# What Are the Media Licensing Terms for the Exercise Dataset?

> Understand the media licensing terms for the exercise dataset. Explore the MIT license for code/JSON and the Gym visual media license for images and GIFs, including attribution and size requirements.

- Repository: [Hasan Emir Yıldırım/exercises-dataset](https://github.com/hasaneyldrm/exercises-dataset)
- Tags: licensing-terms
- Published: 2026-07-31

---

**The exercise dataset operates under a dual-licensing model: MIT License for all source code and JSON data, while all visual media (thumbnails and GIFs) falls under a separate Gym visual media license requiring specific attribution and size restrictions.**

The `hasaneyldrm/exercises-dataset` repository provides a structured collection of fitness exercises with accompanying visual assets, but understanding the media licensing terms is essential before production use. While the codebase and data schema enjoy permissive open-source terms, the image and animation files are governed by third-party commercial restrictions that impose strict conditions on redistribution and display.

## Dual Licensing Structure

The repository explicitly splits licensing coverage between software/data components and visual media assets. This distinction is critical for compliance when building applications that consume the dataset.

### MIT License for Code and JSON Data

All source code, HTML tooling, the JSON data file ([`data/exercises.json`](https://github.com/hasaneyldrm/exercises-dataset/blob/main/data/exercises.json)), the JSON schema ([`data/exercises.schema.json`](https://github.com/hasaneyldrm/exercises-dataset/blob/main/data/exercises.schema.json)), and documentation are licensed under the **MIT License**. This permits free use, modification, and redistribution provided you include the original copyright notice and permission notice in all copies. The full MIT terms are located in the `LICENSE` file at the repository root.

### Gym Visual Media License for Images and GIFs

All files within the `images/` and `videos/` directories—including the 1,324 exercise thumbnails and GIF animations—are **explicitly excluded** from the MIT License. According to lines 27-38 of the `LICENSE` file, these assets are licensed separately under the **Gym visual media licence**. This commercial license requires written permission from Gym visual for any use beyond the specific terms granted in the repository.

## Key Restrictions for Media Usage

When utilizing the exercise media assets, you must adhere to the following conditions specified in [`NOTICE.md`](https://github.com/hasaneyldrm/exercises-dataset/blob/main/NOTICE.md) and the media exception clause:

- **Resolution Limit**: Media may only be distributed at **180 × 180 pixels**. Redistributing the files at higher resolutions violates the license terms.
- **Mandatory Attribution**: Every display of the media must include the attribution: `© Gym visual — https://gymvisual.com/`.
- **Terms Compliance**: Use is governed by Gym visual’s **Terms & Conditions of Use** ([https://gymvisual.com/content/3-terms-and-conditions-of-use](https://gymvisual.com/content/3-terms-and-conditions-of-use)).
- **No Clone Rights**: Simply cloning the repository does **not** grant additional usage rights. You must obtain your own license from Gym visual if you require broader usage permissions.

## Implementing Compliance in Code

The dataset provides the required attribution metadata within the JSON structure, enabling programmatic compliance checks.

### Loading Attribution Data in Python

Each exercise object in [`data/exercises.json`](https://github.com/hasaneyldrm/exercises-dataset/blob/main/data/exercises.json) includes an `attribution` field that must be preserved in your application:

```python
import json

# Load the full dataset

with open("data/exercises.json", encoding="utf-8") as f:
    exercises = json.load(f)

# Access media paths and required attribution

ex = exercises[0]
print(f"Exercise: {ex['name']}")
print(f"Image: {ex['image']}")
print(f"GIF: {ex['gif_url']}")
print(f"Required Attribution: {ex['attribution']}")

# Output: © Gym visual — https://gymvisual.com/

```

### Rendering Media with Attribution in HTML

When displaying exercise thumbnails in web interfaces, you must include the attribution text adjacent to the media:

```html
<div class="exercise-card">
  <img src="images/0001-2gPfomN.jpg" 
       alt="3/4 sit-up" 
       width="180" 
       height="180" />
  <p class="attribution">
    © Gym visual — <a href="https://gymvisual.com/">gymvisual.com</a>
  </p>
</div>

```

```css
.attribution { 
  font-size: 0.8rem; 
  color: #555; 
  margin-top: 4px; 
}

```

### Validating Compliance in Node.js

You can verify that your dataset usage maintains the required attribution before deployment:

```javascript
const fs = require('fs');

const REQUIRED_ATTRIBUTION = '© Gym visual — https://gymvisual.com/';
const data = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync('data/exercises.json', 'utf8'));

let violations = 0;

for (const exercise of data) {
  if (exercise.attribution !== REQUIRED_ATTRIBUTION) {
    console.warn(`License violation: ${exercise.id} has incorrect attribution`);
    violations++;
  }
}

if (violations === 0) {
  console.log('All media entries properly attributed.');
}

```

## Summary

- The **MIT License** covers only the code, JSON data structure, and documentation in `hasaneyldrm/exercises-dataset`.
- **Visual media** (all files in `images/` and `videos/`) requires separate licensing from Gym visual and is not open source.
- Media files must be distributed at **180 × 180 px** resolution only.
- **Attribution** (`© Gym visual — https://gymvisual.com/`) is mandatory for every use of the media assets.
- The `attribution` field in [`data/exercises.json`](https://github.com/hasaneyldrm/exercises-dataset/blob/main/data/exercises.json) provides the exact string required for compliance.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Can I use the exercise images commercially?

No. The repository's MIT license does not grant commercial usage rights for the media assets. According to [`NOTICE.md`](https://github.com/hasaneyldrm/exercises-dataset/blob/main/NOTICE.md), any commercial application requires obtaining a separate license directly from Gym visual and complying with their Terms & Conditions of Use. Cloning the repository provides no additional rights beyond the specific 180×180 pixel display permission.

### Does the MIT license cover the exercise GIFs and thumbnails?

No. Lines 27-38 of the `LICENSE` file explicitly state that the MIT terms do **not** apply to media files. The JSON data and source code are MIT-licensed, but all visual assets in the `images/` and `videos/` directories fall under the separate Gym visual media license.

### What attribution is required when displaying exercise media?

Every instance of the image or GIF assets must display the exact attribution: `© Gym visual — https://gymvisual.com/`. This string is provided in the `attribution` field of each exercise record in [`data/exercises.json`](https://github.com/hasaneyldrm/exercises-dataset/blob/main/data/exercises.json) and must be visible in your application interface whenever the associated media appears.

### Where are the full media licensing terms documented?

The complete media licensing terms, attribution requirements, and usage restrictions are documented in [`NOTICE.md`](https://github.com/hasaneyldrm/exercises-dataset/blob/main/NOTICE.md) at the repository root. The `LICENSE` file contains the MIT terms for the code alongside the media exception clause (lines 27-38) that references the separate Gym visual license.