Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

APEX Jiu-Jitsu & MMA (“we,” “us,” or “our”) operates the website www.apexsterling.com and related services. We are committed to protecting your privacy and personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, submit forms, communicate with us, or opt in to receive text messages or other communications.

By using our website or providing your personal information, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not access the website or submit any personal information.

Business Contact Information:
APEX Jiu-Jitsu & MMA
45714 Oakbrook Ct, Sterling, VA 20166
Phone: (571) 520-3911
Email: info@apexjiujitsusterling.com

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information You Provide

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide when you:

• Fill out a contact form or trial class request form
• Opt in to receive text (SMS) messages
• Sign up for a class, program, or membership
• Communicate with us by phone, email, or in person
• Submit a digital waiver

This information may include:

• Full name
• Email address
• Phone number (including mobile number)
• Mailing address
• Age or date of birth (for age-appropriate program placement)
• Emergency contact information
• Health and medical information relevant to participation (e.g., injuries, conditions)
• Payment and billing information (processed securely via third-party payment processors)

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, certain information is collected automatically, including:

• IP address
• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• Referring URL and pages visited
• Date and time of access
• Device identifiers

2.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We and our third-party partners use cookies, pixel tags, and similar tracking technologies to collect information about your browsing activity. These technologies help us:

• Analyze website traffic and usage patterns
• Measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns
• Deliver relevant advertisements on third-party platforms
• Improve your experience on our website

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect your experience on our website.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To respond to your inquiries and schedule trial classes
• To process membership registrations and payments
• To send transactional communications (e.g., class confirmations, schedule changes, billing)
• To send promotional communications with your explicit consent (e.g., special offers, events, new programs)
• To send SMS/text messages if you have opted in (see Section 4 below)
• To improve our website, services, and customer experience
• To measure and analyze the performance of our advertising campaigns
• To comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms
• To ensure the safety and security of our members and staff

We will only use your personal information for the specific purpose for which it was collected, unless we reasonably consider that we need to use it for another compatible purpose.

5. Third-Party Advertising & Analytics

5.1 Meta (Facebook / Instagram) Advertising

We may use Meta Pixel and related Meta technologies on our website to:

• Track conversions from Meta ads
• Build targeted audiences for future ads
• Optimize the delivery of our ads on Meta platforms
• Remarket to website visitors with relevant ads

Meta may collect or receive information from our website through cookies and similar technologies and use that information to provide measurement and advertising services. For more information about Meta’s data practices, please visit Meta’s Privacy Policy.

If you have submitted a lead form through our Meta ad campaigns, the data you provide (such as your name, email, and phone number) is used solely for the specific purpose declared in the campaign (e.g., scheduling a trial class). We do not use lead form data for purposes other than what was disclosed at the time of collection.

5.2 Google Advertising

We may use Google Ads, Google Analytics, and related Google technologies to:

• Track conversions from Google Ads campaigns
• Analyze website traffic and user behavior
• Remarket to website visitors with relevant ads across the Google Display Network
• Improve our advertising performance

Google uses cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to our website. You can opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google’s Ads Settings. For more information, see Google’s Privacy Policy.

5.3 Other Third-Party Services

We may use additional third-party tools for form hosting (e.g., GoHighLevel / ConversionBees), customer relationship management, email communications, and payment processing. These services may collect information on our behalf and are subject to their own privacy policies. We require all service providers to protect your data in compliance with applicable laws.

6. Data Sharing & Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes. We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:

• Service providers: Third-party vendors who assist us in operating our website, processing payments, sending communications, and managing customer relationships. These providers are contractually obligated to use your data only to perform services on our behalf.
• Advertising platforms: Anonymized or aggregated data shared with advertising platforms (Meta, Google) for ad targeting and measurement purposes.
• Legal requirements: When required by law, court order, or governmental regulation, or when we believe disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, your safety, or the safety of others.
• Business transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

To reiterate: All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties except as required to deliver our text messaging services.

7. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• SSL/TLS encryption for data transmitted through our website
• Secure storage of personal data with access controls
• Regular review of our security practices
• Use of PCI-compliant payment processors for financial transactions

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Specifically:

• Contact form submissions and lead information are retained for the duration of your relationship with us and for a reasonable period thereafter.
• Text message opt-in and opt-out records are retained for a minimum of 10 years from the date of the last interaction, in compliance with applicable state and federal regulations.
• Payment records are retained as required by tax and accounting regulations.

9. Your Rights & Choices

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions.
• Opt-out of communications: Unsubscribe from marketing emails by clicking “unsubscribe” in any email, or opt out of text messages by replying STOP.
• Opt-out of targeted advertising: Adjust your preferences through Google’s Ads Settings or Meta’s Ad Preferences.
• Do Not Sell or Share: We do not sell your personal information. If applicable laws grant you the right to opt out of “sharing” for cross-context behavioral advertising, you may exercise that right by contacting us.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@apexjiujitsusterling.com or call (571) 520-3911. We will respond to your request within 45 days, or as required by applicable law.

10. State-Specific Privacy Rights

Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA)

Virginia residents have the right to access, correct, delete, and obtain a copy of their personal data, as well as the right to opt out of the processing of personal data for targeted advertising, sale, or profiling. To exercise these rights, contact us using the information above. If we decline your request, you may appeal by contacting us, and if the appeal is denied, you may contact the Virginia Attorney General.

California Privacy Rights (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (as amended by the CPRA), including the right to know what personal information is collected, the right to delete, the right to correct, and the right to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information. We do not sell your personal information. To submit a request, contact us at the information provided above.

Other U.S. State Privacy Laws

Residents of states with applicable consumer privacy laws (including but not limited to Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, Texas, Oregon, Montana, Delaware, Iowa, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Tennessee, Minnesota, Maryland, and Indiana) may have similar rights. Please contact us to exercise any rights available to you under your state’s privacy law.

11. Children’s Privacy

Our website is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 through our website. Information about minor participants in our martial arts programs (such as name, age, and emergency contacts) is collected from a parent or legal guardian. If you believe we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately so that we can delete the information.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make material changes, we will update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, notify you by email or by displaying a notice on our website. Your continued use of our website or services after the updated Privacy Policy is posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: