Have you ever cranked up your gym speakers, playing the perfect playlist to get your members moving, and thought, “Why would I need to worry about royalties? I already paid for this music!” If so, you’re not alone. While your gym or studio is grooving, a little-known legal tune is playing in the background: music licensing fees. And if you’re not following the rules, it could lead to some sour notes for your business.
But don’t worry—we’ve got the breakdown of why these fees are so important!
Do We Really Need to Pay Royalties?
In short: yes! You’re stepping into the world of performance royalties when you play music in a public space, especially in a fitness studio or gym. These fees are essential for compensating the songwriters and composers behind the tracks that make your classes come alive. It’s not just a small thing either—performance royalties are required by law, and not paying them can result in hefty fines.
If you’re playing music over your gym’s sound system, whether a background jam or a high-energy class, you’re responsible for covering royalty fees. Trust us; missing out on these payments could bring legal consequences worse than hitting the wrong note during karaoke. In the USA, Performance rights organizations (PROs) like BMI, SESAC, ASCAP, and GMR have one job: ensuring rightsholders are compensated for using their music. If your gym isn’t paying its dues, these PROs might come knocking, and that’s a rhythm you don’t want to mess with.
What’s the Deal with Music Services and Commercial Use?
Just like you wouldn’t attend a fitness class in slippers, you can’t use just any music service for your gym. Personal services like Spotify or Apple Music are perfect for solo sessions but aren’t licensed for business use. When running a gym or fitness studio, you need a service that’s made for the job. Our playlists are created with fitness classes in mind and fully licensed commercially. That means you’re staying legal while delivering the best music experience to your clients.
What exactly do I need to keep things legal? To avoid hitting the wrong note (legally speaking), you need:
- A commercially licensed music service
- A music performance license for public spaces. You can file the paperwork directly with the PROs (sounds about as fun as lifting a barbell with no warm-up, but it’s necessary!)
Why Do I Need Music Licensing?
As a business owner, you need a music performance license to play those tracks in a public space. It’s part of copyright law and ensures that artists get their share for their work. Skipping out on this could lead to fines or even lawsuits—up to $150k per violation. Not a great way to end a workout, right?
Music licensing isn’t just about paying fees—it’s about supporting the artists who create the songs that fuel your classes. From old-school legends like Stevie Wonder to today’s chart-toppers like Taylor Swift, the creators behind the music deserve to get paid for their work. And we’re here to ensure that happens easily for you.
Why Can’t I Just Pay One PRO?
You might think, “If I pay one organization, shouldn’t that cover everything?” Unfortunately, no. Different PROs may represent different rightsholders. For example, Whitney Houston’s famous rendition of “I Will Always Love You” involves both Dolly Parton (who wrote the song and is represented by BMI) and Whitney herself (who is represented by ASCAP). To stay legal, you need to be in good standing with all the PROs representing the music you’re using—and we’re here to help you navigate that!
How Are Music Licensing Fees Calculated?
Music licensing fees are based on several factors, like the size of your gym, how many classes you run, and the number of people attending. The more ears tuning in to the music, the higher the fees—but it’s all about supporting the artists who keep your classes fresh and fun.
Keep the Beat Going
Music makes your fitness classes come alive. But to keep that vibe going strong—and legal—you need to make sure you’re playing by the rules. So, whether you’re grooving to the classics or pumping up the latest hits, you can rest easy knowing that your gym is in perfect harmony with the law.
So, let’s keep the beat going and stay legal, all while supporting the artists who keep us moving! 🎶
