Best Gym Lock – Top 8 Reviews, Guide, FAQs, More
Finding a gym lock that is convenient to carry with you and also provides adequate security is actually much harder than it sounds.
Luckily, we got our hands on the best gym locks available and used all of them for months to see which ones were worth our money.
In today’s post, we’ll look at how gym locks work, what your top options are and how you can effectively make a decision about which gym lock to get for yourself.
WINNER
Best Gym Lock
This bright and poppy lock looks great and offers adequate security for you in the gym. It offers over 10,000 unique combinations, thus, it’s very difficult to crack.
RUNNER UP
2nd Best Gym Lock
Coming with a 4-digit combination dial and hardened steel shackle that’s resistant to cutting, this lock is very secure. It comes with a combination change tool as well.
ALSO GREAT
3rd Best Gym Lock
This lock is very unique in its appearance and it offers great security with its 4-letter combination dial. It’s available in different colors and comes with an anti-shim locking mechanism.
These three products have conclusively proven to be the best of the best and have easily stood out on top in terms of performance.
Now, let’s get into the extensive reviews for the top 8 best gym locks.
Best Gym Lock - Best 8 Reviews
#1: Overall Best Gym Lock - Desired Tools Padlock Review
This combination-dial lock has a very unique design which makes it nearly impossible to crack it. The way thieves crack combination locks traditionally is by rotating the dial until they hear a click and then doing this repeatedly. With this lock, however, every digit is on a separate dial so you can’t really crack it using that traditional technique.
Apart from that, its body is made from sturdy metal with a hardened steel shackle.
It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re dissatisfied with it.
Features of Padlock - 4 Digit Combination Lock for Gym - Best Gym Lock
Dimensions: 3.62 inches x 2.2 inches x 1.02 inches
Weight: 5 ounces
30-day money-back guarantee
Combination-dial lock
Cannot be cracked like a traditional combination-dial lock
If you want a user-friendly lock that provides adequate security for your gym locker then this is the product you’re looking for. It’s made from sturdy materials and will last you a lifetime.
#2: Best Long Security Chain - Schlage 12mm Noose Security Chain Review
This weatherproof, durable gym lock from Master Lock provides incredible security. The hardened steel shackle on it is 8 mm in diameter and 1 inch long and it is fairly resistant to cutting and sawing attacks. The thief can definitely still cut through using a tool strong enough but they would need a lot of time to do so.
The unusual angle of the combination dial digits may make it a little difficult for you to lock and unlock it. However, this also means that it makes the lock a lot more difficult to crack for potential thieves too.
Features of Master Lock 178D
Dimensions: 1 inch x 2 inches x 2.91 inches
Weight: 4.8 ounces
Black in color
Comes in packs of 1, 2 and 4
Lifetime warranty
If you’re worried about cutting or sawing attacks on your gym lock then this product was made for you. It’s made from hardened steel and also comes with a lifetime warranty.
#3: Best Multi-Colored Gym Lock - Master Lock 1535DWD Review
This product takes the combination-dial formula and does something different with it. It’s still the same principle but the dial is designed in a very unique way. Not only does this look unique and appealing but it also catches potential thieves off-guard.
It’s very difficult to crack this combination-dial lock traditionally. It also features technology that protects latch assembly from shimming techniques.
It’s made in two different versions with many different colors. One version features numbers on the combination dial while the other version features letters.
Features of Master Lock 1535DWD
Dimensions: 5.5 inches x 3.5 inches x 2 inches
Weight: 6.4 ounces
Available in many different colors
Available with digit-dial or letter-dial
Shim-resistant
If you want your gym lock to blend into its environment then this product is ideal for you. It’s available in many different color combinations and is extremely durable.
#4: Best Anti-Shim Gym Lock - Master Lock 1505D Locker Lock Combination Padlock Review
A shim can be described as any make-shift foreign object that is inserted into a lock in order to break into it. This is a technique often employed by many thieves and it works most of the time due to the careless nature in which most locks are designed. This product, however, is not one of them.
It features a strong, durable body with internal latch protection technology. This makes it very unlikely to be defeated by shimming attacks.
It comes in a whole assortment of colors for you to choose from as well. This will help the lock blend in with your gym locker so it doesn’t stand out.
Features of Master Lock 1505D Locker Lock Combination Padlock
Dimensions: 1.25 inches x 1.88 inches x 3 inches
Weight: 5.6 ounces
Available in an assortment of colors
3-digit preset combination
Large, easy-to-read digits
If you’re concerned about thieves using a shim to break into your gym lock then this is the product for you. It features an internal latch protection mechanism that makes it very resistant to shimming.
