LIVESTREAM YOUR LES MILLS WORKOUTS

Why haven’t we been able to livestream regular Les Mills releases until now?

We made the Les Mills Original options available so that there was some Les Mills content to teach during lockdown while we worked through a solution to enable clubs to livestream our regular LES MILLS Programs. We now have a solution to our music licensing requirements that will allow this.

Can I livestream a live workout once my club is open?

You can livestream a live class when your club is open if you follow a few clear guidelines. You will need to do this through the club's platform. You will need to make sure your club has the correct music license to stream, which is the 'limited online music licence'. If your class participants are going to be filmed, you will need to gain their permission and show them where in the room they can stand if they don’t want to be on video.

Who can livestream Les Mills classes?

The rules around a livestream class is the same as for a live class. It needs to be taught by an active, certified Instructor in that specific Les Mills program on behalf of a club licensed for that Les Mills program. Unlike the live class, the Instructor does not need to be inside the club, but you do need to livestream through a club account.

Can we livestream a Les Mills workout out to everyone? Or does it need to be restricted to my club members?

Les Mills workouts should only be available to your club’s registered members (or select groups of people) and should not be broadcast to the general public. This means that most of your livestream workouts should be current members, or participants paying on a casual basis. You can livestream to non-paying participants for member acquisition activities in the same way you would do a club open day, but this needs to be with registered participants or small groups.

You recommend Zoom as the platform to use to stream classes. What if my club is already set up with another platform?

We recommend Zoom as many clubs, Instructors, and participants will be familiar with Zoom, and it has some great features. You can use the livestream platform that works best for your club. You just need to make sure you are adhering to the terms of use for that specific platform.

Can we save or record our livestream classes for people who can’t make the specific time?

No, livestream classes cannot be saved or recorded for any length of time.

Why have you been able to livestream through LES MILLS OnDemand before we could livestream in clubs?

We’ve done a small number of livestream tests on LES MILLS OnDemand, using cover music and our Program Directors based in Auckland, New Zealand. It was done to test out how to best approach livestreaming. Many of the recommendations we make in the livestream guide have come from these learnings.

Are any changes required to my club agreement with Les Mills?

Yes, the current club agreement does not cover the livestream of Les Mills workouts. If you would like to livestream Les Mills classes, you will need to read the additional terms provided by your local Les Mills team.

Can I livestream all Les Mills workouts, or only ones I have a program license for?

The rules around a livestream are the same as for a live workout. You can only livestream programs that you have a license for, and you need to use an active Les Mills instructor certified in that program.

Can we charge our members extra for the livestream classes?

Yes, this is totally up to you. If your club is closed and members are not currently paying, you could create an ‘at home’ membership or offer these classes on a pay-per-view basis. There are a number of platforms that can help you with this if needed, such as Move or MindBody.

Is Les Mills going to charge us extra on top of our program license fees?

To help clubs get set up for livestreaming during this time, we will not be charging any additional fees. We will be then be looking to include this in your ongoing partnership.

When streaming a live workout, can I have participants in my class?

Yes you can stream whilst teaching a class however you will need to make sure your participants sign a waiver or are off camera.

If gyms use outdoor space for classes & they hold the appropriate LM license can the instructor teach normal releases?

If you are just teaching your usual Live classes (no livestreaming) outdoors at their facility then you can treat it exactly the same as indoor classes. If you are teaching the class outdoors AND livestreaming that class, then they can do this providing you have the Limited Online Music License from PRS for Music in place too.

Do I have to be certified in the programme to teach the livestream workout?

Yes, as with live classes, you are only able to teach programs that you are certified in. As livestreaming is a new addition for Les Mills, you will need to read the additional terms provided by your local Les Mills team.

Why do I have to livestream through a club?

Livestreaming needs to be through a licensed facility. This is due to how the music rights have been purchased; it is the facility that has the license to stream the music.

Can I livestream on my own if I no longer work for a club?

Unfortunately not at this stage. As with live classes, any livestreamed Les Mills workouts need to be done with a licensed club and should only be done for the specific programs the club has licenses for.

