For just a few dollars, you can purchase a combination lock with the hope of keeping your valuables safe from a thief.
The key here is that you must remember the combination.
Fortunately, many locks are easy to bust if you forget the combination. That also means thieves can easily crack them open, too.
There are thousands of three-digit combos to secure a combination lock.
On the internet, you can find hundreds of "how to" websites showing how to crack these codes or bust through bolts.
"It's kind of a step-by-step instruction now of how to defeat most things," says David Paterno who works at Eastway Lock and Keys in Charlotte, NC.
All this information on the web is only making it easy for crooks who target health fitness clubs.
Some gyms now discourage using locks at all due to the high number of larceny cases that occur while their members are working out.
"You get what you pay for," Paterno points out.
He says you should ask yourself if your personal property is worth more than a $4 lock.
As a rule of thumb, chose a lock that's 5 to 10-percent of the value of what's inside.
If its just gym clothes, a simple standard lock is just fine, but if you have electronics stored inside your locker, you may want to consider a more expensive lock.
Buying a lock is like purchasing insurance. You should invest more to protect precious or valuable possessions. A few more dollars buys you a code you can create yourself or a key that no one else can duplicate.
A secure lock and a sturdy locker, are the perfect combination for keeping your items safe.
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