An independent yoga studio in Essex has got the wheels in motion on its new venture – a 1,000sq ft cycling studio with a focus on high-intensity training, the latest in a string of such openings in the south east.

Cycle Rhythm was created by local entrepreneur Steve Mucklow, who saw the opportunity to expand with a fitness offering beneath his Bikram Yoga Essex site in Loughton.

The cycling studio cost around £350,000 to create and is first UK facility to be kitted out with the new Keiser M3i Bike. In addition to the M3i Bikes, the facility purchased a Keiser Functional Trainer, M5 Ellipticals and Total Body Trainers for the training room, where class participants can stretch and recover following their workout. The studio also features a nightclub quality sound and lighting system, designed to “transform and inspire” class participants’ workouts.

The computer console on the M3i Bike allows participants to view and record their progress. This is being used in combination with a performance IQ board, or Rhythm Board, which means that each class participant can track their progress in real time. The studio currently high-intensity 45-minute classes seven days a week.

Since launching on 12 July, the facility has attracted 600 users through its opening offer of 30 days worth of unlimited classes for £35. Cycle Rhythm doesn’t require membership fees or contracts and ultimately aims to increase the number of users to around 5,000.

More cycle studios in the news:

• Psycle pushing exercisers to face the music

• British Cycling chief Shane Sutton backs London's latest cycle-focused fitness hub• London studio saddles up to join the cycle-focused health club craze