#5: Best 2-in-1 Gym Lock - Puroma 2 Pack Combination Lock 4 Digit Padlock for School Gym Review
This product comes in the form of a 2-pack and both of the locks that come inside the pack are identical. The lock is a sturdy 4-digit combination dial lock with a durable body made of zinc alloy and a ¼ inch sturdy shackle made of hardened steel.
The digits on the combination dials are easy to read and can make up 10,000 combinations. This is a lot more compared to traditional combination-dial locks that only have 3-digit combinations.
Not only that but the combination dials can also be reset if you want to change your combination in any case.
Features of Puroma 2 Pack Combination Lock 4 Digit Padlock for School Gym
Dimensions: 3.15 inches x 1.73 inches x 0.8 inches
Weight: 5.1 ounces
4-digit combination dial
Resettable dial
Comes in a pack of 2
If you’re looking to buy more than one gym lock then this product is perfect for you. Considering you get two high-quality locks at the price of one, this product is incredibly affordable.
#6: Best Versatile Gym Lock - ZHEGE Combination Lock Review
The primary color that this product is sold in is a flashy red. However, it also comes in an assortment of other colors that you can choose from in order for it to match your gym locker.
It has a wide application and can not only be used on your gym locker but also on employee lockers, cabinets and pantries.
We attempted to break into this lock using many different tools. It took us an extremely long time to penetrate it; A lot more time than any ordinary thief would normally have in a conventional situation.
Features of ZHEGE Combination Lock
Dimensions: 3.0 inches x 0.8 inches x 1.7 inches
Weight: 4.4 ounces
Available in many different colors
Shackle diameter: 0.23 inches
Waterproof
If you want a lock that you can use on your gym locker as well as in other places then this product is definitely for you. It has a sturdy zinc alloy body and a thick shackle that is resistant to sawing.
#7: Best Sleek Gym Lock - Disecu 4 Digit Combination Lock 2.5 Inch Long Shackle and Outdoor Waterproof Resettable Padlock Review
This lock features a contemporary design that will look great on any gym locker you put it on.
Its long and slender shackle may look flimsy but it’s actually deceptively strong. It will stand up to most cutting and leverage attacks and the combination dial is also very difficult to crack. Most thieves will never have enough time to crack into this lock as it is very challenging to break into.
Features of Disecu 4 Digit Combination Lock 2.5 Inch Long Shackle and Outdoor Waterproof Resettable Padlock
Dimensions: 4.55 inches x 1.71 inches x 0.87 inches
Weight: 5.0 ounces
Available in colors of silver, black and red
100% money-back guarantee
Waterproof
If you want a lock that not only provides great security but also looks great while doing it then this is the product you’re looking for. It comes in a pack of 2 and features a long shackle that is very strong.
#8: Best Heavy-Duty Gym Lock - Master Lock M175XDLF Heavy Duty Combination Lock Review
This lock is by far the most secure lock on this whole list. That doesn’t necessarily make it the best lock though since it is difficult to carry around.
That being said, the amount of security that it provides is absolutely astounding. The shackle is made of Boron-Carbide rather than typical hardened steel. This provides up to 50% more resistance to cutting than hardened steel would.
Not only that but the body itself is made of a sturdy zinc alloy and also features a reinforced bumper for increased strength.
Features of Master Lock M175XDLF Heavy Duty Combination Lock
Dimensions: 1 inches x 3.88 inches x 6.25 inches
Weight: 8 ounces
Brass finish
Weather-resistant
Boron-Carbide shackle
If you’re in a high-risk area and are looking for a lock that provides high-level security then this product was made for you. Its zinc alloy body coupled with its Boron-Carbide shackle ensures that no thief is able to break into it.
Best Gym Lock - Buyers’ Guide
What types of locks are most suitable to be gym locks?
The most common type of lock that is used in most gyms is the padlock. It consists of a hard metal body and typically, a hardened steel shackle that goes around your locker’s rods in order to secure it.
You're mostly limited to padlocks when it comes to gym locks. However, padlocks themselves have many different varieties. The main types of padlocks available in the market are:
Key Padlock
This is the most traditional type of padlock. It comes with a key that you can use to lock and unlock it. Most manufacturers provide you with at least two keys for the lock. If you happen to lose both of them, you can still contact the manufacturer and have them replaced. Locks like these are prone to picking and bumping attacks as they have a keyway that can be exploited.
