nah?

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In 1972, two men lost their business deal and gained the world.

They were fired. Broke. Starting from zero.

That moment led to the creation of Nike – now a multi-billion dollar giant with an empire built on risk, grit, and a $35 logo.

This is your blueprint if you’re a sneakerhead, creative, or entrepreneur.

Here’s how one of the greatest stories in sneaker history began, and why it still matters 53 years later.

The Spark: Blue Ribbon Sports

Before Nike, there was Blue Ribbon Sports.

In 1964, Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight started by selling Onitsuka Tiger sneakers from the boot of Knight’s car at track meets.

Bowerman, a track coach, was obsessed with innovation. Knight, a former runner, handled the hustle. Together, they tapped into an overlooked market: performance footwear that worked for real athletes.

They didn’t start with big dreams – just bold ones.

The Break: From Fired to Free

May 1, 1972. Onitsuka cut ties with Blue Ribbon Sports.

For most, that would be the end. For Phil Knight, it was the beginning.

That same day, he decided to go all in. No more middleman. No more Plan B.

He launched a brand of his own. The name? Nike – inspired by the Greek goddess of victory.

“We were fired. But it pushed us forward,” Knight wrote. And just like that, Nike was born.

The Icon: The $35 Nike Swoosh

The Swoosh is one of the most recognisable logos in history.

It was created by Carolyn Davidson, a graphic design student who was paid just $35 for the design.

The logo symbolised motion, speed, and agility.

Davidson was later given stock in the company, making her a millionaire. But the original exchange? Just $35 and a vision.

It shows how far a single creative idea can go.

The Game-Changer: The Cortez

Bill Bowerman designed the Nike Cortez in 1968, but it debuted officially under the Nike brand in 1972, just in time for the Olympic Trials.

Built for long-distance running, the Cortez had a thick, cushioned sole.

It wasn’t just functional. It was cool. Soon, it crossed from athletics into everyday style.

From LA Cholos to modern-day collectors, the Cortez is a cultural icon.

Fun Fact: There’s a debate around its design origins.

Some say a Mexican tennis shoe influenced it.

Knight allegedly stayed in Mexico, drawing inspiration before launching the Cortez. True or not, its legacy is real.

The Flip: Becoming Nike, Inc.

Nike officially changed its name from Blue Ribbon Sports to Nike, Inc. on May 30, 1978.

By December 1980, they went public, offering 2.8 million shares at $22 each.

That same $22 share today? Worth around $4,500.

The Swoosh wasn’t just a logo. It became a symbol of belief, persistence, and style. And the market believed too.

Why It Still Matters (Today)

Nike’s story isn’t just history. It’s a lesson in ambition.

It started with selling someone else’s shoes, evolved into a brand born from a firing, and became a global force.

Every sneaker drop today is built on that origin.

When you wear a Swoosh, you’re wearing a piece of rebellion, vision, and perseverance.

So, what’s your Cortez moment?

Did You Know?

Nike almost wasn’t called Nike.

Co-founder Jeff Johnson dreamed up the name and phoned it in.

Other names like “Dimension Six” were seriously considered.

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