The most important facts in brief
- Atmosphere in front of Beat: In Pilates, the music supports the flow of movement and concentration instead of dictating a strict beat.
- Optimum speed: Music between 60 and 120 BPM (beats per minute) is ideal to accompany the exercises harmoniously.
- Legal certainty is a must: Private streaming playlists (e.g. from Spotify) are illegal in commercial courses. Legally compliant music services are a must.
- Instrumental preferred: Songs with vocals can distract the participants. Instrumental pieces from genres such as ambient, lo-fi or neoclassical are more suitable.
- Quality counts: A professional selection of music and good sound quality significantly enhance the course experience and customer loyalty.
The right music is the invisible jewel in the crown of every Pilates class. It can promote concentration, make movements more fluid and create an oasis of calm that takes your participants away from their everyday lives. But choosing the perfect Pilates music is an art in itself - and harbours legal pitfalls. In this guide, we show you 11 tried-and-tested ways to find the ideal background music for your classes that will motivate, relax and keep you on the safe side legally.
1. focus on the flow instead of the beat
In contrast to high-energy workouts such as aerobics or spinning, where the music sets the pace, Pilates music has a different function. It serves as a supportive soundtrack that directs concentration towards the precise execution of the exercises and breathing. A driving beat would be counterproductive here. Look for pieces with a flowing, harmonious structure that emphasise the flow of movement without dominating it.
Practical tip: Close your eyes and listen to a potential song. Ask yourself: „Is this music helping me to concentrate on my breathing or is it distracting me?“ If the answer is „concentration“, you have found a suitable track.
2. select the correct tempo (BPM)
The tempo, measured in beats per minute (BPM), is crucial for the dynamics of your class. For Pilates, the ideal range is usually between 60 and 120 BPM. Faster tracks are suitable for the warm-up phase or more dynamic exercise sequences, while slower tracks are perfect for stretching and cool-down phases.
Practical tip: Structure your playlist according to the course schedule:
- Arrive & warm up: 90-110 BPM (gently activating)
- Main part (core exercises): 110-120 BPM (concentrated and flowing)
- Stretching & relaxation: 60-80 BPM (calming and centring)
3. favour instrumental music
Singing and song lyrics can put a lot of strain on the brain and distract from the trainer's instructions and your own body awareness. Instrumental pieces, on the other hand, create a neutral and inspiring atmosphere. They leave room for concentration and inner contemplation, which strengthens the mind-body connection in Pilates.
Practical tip: Discover genres such as ambient, chillout, neoclassical (e.g. Ludovico Einaudi, Nils Frahm) or quiet lo-fi playlists. These offer a huge selection of GEMA-compliant and GEMA-free music, which is perfect for Pilates.
4. avoid the GEMA trap
One of the most common and most expensive mistakes is to use private playlists from streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube in a commercial course. The licences for these services are for private use only. Public playback in your studio constitutes a copyright infringement and can lead to high additional payments and penalties from GEMA.
Practical tip: Rely on professional, legally compliant music solutions. Providers such as sonicsense offer specially curated, completely GEMA-free channels. You receive an official certificate that exempts you from GEMA fees and gives you 100 % legal certainty.
5. control the volume intelligently
The music should always remain in the background. It is an accompaniment, not the main attraction. Your instructions must be clear and understandable at all times without you having to raise your voice. Music that is too loud not only drowns out your voice, but also disturbs the meditative concentration that is so important for Pilates.
Practical tip: Do a sound check before the course starts. Speak at a normal volume from different positions in the room. The music is perfectly levelled when your voice can be easily heard above it. Professional systems such as sonicPRO even allow time-controlled volume adjustments.
6 Use genre diversity in a targeted manner
Your choice of music doesn't have to be monotonous. Different genres create different moods and can be used specifically to channel the energy in the room. From soft electronic sounds and minimalist piano pieces to the sounds of nature, anything that supports the flow is allowed.
Practical tip: Create different themed playlists. For example, an „Energy Flow“ playlist with more rhythmic yet unobtrusive tracks for advanced classes and a „Deep Stretch & Relax“ playlist with very calm ambient sounds for relaxation classes or fascia Pilates.
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7. structure playlists according to the course sequence
A good Pilates class follows a dramaturgy - and so should your playlist. Start with music that helps you arrive and warm up. Increase the energy for the more challenging main part and end the class with extremely calming sounds that promote relaxation.
Practical tip: Plan transitions between songs carefully. Avoid abrupt changes in tempo or style. A gentle crossfade between the tracks ensures a seamless sound experience without disruptions.
8. save time with professionally curated channels
The constant search for new, suitable and legally compliant music can be extremely time-consuming. Professional music providers take this work off your hands. They offer fully curated music channels that are specially designed for use in Fitness and wellness areas how Pilates studios were put together.
Practical tip: Use a service that offers you a wide selection of channels. Depending on the type of course or time of day, you can switch between a „Pilates Flow“, „Yoga Chill“ or „Ambient“ channel with a simple click, without having to build playlists yourself.
9 Ensure high sound quality
Nothing disturbs a concentrated atmosphere more than crackling speakers or tinny sound from a smartphone. Invest in a good audio system and use music sources with a high bit rate. Your participants may not be aware of high sound quality, but they will certainly notice poor sound quality.
Practical tip: Professional B2B music services usually stream in high quality (e.g. 320 kbit/s) and offer special hardware (music receivers) that ensure stable, uninterrupted playback even when the internet connection fluctuates.
10. understand the legal basis
Public music playback in Germany is subject to GEMA. This applies to all music whose authors are registered with GEMA. The tariffs depend on the size of the room and the type of playback. Registration and billing can be complex. Ignorance is no defence against punishment.
Practical tip: Get professional advice. An experienced GEMA service like that of sonicsense can check your contracts, negotiate discounts of up to 40 % and take care of the entire administration. Or you can opt for 100 % GEMA-free music and save yourself the fees completely.
11. customise the music to your target group
Not every Pilates class is the same. A rehab Pilates class for seniors needs a different musical atmosphere than a power Pilates class for young, fit participants. Consider the age, fitness level and expectations of your customers when choosing the music.
Practical tip: Occasionally ask your participants for feedback on the music. A short survey or a quick chat after the course can provide valuable insights and show that you take your customers' wishes seriously.
Frequently asked questions about Pilates music
Which music is best for Pilates?
Instrumental music that supports the flow of movement without being distracting is ideal. Genres such as ambient, chillout, lo-fi, neoclassical or soft electronic music are very suitable. The tempo should ideally be between 60 and 120 BPM and the volume level should remain discreetly in the background.
Can I play Spotify in my Pilates studio?
No. The terms of use of private streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube expressly prohibit commercial or public use. Playing in a course is a copyright infringement and can lead to high GEMA claims. You need a licence for public playback or must use a licensed B2B music service.
What is GEMA-free music for Pilates?
GEMA-free music comes from artists who are not members of GEMA (or an international sister organisation). If you only play such music in your studio, you do not have to pay GEMA fees. Professional providers such as sonicsense provide you with legally compliant curated GEMA-free music programmes and a certificate for submission to GEMA.
How loud should Pilates music be?
The music should create a pleasant background atmosphere, but never drown out the trainer's voice. Your instructions must be clear and easy to understand from any position in the room. A good guideline is to set the music so that a normal conversation is still possible without any problems.
Are there ready-made Pilates playlists?
Yes, professional music providers for companies offer fully curated and legally compliant music channels or playlists specifically designed for Pilates, yoga and wellness. This saves you a lot of time when selecting music and guarantees that all tracks are suitable and legal. You can find more information on this at Music for wellness & physiotherapy.
