Music is part of a workout: it sets the pace, masks fatigue and gives a room energy. Yet a private streaming subscription does not grant a Polish gym the right to play commercial recordings publicly. That distinction can turn an apparently free playlist into a licensing bill.
Why does a gym pay ZAiKS?
Playing music for customers is public performance under Polish copyright rules. For mainstream recordings, rights are generally administered in separate layers by ZAiKS (authors and composers), STOART (performers) and ZPAV (record producers). A gym may therefore need several agreements even if it already pays for Spotify, YouTube or another consumer service.
The size of the venue and the way music is used can affect tariffs. A small neighbourhood gym is not automatically exempt merely because it has few members.
What music works during training?
Tempo should match the activity rather than stay at maximum intensity all day.
- energetic, regular rhythms support cardio and group classes,
- strong but controlled tracks work in strength zones,
- calmer music suits warm-ups, mobility work and recovery,
- reception and changing areas benefit from a lower intensity than the gym floor.
A planned daypart schedule prevents repetition and avoids exhausting both members and staff. It also lets different club zones create distinct moods without intrusive advertising or spoken radio segments.
How can you play it legally without separate fees?
Use a business-music service whose catalogue is licensed for public performance and whose agreement covers the relevant author, performer and producer rights at source. “Royalty-free” does not mean ownerless or free of copyright; it means the required permissions are supplied under a different licensing model.
SoundYou provides an ad-free business catalogue, scheduling for different training zones and a certificate confirming the public-performance licence. This replaces separate payments to Polish collecting societies only for music covered by that licence.
See licensed music for fitness clubs →
Questions and answers
Q: Does a small neighbourhood gym also have to pay ZAiKS?
A: Size alone does not remove the public-performance issue. Check the applicable Polish tariff or use a catalogue licensed outside the collective-management repertoire.
Q: Can I play Spotify at the gym?
A: A standard consumer Spotify account is intended for personal, non-commercial use and does not itself grant public-performance rights.
Q: Does “music without fees” mean lower quality?
A: No. Licensing model and production quality are separate matters. Professionally curated business catalogues can provide high-quality recordings without mainstream repertoire fees.
Q: Can different zones play different music?
A: Yes, if the service and licence cover the location and support multiple zones or players.
This article is informational and concerns music use in Poland. Verify the current terms and tariffs before making a legal or financial decision.
