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Stop Working Out in the Past
Agency Quality Experience / New York + Rock Paper Scissors / New York + The Mill / Los Angeles + Pulse Films / Los Angeles
Category
Film & Video
Annual ID
OS25_HW047M
Background
The fitness market is increasingly saturated with traditional gym memberships, fitness apps, and home workout equipment. Tonal needed to stand out as a premium, forward-thinking brand offering a personalized home strength training system that could revolutionize how people approach fitness. The challenge was to disrupt the existing workout culture and position Tonal as the future of strength training—one where technology, personalization, and efficiency take center stage.
The campaign needed to break through the noise of conventional fitness marketing and show the evolution of strength training. This was critical not only for increasing awareness and affinity but also for driving sales during the crucial holiday season, while simultaneously setting the stage for the upcoming Tonal 2 product launch in Q1 2025. The solution had to appeal to a tech-savvy, health-conscious audience looking for smarter, more personalized and more efficient fitness solutions.
The campaign needed to break through the noise of conventional fitness marketing and show the evolution of strength training. This was critical not only for increasing awareness and affinity but also for driving sales during the crucial holiday season, while simultaneously setting the stage for the upcoming Tonal 2 product launch in Q1 2025. The solution had to appeal to a tech-savvy, health-conscious audience looking for smarter, more personalized and more efficient fitness solutions.
Creative Idea
The creative idea behind Power Progress was to visually contrast outdated, rigid fitness routines with the modern, dynamic strength training revolution that Tonal represents. With the tagline "Stop working out in the past," the campaign challenges viewers to leave behind the traditional methods of fitness and step into the future with Tonal’s personalized training system.
The ad follows a central character running through an outdated and inefficient Victorian-era world, where people are engaged in grueling, repetitive exercises such as banging anvils, lifting kettlebells, riding penny-farthing bicycles, or rowing old-time rowboats. The twist? We discover she is trying to escape this grim, antiquated world and move toward the future, which is revealed to be Tonal—a cutting-edge, tech-powered, and personalized fitness solution that redefines the strength training experience. The narrative cleverly uses this journey from the past to the present to symbolize the shift from outdated workout routines to the future of fitness, with Tonal at the center of this transformation.
Directed by Aube Perrie, the ad uses cinematic storytelling to capture the energy of this transition. The pacing of the film mirrors the character’s physical and emotional journey—from the weight of the past to the exhilaration of discovering Tonal’s personalized, next-gen workout system. The seamless blending of the old and new worlds shows how Tonal stands as a symbol of progress in the fitness industry, offering a smarter, more efficient way to reach personal fitness goals.
The campaign goes beyond a typical fitness ad—it is a call to action, urging viewers to rethink their approach to exercise. By highlighting the stark contrast between traditional fitness methods and Tonal’s revolutionary system, Power Progress positions Tonal not just as a product, but as a movement toward a more intelligent, personalized future in fitness.
The ad follows a central character running through an outdated and inefficient Victorian-era world, where people are engaged in grueling, repetitive exercises such as banging anvils, lifting kettlebells, riding penny-farthing bicycles, or rowing old-time rowboats. The twist? We discover she is trying to escape this grim, antiquated world and move toward the future, which is revealed to be Tonal—a cutting-edge, tech-powered, and personalized fitness solution that redefines the strength training experience. The narrative cleverly uses this journey from the past to the present to symbolize the shift from outdated workout routines to the future of fitness, with Tonal at the center of this transformation.
Directed by Aube Perrie, the ad uses cinematic storytelling to capture the energy of this transition. The pacing of the film mirrors the character’s physical and emotional journey—from the weight of the past to the exhilaration of discovering Tonal’s personalized, next-gen workout system. The seamless blending of the old and new worlds shows how Tonal stands as a symbol of progress in the fitness industry, offering a smarter, more efficient way to reach personal fitness goals.
The campaign goes beyond a typical fitness ad—it is a call to action, urging viewers to rethink their approach to exercise. By highlighting the stark contrast between traditional fitness methods and Tonal’s revolutionary system, Power Progress positions Tonal not just as a product, but as a movement toward a more intelligent, personalized future in fitness.
Insights & Strategy
The insight behind Power Progress was that consumers are tired of traditional, one-size-fits-all fitness solutions. They want more personalization, smarter technology, and a more efficient way to achieve their fitness - especially strength training - goals. This insight informed the strategy to disrupt the fitness space by showcasing how Tonal’s AI-powered system offers a smarter, more personalized approach to personal progress through strength training.
Power Progress also positions Tonal not just as another fitness brand, but as the leader in progress for the category.
The campaign's digital-first approach allowed us to target a very qualified audience of busy individuals looking for a better path to fitness on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. The premium production value and craft applied to the work ensured it stood out in the crowded fitness market.
Power Progress also positions Tonal not just as another fitness brand, but as the leader in progress for the category.
The campaign's digital-first approach allowed us to target a very qualified audience of busy individuals looking for a better path to fitness on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. The premium production value and craft applied to the work ensured it stood out in the crowded fitness market.
Execution
The centerpiece of the campaign is a visually stunning two-minute film directed by Aube Perrie. Set in the Victorian era, the film contrasts antiquated workout tools like original kettlebells and battle ropes with Tonal’s sleek, cutting-edge innovation. No dialogue. Just pure, music-driven energy and striking visuals.
