My wallet was stolen at the gym

CurlyAussie

Hi everyone,
I know it's not the fault of the gym, I had my wallet in the locker- underneath my clothing.
In the 30 minutes that I went to exercise, and go back to get my wallet to get a drink- it was stolen.

Filed a police report. I know this gym is going to be very lackadaisical about it . Sort of "at your own risk" card.
I am going to ask to have my gym membership suspended, as I'm so distraught at even going back in. Money, cards, and CC all gone. Hubby cancelled the CC.

Just wondering- what would you do- move on? Get over it? Get a new lock?
I would have been better off leaving my wallet at home.

Nicolee_2014

You've done all you can do, so put it behind you now

Hestion

To be honest move on! Yes its terrible, and people are vile, but it could happen anywhere, as long as the gym has done what's within their capabilities to stop this kind of thing, which they have, its not their faults, you done everything you can, people who want to steal will regardless!

conniemaxwell5

I would either lock the locker when I'm working out or leave my wallet in my car (locked) when I'm in the gym. Dishonest people are everywhere and unfortunately we just have to take precautions to keep our things safe. It's normal to feel angry and violated. My advice is to replace what you can and let it go. Everything else is out of your control.

Ainar

Move on! You will get a new cards and you will earn the money back, next month you will have new money you won't even remember about this one, hehe. Don't need to worry about that. **** happens.
It's not gym's foult either, they can't know that they are letting in thieves. And believe it or not there are thieves in every gym. So changing gym would not make much of a difference.

Look at positive side! Now you can go shopping for a new dream wallet! Or get bank cards with cool new pictures or something. I'm not making fun of you. I'm just saying that it's pointless to stress about little things like that. Focus on good stuff, don't stress yourself up.

Hakuna matata.

WaterBunnie

I can't see that the gym will let you out of your membership unless they admit liability. I'm assuming your locker was actually locked? If so maybe they can fix a camera in the vicinity to monitor locker users? Or move the lockers to an area they can be overlooked. Don't stop going if you enjoy it.

itsjustdawn

This is why I am thankful for my home fitness programs. One more hassle I don't have to deal with...

CurlyAussie

thanks guys, I really like their aqua aerobics and stuff

I am having a small glass of wine and spent a few hours getting new cards

I like when the bank said to me,"It's okay, you can go to the bank to get your cash out, just show them your I.D."
*rolls eyes*

walterm852

That does really suck, what a pain in the neck plus a degree of distrust in a place of recreation.

How should you move on? Do everything you can do (thats in your control) to reduce the probability.
- Lock up
- only bring in what you have too

You were the victim, if you are being hard on yourself, give yourself a break, you didnt do anything wrong and you were the thief.

15 years ago I belong to a large national gym and used a lock all the time. It was a pain and but it worked ..... as long as I but everything in the locker. I was shocked one day when I walked out and my shoes were gone. They were normal NB cross trainers, not like expensive Nikes. I went home in socks ... ridiculous

benol1

I am sorry for your loss, CurlyAussie.
I can only imagine that I would feel similarly upset and angry.
When I go to the gym I keep my gear with me or in eyesight. I try not to take my wallet in if I don't have to.
As for changing gyms - I think that is only something you can decide. If you feel that they were negligent regarding their responsibilities or dealing with your complaint of theft then you might want to think about finding another gym - I know I would.
kind regards,

Ben

Athena53

Whatever you do, don't let the thief keep you from your exercise. I've occasionally had things stolen and. as a previous poster said, it's normal to feel angry and violated (and gives you some empathy towards survivors of truly violent crimes).

If you return to that gym I'd be tempted to put up a sign in the locker room warning that there are thieves operating. Of course the club staff or even the thief may take it down, but keep putting it up till they tell you to stop. You'll have warned others.

MelodyandBarbells

thanks guys, I really like their aqua aerobics and stuff

I am having a small glass of wine and spent a few hours getting new cards

I like when the bank said to me,"It's okay, you can go to the bank to get your cash out, just show them your I.D."
*rolls eyes*

LOL. That can seem silly, but if you have a passport, for example, I'm guessing it would not have been in your wallet. I notice you take aqua aerobics at the gym, so my idea to take a smaller purse with your must have belongings with you where you workout is probably not practical. I need my inhaler next to me and some other purse things, so my wallet usually stays with me.

sheltony

That's a horrible feeling. I remember the sense of violation, confusion about how to proceed without ID, and frustration with myself/ the business, the thief, all of it. Glad you're having a little glass of wine. Kinda reminds us to put the simple stuff first. You're okay, that's what counts. It's hard to deal with the replacement of valued ID, cards, etc., but you'll get through it. You'll learn some things along the way (like new eyeroll techniques for idiots at banks, eh?)

For the future, here's what I've found useful. Take the wallet with whatever you only need in the gym. Take out the Driver's License and cards. Put those in your car in the lockable glove compartment. It's a bit of a hassle, but can pay off when they don't get those items. Wishing you peace and positivity as you grapple with the aftereffects. Yvette

pcdoctor01

I used to go to a community center and I never used a locker. I have never used a locker at any place where I go to workout. I keep my keys, water, etc. with me at all times. A LA Fitness in GA has been robbed multiple times per the news on tv. The news said that the pad locks were cut with a bolt cutter.

