A powerful playlist can energize your virtual Pilates, yoga, or fitness classes and keep clients coming back. However, using the wrong music can lead to copyright strikes, muted videos, takedowns, or legal issues. This updated 2026 guide explains exactly what licenses you need for virtual and online streaming classes, how to stay compliant, and the best options available today.
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Why Fitness Studios Need a Music License
Any time music is played in a commercial setting – including paid fitness classes, virtual sessions, and on-demand workout videos – it constitutes a public performance under copyright law. This applies whether your studio is a large gym, a boutique Pilates space, or an individual instructor teaching online.
Simply purchasing a song, subscribing to Spotify, or paying for Apple Music does not give you the right to play that music publicly. Streaming platforms are licensed for personal, non-commercial use only. Their terms of service explicitly prohibit use in commercial settings, including fitness classes – in-person or virtual.
Failure to obtain the correct license can result in warnings, significant fines, and in some cases, legal action. In the US, copyright infringement fines can reach up to $150,000 per song played without a license.
Types of Music Licenses for Fitness Studios
There are three main types of music licenses relevant to fitness studios and instructors:
1. Public Performance License (Blanket License)
A public performance license also known as a blanket license. It gives you the right to play copyrighted music in a public or commercial setting. If clients are paying to attend your classes, either in person or virtually, this is the license you need.
In the US, public performance licenses are issued by Performance Rights Organisations (PROs): ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and GMR. Each PRO represents different songwriters and catalogues, which is why most studios need licenses from more than one.
2. Synchronisation (Sync) License
A sync license is required when you embed specific music tracks into recorded video content, for example, an on-demand workout library or a pre-recorded class uploaded to your platform or YouTube. This license must be cleared directly with the publisher or record label on the track, as it is not covered by blanket PRO licenses.
If you offer on-demand content with music built in, you need a sync license in addition to a public performance license.
3. Mechanical License
A mechanical license is needed if you are reproducing music, for example, creating downloadable content that includes music tracks. This is less common for most fitness studios but relevant if you produce content for clients to download and use offline.
Not sure which licenses apply to you? As a rule of thumb: live-streamed classes need a public performance license; pre-recorded on-demand videos need a sync license; and downloadable music-included content needs a mechanical license. Many studios need more than one.
4. Music license for most virtual studios:
Start with a public performance license. Add sync if you create a large on-demand video library.
Can I Use Spotify or Apple Music in My Fitness Classes?
No. This is one of the most common misconceptions in the fitness industry.
Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, YouTube, and similar streaming platforms are licensed for personal, non-commercial use only. Their terms of service explicitly prohibit playing music through these platforms in commercial settings including fitness classes, whether in a studio or online.
Using a personal streaming subscription in your classes violates both the platform’s terms of service and copyright law. This can result in your account being terminated and your business being exposed to legal claims from rights holders.
The same applies to music you have purchased via iTunes or downloaded from a legitimate source. Purchasing a track gives you the right to listen to it personally, it does not give you the right to perform it publicly in a commercial setting.
To legally play music in your classes, you need a public performance license from the relevant PRO (US), or you need to use a pre-licensed music service designed specifically for commercial fitness use.
Music Licensing in the US – Which PROs Do You Need?
In the United States, public performance licenses are issued by Performance Rights Organisations (PROs).
There are four main PROs:
- ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers): Represents over 1 million songwriters, composers, and publishers. Offers specific licensing for fitness facilities based on square footage, class size, and whether you offer virtual classes.
- BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.): Represents over 1.4 million copyright owners. BMI’s fitness license covers both physical premises and, on request, online class extensions including live stream and on-demand content. Note: Zoom and similar video conferencing platforms do not hold a blanket license with BMI, so virtual classes on these platforms require additional licensing.
- SESAC: A smaller but significant PRO representing around 30,000 copyright owners, including Bob Dylan, Zac Brown, and Neil Diamond. Invitation-only for songwriters, but fitness studios can obtain licenses.
- GMR (Global Music Rights): The newest major PRO, representing artists including Bruno Mars, John Lennon, and Pharrell Williams. Increasingly relevant as its catalogue grows.
Do Your Employees and Instructors Also Need a License?
As a studio owner, the responsibility to hold a valid music license sits with your business, not your individual instructors. PROs and licensing bodies collect fees from businesses, not employees.
However, if you hire freelance or contract instructors who play music in your classes, it is still your responsibility as the studio owner to ensure the correct licenses are in place. This cannot be transferred to the instructor, even if they are self-employed.
If you are an independent instructor running your own classes outside of a licensed studio, for example, teaching online or in a hired space – you are responsible for obtaining your own license.
How Much Does a Music License Cost for a Fitness Studio?
Licensing costs vary based on several factors, and each PRO or licensing body calculates fees differently.
In the US, ASCAP and BMI typically base fees on:
- The number of members or class participants
- Square footage of the facility
- Number of speakers or audio zones
- Whether you offer virtual or on-demand classes
As a rough guide, a small boutique studio in the US can expect to pay a few hundred dollars per year per PRO. Since most studios need licenses from multiple PROs, annual costs typically range from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars depending on studio size.
An alternative to navigating PRO licenses directly is to use a pre-licensed commercial music service (see below), which bundles the cost of licensing into a monthly subscription. This is often simpler and more cost-effective for smaller studios.
What Happens If You Don’t Pay for a Music License?
If you don’t pay for a music license for your fitness studio, you will typically receive a formal warning from the relevant PRO or licensing body first. If ignored, you can face significant fines, legal action, or content takedowns.
