Music creates the right training feeling – how to choose the right music for your gym or other exercise business
In this story, we look into the correct music licences for guided exercising and gyms, and what kinds of licences are needed for music played at outdoor gyms and sports arenas.
Indoor and outdoor gyms managed by municipalities and cities are often included in music in municipal activities licence. There are different licences for different music use needs available for private exercise activities. You may need one or more licences depending on the use.
Gyms, sports arenas, and outdoor gyms may additionally need the following licences:
- Background music in a restaurant licence is required for running coffee shops or restaurants working in connection with gyms and other exercise establishments
- Music videos in customer premises licence is required if music videos are played at the exercise establishment
Playing music at sports centers and gyms
Background music in a gym licence is required if music is played in the exercise areas, reception, dressing rooms, or other customer rooms of the gym, for example on the radio, television, online radio, computers, streaming services, or other recording.
In addition to atmosphere, workout music is of functional benefit at gyms: background music covers up the noises and grunts and other sounds of exercising.
The background music in a gym licence does not cover the playing of music during instructed workouts, which requires its own licence.
Music during instructed exercise
There are two different licences for exercise and dance instruction. Background music in instructed sports licence suits sports centers, dance academies, and physical instructors. Music licence for a fitness and sports instructor servers those best who do physical instruction as a secondary activity. Background music streaming licence for sports allows you to stream live session music to those who take part remotely.
The background music in instructed sports licence suits physical instructors, dance academies, and sports centers
Background music in instructed sports licence covers playing background music from a recording or a public streaming service at instructed exercise sessions. The licence is establishment-specific and can be acquired by either the sports center or the physical instructor as agreed.
If you are a full-time physical instructor at more than one establishment, please contact our customer service.
Reproduction licence makes it possible to keep music on your personal device for instructed exercise sessions
A recording licence makes it possible to make suitable session playlists by copying songs off a CD to a personal device or by buying songs on e.g. Apple Music or Google Play. The Reproduction licence can likewise be acquired by either the sports center or the fitness/sports instructor as agreed.
Background music streaming licence for sports – play music for remote participants in instructed sessions as well
Livestreaming instructed sessions makes it possible to take part in dance or group exercise classes remotely. It is now easy to get the licence needed for livestreaming music at Musiikkiluvat.
Music licence for a fitness/sports instructor is for those who do physical instruction as a secondary activity
The Music licence for a fitness/sports instructor covers the use of music and recordings during 60 instructed exercise sessions in one calendar year. It is a convenient solution for instructors who only provide instruction rarely and at various establishments.
Music licence for a fitness/sports instructor also includes a recording licence, meaning it allows the copying of songs on personal devices and using music bought online form e.g. playlists. The Music licence for a fitness/sports instructor is valid for one calendar year at a time.
The Music licence for a fitness/sports instructor is always valid for one calendar year at a time, so it should be acquired as early in the year as possible. If you would like to get the licence late in the year, contact the Musiikkiluvat customer service – we will be happy to help you in finding the best licence for your needs.
The customer service will also be able to help if the limit of 60 instructed sessions is reached before the end of the year.
Background music at sports arenas and outdoor gyms
Background music boosts the atmosphere of ice hockey arenas, bowling alleys, ball sports and track and field arenas, as well as ski slopes and miniature golf and golf courses. It improves performance and lifts the mood when training.
A Background music in a sports hall licence is needed for indoor establishments
If music is played at an ice hockey rink, ball sports arena, bowling alley, or other sports arena in areas that can be accessed by customers, the establishment will need a valid Background music in a sports hall licence.
The Background music in a sports hall licence does not cover the music used at any gyms operating in connection with the arena, which will require a separate Background music in a gym licence. A separate music licence will also be needed for instructed exercise sessions arranged in the sports arena.
Music can be played at outdoor rinks and ski resorts with the Background music outdoors licence
Outdoor exercise establishments like golf courses and ski resorts should also make use of music.
When playing music outdoors, you will need the Background music outdoors licence. Just like the sports arena background music licence, the outdoors licence is establishment-specific. The price of the licence is determined according to the number of outdoor speakers in use.
Background music for athletic club activities and sports competitions
Athletic clubs often belong to club membership associations and federations, such as the Olympic Committee. If the membership federation already has an existing contract with Teosto and Gramex, the club will not need a separate music licence.
The athletic club must however determine what the contract includes: does it for example allow the use of music at sporting events.
If a club is not a member of a federation or an association, or the federation or association does not have a valid contract with Teosto and Gramex, the club or establishment must get one of the licences discussed here depending on the way they use music. The licence can be acquired by either the establishment or the club as agreed.
For competitions and tournaments, the club or establishment must get a Teosto event licence.
