Mark your territory…
In the event of a break in, have you maximised your chances of recovering stolen equipment?
Gym equipment is very costly and a massive outlay. There are many ways to mark your equipment to make it more easily identifiable should you suffer a break in. It may help the police and even help your insurance claim. Even better, research has shown that criminals are deterred from attacking properties that advertise equipment is security marked, so make sure you use plenty of signage.
The simplest method is to UV mark your equipment with the gym address. A commonly accepted format is your postcode, followed by the number of your address, e.g. 15 Queensway, CF14 6HF would be CF146HF15. Make sure you use a permanent UV marker.
‘Smartwater’ is another way of making your equipment uniquely identifiable. This is a forensic liquid with a unique code that can be used to mark and trace specifically back to the owner.
Both UV and ‘Smartwater’ can fade over time (UV is thought to last 2 years, but can be much shorter, especially if exposed to direct sunlight, and ‘Smartwater’ lasts 5 years). This can be reduced, especially with cleaning requirements, so should be checked and reapplied as needed, and put in a place where cleaning is not needed as much.
A more permanent solution is etching. You can to this yourself with a handheld tool, but it is far better to use a professional system that meets police-approved standards. These markings can be easily seen by thieves which may act as an on-the-spot deterrent, and also makes provides instant information for the police during spot checks.
Chemical etching systems have tamper resistance stencils that you stick to the equipment to be marked and then apply a chemical compound which reacts with the surface of the product to permanently mark it with a unique code and database contact number. Even if the sticker gets removed (which is extremely difficult), the etching remains.
Microdots can also be used, especially on smaller bits of equipment. They are teeny dots which contain a unique code and database contact and can just brush on, a bit like nail varnish.
There are other options out there but it the key is to make it very clear to anyone who wishes to steal from you that your equipment is marked up and easily identifiable. And of course, actually mark it!