Digital locker locks reduces 'locker hogging'

With 'locker hogging' an increasingly common problem in many changing rooms in gyms, clubs and spas, Codelocks have developed KitLock 1200, a durable electronic lock designed specifically for securing lockers.

Impetus for this initiative came from The Fitness Society gym in Berkhampsted in the United Kingdom, where members were either taking the locker key home with them or left their personal padlock on the locker, effectively ‘claiming’ it for their own use.

For this reason, many members of The Fitness Society were becoming increasingly frustrated with the apparent lack of locker space.

The Fitness Society co-owner and General Manager Ben Stacey explains “we were getting regular complaints from members about not having enough lockers, even when the gym was quiet, 70-80% of the lockers were locked.

“When we looked into the problem, it wasn’t because there weren’t enough lockers, it was because people were keeping the locker keys and using the lockers as their own, and we simply didn’t have enough lockers for members to reserve them for their personal use.”

As many businesses haven’t got the space – or the budget – to offer a private locker for each member, The Fitness Society removed all their key-operated locker locks and replaced them with keyless digital locks from Codelocks.

The Fitness Society installed KitLock 1200 locks, in place of their standard cam locks, providing simple keypad access without the hassle of keys, coins or tokens. Instead, access is gained by entering a four-digit code on the keypad.

Members simply enter a user code, then ‘lock and go’.

In ‘public-mode’ a KitLock 1200 operates with a single-use code-setting facility. The member enters a four-digit code that will lock and open the locker only once, and is then erased. The locker then remains open until another member uses it. The locks show a red flashing LED light when in use, so it’s very easy to see at a glance which lockers are vacant. If a member forgets their code, the locker can be opened using a ‘technician code’ – significantly reducing the time employees spend managing locker issues.

To ensure enough lockers were available for members to use, The Fitness Society programmed the locks to automatically open after four hours.

Stacey adds “we wanted to implement a system that would be fair and benefit everyone.

“With KitLock we are able to control access to the lockers much more easily. Restricting the lock time to four hours gives our members more than enough time to have a workout, use the sauna or sunbed, shower, and then enjoy a coffee and a chat. If there are lockers still in use at the end of the day, we can access them using a technician code. Now there is always availability and we can clean the lockers on a regular basis.”

‘Going keyless’ has other advantages too. Members don’t have to worry about carrying a key around with them and lockers don’t have to be broken into or placed out of action while more keys are cut, saving the business time and money.

Stacey concludes “the feedback from our members regarding the new locks has been positive, we very rarely have issues now.

“We also save a fortune, as we no longer have the bother of replacing keys and lock barrels, so everyone is happy.”

KitLock 1200 locks are now available in Australia through Codelocks' recently opened Australian branch.

For more information click here to contact Codelocks Australia Pty Ltd via their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.

2nd May 2014 - DIGITAL LOCK MANUFACTURER CODELOCKS OPENS AUSTRALIAN BRANCH