Our History

A woman named Sheri Poe created rykä in 1987. Armed with an entrepreneurial spirit, and frustrated by the lack of well designed athletic shoes for women, Sheri decided to create a footwear brand that fit.

Although Ms. Poe no longer runs the company (we are privately owned by American Sporting Goods Corp.), we are proud to carry on her work of creating performance fitness products for women and the brand’s mission of enhancing women’s lives through fitness.

Today rykä remains committed exclusively to women.

About Our Footwear:

All rykä shoes are made on a woman’s last (the mold or shape of a woman’s foot), and are designed and developed taking into account a women’s unique fit needs – narrower in the heel and wider in the forefoot (it’s not just you, our toes need more room and our heels slip too). Outstanding fit and exceptional comfort consistently place rykä shoes among the highest rated in the industry. After all, if your shoes don’t work out, neither will you.

About Our Apparel:

Technical performance fabrics and modern design details make rykä’s line of athletic apparel the perfect fit for any fitness activity. Across collections our apparel merges versatility, style and function with lightweight technology and thoughtful construction to provide maximum performance and comfort for a better fit and a better workout. Designed for the active woman, rykä apparel is made to move.

About Our Brand:

Rykä believes in giving back. It’s important to us because we know it’s important to you. Sheri believed in it too. That’s why we continue to support the women’s fitness community by sponsoring events and programs that encourage all women to go out and move, participate and be active.

In 2002, rykä created the rykä Women’s Fitness Grant Program. In partnership with the Women’s Sports Foundation, the grants support organizations and programs that enhance women’s lives through fitness. The grants provide financial assistance to fitness programs that empower and enhance the self-esteem of women.

In 2003, rykä announced it’s inaugural year as a national supporting sponsor of the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer – a series of weekend fundraising events. Rykä encourages all women to walk, to have fun, and to make a contribution towards finding a cure for breast cancer. Continuing into 2005, rykä is proud to be in it’s third year of the Avon Walks sponsorship with events taking place in eight cities across the country. Find an event near you and join us in the fight against breast cancer.

In 2005, as the exclusive footwear and apparel sponsor of the second annual MORE Marathon in New York City, rykä joined with MORE Magazine to encourage women across the country to perform in this women’s only endurance run. The energy was amazing and so were the women.

Rykä also supports fitness industry professionals through our R.I.T.A program (Rykä Instructor and Trainer Alliance), and alliances with various fitness groups like Melpomene and Jazzercise.

Rykä’s support of women’s fitness community is deeply rooted in our collective belief that a woman’s participation in a fitness program builds and strengthens her self-esteem and confidence. As a company inspired by women, for women, we know from personal experience.

This concludes our history lesson for the day.