Gyms must pay fifteen times more in order to play music for their patrons' work out. This is based on the ruling of the federal magistrate that musicians do not get paid enough for the use of their songs.

The ruling meant that music copyright fees per class would rise from 96.8 cents to an incredibly large sum of $15 a class. If this is the case, an additional $1 could be added to the cost of the class per attendee.

The Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) is very much favored by the ruling. The PPCA is responsible for bringing up the action and is pushing for a price hike, saying that it is fair.

Artists from Sony Music, EMEI, Universal, Warner, and other Australian recording artists are well-represented by the group.

In a statement to Fairfax, PPCA chief executive Stephen Peach said, "The (Copyright) Tribunal has explicitly recognised that music adds real value to the class to the participants and to the fitness centre operator who is after all running a business."

He mocked suggestions that the fitness industry might find a way to get around the federal magistrate's decision by not using original music.

"Gyms are kidding themselves if they think that cover version music is going to cut it," Mr. Peach said, adding, "To call it a second rate product is to wildly overstate it."

Fitness Australia is now reviewing the Tribunal's decision to see if there are possible bases for an appeal.