Creating The Ideal Locker Room

There are many elements to consider when buying lockers for your locker room. From shape and size, to locking devices, to surface finishes, you must be prepared to make the choices that are most suitable for your facility. Ideal Products, Inc. has served as an industry leader for over 25 years and has the knowledge and ability to help you make the critical decisions to ensure proper locker selection for your club.

Quantity

As a club owner, the first issue in designing your locker room is to determine how many lockers the club needs. The industry architects say that, on the average, a standard health and fitness club will need

approximately the number of lockers equal to 1% of their overall square footage. Such as a club that is 10,000 sq. ft in size will require 100 lockers. A club that is 25000 sq. ft will need on the average 250 lockers, etc. This estimate is based on major metropolitan areas and their respective maximum occupancy codes. Which means that during peak periods of operation the club is designed to accommodate a maximum number of members. In our opinion a club should have enough lockers to accommodate the maximum number of members. To confirm this number a club will usually have enough exercise equipment,

cardiovascular equipment, swimming pool, aerobic area, track, racquetball, etc. in the facility to accommodate this same number of clients during peak periods.

Size

With the number of lockers established for the club, we need to determine the size of locker. First, usually determined by the geographical area of the club, what types of articles will be stored in the lockers? Is the club located in a downtown area where the members will use the club either before or after

work and need storage space for a suit, slacks, skirts, briefcase, etc? Or is the club close to a university or college with the members arriving via bicycle and requiring space to store a backpack in the locker? Will the lockers be used permanently by members or issued for temporary day use? These factors weigh greatly upon the correct size selection.

After considering the space inside the locker it is necessary to evaluate the space outside of the locker Ð the available space of the locker room - when determining the locker size. Earlier we ascertained the quantity of lockers required, but now we are looking at the available space to accommodate this number of lockers. The available space will determine the width, depth and height of each locker and each dimension can be adjusted or customized for each prospective club. Consider a club that needs to accommodate 100 members in each locker room; but there is space for only 80, using a standard size frame of lockers 12x18x72Ó, and each unit needs full length hanging space Ideal recommends using executive style double tier lockers (with full length hanging space in both upper and lower, and two lockers in each frame) to achieve a total of 160 lockers instead of the original 80. Or, by selecting a triple tier frame of lockers, assuming the full length hanging space is not mandatory, then we could achieve 240 lockers in that same space.

Locking Mechanisms

Another decision the to make is the type of locking mechanism to be supplied with the lockers. Ideal has a variety to offer in order to satisfy everyone. But how does one pick the correct type for their club?

If the club wants its members to be able to use a locker at random for day use, then a padlock hasp is best. The member will choose an empty locker, secure his or her garments in the locker using their own padlock, which must be removed with their belongings when they depart from the club.

If management wants to control the use of each locker then keyed locks can be installed on each locker. For day use as members enter they will be issued a key and locker number and upon leaving, the member returns the key to the club staff for issuance to the next member. Often times this aspect can be inconvenient and time consuming for management.

Keyed locks can work better for management if lockers are permanently assigned, since each member will keep their locker key. Another option for permanent locker use is combination or pushbutton combination locksets. Each member using a locker is issued a combination to their locker and continues with access as long as their membership is maintained. If a membership is terminated, the locksetÕs combination can simply be changed to maintain security for the new member being issued that same locker.

Coin Operated locksets can be convenient for clients as well as profitable for the club. If a member needs to use a locker, but doesnÕt have a padlock for security, they may use a coin collection locker that can be adjusted to accept from 1 to 6 quarters.

Finish

In todayÕs locker market a there are several style options. Since the average member will spend most of their club time in the locker room, it is very important for the lockers to enhance the decor or ambiance of the room. When selecting a finish, the club owner can select from plastic laminate or natural wood.

With plastic laminates available from manufacturers such as Formica¨, Wilsonart¨, Nevamar¨, Pionite¨, and Micarta¨, the selection is absolutely endless. There are literally hundreds upon hundreds of solid colors, patterns of colors and wood grains. There are also plastic laminate finishes available such as Deco-metals, European and French Collections that are spectacular, if you donÕt mind spending a little more for style that will set your club apart from the rest.

As a buyer, you can enhance the beauty of your club with the plastic laminate locker that has a colorful, durable finish, which is fire retardant, scratch resistant, and easy to keep clean (use 409¨, Windex¨, etc.).

Ideal recommends that their customers take the time to consult their interior decorator and select colors and color combinations that really set off the lockers in the locker room. You can get very creative and use three or four colors, and often times it doesnÕt affect the price.

For the elegant locker room, the natural woods provide an extra touch of class. Ideal offers both natural wood veneers and solids. The veneers are created in any natural wood that is available from Mother Nature, and complemented by any stained finish that is desired. Some of these wood choices are Cherry, Red Oak, Birch, Cedar, Knotty Pine, Mahogany, Maple, Walnut, Douglas Fir, etc. This same selection holds true for the solid natural wood doors, which are offered in raised panel, recessed panel, louvered, and butcher block. Though they require more surface maintenance than their plastic-finish counterparts, the rich, natural beauty of wood cannot be rivaled.