THE BEAT behind the WORKOUT

Andy Pickles, CEO of Pure Energy Music, explains why, when it comes to exercise classes, music matters more than you think

Walk into any gym or studio and the music sets the atmosphere. It can engage or disengage participants — which is why choosing the right soundtrack is essential before a class even begins. I’ve spent more than 30 years in the music industry, from engineering and production to racking up 13 global number-one singles (including three UK #1s). After years of touring as a producer and DJ, I now lead Pure Energy Music, where our mission is simple: to help fitness operators harness the power of music to boost performance, motivation and wellbeing.

Performance: Moving in time with the beat Music can make or break a group exercise class. It’s the secret ingredient many people overlook but you always notice when it’s wrong. The right track can pick you up, push you through fatigue, and set the rhythm for the workout.

In studio cycling, for example, a 10-minute hill climb relies on synchronicity between rider and soundtrack. In functional fi tness or endurance formats like Hyrox, the music has to ebb and flow, giving you recovery moments, then lifting you again. Done well, music doesn’t just support performance, it drives it. That’s why at Pure Energy Music our objective is to make great music, but where we go further is that we understand how this music will affect the group exercise experience. Our team of leading music producers and fi tness experts come together to produce every track with purpose: thinking about frequency, rhythm, BPM, and structure as well as melody, percussion and lyrical content. These aren’t just aesthetic choices; they directly influence how people move, focus, and stay motivated. When music is produced specifically for exercise, it creates fl ow and enhances performance. When it isn’t, the effect can be the opposite.

Motivation, focus, and energy

Music has a profound impact on both body and mind. For example the nature of a HIIT class with fast-moving intervals is best suited to faster-paced music with uplifting melodies and top-lines that drive the intensity of those intervals and exercises. A strength or conditioning class benefits from steady mid-tempo rhythms to support controlled effort. For yoga or recovery, slower, flowing tempos help participants relax and focus inward.

When the beats per minute align with the workout, members feel guided, energised, and more engaged. Instructors can use this as a powerful tool to set the mood, control the fl ow, and bring everyone together in sync. The result? A room that not only looks more focused but also performs better because the soundtrack is built for the session, not just added to it.

Wellbeing: More than just physical Fitness isn’t just about the workout, it’s about how it makes you feel. Music helps on that front too: it reduces stress, lifts mood, and makes classes feel more social.

I often describe music as medicine. The right frequencies can calm the nervous system, release stress, and even create a deeper sense of connection. Our app has a section called Intentions - music designed for focus, recovery, or mindfulness. Just as a doctor prescribes the right medicine, fitness professionals can prescribe the right music and when group exercise aligns with the fl ow of the music, there’s a shared energy that’s both uplifting and inclusive. In today’s world, that sense of connection and belonging is just as important as the physical benefits of exercise.

Music as brand DNA

Here’s where things get interesting for clubs and studios: music can become part of your brand identity. Just like a logo or colour scheme, a consistent musical style helps members instantly recognise “your sound”. The most successful operators don’t leave music to chance. They use it strategically to reinforce brand identity and create a consistent, memorable sound that members associate with their club. Done right, music becomes a subtle but powerful driver of loyalty, retention and community.

Choosing the right track for the right workout Not all workouts are created equal, and neither is the music that drives them. A pounding, high-BPM track will fire up a HIIT class, but it’s not what you want for recovery or mindfulness. The tempo, genre, and structure can make or break the vibe of a session, which is why BPM optimisation is so important.

Certain movements in studio cycling classes benefi t from a defi ned, solid beat and tempo that matches the RPM and synchronicity required to drive you up that hillclimb. Yoga or Pilates can benefi t from slower, more fluid soundscapes to guide breathing and movement. Even within strength training, mid-tempo beats can help participants stay controlled and consistent.

That’s why we produce tracks designed not only to work across demographics and fitness goals, but also that deliver the right BPM structure for each style of workout. It’s about inclusivity, functionality, and making sure everyone in the room feels supported by the soundtrack. Music that is on the extreme ends of the genre spectrum will by its own nature not appeal to everybody.

Why music will always matter At the end of the day, music is more than just background noise. When you understand the effect music can have in turning workouts into experiences and classes into communities, you start to appreciate the true impact of music in the context of fitness.

For further info, go [to https://pureenergymusic.com](https://pureenergymusic.com/)