Will I be able to access cover music for my previously purchased back releases?

Cover music files will be available to download for releases purchased from Q1 2020.

If I don’t own a back release, could I still purchase the cover version?

Yes, this is something we are working on making available for Instructors and will let you know when this is available.

Will there be additional Les Mills Originals/royalty free music provided to continue to livestream on our own?

The Les Mills Originals/ royalty free music was a short-term solution to keep clubs and Instructors connected to their members during lockdown. Although these releases were good, they were put together quickly and are not the same premium quality as our standard release. Our goal with providing a long-term livestreaming solution is bringing Instructors back to clubs to teach in some capacity.

Does my current certification allow me to livestream, or is there any additional education requirement?

Similar to teaching a live workout, you can livestream on behalf of a licensed club for programs you are actively certified as an Instructor. There is no additional education requirement.

Will Les Mills be encouraging clubs to live stream?

Yes, we believe live streaming will help support member engagement going forward and will be discussing this with all club partners.

Could I teach live streaming for another club not in my area?

Yes you can. But often the beauty of livestreaming workouts is that members can connect with their regular Instructor.

Who do I contact to get the livestream music license?

Each club is responsible for obtaining the necessary licenses to live stream classes in their country. Clubs should get in touch with the relevant Performing Rights Organisation (PRO) that represents the songwriters/publishers in their country to find out about the licenses required. Clubs will already have a licence from their PRO for the use of music in live/virtual classes in their clubs.

PPL/ PRS guidance can be found at the link here: https://pplprs.co.uk/online-fitness-classes/.

Please see additional information in the FAQs below.

Why do we need to get additional music licenses?

Clubs will have a licence from their Performing Rights Organisation (PRO) to play the music in a live/virtual classes in their clubs. However, a licence is required from the PRO for the online activity of livestreaming, unless the club uses a social media platform that is already licensed in their country. As listed below

How do I know if I need to use cover music for my livestreams?

Depending on the music license that your club holds for livestreaming, this will determine whether you can use Cover Music or Originals until 31st December 2020. This will need to replicate the club's current timetable.

Do instructors need to pay extra for cover music?
If an instructor has purchased an original release, they will be able to download the related cover music file from the Instructor Portal at no extra charge for Q1 and Q2 of 2020. This will be available from the 1st of July and is to help instructors and clubs to get set up with livestreaming. Going forward, when an Instructor purchases the original release, they will also be able to download the cover music file at no extra cost.

UK Performing Rights Organisations:

Why are you giving cover music away for free? Instructors have had to pay for cover music up until now.

Why do clubs need to get additional music licenses?

Clubs will have a licence from their Performing Rights Organization (PRO) to play the music in a live/virtual classes in their clubs. However, a licence is required from the PRO for the online activity of livestreaming, unless the club uses a social media platform that is already licensed in their country.

How do I know if I need to use cover music for my livestreams?

Cover Music is available to all instructors/ clubs for live streaming. The music that you can use is determined by your club's online music streaming license - please check with your facility. If your club holds the relevant license, you can livestream Originals through their channels.

Do instructors need to pay extra for cover music?

If an instructor has purchased an original release, they will be able to download the related cover music file from the Instructor Portal at no extra charge for Q1 and Q2 of 2020. This will be available from the 1st of July and is to help instructors and clubs to get set up with livestreaming. Going forward, when an Instructor purchases the original release, they will also be able to download the cover music file at no extra cost.

When streaming a live workout, can I have participants in my class?

Yes you can stream whilst teaching a class however you will need to make sure your participants sign a waiver or are off camera.

If gyms utilise outdoor space for classes, can the instructor teach normal releases and not just the streaming ones?

If you are just teaching your usual Live classes (no livestreaming) outdoors at their facility then you can treat it exactly the same as indoor classes. If you are teaching the class outdoors AND livestreaming that class, then they can do this providing the club holds a Limited Online Music License from PRS for Music.

The club will need to hold the appropriate Les Mills license for each programme.

Why are you giving cover music for free? Instructors have had to pay for cover music up until now.

