L Catterton has strengthened its operational oversight at portfolio company Tonal by appointing Operating Partner Todd Bartee as Chief Executive Officer.

Bartee succeeds Darren MacDonald after approximately 17 months in the role. The leadership change signals a new phase for the smart home strength training platform, which is accelerating investment in software, artificial intelligence, and retail distribution.

Founded in 2015, Tonal combines digital weight technology with AI-powered coaching and serves more than 175,000 members. The company has built what it describes as the world’s largest strength training dataset, with members collectively lifting over 235bn pounds.

L Catterton first led Tonal’s $45m Series C financing in 2019 and again backed a $130m capital raise in 2023. Bartee most recently worked alongside the company as an Operating Partner at the private equity firm, supporting strategy, operations, and value creation initiatives.

“Tonal has built something special by bringing together intelligent hardware, great coaching, and real strength data in one experience,” Bartee said. “That foundation gives us a real advantage as we continue integrating software and AI more deeply into how people train. I’m focused on making the product even more personalized and effective, expanding access through retail, and helping more members build strength that lasts. We’re just beginning to unlock what’s possible.”

Under the new leadership, Tonal plans to expand retail access, deepen AI-driven personalisation, and strengthen its member experience.

The move reflects a broader pattern across private equity-backed fitness platforms, where operating partners increasingly transition into executive roles to drive growth and operational discipline during the next stage of scale.

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