How to protect your belongings whilst working out

Due to multiple national lockdowns, many of us haven’t been able to do the things that we enjoy doing most – things like hugging a loved one, sitting down for coffee and a cake with friends, or even just working out in the gym.

It’s hoped that gyms and other types of indoor leisure in England will reopen – along with hairdressers, zoos and theme parks – from 12 April. At first, you’ll only be able to attend the gym alone or with members of your household, whilst maintaining social distancing, and indoor group exercise classes will resume no sooner than 17 May.

We’re sure you can’t wait to get back to training, but you mustn’t forget that gyms and other leisure facilities are a hive of activity. People come and go at various parts throughout the day and thieves are well aware that valuables are often left unattended in the changing rooms.

So, what can you do to protect your belongings while working out? Here we offer a few tips to help…

1. Never leave any valuables in your car

Whether you’re heading straight to the gym from work or you’re nipping home to get a quick change and snack to fuel your session, you must never leave your valuables (on display) in your car. If you don’t have time to drop them off at home, you should at least keep them out of sight – either in the glove compartment, boot or a vehicle safe.

2. Always park in a well-lit area

Depending on what time you arrive at the gym, and whether there are any classes ongoing, you might be pushed to find a parking space. Although it can be frustrating doing laps of the car park, you want to find a spot that’s illuminated and, ideally, in view of a CCTV camera. As a result, thieves will be less likely to target your car as they’ll run the risk of being caught red-handed!

3. Use a locker in the main area

As tempting as it may be to pick a locker that’s tucked away at the back of the changing room or in the corner, it’s not advisable. These are the first ones petty thieves will try as they have more cover and won’t be sussed as quickly. Instead, you want to choose a locker that is positioned in the centre – perhaps near to the showers, toilets or the door where people pass regularly.

4. Don’t forget to bring a padlock

Although you could just pick a locker at random, throw your bag inside it, and close the door – there’s nothing to say that savvy thieves won’t root around whilst you’re working out. If you’re not going to secure the locker door then you might as well just leave your bag on the bench or hanging on a coat hook! Our best advice is to always bring your own padlock so you know that your kit is kept safe. If you don’t have one at hand, or you’d like to buy a new one, LockShop Direct stock an extensive range of padlocks – you’re sure to find something suitable there!

5. Use a smart tracker

If you really want to keep your possessions safe and secure whilst you’re in the gym, you can’t go wrong with a smart tracker. These handy devices help you to locate your phone, car keys, wallet, and anything else that matters to you, using Bluetooth.