63,000 Fine for a Gym Playing Music Without the Right Licence
Think you’re covered? You might not be.
If your gym or fitness business plays music – in classes, on the gym floor, or anywhere members can hear it – you need to know exactly where that music comes from, and whether you're licensed to use it.
A UK gym running 200 classes a month without the proper music licence for three years could rack up over £63,000 in backdated fees, penalties, and legal costs. And that’s not unusual. Copyright enforcement is increasing across the fitness sector, with more High Court cases and financial penalties being issued each year.
The issue? The moment you play copyrighted music, you need a licence – or potentially two.
PRS covers composers and songwriters
PPL covers performers and record labels
Together, they form TheMusicLicence.
Here’s an example of the costs involved: 200 classes/month = £12,931.20 per year (including VAT)
What happens if you're not covered?
Backdated fees (up to 6 years)
50% surcharge on unpaid amounts
Legal action, court costs, and injunctions
There are currently multiple active copyright prosecution cases underway across the UK. Understanding your options and ensuring compliance is essential.
The Alternative
Pure Energy Music offers a fully legal, rights-included music solution built specifically for fitness – giving instructors instant access to high-quality, pre-cleared music via an app designed for class environments. Trusted by hundreds of gyms and studios as well as leading operators such as David Lloyd and Everyone Active, Pure Energy Music can work as a standalone solution or alongside existing PRS + PPL licences, providing a flexible, hybrid option for operators looking to broaden their music offering while reducing costs and remaining fully compliant.
Before you press play, make sure you’re licensed – or switch to a rights-included solution that does it all for you.
For more information and to understand your options, book a free consultation with Pure Energy Music: