Teaching Group Exercise Classes Online: Should I be worried about music licensing?

‘Teaching a virtual class is very different from teaching a live class. Those of you who have already tried teaching virtual classes will know that it is a different experience altogether with more emphasis on connection, and less on factors such as music.’

With fitness professionals moving their group classes online, music licensing becomes an issue. It’s hard to get standardised information on legal responsibilities regarding music in Asia, but let’s understand how is it done in the United States. American Council on Exercise Live Panel has discussed this issue with ACE expert, Shannon Fable and Denise Imbesi, CEO & Founder of Muscle Mixes Music, you can watch the full 30 mins youtube video here.

Meanwhile, FEA Edutrainer Kim Boey who developed and teaches Bump & Beyond and Certified Group Exercise Instructor has summarised the video to 5 simple Q&A to help you understand legal issues around using music in group exercise classes in less than 10 mins!

1. I teach Zumba. Can I continue to teach using FB live/IG live/Zoom and use Zumba music ?

The answer is NO. If you are a Zumba instructor, you need to contact Zumba if you want to continue teaching Zumba classes online and ask them what the proper procedure is. You are not supposed to use their music on Facebook, Instagram or Zoom as that is going against copyright law.

To take an example that is not in this video, Les Mills has released special workouts for their licensed Clubs and Instructors to teach. These workouts use royalty free music and are different group exercises experiences that have been put together quickly to serve their clientele who are working out at home during the COVID-19 period. Les Mills instructors are reminded to use these workouts only when teaching virtual classes.

2. Can I use Spotify then to teach my Zumba classes ?

Once again, the answer is NO. The reasoning is same as above.

3. What music can I use in my online group classes then ?

You should use royalty free music. Google ‘royalty free’ or ‘copyright free’ music and go through the options that come up. Special companies such as Muscle Mixes and Power Music who make special 32 count music for group exercises instructors would have royalty free music and playlists available for purchase. The common complaint about royalty free music is that it is not popular songs ie songs that most people do not recognize. It is mostly instrumental music as well.

4. Can I get arrested ? (if I continue using Zumba music) 

Well, no. The world is going through a crisis now and it is unlikely that police will turn up at your house to arrest you for teaching Zumba with copyrighted music.

What is more likely to happen is that your content may be removed. As the video states, there are ‘bots’ or tracking algorithms that do this. And it does not look professional to your students if you start having your content removed.

Another possibility is that you may be fined.

5. So what is the best solution ?

Teaching a virtual class is very different from teaching a live class. Those of you who have already tried teaching virtual classes will know that it is a different experience altogether with more emphasis on connection, and less on factors such as music.

Simplicity wins – timed or repetition based workouts may be an overall better group exercise experience over heavily choreographed, music dependant workouts.

However, for those who really love moving to the beat, then it is best to obey the law and start checking out royalty free music.