Non-compliance can result in:
- Significant fines: In the US, copyright infringement penalties can reach up to $150,000 per song played without a license. Even lower-end penalties typically run into thousands of dollars per violation.
- Legal action: Rights holders can and do take studios to court. In 2019, the National Music Publishers’ Association filed a lawsuit against Peloton seeking over $150 million for unlicensed use of music in its fitness content.
- Takedowns: For virtual and online content, unlicensed music can result in your videos being muted, removed, or your account being suspended on platforms like YouTube or Instagram.
The cost of getting properly licensed is significantly lower than the cost of getting caught without one.
Legal Music Sources for Fitness Studios and Instructors
Rather than navigating PRO licenses directly, many fitness studios and instructors use pre-licensed commercial music services that bundle licensing into a subscription. The most used legal music sources for fitness businesses are:
For US-based fitness/virtual studios:
- Soundsuit: A B2B music service licensed for commercial use. Works across all music systems, no ads, and is suitable for fitness classes. Annual plans from around $24.95/month.
- Rockbot: Licensed, commercial-free music that learns your preferences and updates your library automatically. Annual plans from around $24.95/month.
- Cloudcover: Licensed, ad-free music with access to 120+ stations. Annual plans from around $16.16/month.
Royalty-Free & Production Music Platforms (Easiest Option)
Many studio owners prefer royalty-free or pre-cleared services for simplicity:
- Epidemic Sound – Huge library, great for fitness, covers live streaming + on-demand with proper plan.
- Artlist – High-quality tracks, strong for video sync.
- Soundsuit, Rockbot, Cloudcover – Fitness-focused commercial music services.
- Audiio and similar production music libraries.
These options often provide one flat monthly fee with broad commercial rights, reducing the need for multiple PRO licenses.
Pro Tip: Always read the license terms – confirm they explicitly cover “fitness classes,” “live streaming,” and “on-demand/VOD.”
Important: Even with a pre-licensed service, always confirm what rights are included some cover public performance only, while others also include sync rights for pre-recorded video content.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Your Fitness Business Properly Licensed
- Determine your usage – Live only, on-demand only, or both? US or international audience?
- Contact PROs – Get quotes from ASCAP/BMI (US).
- Consider specialized fitness services – Easier for virtual setups.
- Review platform policies – YouTube, Zoom, Instagram, and your own website have different rules.
- Document everything – Keep proof of licenses for peace of mind.
- Train your instructors – Make sure everyone uses approved music sources.
Best Practices for Virtual Pilates & Fitness Studios
- Use curated fitness playlists designed for workouts.
- For on-demand libraries, prioritize platforms that include sync rights.
- Monitor usage and update licenses as your studio grows.
- Consider “rights-managed” or fully cleared music to avoid future headaches.
FAQs about Music Licensing for Fitness Studios
Yes. A music license is required whenever music is played in a commercial or public setting, regardless of whether clients are charged per class. If your studio operates as a business or is open to members of the public, a public performance license is legally required.
Yes. Live-streamed fitness classes are treated as public performances under copyright law, even when delivered online. In the US, licenses from ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, or GMR are required. Platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams do not hold blanket licenses, so streaming through them does not make you automatically compliant.
Not automatically. A public performance license covers live and live-streamed classes. Pre-recorded, on-demand fitness videos with embedded music also require a synchronisation (sync) license, cleared separately with the publisher or record label. Many studios producing on-demand content use royalty-free or pre-cleared music services that include sync rights within the subscription to avoid this complexity.
No. YouTube licenses music for personal, non-commercial viewing only. Playing a YouTube playlist during a commercial fitness class; in-person or virtual- violates YouTube’s terms of service and does not satisfy public performance licensing requirements.
Royalty-free means you pay a one-time or subscription fee rather than ongoing royalties per use- it does not mean free. Services like Epidemic Sound and Artlist include public performance and sync licenses within their subscription, making them a practical option for fitness studios, particularly those producing on-demand or online content.
No. PRO licenses and PPL PRS TheMusicLicense are issued as annual blanket licenses, covering all music in that organisation’s catalogue across all your classes for the year. However, since songwriters register with different PROs, you may need licenses from more than one organisation to legally cover your full playlist.
It depends on where you teach. If you teach inside a licensed studio, their license typically covers you. If you run independent classes either online, outdoors, or in a hired venue- you are responsible for your own license. In the US, ASCAP and BMI both offer individual instructor licensing.
Yes. Copyright law applies regardless of studio size. US federal law bodies treat all commercial fitness spaces including small, private, and members-only studios- as public performance settings. Studio size affects your license cost, not your legal obligation.
The simplest option is a pre-licensed commercial music service designed for fitness businesses, such as Soundsuit or Rockbot in the US. These bundle the necessary public performance licenses into a subscription. For studios producing on-demand video content, a royalty-free library like Epidemic Sound or Artlist is recommended as these typically include sync rights as well.
Conclusion- Music Licensing for Fitness Studios
Music licensing is not optional, it is a legal requirement for any studio or instructor playing music commercially, whether in person or online. Getting properly licensed protects your business, supports the artists whose music powers your classes, and ensures you can keep delivering the experience your clients expect.
Ready to build a studio that runs compliantly and efficiently? Explore how Mariana Tek’s fitness studio management software helps boutique fitness businesses stay organised and grow from class scheduling to client management and beyond.
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by Xplor Mariana Tek
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First published: March 15 2023
Written by: Xplor Mariana Tek