PowerWatts Brighton – Professional coaching for passionate cyclists of all levels
Five weeks into its new home at Neptune Building in Edward Street Quarter in Brighton, PowerWatts is already shifting gears. What began in a small space near Sea Lanes has evolved into a 5,000 sq ft cycling hub designed to bring Brighton’s riding community together under one roof.
Head coach Steve Byrne had long been excited about the prospect of the move. “There are lots of cycle cafés, lots of training centres, lots of bike fitters and shops,” he explains. “We wanted to combine it all. A space where everyone can come together.”
Spread across two floors, the new site houses a 16-bike performance studio, a café known as The Hub, retail space, a dedicated bike-fitting room, physio room, small gym area, changing facilities and showers. Riders can even store their bikes on site. It’s comprehensive without feeling intimidating. The aim is simple: build community.
Inside the main studio, sessions may look similar to spin at first glance. But this is not about choreography or simply surviving 45-minutes of sweat.
“I come from a spin background and taught it for years,” Steve says. “Spin is great for switching off. Here, it’s more about learning your limits and understanding them.”
PowerWatts uses fully geared bikes that mimic the feel of a road set-up. Riders experience simulated climbs and descents, adjusting gears as gradients change, just as they would outdoors. Coaching is delivered through headsets, allowing for clear instruction and even private guidance mid-session. “I don’t just turn the dial for someone,” he explains. “I coach them to understand what they’re doing. When the gradient changes, how do you respond? How do you hold power longer? It’s about rhythm and control.”
The performance element is central. A feature dubbed the “trophy shelf” displays riders’ personal bests across one, five and ten-minute efforts. That real-time feedback provides tangible progress. “You might feel like you’re dying,” he laughs, “but then it flashes up that it’s your best five minutes ever. That’s rewarding.”
Safety and confidence are equally important, particularly in a city where traffic and headwinds can put newcomers off. Brighton’s roads aren’t always beginner-friendly. PowerWatts offers a free intro class to help riders learn pacing, gearing and effort levels in a controlled environment before venturing outside.
“You’re on a bike that doesn’t fall over. There are no cars. You learn everything first, then take it outside,” Steve says.
Outdoor riding is a key part of the model. Community rides run on Saturdays, with routes heading towards the Beacon, Stanmer and Lewes, making the most of the South Downs. Groups are split by pace and distance, from social riders to faster packs. “The more people that come, the more we can split into different speeds,” Steve says. “Last week we had 16 riders. That was perfect.”
The structured Training Plan runs from October to May, covering the tougher weather months. Riders typically attend two to four sessions per week during winter, then scale back as outdoor riding increases in summer. Social events add another layer to the community feel. The expanded premises have also allowed PowerWatts to launch a retail and bike consultancy element. Too often, Steve says, first-time buyers end up on poorly fitted bikes. “We see it all the time. Someone buys what’s available rather than what suits them. Here, you can get fitted properly and choose something that actually works for you.”
Membership has been simplified. Pay-as-you-go classes are £15, while a £15 monthly membership reduces classes to £10 and includes discounts across the café and retail. The goal is accessibility rather than exclusivity.
PowerWatts is also leaning into inclusivity with new women-focused sessions led by coach Amy Smith, who runs the café and coaches studio classes. Her women-only ride is on Sundays at 11.15am, starting indoors before moving outside in the summer months. In an issue celebrating inspiring women across Brighton, it feels particularly timely. “It’s about creating space where people feel confident,” Steve says. “That’s when progress happens.”
As the rain eases and brighter mornings return, the timing feels right. Indoor training bridges the gap between winter stagnation and spring momentum. It offers consistency when coastal winds make outdoor riding unpredictable.
Ultimately, PowerWatts is less about burning calories and more about building riders. It’s technical without being elitist, structured without being rigid. Whether you’re an experienced racer chasing marginal gains or someone who hasn’t ridden since childhood, there’s room for you here. And, as Steve puts it, the best way to understand it is simple: “Pop down and have a go. It’s the easiest way to figure it out.”
www.powerwatts.bike | 3 Neptune Square, Brighton BN2 0AT
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