Choosing the Best Metal Lockers for Your Gym
December 20, 2021
As any gym owner knows, choosing the right equipment for your gym is essential. Not only does high-quality equipment help to bolster your gym’s reputation, but it also enables your patrons to get the most out of their gym session. That said, when it comes to selecting the right equipment for your gym, it’s important to look beyond just the barbells and treadmills. Creating a functional and friendly gym environment extends to the locker rooms, as well.
Luckily, if you’ve narrowed your options down to metal gym lockers, you’re already on the right track. Metal gym lockers are both durable and functional. They’ll serve your gym’s members for many years to come. However, to narrow your options down further, you’ll need to assess your gym’s locker needs regarding sizing, the number of lockers, and depth.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about metal gym lockers and how to choose the right one for your gym.
Let’s dive in!
Different Types of Metal Gym Lockers
Metal gym lockers is an umbrella term used to describe a variety of gym locker designs, from the standard metal locker to open access and gear lockers. Each locker type performs differently when it comes to providing security, ventilation, and privacy. Additional locker design characteristics--including locker dimensions, lock compatibility, and tiering--will also influence locker performance. Here’s how these locker design characteristics may impact your gym’s lockers:
- Tiers: Most lockers (barring open-access lockers) offer multiple tier options, from a single tier to up to six tiers. As the number of tiers increases, locker space decreases. However, multi-tiered lockers allow gyms to maximize their locker room space by including more lockers in less space.
- Locker Dimensions: Similar to locker tiers, most locker types come in different heights and depths. Deeper lockers provide more storage space, but will take up more space in your locker room.
- Locking Mechanisms: As one of the primary functions of a locker is to provide secure storage, most lockers support various locking mechanisms. Padlocks, combination locks, keyed locks, electronic locks, and keypad locks are some of the most popular locking mechanisms found in lockers.
- Color and Finishing: Your gym lockers’ appearance might not be as important as its security and other features, but it’s still an important part of cultivating a positive gym experience. With the right color and finishing touches (paneling included), your locker room can be welcoming and warm, rather than boring and dungeonesque.
In short, there are many gym locker customization options to choose from. The sheer volume of options can make it challenging to know where to start. Fortunately, we’ve broken down the most common metal gym locker types below.
Standard Metal Lockers
Standard metal lockers utilize the traditional metal locker design with a short column of vents at the top and bottom of the locker and otherwise solid paneling throughout. Standard metal lockers come in a variety of widths, including the following most common widths:
With padlock compatibility, vents for airflow, and a solid metal construction, these lockers are the standard for a reason — they get the job done.
Vented Metal Lockers
Vented metal lockers are engineered with a netted design on their front and side panels. While they don’t provide the same unimpeded view as see-through lockers, vented lockers still provide increased visibility over standard metal lockers. They also allow better airflow in lockers. They are great for gym locker rooms in moist areas or storing wet items, such as those found in gyms with indoor pool access.
See-Through Metal Lockers
See-through metal lockers provide increased security and visibility by using a transparent polycarbonate window that gives a clear view of the locker's stored items. The durable polycarbonate isn't easy to break and will keep stored items secure.
See-through metal lockers can be used with various lock options and offer storage features, such as hat shelves and coat hooks. In addition to gyms, see-through metal lockers can be found in retail environments, jails, hospitals, and other locations where it’s necessary to monitor stored items. They can protect against theft or the storage of illegal substances.
Open Access and Gear Metal Lockers
Open access and gear metal lockers offer versatile functionality. These lockers double as seating and storage options. They are commonly found in the gym locker rooms that host team sports, such as basketball or football. If these lockers are used for seating, their functional foot locker compartment provides a spacious storage space. An additional coat rod and coat hooks make open access and gear metal lockers perfect for uniform storage or bulky outdoor gear.
The term “open access” may be a bit misleading in this case, as open access and gear lockers still feature lockable compartments (upper shelf and foot locker) in which gym patrons can securely store their valuables. Moreover, these lockers may be designed with solid metal or vented doors that can be locked.
How Tall Are Metal Gym Lockers?
Generally, metal gym lockers are between five feet and six feet. However, there are lockers that fall outside of these heights, though they aren’t considered the standard. If your lockers will be standing on legs, you can usually add an additional 6 inches to the listed locker height. This 12" Wide Single Tier Standard Metal Locker is available in both five feet and six feet heights, but will stand at five feet six inches or six feet six inches with legs.
Depending on your gym’s locker room size, ceiling height, and patrons served, it may be best to use shorter or taller lockers. For example, if you run a youth boxing gym, it may be best to use the shorter lockers. If you’re running an adult-only mixed-use gym, opting for the taller lockers will be your best bet.
Do Metal Gym Lockers Come Assembled?
Whether metal gym lockers come assembled will depend on the vendor from which you purchase them. When you buy your metal gym lockers from a company that sells lockers factory direct, like
Salsbury Industries, you have more control over your order, including its assembly.
We are able to manufacture, assemble and ship our lockers in-house. We know our lockers, so our customers get expert assembly and direct delivery to the gym or job site.
If you choose to assemble your gym lockers, we provide detailed assembly instructions to help you save time and effort getting your lockers up and ready to use. That said, we do recommend professional assembly and installation!
How Much Do Metal Lockers Cost?
Metal locker costs vary greatly depending on the type of locker, assembly choice, quantity, and add-ons you choose. If you are buying in bulk, Lockers.com offers a discount to help you get the most bang for your buck.
That said, our metal lockers catalog offers a detailed look into locker prices by type to help give you a better idea of what you can expect to pay. We are happy to provide you with a more accurate estimate for your order when you request a quote.
The Bottom Line
Choosing the right metal gym lockers isn’t a herculean task, but it does take some work and it all starts with the right vendor. When you choose a vendor that manufactures and ships lockers, like Salsbury Industries, you gain the benefit of expert guidance throughout your buying journey. Our team can help match you with lockers that fit your gym’s needs, whatever they may be. Whether you need open access and gear lockers for your sports team or are looking to maintain a secure facility with see-through lockers, we’ve got you covered.
Ready to explore metal gym lockers? Start your locker search today!