Music for Gyms
Gyms playing recorded music publicly require a music licence from the relevant collecting society in their country. BPM recommendations vary by period: Weight training floor: 120–140 BPM; Cardio zone: 130–160 BPM; Stretching / Cool-down: 60–80 BPM; Opening / Reception: 100–118 BPM. Track Studios' AI catalog is not registered with any collecting society — venues using it are not billed for the included music.
BPM Recommendations
| Time Period | BPM Range | Genres | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight training floor | 120–140 BPM | Hip-Hop, Metal, Electronic, Rock, Trap | Music in the Exercise Domain: A Review and Synthesis (Part I) (2009) |
| Cardio zone | 130–160 BPM | Electronic, Pop, EDM, Hip-Hop, Running mixes | Music in the Exercise Domain: A Review and Synthesis (Part I) (2009) |
| Stretching / Cool-down | 60–80 BPM | Ambient, Acoustic, Lo-fi, Chillout | — |
| Opening / Reception | 100–118 BPM | Upbeat Pop, Funk, R&B, Soul | — |
Supporting Research
- Music in the Exercise Domain: A Review and Synthesis (Part I) (2009)
Music synchronised to exercise cadence at 120–140 BPM reduces perceived exertion by up to 10% and increases endurance performance by up to 15%. Music with high rhythm response (strong beat, regular meter) is most effective during aerobic exercise.
- Music, Mood, and Marketing (1990)
Tempo, mode (major vs. minor), and pitch interact to produce distinctive emotional responses. Fast tempo + major mode = happy/exciting; Slow tempo + minor mode = sad/serious. Music at approximately 80–100 BPM in a major key produces the most universally positive affect.
- The Impact of Music on Physical Exercise Performance and Perceived Exertion (2011)
Participants exercising at 130–140 BPM music ran an average of 7.1% further than in silence before reaching the same perceived exertion level. High-energy music with strong rhythmic structure produced the most significant improvements in treadmill exercise duration.
Music Licensing for Gyms by Country
| Country | Collecting Societies | Estimated Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sweden | STIM + SAMI | SEK 2400–4000/year |
| Norway | TONO + Gramo | NOK Varies/year |
| Denmark | KODA + Gramex | DKK Varies/year |
| Finland | Teosto + Gramex | EUR Varies/year |
| Germany | GEMA + GVL | EUR 635–780/year |
| Netherlands | Buma/Stemra + SENA | EUR 240–380/year |
| Belgium | SABAM + PlayRight | EUR Varies/year |
| France | SACEM | EUR 380–600/year |
| United Kingdom | PRS + PPL | GBP 360–520/year |
| United States | ASCAP + BMI + SESAC + GMR + SoundExchange | USD 550–850/year |
| Canada | SOCAN + Re:Sound | CAD Varies/year |
| Australia | APRA AMCOS + PPCA | AUD Varies/year |
Royalty-Free Music for Gyms
Track Studios provides business music that is not registered with any collecting society. Gyms using the included catalog are not invoiced by STIM, GEMA, PRS, ASCAP, or other PROs.
Start free trialFrequently Asked Questions
- Do gyms need a music licence?
- Yes. In most countries, playing recorded music in a gym is a public performance that requires a licence from the relevant collecting society — for example, GEMA in Germany, TheMusicLicence (PRS + PPL) in the UK, or ASCAP and BMI in the USA. Track Studios' AI catalog is not registered with any of these societies, so gyms using it are not invoiced for the included music.
- Can gyms use Spotify legally?
- No. Spotify's Terms of Service (§1.2) restrict use to "personal, non-commercial purposes." Using Spotify in a gym violates these terms and may also expose the business to claims from collecting societies for the underlying music rights. Spotify for Business was discontinued in 2019.
- What is the ideal BPM for gyms?
- BPM recommendations vary by time period. During weight training floor, 120–140 BPM is recommended (genres: Hip-Hop, Metal). During cardio zone, 130–160 BPM is recommended (genres: Electronic, Pop). During stretching / cool-down, 60–80 BPM is recommended (genres: Ambient, Acoustic). During opening / reception, 100–118 BPM is recommended (genres: Upbeat Pop, Funk).
- How can gyms avoid collecting society fees?
- Use music that is not registered with collecting societies. Track Studios uses an AI-generated catalog that is not registered with STIM, GEMA, PRS, ASCAP, BMI, or any other collecting society. Gyms using the included catalog are not invoiced by these organisations.
- What happens if a gym is caught playing music without a licence?
- The collecting society can issue a civil claim for back-fees (typically covering 2–3 years of unlicensed use), plus additional damages. In Germany, the Berlin fitness studio case resulted in €42,000 in damages. In the USA, statutory damages can reach $150,000 per infringed work.