We understand that some Instructors have needed to purchase both original release kits and cover kits up until now due to the different facilities they teach in. However, in order to support both clubs and instructors get set up to livestream the cover music file will be available to download free of charge. It is important to note that this is not a full kit – it is only the cover music file for those who have already purchased the original release and does not include the Masterclass or choreography notes.

Why can I stream these workouts and not our regular Les Mills releases?

These workouts can be streamed as they include royalty-free music that we have created exclusively for Les Mills. Les Mills releases can only be streamed through clubs who have secured the proper music licensing. Please see FAQs regarding how to livestream through your club.

Can I stream these on my personal social media channels?

These releases can be streamed on your personal social media channels, if your fitness facility is closed and not offering livestream to members or you have been furloughed.

Can I stream these classes on behalf of an unlicensed fitness facility?

These classes are to support instructors who are currently furloughed or whose Les Mills licensed fitness facility is closed and not offering livestream to members.

If you have a facility that is interested in offering Les Mills live and/or livestream classes please contact us.

How long can these workouts be used to livestream?

We are providing these workouts to support instructors during this difficult period while clubs are closed. Once your club is open again, these workouts will no longer be able to be used.

Can I record myself teaching this class?

Classes are for livestream only and should not be recorded or available on demand.

Can I stream these classes as they are without an Instructor?

The YouTube Masterclass versions should not be streamed alone. The goal is keep instructors teaching even if their club is closed. Your members can access LES MILLS On Demand for Les Mills masterclass content.

Does my liability insurance cover this?

It is your responsibility to ensure that the appropriate insurance is in place to cover livestreaming (in particular in relation to any injury to participants).

Where is the music?

A link to download the music is under each individual masterclass. The music is stored in DISCO, an online storage platform. You can mix playlists in DISCO or download the playlist to your preferred device.

Where are the choreography notes?

These are within the music download links (when they are available).

Why has some of the content been taken down?

We had to remove some previously offered releases because the music licensing has expired. Only releases offered here can be livestreamed, even if you have the content previously downloaded from the first lockdown.

Can I stream the music from my mobile device?

It is recommended to download music to a PC. If you are using a mobile device/tablet you can stream the music or download the files to a cloud platform, such as Dropbox. We do not recommend you live stream the class and music on the same device as there will be a lag. If you are streaming music, you’ll want to stream from a separate device than you are livestreaming your class from. If you only have 1 device, it’s best to film with the music in the background and upload the class rather than livestreaming.

YouTube is cutting off access to playing the music

We have tried to clear the music through YouTube, but the platform has restrictions even with royalty-free music. If you are having issues with music permissions it’s recommended to use Facebook, Instagram and other platforms such as zoom, go to meeting, etc.

I no longer have a club, they terminated staff when they closed, can I still stream these classes?

You are able to stream these releases while clubs are closed. As clubs start to reopen, please contact us to help connect you with a licensed club in your area to get back to teaching with a club.

Are these workouts the same as the usual releases?

These classes are an interim solution to provide you an option to keep teaching with clubs closed. This music is royalty free so does not require additional music licensing. Live classes using our regular releases is the premium experience for members and that’s what we want everyone back doing once this difficult period is over.

Why is my program not included?

As this utilises Les Mills Original songs, we do not have options for every format. This is why we are allowing instructors to teach all formats as long as they feel they can teach the class safely and effectively. We have been able to offer a suite of options across the four main genres of Cardio, Dance, Strength and Flexibility.

Why are there no cycle programs?

We prioritised programs that do not require equipment to maximise the members you can reach at home.

If I am not certified at all, can I teach these workouts?

You should focus on your certification assessment first, this content is exclusively for certified Les Mills Instructors.

Which of the programs can I teach?

To try and allow opportunity for all, we are relaxing our teaching requirements and allowing Instructors to teach any programs provided for livestreaming. Please note this is temporary, as we believe in, and stand by, the quality of Les Mills Certifications. We ask, as always, to use your judgement and only teach the programs you feel you can deliver safely and effectively.