
Tonal, the leading provider of advanced strength training systems and personalized fitness technology, has announced the appointment of Darren MacDonald as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and member of the Board of Directors, effective immediately. MacDonald succeeds Krystal Zell, who has stepped down from her role for personal reasons after serving as CEO since January 2023. During her tenure, Zell secured $130M in funding, achieved critical financial and operational milestones, maintained top-tier retention rates, and spearheaded the development of new product roadmaps, including cutting-edge AI-driven personalization in strength training.
Darren MacDonald, previously the Chief Customer Officer and Chief Marketing Officer at Petco, brings over two decades of global digital strategy and business development experience to his new role. He has led substantial growth in the retail sector, overseeing Walmart’s multi-billion-dollar U.S. e-commerce entertainment division and holding senior roles at Jet.com, IAC, and Avery Dennison. Under his leadership, Tonal is positioned to expand rapidly, redefining the future of smart home fitness and strengthening its leadership in the industry.
“As an avid Tonal user, I understand the unique impact our product has on people’s lives,” said MacDonald. “I’m thrilled to join this talented team and help push the boundaries of personalized strength training even further. We will continue empowering individuals with the best possible strength training experience.”
Jack Lazar, Chairman of Tonal’s Board, expressed gratitude for Zell’s leadership, which has left Tonal well-positioned for ongoing success. “We are excited to welcome Darren, whose expertise in retail strategy and consumer-focused growth will elevate Tonal’s market presence, enhance member loyalty, and drive further innovation.”
Reflecting on her tenure, Zell said, “It has been an honor to lead Tonal through this transformative period. I am incredibly proud of our accomplishments and grateful to our team and investors. I am confident that Darren’s innovative vision and dedication to our members will continue to propel Tonal forward.”
To learn more about Tonal’s latest innovations and fitness solutions, visit tonal.com.
About Tonal
Tonal is the world’s smartest home gym, offering a fully personalized strength training experience. Since 2015, Tonal has revolutionized fitness with adaptive digital weights, world-class data science, AI, and instructor-led content. Its extensive library of over 3,000 on-demand and live workouts spans strength training, cardio, yoga, HIIT, and more. Tonal is headquartered in San Francisco, California. Learn more at www.tonal.com.