Gym music and tempo

In most venues, background music is meant to stay in the background. A gym is the exception. People come to work hard, and music is part of what helps them do it. Tempo, energy and rhythm carry a training floor in a way they never would in a café or a hotel lobby, which makes choosing gym music both more important and more fun.

Why tempo matters

Tempo is the speed of the beat. Many people naturally fall into step with music when they run, cycle or lift, and a strong, steady beat makes repetitive effort feel more manageable. Faster music tends to feel more energetic, and slower music tends to feel more relaxed. Neither is right for every moment, which is why a single list rarely works for a whole day.

Energy is not only tempo. A track can be fast and still feel light, or moderate in speed but heavy and driving. Bass, drums and a clear rhythm do more for a training floor than speed alone. When you preview a track, ask whether it would make you want to start the next set.

Plan by phase, not just by genre

Think about the session your members are having, and the day your gym is having.

• Warm-up and stretching areas: steady, moderate music that builds gradually.
• Main training floor at peak hours: the most energetic music of the day, with a strong beat. House, EDM, electronic, rock and hip-hop are common choices.
• Quiet hours: early mornings or mid-afternoons with few members can take something a little less intense, so the room does not feel like it is shouting at three people.
• Cool-down and stretching: slower, calmer tracks help people wind down. Ambient and gentle electronic music suit this well.

Nova Business does not switch lists on a schedule, so keep a few lists ready and change them when the gym changes. Many gyms simply keep a "Peak" list and a "Quiet" list and ask the front desk to switch at the obvious moments.

Classes are different

Group classes often want their own music: a spinning class, a yoga session and a circuit class have very different needs. If a class runs in the same space as the main floor, the instructor and the floor will be sharing the same music, because all devices at the same venue play in sync. Agree with your instructors who controls the music during classes so the floor and the studio are not fighting over it.

Volume and lyrics

Gym music is usually louder than in other venues, but there is still a limit. Staff need to be heard when they give instructions, members need to be able to call for a spotter, and long sessions at high volume are tiring for everyone. Check the level from several spots, including near the speakers.

Lyrics deserve a quick check too. Your gym welcomes a wide range of people, and a track that one member finds motivating may make another uncomfortable. Previewing songs before they go into a list is time well spent.

Keep it fresh

Regular members train several times a week and staff are there all day. A list that sounds great on Monday can feel stale by Thursday. Rotating several lists, and adding new songs as you find them, keeps energy up.

How Nova Business helps a gym

Nova Business includes business playlists curated by Nova, which are a quick way to get started, and you can build lists of your own for peak and quiet hours. Nova analyses every track for genre, mood and instruments, so browsing pages such as exciting or house is a good way to find candidates. You can build your own lists and see listening time and the songs played most over the last 30 days.

It plays in a browser on a computer or tablet connected to your sound system. The subscription is $30 per venue per month, with unlimited listening and the public performance licence for Nova music included. See the Nova Business page for gyms.

Frequently asked questions

Can I filter Nova music by exact beats per minute? No. Nova describes tracks by genre, mood and instruments, so the easiest approach is to start from energetic moods and genres and preview songs before adding them.

Can trainers use their own phones to play Nova to a class? Not with a personal account. Music played to members needs Nova Business, played on the gym's own computer or tablet connected to the sound system.

Do I need a separate subscription for each gym location? No. Your plan includes 1 venue, and each extra location is added to the same monthly subscription at $30 per month. All devices at one location play the same music in sync.