Our Story
Look, I'll be straight with you - Zephyr IX Ascend didn't start in some fancy boardroom with a business plan. It started in a cramped garage back in 2019 with three beat-up kettlebells and way too much ambition.
After years of watching people grind away on treadmills going nowhere (literally and figuratively), I knew there had to be a better way. Traditional gyms felt soul-crushing. Boutique studios were charging an arm and a leg for mediocre programming. Nobody was bridging that gap between serious athletic performance and accessible, real-deal training.
So yeah, I took the leap. Rented this spot on Granville Street, threw together some actual quality equipment, and built something different. Not a gym where you'd mindlessly go through the motions - a place where every session has purpose, where programming actually makes sense, and where you're surrounded by folks who genuinely want to see you succeed.
We're not about Instagram-perfect poses or trendy nonsense that'll be gone next month. We do high-intensity functional training because it works. Olympic lifting because it builds power like nothing else. Athletic performance stuff because being strong AND fast AND mobile? That's the sweet spot.
What We're Actually About
Here's the thing - we don't do gimmicks. You won't find us promising six-pack abs in six days or whatever ridiculous claim is popular this week. What you'll get is honest, effective programming designed by coaches who've actually been in the trenches.
Every person who walks through that door gets treated like an athlete, because honestly? You are one. Doesn't matter if you're training for the Olympics or just trying to keep up with your kids - the approach is the same. We assess where you're at, figure out where you wanna go, and build a plan that'll get you there without burning you out.
Our coaching staff isn't just certified (though yeah, we've got all the letters after our names). They've lived this stuff. They've competed, failed, learned, and come back stronger. That experience? You can't fake it.
We built Zephyr IX Ascend for people who are tired of half-measures. For folks who want results but also want to enjoy the process. For anyone who's ready to push past what they thought was possible and find out what's actually on the other side.
"Elevate Your Limits, Ascend Beyond Boundaries isn't just our tagline - it's what happens here every single day."
Meet The Team
The people who'll actually be coaching you, pushing you, and celebrating every win along the way.
Marcus Chen
CSCS, USAW L2, CF-L3
12+ years coaching experience
Former college track athlete turned coach. Obsessed with biomechanics and smart programming that doesn't wreck your body.
Sarah Martinez
USAW L3, NSCA-CPT
National Weightlifting Competitor
Competed at nationals three times. Now I teach people how to move heavy weight without destroying themselves. Technique nerd through and through.
Devon Thompson
CSCS, FMS, TPI Certified
Speed & Agility Expert
Worked with pro athletes for 8 years. Specializes in making people faster, more explosive, and basically superhuman when it comes to power output.
Elena Kowalski
RD, CSSD, Precision Nutrition L2
Sports Dietitian
No BS nutrition advice. Real food, real results. Helps athletes fuel properly without making it complicated or miserable.
Jamie Patel
ACE-CPT, CF-L2, Kettlebell Sport
Energy & Motivation Specialist
Runs our group classes with serious intensity but even more fun. Former competitive CrossFitter who found their real calling in coaching.
Ray Johnson
NASM-PES, FRC, Pn1
15+ years experience
The guy who figures out why your shoulder's been bugging you for 3 years. Movement quality obsessed. Gets people out of pain and into PRs.
Why Our Team's Different
We're not just credential collectors. Every coach here has walked the walk - competed, trained seriously, dealt with injuries, figured out what actually works. That real-world experience? That's what you're paying for. Not some cookie-cutter program downloaded from the internet.