What is a cookie?

A cookie, also known as a browser cookie, is a text file containing small amounts of information which a server may download to your computer, mobile or tablet when you visit a website or use an app.

There are different types of cookies which are used to do different things, such as letting you navigate between different pages on a website efficiently, remembering preferences you have given and helping us to identify ways to improve your overall site experience. Others are used to provide you with advertising which is more tailored to your interests or to measure the number of site visits and the most popular pages users visit.

 

‘First party’ and ‘third party’ cookies

Each type of cookie can be set and controlled by the operator of the website which the user is browsing such as AlphaGym (known as a ‘first-party cookie’) or a third party such as Facebook, for example, to display advertisements and social sharing features, (known as a ‘third-party cookie’).

Due to their core role of enhancing and enabling usability or site processes, disabling certain cookies may prevent you from using certain aspects of the AlphaGym website, such as joining a club.

 

Broadly speaking, there are two different types of browser cookie:

(1) Session cookies are stored in the computer's memory during a user's browsing session and are automatically deleted from the user's computer when the browser is closed or the session is deemed to have ended.

These cookies usually store a session ID that is not personally identifiable to users, allowing the user to move from page to page without having to log-in repeatedly. They are widely used by commercial web sites; for example, to keep track of items that a consumer has added to a shopping basket.

Session cookies do not collect any information from the user's computer and they expire at the end of the user's browser session. They can also become inaccessible after the session has been inactive for a specified length of time, usually 20 or 30 minutes.

​

(2) Persistent cookies are stored on the user's computer and are not deleted when the browser is closed. Persistent cookies can be used to retain user preferences for a particular website, allowing those preferences to be used in future browsing sessions.

Persistent cookies usually assign a unique ID to the user’s browser and they are usually configured to identify a user for a prolonged period of time, from days to months or even years.

How does AlphaGym use cookies?

​

AlphaGym only uses browser cookies to measure non-personal information, for example, to learn about the behaviour of visitors to our website and how they respond to our marketing communications. The more we learn, the better we are able to provide relevant and interesting content and services. The first person cookies set by AlphaGym do not contain any personally identifiable information.

​

Strictly necessary cookies

'Strictly necessary' cookies let you move around the website and use essential features. These cookies don't gather any information about you that could be used for marketing or remembering where you've been on the internet. Accepting these cookies is a condition of using the website, however, as they are required for the proper operation of the website. If you prevent them, we cannot guarantee how it will perform.

​

Analytics cookies / Performance cookies

We use these cookies to collect information about how visitors use our website, including details of the site where the visitor has come from and the total number of times a visitor has been to our website. By using our website, you agree that we can place these types of cookies on your device. We use the information to improve our website and enhance the experience of its visitors. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous.

​

Application or site specific cookies / Functionality cookies

These cookies remember choices you make to improve your experience. By using the website, you agree that we can place these types of cookies on your device.

​

These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make (such as your user name, language or the region you are in) and provide enhanced, more personal features. These cookies can also be used to remember changes you have made to text size, fonts and other parts of web pages that you can customise. They may also be used to provide services you have asked for such as watching a video or commenting on a blog. The information these cookies collect may be anonymised and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites.

​

Advertising / Targeting cookies

From time to time, cookies are used to collect information about your browsing habits in order to deliver adverts more relevant to you and your interests. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement as well as help measure the effectiveness of the advertising campaign.

The cookies are usually placed either directly by third-party advertising networks. They remember that you have visited a website and this information is shared with other organisations such as advertisers. Quite often targeting or advertising cookies will be linked to site functionality provided by the other organisation.

However, this policy does not cover the use of third-party cookies. This will be covered by that third party’s privacy policies and practice and we would recommend that you take a look at these which in most cases will be found on that company’s website.

​

What cookies are used on this website?

To find out what cookies are used on this website, please click the top navigation and select 'renew cookie consent'. Then select 'decline / manage cookies'. On the privacy controls screen, you can expand each group of cookies to see which cookies are being used on this website and their purpose.

​

How can you control the use of cookies?

Please click the top navigation and select 'renew cookie consent'. Then select 'decline / manage cookies'. There you can accept only necessary cookies, which are required for this website to function and decline all other types of cookies. Or you can select which groups of cookies you are happy to use and change your settings.

If you do not want the website to set cookies on your device then you should either not use the site, [or you should delete Alpha Gym cookies having visited the site], [or you should browse the site using your browser’s anonymous usage setting (called “Incognito” in Chrome, “InPrivate” in Internet Explorer, "Private Browsing" in Firefox and Safari)].

​

Alternatively, the ‘Help’ menu on the menu bar of most browsers will tell you how to prevent your browser from accepting new cookies, how to have the browser notify you when you receive a new cookie and how to disable cookies altogether. However, because cookies allow you to take advantage of some of the website's essential features, we recommend you leave them turned on.  

A guide to behavioural advertising and online privacy has been produced by the internet advertising industry which can be found at www.youronlinechoices.eu. The guide contains an explanation of the IAB's self-regulatory scheme to allow you greater control of the advertising you see.

​

Learn more about cookies

To find out more about cookies, search in Google or visit aboutcookies.org or allaboutcookies.org.