INVICTUS COMBAT KARATE-JUTSU
GYM RULES & FACILITY REGULATIONS
Affiliated to Shukokai Shito-Ryu
“Where Honour Meets Excellence”
The Invictus Combat Karate-Jutsu training facility exists to support the physical and mental development of all members. A safe, clean, and well-maintained training environment is a shared responsibility. These rules apply to all members, guests, and visitors at all times within the facility.
1. GENERAL CONDUCT
1.1 All members and visitors must conduct themselves with respect, dignity, and professionalism at all times within the facility.
1.2 Aggressive behaviour, verbal abuse, bullying, intimidation, or threatening conduct toward any member, staff member, or visitor will result in immediate removal and suspension of membership.
1.3 Discrimination of any kind – based on race, gender, age, religion, nationality, or any other ground will not be tolerated and may result in permanent expulsion.
1.4 Disputes and grievances must be raised calmly and privately with Sensei or a senior instructor. Confrontations on the gym floor are strictly prohibited.
1.5 All members are expected to conduct themselves as ambassadors of Invictus Combat Karate-Jutsu. The standard of the Dojo follows you everywhere in the facility.
2. MEMBERSHIP AND ACCESS
2.1 Access to the training facility is granted to current paid-up members only. Membership requires a valid and current registration.
2.2 The Annual Affiliation Fee (R300.00) and Monthly Membership Fee (R350.00) must be paid in full and up to date as a condition of facility access. Members in arrears will be denied entry until all outstanding amounts are settled.
2.3 Membership cards, registration booklets, or approved proof of membership must be available upon request by Sensei or facility staff.
2.4 Membership is non-transferable. No member may allow another person to use their membership access, identity, or gym keys.
2.5 The gym is open to persons aged 16 (sixteen) years and above only. No person under the age of 16 may access or train at the facility under any circumstances, with the sole exception set out in Rule 9 below.
2.6 Private One on One lessons with Sensei are available at R500.00 per session and must be booked separately and in advance.
3. TRAINING HOURS AND 24/7 FACILITY ACCESS
3.1 The Invictus Combat Karate-Jutsu gym is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to all members whose monthly membership fees are fully paid and up to date.
3.2 During scheduled class hours, members access the facility directly for their training session as communicated by Sensei.
3.3 Outside of scheduled class hours including late nights, early mornings, weekends, and public holidays – members who wish to train may request access as follows:
Procedure for After-Hours Access:
3.4 Members who abuse the key access system, fail to return keys, or allow unauthorised persons to use the keys will have after-hours access privileges revoked and may face further disciplinary action.
3.5 Fortis Security Controllers are authorised to verify membership status and issue or deny key access in line with these rules.
4. LAST MEMBER TO LEAVE RESPONSIBILITIES
4.1 The last member to leave the gym at the end of any session whether during or outside of scheduled hours; is responsible for the following before departing:
- Switch off all air conditioning units in the facility.
- Switch off all lights throughout the facility.
- Ensure that all equipment is stored away and secured.
- Inform the Fortis Security Controllers to lock up the gym.
4.2 Do not leave the facility unlocked, unsecured, or with utilities running under any circumstances. This is a shared responsibility that every member must take seriously.
4.3 Members who repeatedly leave the facility without completing these responsibilities will have their after-hours access privileges suspended.
4.4 If you are uncertain whether you are the last person in the facility, check all areas before leaving and inform Fortis Security regardless.
5. DRESS CODE AND PERSONAL HYGIENE
5.1 Appropriate training attire is mandatory at all times in the facility. Training in street clothes is not permitted on the training floor.
5.2 For all Karate-Jutsu classes, the official Invictus Combat Karate-Jutsu Gi must be worn. It must be clean and in good condition at all times.
5.3 For conditioning, strength, or supplementary training sessions in the gym area, clean athletic wear (training T-shirt, shorts, or tracksuit) is acceptable.
5.4 All footwear must be removed before stepping onto the training mat. Appropriate indoor training shoes may be worn in designated non-mat areas.
5.5 Personal hygiene is a non-negotiable standard:
- Members must arrive to training clean and freshly showered where possible.
- Gi and all training gear must be washed after every session – no exceptions.
- Body odour that causes discomfort to training partners will be addressed directly and privately by Sensei or a senior. Repeat offences will result in the member being asked to leave until the issue is resolved.
- No strong perfumes, colognes, or heavily scented products should be applied immediately before training as these may cause allergic reactions in training partners.
5.6 Fingernails and toenails must be cut short and clean before every training session to prevent injury to yourself and others.
5.7 No jewellery, rings, watches, earrings, or piercings are permitted in the training area.
6. TOWEL POLICY
6.1 Every member must bring a clean personal towel to every training session. Towels are mandatory and not optional.
6.2 When using any piece of gym equipment – bags, weight equipment, benches, mats, or machines – your towel must be placed on the equipment for the duration of your use. This applies without exception.
6.3 The purpose of the towel rule is to maintain hygiene standards and prevent the transfer of sweat, bacteria, and skin conditions between members.
6.4 Towels must be used to wipe down any equipment after your session is complete, in addition to being placed on equipment during use.
6.5 Sharing towels between members is not permitted.
6.6 Members found repeatedly training without a towel or failing to place their towel on equipment will be verbally warned on the first occasion. A repeat offence may result in being asked to leave for that session.
7. EQUIPMENT USE AND CARE
7.1 All training equipment – bags, pads, mats, weights, gloves, and training aids is the property of Invictus Combat Karate-Jutsu and must be treated with care and respect.
7.2 Members must only use equipment as instructed by Sensei or a designated Sempai. Misuse or reckless use of equipment will result in disciplinary action.
7.3 Equipment must be returned to its correct storage position after every use. Leaving equipment scattered, unsecured, or in disarray is not acceptable.
7.4 Any damaged or faulty equipment must be reported to Sensei or the Fortis Security Controllers immediately. Do not continue using damaged equipment.
7.5 Personal equipment (gloves, mouthguards, shin guards, etc.) is the member’s own responsibility. The facility accepts no liability for lost, stolen, or damaged personal training gear.
7.6 Members who wilfully damage or misuse equipment will be held liable for the full cost of repair or replacement.
8. SAFETY AND INJURY PREVENTION
8.1 Warm up and cool down properly at the beginning and end of every session.
8.2 Members must listen to their bodies. Do not push through sharp pain, dizziness, nausea, or breathlessness. Cease training immediately and seek assistance.
8.3 Any injury – no matter how minor, must be reported to Sensei or the Fortis Security Controllers as soon as reasonably possible. Injuries must be documented. Do not conceal injuries.
8.4 Members must not train while injured without written medical clearance from a registered healthcare professional.
8.5 Members must not train while ill, especially during contagious illness (flu, COVID-19, open wounds, skin infections,