Music in the gym: which supplier should you choose?

Music in the gym: which supplier should you choose?

Music is essential in a gym — it motivates visitors, raises energy levels and creates a professional atmosphere. But not every music source is suitable or legal. Specialised music suppliers for fitness centres and gyms offer a unique combination of commercially licensed music, energetic playlists at the right tempo, multiroom support and easy management. Backsound is one such supplier: it combines a software subscription (from just €34.95 per month) with millions of tracks, automatic playlists via AI and a business licence — so you can play music in your gym legally, without worries and affordably.

Why is ordinary streaming (Spotify) not suitable for a gym?

Many gym owners start out confidently with Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube Music. It’s affordable, easy to use and everyone knows it. But there is one crucial problem: these services are for personal use only. As soon as you play music in a business setting where customers, members or visitors can hear it, you are infringing copyright without a licence.

Spotify and similar streaming services have no public performance licences from the copyright organisations (Buma/Stemra for songs, Sena for performers’ rights in the Netherlands). This means that performing that music in your business is illegal. You risk fines from Buma/Stemra, and the artists do not receive fair remuneration.

In addition, these consumer services are not designed for businesses:
– Interruptions by adverts (free version)
– No repeats allowed in some regions
– Limited audio control for professional environments
– No multiroom without substantial extra costs

What requirements should a music supplier for a gym meet?

1. Legal licences
The supplier must work directly with Buma/Stemra and Sena, or provide you with documentation so that you can easily arrange a licence yourself. This protects you against lawsuits and fines.

2. Energetic playlists with the right BPM
Fitness facilities and gyms have specific music needs: a tempo of 120–180 BPM for cardio, something heavier for strength training. A good supplier understands this and offers:
– Ready-made fitness mixes
– The option to create your own playlists
– AI support to set up suitable music automatically

3. Multiroom support
Many gyms have several areas: group classes, cardio section, strength area, reception. You want the same music everywhere (or in sync), or different playlists instead. A professional solution offers this without extra costs per zone.

4. Reliability and offline options
If the internet goes down, the music must not stop. This is crucial for your group classes.

How does Backsound work for fitness centres?

Backsound is specially designed for businesses that need to play music — and fitness centres are an important segment.

Costs:
– Own PC Package: €34.95/month (software on your computer)
– Full Package: €39.95/month (includes a free Windows 11 mini PC, ready to connect)

How it works:
1. You choose the subscription that suits you.
2. You get access to millions of tracks from professional catalogues.
3. The AI Playlist Generator automatically creates fitness mixes based on tempo, genre and mood.
4. You can import Spotify playlists for inspiration.
5. All areas of your gym can use multiroom to play the same or different music — at no extra cost.
6. A free Remote & Request App lets visitors request songs (if you wish).
7. Backsound also works offline — music keeps playing if the internet drops out for a while.
8. 24/7 phone and WhatsApp support (088-425 9888).

Licences:
Backsound supplies under a business licence, so you have full legal protection. In the Netherlands, you must arrange a public performance licence yourself via mijnlicentie.nl (Buma/Stemra and Sena). Depending on the size of your business, this costs anywhere from a few tens to a few hundred euros per year — much less than the risks of playing illegally.

Contact Backsound

Music in your gym doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With a specialised supplier such as Backsound (€34.95–€39.95/month), you get legal licences, fitness-specific playlists, multiroom at no extra cost and 24/7 support. Combine this with an annual public performance licence via Buma/Stemra and Sena, and you are all set. Your members get energetic music, and you run everything properly within the law.

See also

• Gym music
• Music computer for fitness centres / gyms