Shot in Bucharest, every detail across the 60 meticulously storyboarded frames was crafted with the highest production value. Authentic Victorian locations were carefully dressed and designed to transport viewers to another time. Over 150 extras were cast and styled in period-accurate clothing. The dated workouts—many originating from this era—were represented by kettlebells, penny-farthing spinning bikes, battle ropes, and rudimentary rowing machines, all capturing the inefficiency of fitness in the past.
The decision to shoot in black and white was central to the creative vision, delivering a timeless, sophisticated aesthetic that elevated Tonal’s premium positioning while setting it apart from colorful, high-energy fitness ads. This monochrome cinematography not only evoked the Victorian era but also underscored the theme of outdated workouts and traditional fitness practices. Using one of only three specialized Alexa cameras in the world capable of capturing this distinct look, the production achieved exceptional depth and contrast, resulting in a refined, cinematic quality that aligned perfectly with the brand’s exclusive and premium feel.
Legendary composer Atticus Ross crafted a haunting score that amplified the inefficiency and sluggishness of the past. Combined with meticulous sound design, the soundscape enhanced the oppressive atmosphere of the era, immersing viewers and reinforcing the dramatic contrast between the inefficiency of the past and the seamless efficiency of Tonal’s modern innovation.
The campaign ran across YouTube, and social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. This multi-platform approach ensured the message reached a broad yet targeted audience, driving both engagement and conversions.
Shot in Bucharest, every detail across the 60 meticulously storyboarded frames was crafted with the highest production value. Authentic Victorian locations were carefully dressed and designed to transport viewers to another time. Over 150 extras were cast and styled in period-accurate clothing. The dated workouts—many originating from this era—were represented by kettlebells, penny-farthing spinning bikes, battle ropes, and rudimentary rowing machines, all capturing the inefficiency of fitness in the past.
The decision to shoot in black and white was central to the creative vision, delivering a timeless, sophisticated aesthetic that elevated Tonal’s premium positioning while setting it apart from colorful, high-energy fitness ads. This monochrome cinematography not only evoked the Victorian era but also underscored the theme of outdated workouts and traditional fitness practices. Using one of only three specialized Alexa cameras in the world capable of capturing this distinct look, the production achieved exceptional depth and contrast, resulting in a refined, cinematic quality that aligned perfectly with the brand’s exclusive and premium feel.
Legendary composer Atticus Ross crafted a haunting score that amplified the inefficiency and sluggishness of the past. Combined with meticulous sound design, the soundscape enhanced the oppressive atmosphere of the era, immersing viewers and reinforcing the dramatic contrast between the inefficiency of the past and the seamless efficiency of Tonal’s modern innovation.
The campaign ran across YouTube, and social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. This multi-platform approach ensured the message reached a broad yet targeted audience, driving both engagement and conversions.
Results
The Power Progress campaign achieved impressive results across several key metrics:
+ 200% increase over sales projections after the campaign launch and during the critical holiday season
+ 32% sales increase YoY
+ 2000% increase in social engagement and awareness on social media, with a marked rise in followers, comments, and shares across Instagram and TikTok.
Increased brand visibility in the premium fitness space, positioning Tonal as a market leader ahead of the launch of Tonal 2 in Q1 2025.
A surge in subscriptions and demo bookings, driving a new wave of customer acquisition.
The campaign contributed to higher overall revenue, driven by both direct product sales and long-term customer engagement.
+ 200% increase over sales projections after the campaign launch and during the critical holiday season
+ 32% sales increase YoY
+ 2000% increase in social engagement and awareness on social media, with a marked rise in followers, comments, and shares across Instagram and TikTok.
Increased brand visibility in the premium fitness space, positioning Tonal as a market leader ahead of the launch of Tonal 2 in Q1 2025.
A surge in subscriptions and demo bookings, driving a new wave of customer acquisition.
The campaign contributed to higher overall revenue, driven by both direct product sales and long-term customer engagement.
2025 Awards
Total Points: 3
Merit
Credits
Agency
Quality Experience / New York
Production Company
Pulse Films / Los Angeles
Post Production Company
Rock Paper Scissors / New York
The Mill / Los Angeles
Chief Creative Officer
Cristina Reina
Chief Strategy Officer
Colleen Leddy
Composer
Atticus Ross
Creative Director
Johanna Cranitch
John Leonti
Director
Aube Perrie
Director of Photography
Jake Gabbay
Editor
Gwen Ghelid
Sound Designer
Brian Emrich
Assistant Editor
Jonatas Da Silva
Creative Chairman
Ari Weiss
Executive Producer
Alexandra Lubrano
Anastasia Von Rahl
Ashley Benton
Casey Engelhardt
Christy Carter
Dana Villarreal
Justin Kumpata
Sherri Levy
Jr. Producer
Jenna Pangilinan
Business Affairs
Paul Rodarte
CG Lead
Tim Kafka
Chief Executive Officer
Dan Gonda
Darren MacDonald
Color
The Mill / New York
Colorist
Mikey Pehanich
Global President
Mino Jarjoura
Head of Production
Chris Harrison
Cynthia Laplaige
Lead Product Marketing Manager
Maddie Kassan
Managing Director
Carol Dunn
Eve Kornblum
Mixer
Tom Jucarone
Operations Manager
Shannon Kelley
Performance Manager
Jacob Rauch
Production Coordinator
Joanne Lee
Kathia Salgado
Production Manager
Gregorio Back
Senior Marketing Manager
Christopher Hunt
Senior Marketing Project Manager
Grant Woodard
VFX Supervisor/2D LEad
Sarah Marikar
VP of Marketing
Meg Douglass
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