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/thief-targets-fitness-center/nZRGB/

pcdoctor01

Wow!

That doI was shocked one day when I walked out and my shoes were gone. They were normal NB cross trainers, not like expensive Nikes. I went home in socks ... ridiculous

Mercedespony

Ok, it's early in the morning and perhaps I'm being dense -- but how did they get into your locker, if you had a lock on it?

itsfruitcake

Sorry to hear that. Sucks...

Maybe you could put your stuff in a very small wallet and carry it in your pockets (if you wearing workout pants with pockets) or a bumbag style pouch you can wear while working out?

DavPul

your wallet was underneath your clothing. is that also where you kept your lock?

even if your locker was locked and they used bolt cutters or something, my advice is to get over it. it's a big world out there and somethings bad things happen. i had my shoes stolen from the gym one time and it sucked, but life moved on. i've had my house and car broken into in the past, and it pissed me off, cost me a bunch of money, and made me feel victimized....but life moves on. Shish happens but we just have to be a big boy or girl and roll with it.

rileyhall00

That sucks,

I leave my wallet and my phone in my car.

My gym doesn't have lockers she a type of bookcase with pigeon holes. I keep my car key in my gym towel (has a zip) and only leave my jumper of sometimes a sports bag (no val's) in there. It's never out of sight tho, at best 20m away from the farest part of the gym.

My advice is learn from this and keep going. If you like the gym and enjoy the ppl there keep going. Don't let one bad egg ruin your experience.

MoreBean13

Was it locked up?

I would get a new lock and move on, and always lock things up from now on. There's people that steal *kitten* everywhere, even in the most wholesome places. If I ever find myself at the gym without my lock, I leave everything in my car locked up and just carry my keys.

fleetzz

The LA fitness club near my home has been having cars broken into so I don't suggest keeping your wallet in the car. I just bring my driver's license, membership card, and car keys and keep them with me in the gym. Everything else stays at home.

MyJourney1960

sorry to hear - that' s never fun.

I use a lock at the gym but since the locker room is far from the gym room, and pretty empty at the time that i get there, plus I am not comfortable being that far away, i take my purse in with me in a small nylon bag (one of those "backpacks" with string straps) and keep it where i can see it. when i go to shower, i put the purse in the locked locker but then it's just for about 5-10 minutes and at that hour the locker room is usually full.

I can't keep my purse at home because i go from home to gym to work.

jdm_taco

If I don't have a place to lock my stuff up I wrap my valuables up inside an old pair of underwear covered in skid marks

Otrogen

I hide mine in the car. My car is so messy inside and so old that nobody has ever looked into it and thought, "Hey, better get me some valuables!" Except once, when I had somebody punch out one of the little triangle windows just behind the second row seating doors because they saw a playstation 3 box in the back of the car. Empty, of course. Dumbasses. It cost me $215 to replace it because it was an unusual shape, and I remember how pissed off I was about it for a while.

So yes, it's normal to feel that way. Scream and shout and let alllll of that poison out of you. And then play smarter next time. You'll never beat every single *kitten* in the world who's out to steal what's yours and deprive you of what you worked hard for, but you can make sure they don't trick you so easily again next time.

SuperSexyDork

When I go to the gym, I use my (rather large) phone in an armband for music. The area behind it is large enough to fit a key (b/c I use an actual padlock on my locker) and my debit and credit cards. Before I work out, I tuck my cards and key behind my phone and lock up my locker even though there is nothing really valuable left as I rarely keep more than $10 cash on me.

Ninkyou

I use a combination lock on the lockers when I go to the gym. As much as I'd like to think I can trust the little old ladies that go to the pool for swimming, I just feel fanatical about my stuff being safe! lol

I realize gym memberships are kind of expensive, but geez, is it so bad you have to resort to stealing? Places like the YMCA have financial aid.... lol!

MercenaryNoetic26

**** happens :sad:

FANNY PACKS!!!!! I wear them because I'm a cool MOFO!

DavPul

all the cool mofos wear fanny packs.

TRUTH

ktliu

If you can afford it, get into a slightly higher price gym. You rule out the riff raff. I'm with Lifetime fitness. I really love this chain.

pcdoctor01

Jdm_taco, I'm sure your method would prevent a lot of thefts.
This is a joke of course but I guess the women could leave some "time of the month" underwear wrapped around their valuables.
I guess between the "TOM" and skid marks underwear, that would keep your belongings safer than a pad lock.
I've had my laugh for the day.

"jdm_taco"
If I don't have a place to lock my stuff up I wrap my valuables up inside an old pair of underwear covered in skid marks

Pixi_Rex

I would do what I did when my wallet was stolen out of my truck while I was taking groceries in. Cancel everything I can, file reports, start replacing things, get mad at the *kitten* weasel that stole my stuff, get mad at myself for leaving it where it could be stolen and move on.

I would not cancel my gym membership, I would however not take my wallet in with me - lock it in the trunk of your car or leave it at home. I would get a new lock (how did they get in your locker if your lock was locked?).