Combination-Dial Padlock
These types of padlocks have also been fairly common over the years. They come in many different varieties: Some come with digits on the dial while others have letters on them. These types of locks are not prone to picking or bumping attacks but there’s still a danger that someone could crack your code and break into it.
How easy is it to break into a gym lock?
It depends on the type of lock you have on your gym locker. All padlocks are prone to cutting attacks as the hardened steel shackle is always exposed. A potential thief can definitely use an angle grinder or acetylene torch to break into it. However, this would take them a lot of time and resources.
How can I make my gym lock effectively secure?
Most gym locks provide adequate security on their own. What you can do to ensure that this security is maintained is by performing regular and effective maintenance on your lock. You can do this by regularly lubricating your lock with lock lubricant. Be sure to get a high-quality lock lubricant such as WD-40 and follow its instructions exactly.
What are some things I should keep in mind when buying a gym lock?
Some things to keep in mind when going out to buy a gym lock are:
Build Quality
This is, by far, the most important factor. When you’re buying a gym lock, you should study its exterior and inner mechanisms to ensure that it’s made from high-quality materials. There’s no point wasting your money on a lock that’s manufactured from sub-par materials as it will start falling apart within months, if not weeks.
You can judge the quality of the materials of the lock by inspecting the hardened steel shackle as well as the metal body exterior of the gym lock.
Locking Mechanism
As we mentioned earlier, you can either have a lock-and-key, combination dial or smart lock mechanism for your lock. Before going out to buy a gym lock, you should decide on what type of locking mechanism you want for it. For example, these days everyone has smartphones but if you don’t have one, you wouldn’t want to buy a smart padlock as you’d have nothing to pair it with.
How do I reset my combination on my gym lock?
Many different manufacturers have different ways to reset the combination. Most of them have detailed how to do this on their instruction booklets. The general way to reset the combination on your gym lock is:
- Turn the combination dial to your current combination. The factory default for most combination locks is 0-0-0.
- Insert a small needle or combination reset tool (if it comes with the lock) into the small hole next to the combination dial.
- Press the unlock button and then set the combination dial to your new combination.
- Take your needle or combination reset tool out of the lock and lock it. That’s it!
Best Gym Lock - FAQs
Is a combination lock better than a key lock?
A combination lock is not necessarily better than a key lock but it definitely has different threats as compared to a key lock. A key lock can be broken into through lock-picking or lock-bumping. On the other hand, a combination lock can be broken into if the thief somehow finds out your code or by cutting attacks.
How can I open my combination lock if I’ve forgotten the code?
There are two ways in which you can attempt to open your combination lock if you’ve forgotten the code. The first is to attempt to crack the code and the second is to contact the manufacturer, tell them your lock’s serial number and ask them to unlock it for you. You can go for the second option if you have time on your hands but if you want to get into your lock now, you can attempt to crack it.
My key no longer turns in my gym lock. What should I do?
This is probably because the lock has become too rigid over long-time use. You can easily fix this problem by investing in a lock lubricant and lubricating your lock properly.
My key broke inside my gym lock. What should I do?
It’s actually quite simple to pull a broken key out of a gym lock. All you need is a pair of needle-nosed pliers. Grip the broken key firmly with your pliers and pull it out. This technique will work easily if your key broke initially and all of the cuts are inside the lock. If this isn’t the case and you’re having trouble pulling it out, then try rotating the key until you can’t rotate it anymore and then try pulling it out.
My combination is no longer opening my gym lock. What should I do?
This is most likely due to a defective lock or a rigid locking mechanism. You can try lubricating it with a lock lubricant but if that doesn’t work, we suggest you either contact a locksmith or the lock’s manufacturer.
How do you crack a combination lock?
- Apply pressure to the shackle and start turning the combination dial clockwise until you hear a click. Add 5 to that number, this number is your first number in the combination.
- Start turning the lock counter-clockwise until you come to a point where the dial is difficult to turn. This point is your second number in the combination.
- After you’ve found the first two numbers, you can brute force it and try every single number on the dial until you find the third and final number.
What are the most reliable brands that are manufacturing gym locks today?
- Masterlock
- Puroma
- Zhege
- Disecu
Final Verdict
It’s everyone’s worst nightmare to come to their gym locker and find it pried open and their belongings inside it stolen. Thus, it’s very important to do your research and invest in a lock that’s going to give you top-notch security.
After thorough testing and lots of debate, we’ve concluded the Desired Tools Padlock to be the best of the best. It stood up to almost all of our testing, it blends in well with most gym locker environments, it’s budget-friendly and also very user-friendly.
This concludes our post for the best gym locks.
Let us know in the comments what gym lock you’ve been using.
