privacy policy

PRIVACY POLICY 

Last updated: August 6, 2026 

Higher Ground Fitness, LLC (“HGF,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the personal information of our members, clients, and website visitors. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect through our website, App, registration process, and related services; how we use, store, and share that information; and the choices available to you. This Privacy Policy should be read together with our Terms and Conditions. 

1. Scope 

This Privacy Policy applies to personal information collected by Higher Ground Fitness through our Services, including class and membership registration, our mobile app, in-studio waiver codes, and communications with our studio team. By using our Services, you acknowledge the practices described in this Privacy Policy. 

This Privacy Policy does not cover the practices of other websites or services that we may link to. We recommend reading the privacy policy of any third-party site you visit. 

2. Information We Collect 

2.1 Information You Provide to Us 

To create an account, register for classes, purchase a membership or class package, or reserve services, we collect information such as your full name, birth date, email address, phone number, billing information (including credit card details — a valid credit card is required on file for all members), emergency contact information, and Mariana Tek account information. Mariana Tek is the third-party booking and studio-management platform we use to run our class schedule, sell memberships, and process payments, so information you provide when booking or managing your account is stored in your Mariana Tek account as well as in our own records. 

Providing this information is voluntary, but certain information (such as contact and billing information) is required to create an account, book classes, or purchase a membership. If you decline to provide required information, we may not be able to provide you with the applicable Services. 

2.2 Information Collected Automatically 

When you visit or use our website or App, we and our service providers automatically collect certain information about your device, including your IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, referring/exit pages, and the date and time of your visit. This information helps us operate, secure, and improve our website and App. 

2.3 Google Analytics and Meta Pixel 

We use Google Analytics (GA4) and the Meta Pixel (including the Meta Conversions API) to help us understand how visitors use our website and App and to measure the effectiveness of our marketing. These tools use cookies and similar technologies to automatically collect information such as your IP address, browser and device type, pages viewed, links clicked, time spent on pages, referring URLs, and booking or purchase activity. 

GA4 and the Meta Pixel may allow Google and Meta to associate your activity across devices and sessions and, depending on your account settings, to use that information for advertising and ad personalization. We may share event information with Meta (such as page views, bookings, purchases, and form submissions), along with technical information like your IP address and device identifiers, to improve ad measurement and audience building. 

You may opt out of Google Analytics using the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on and by adjusting your accounts Google ad settings. You may control how Meta uses your information for advertising through your Meta account's ad preferences. 

3. How We Use Your Information 

We use the personal information we collect to: 

  • Create and manage your account and membership 

  • Process class registrations, waitlists, cancellations, and payments, including no-show and late-cancellation fees 

  • Communicate with you about your account, bookings, billing, and studio updates 

  • Send marketing communications about classes, promotions, or events, where permitted and subject to your opt-out rights 

  • Maintain, secure, and improve our website, App, Services, and studio operations 

  • Comply with legal, tax, accounting, and regulatory obligations 

  • Detect, investigate, and prevent fraud, abuse, or activity that violates our Terms & Conditions 

4. How We Share Your Information 

We do not sell personal information for monetary consideration. We do use advertising and analytics providers, including Google and Meta, as described above, which may receive certain identifiers and online activity information for analytics, advertising measurement, and audience-building purposes. We may share personal information in the following limited circumstances: 

  • Service Providers: Companies that perform services on our behalf, including Mariana Tek (our booking, scheduling, and membership-management platform), payment processors, email communications providers, analytics providers, website host providers, and IT support, and other technology advisors under obligations to protect your information. 

  • With Your Consent: For any other purpose disclosed to you at the time we collect the information, or with your consent. 

5. Cookies and Similar Technologies 

We and our service providers use cookies, pixels, software development kits, and similar technologies to operate our Services, remember preferences, understand usage, measure advertising performance, and support marketing activities. Depending on your browser and device settings, you may be able to block or delete cookies. Disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our Services. 

6. Photography, Video, and Marketing Use 

We may photograph or record classes, events, or activities at our studios for marketing, social media, advertising, training, or other business purposes. Our Terms & Conditions and/or participant waiver may contain additional provisions governing photography and use of a participant's likeness. If you do not wish to appear in photographs or recordings, please notify studio staff before class. 

7. Data Retention 

We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to provide our Services, maintain appropriate business and transaction records, fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, resolve disputes, enforce our agreements, and comply with applicable legal, tax, accounting, and regulatory requirements. Retention periods may vary depending on the type of information and the purpose for which it was collected. 

8. Data Security 

We maintain electronic and administrative safeguards designed to protect personal information, consistent with the Massachusetts Standards for the Protection of Personal Information (201 CMR 17.00). These safeguards include encryption of payment card data, restricted employee access to personal information, and secure (SSL/TLS-encrypted) connections for transactions on our website and App. While we take reasonable steps to protect your information, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. 

9. Data Breach Notification 

If we experience a security incident involving personal information, we will investigate the incident and provide notifications to affected individuals, the Massachusetts Attorney General, and the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, as well as any other government authorities, when required by applicable law. 

10. Your Privacy Rights and Choices 

  • Account Access and Updates: You may review, update, or correct your account information by logging into your account on our website or App or by contacting us. 

  • Deletion: You may request that we delete personal information we hold about you, subject to our right to retain information required by law or for legitimate business purposes (such as financial recordkeeping). 

  • Marketing Opt-Out: You may unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time using the “unsubscribe” link included in each email message, by replying “STOP” to a marketing text message, or by contacting us directly at thestudio@highergroundfit.com. You may continue to receive non-marketing communications, such as booking confirmations and account notices. 

 

11. Children's and Minors' Privacy 

Our Services are not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly permit children under 13 to create accounts or independently provide personal information through our Services. Consistent with our Terms & Conditions, participants must be at least 16 years old to attend classes independently; participants ages 14–15 may attend only when accompanied by a registered, participating parent or legal guardian; and all participants under 18 must have a liability waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian. This information is used solely to facilitate safe participation in classes and is subject to the protections described in this Privacy Policy. A parent or legal guardian may contact us at any time to review, correct, or request deletion of a minors information, as described in Section 10. 

12. Marketing Communications 

  • When you register for an account or purchase a class, you may be added to our email communications list to receive account, billing, and studio updates, as well as marketing messages about classes, promotions, and events. You may opt out of marketing emails at any time, but you will continue to receive non-marketing account and service communications necessary to your membership. 

  • If you opt in to receive marketing text messages from us, we may use your mobile phone number to send promotional messages, studio updates, and other communications. Consent to receive marketing text messages is not a condition of purchase. Message and data rates may apply. You may opt out at any time by replying “STOP.” 

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy 

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We will post the revised Privacy Policy on our website with an updated effective date and, where changes are material, will make reasonable efforts to notify registered members by email. Your continued use of our Sites or Services after a revised Privacy Policy is posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated terms. 

14. Contact Us 

If you have questions, comments, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact us at: 

Higher Ground Fitness 

Email: thestudio@highergroundfit.com 

15. Governing Law and Jurisdiction 

This Privacy Policy, and any dispute arising out of or related to it or to our Sites or Services, is governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to its conflict-of-laws principles. Any legal action relating to this Privacy Policy must be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Massachusetts.