biography
Kathryn "Kat" Zajac is the founder of Villacaro Farms in Toms Brook, VA and the fitness boutique, Ascend Cycle + Lift Lab, formally in Alexandria, VA. Kat has over 15 years of experience as a strength training coach, personal trainer, fitness instructor and health coach.
Ascend Cycle + Lift Lab was the only woman-owned, non-franchise cycling studio in Alexandria. Ascend was highly recognized by the local community and local publications (NoVa Magazine, Washingtonian) - most recently and notably for Kat’s pivots during the COVID pandemic.
After just over 7 years in business, Kat closed Ascend Cycle + Lift Lab at the end of 2021.
In early 2021, Kat embarked on a new endeavor with Villacaro Farms, focusing on pasture-raised Wagyu beef, chicken and eggs in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Continuing her passions for health, fitness and nutrition, her goal with Villacaro Farms is to not only provide high quality protein to the local community, but also use her experience to educate her community about the importance of supporting local farms, regenerative agriculture and how eating local can be a positive impact on one’s health.
About Ascend Cycle: A lifelong fitness enthusiast and former competitive gymnast, Zajac began cycling as a college student while pursuing a degree in exercise science at The George Washington University. After spending a decade working in corporate America, she opened boutique cycling studio Swet Ride in 2014 to follow her passion. The studio rebranded to Ascend Cycle in 2016 and expanded to include Ascend Underground in 2017.
With her exercise science background, Zajac has always valued a well-rounded fitness program. She opened Ascend Underground with the intention of providing strength and interval training to the Ascend Cycle community. Each class format is thoughtfully designed by Zajac and works as a total body program on its own or as a perfect complement to a cycling program. She has created a seamless fitness experience where strength training provides a necessary foundation for endurance athletes and recreational cardio junkies, and spin adds cardio exercise to weight lifting.
In addition to providing high-end boutique fitness, Zajac’s top priority in founding Ascend Cycle + Underground was community. Instructors make a point of knowing every client’s name and form genuine friendships with each other and their students. With a focus on an inclusive, welcoming environment, Zajac has created a safe space and second home of sorts for her team and clients.
As the premier spin studio in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria and one of the only gyms offering cycling or total body workouts to Alexandria, as well as Arlington, Va.'s nearby Crystal City and Pentagon City neighborhoods, Ascend Cycle + Underground is uniquely situated to provide the exercise diversity its clients need in one place.
Kat & Family: In addition to holding a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from The George Washington University, Zajac is also a certified health coach with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, KB certified by ONNIT Academy and Barbell Strength Training certified by the Maximus Method. Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Kat now calls the Shenandoah Valley home with her husband of 10 years Joe and kids Alex (8), Anna Victoria (6) and Isabella (5 months).
qualifications
Bachelors of Science, Exercise Science (The George Washington University)
Health Coach, Institute for Integrative Nutrition
Barbell & Strength Training, The Maximus Method
Kettlebell Coach, ONNIT Academy
accolades
City of Alexandria Chamber of Commerce 40 Under 40 Honoree - 2019
Northern Virginia Magazine Best Of Fitness: Indoor Cycling Studio - 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020
