Change is coming: The Future of My Fitness Classes, no more Punjabi music, for a while
This is not an official announcement from Better GLL. I am a big believer in informing people of change that affects them as early as possible. The feature image is generated by AI (Google Gemini).
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Change is coming
Change is a natural part of life, but that doesn’t always make it easy to digest. Whether it’s in our personal lives or our fitness routines, we often go through what psychologists call the Change Curve. It begins with denial—that feeling of “this can’t be happening”—moves into resistance, and eventually, after some exploration, leads to acceptance and a new way of working.1
As we look toward 2026, my class at Better GLL is entering this curve together. I want to be transparent with you about some upcoming shifts in how we approach my classes, why they are happening, and how we can adapt without losing the spirit of why we exercise.
The Reality of the “Bottom Line”
To understand this change, we have to look at the business of fitness. Better GLL operates centers across the UK, and to provide the music we’ve all been enjoying, the company pays a staggering amount in music licensing fees.
In a world where fitness centers aren’t as ubiquitous as coffee shops, gyms face tight margins. If there were queues out the door at every hour, the company might have the luxury of maintaining these expensive licenses. However, to keep the doors open and the lights on, an efficiency drive is necessary.
The result: Better GLL is moving away from broad music licenses and transitioning to a platform called Power Music.
Why Does This Affect Our Punjabi Music?
Too many people take music for granted. We play it on our phones, in our cars, or at home. But there is a significant legal distinction between personal consumption and public performance.
Copyright Protection: Music is intellectual property.2
Public Space Licensing: As soon as music is played in a gym, restaurant, or festival, a license is required.3
The Power Music Shift: Power Music is a curated service that provides pre-licensed tracks for instructors. While it is efficient, its library currently lacks the Punjabi tracks that have become a staple of our sessions.
As an instructor, I’ve had to ask myself: What do I love more? Teaching at this gym with this community, or the music itself? If I chose only the music, I would have to move to a private community center. But I value our community here at Better GLL. Therefore, I am going to adapt.
Although it’s not a done deal, the writing is on the wall. From 1st March 2026, the expectation is that all Better GLL exercise instructor use Power Music.
What to Expect: A New Way to Train
As we transition, the “vibe” of our class will shift. Because I will be eliminating the dancing elements that rely so heavily on specific Punjabi beats, we will refocus our energy on the fundamentals of fitness.
Functional Training: Expect more kettlebell work and circuit training.
Exercise-Centric Focus: The workout will become less about the rhythm of the song and more about the quality of the movement.
New Sounds: We will use the standard tracks available on the Power Music platform. While they may not be the songs we’re used to, they will provide the tempo we need to keep moving.
I understand this might trigger that “denial” phase. You might feel that without the music you love, the class won’t be the same. But I invite you not to lose heart. The most important part of the class isn’t the music as much that is ‘up there’. It’s us, the people.You’ve built friendships and habits; let’s not let a change like this derail the progress we’ve all made so far.
Looking Toward 2026
Although there is a consultation phase taking pace until end of February 2026, we must prepare for the most likely future. While it’s easy to look back at how things used to be, we must look forward.
I only teach three hours a week. The ultimate decision rests with the central office, and I respect their need to manage the business sustainably. I won’t be stubborn about the past; instead, I am looking for creative ways to keep our sessions intense, effective, and fun within these new parameters.
Your Perspective Matters
I value your thoughts as we navigate this transition. I encourage you to share your perspective, but I ask that we focus on the future rather than the past. How can we make these new circuit-style workouts the best they can be? How can we support each other as the “dance” fades and the “strength” takes center stage?
Change is coming, but our commitment to health and community remains the same. Let’s move into 2026 stronger, more adaptable, and ready to work. Reply to this email with your thoughts, and I will also share those with the management.
Maybe we can take votes 😊. My vote for Bhangra mix all the way 🙏