
Jessica Downey
Jessica has been a fitness writer at Tom’s Guide since 2023, bringing three years of experience writing about health, fitness, and the great outdoors. Her passion for exercise began during her childhood, where she spent weekends hiking and competing in local athletics club events. After earning a master’s degree in journalism from Cardiff University, Jessica found the perfect way to combine her love of storytelling and fitness into a career.
Jessica is passionate about testing fitness gear and tech, using her reviews to help readers make informed buying decisions. She ran her first marathon in April 2024, finishing it in 3 hours and 48 minutes. Through her training, she’s developed a deep understanding of what it takes to grow as a runner, from effective workouts and recovery techniques to selecting the right gear for every challenge.
When she’s not at her desk, Jessica enjoys spending time in the kitchen crafting new recipes, braving cold water swims and hiking.
Latest articles by Jessica Downey

You can build a stronger core and upper body with just a set of dumbbells — here’s how a personal trainer would do it
By Jessica Downey published
This dumbbell workout uses supersets to build strength and definition in your abs and upper body. Fancy giving it a go?

Running your first marathon? Here are 9 essential things to pack for race day
By Jessica Downey published
Whether it’s your first 26.2 or your tenth, this marathon packing list has all the essentials to keep you focused, fueled, and finish-line ready.

London Marathon organizers issue heat alert for Sunday's race — here’s how 3 elite runners plan to stay cool
By Jessica Downey published
From elite advice to official guidance, here’s how runners can handle the heat at the London Marathon.

Tight hips? This 9-move Pilates routine improves hip mobility and lower-body strength
By Jessica Downey published
These nine equipment-free moves are designed to unlock tight hips and build strength in the lower body.

Strava just rolled out an AI-powered race predictor — here's how it works
By Jessica Downey published
The new Performance Predictions tool in Strava analyzes over 100 data points from your recent runs to forecast race times. We break down how it works and who can access it.

I did the elephant walk exercise for 3 minutes every day for a week — here's what happened to my body
By Jessica Downey published
I tried the elephant walk and discovered just how stiff my hamstrings really are.

I drank the viral gut health drink Kefir for a month — here’s what happened to my body
By Jessica Downey published
What is kefir and why is it linked to gut health? We tested it out for a month to see what benefits it has, if any.

I hate sit-ups — so I tried this 20-minute standing abs workout to build a stronger core
By Jessica Downey published
This no-mat workout is fast, effective, and surprisingly fun.

Forget the gym — you just need 5 moves to build lower body strength and boost your metabolism
By Jessica Downey published
Build a stronger lower body anywhere with this simple five-move bodyweight routine.

I asked ChatGPT to build me a race strategy for a half-marathon — and I was shocked at how well it went
By Jessica Downey published
From keyboard to finish line — how ChatGPT shaped my half-marathon strategy.

I tried a marathon manifestation and meditation session — here’s what happened
By Jessica Downey published
Can you manifest your way to marathon success? I attended a guided marathon manifestation and meditation class to find out.

Forget the gym — boost your metabolism and build full-body strength with this 7-move kettlebell workout
By Jessica Downey published
Set aside a small portion of your day to tackle this metabolism and strength boosting kettlebell workout.

I put the On Performance Flex Bra through marathon training — here's who should (and shouldn't) buy it
By Jessica Downey published
I put the On Performance Flex Bra through its paces during marathon training — here’s how it held up.

I ditched sit-ups for this 4-move dumbbell workout — here's what happened to my core
By Jessica Downey published
This core workout involves just four moves, but with dumbbells and minimal rest, it delivers a serious burn and maximum results.

No gym, no problem — this 35-minute Pilates workout builds full-body strength and tones your core
By Jessica Downey published
No gym or Pilates studio needed. Just 35 minutes, light dumbbells, and your self for a full-body workout at home.

I swapped weights for this resistance band chair workout — and the results surprised me
By Jessica Downey published
This workout skips bulky gym equipment and uses just a chair and a resistance band to build stronger legs.

Best running phone holders 2025
By Jane McGuire last updated
The best running phone holders will allow you to access music, track your workout, and stay connected without interrupting your stride.

The best Nike running shoes in 2025
By Nick Harris-Fry last updated
Looking into buying a record breaking Nike running shoe or just want a reliable trainer to level up your running journey? We've tested them out for you — here's our top picks.

Best running watches of 2025: Top picks for runners of all levels
By Jessica Downey last updated
Our runners spent time with dozens of the best running watches to find the best models for you and your training.

Physio says runners need these 3 calf strength variations in their training — here’s why I’m finally listening
By Jessica Downey published
Want to run stronger? This physio says calf training is key and shares 3 types of exercises.Th

11 best water bottles to buy in 2025, tested and rated
By Jessica Downey last updated
From daily hydration to adventure-ready designs, we've tested a wide range of water bottles and picked our top 10, including options from Lululemon, YETI, Columbia and more.

The Barkley Marathons strikes again — with just 20 finishers in history, can anyone survive 2025?
By Jessica Downey published
Only 20 runners have ever conquered the Barkley Marathons—here’s why it’s one of the toughest races on Earth.

Ditch sit-ups — strengthen and define your core with 1 dumbbell and this 5-move ab workout
By Jessica Downey published
Engage your core, build strength, and tone up with this trainer's five move routine.
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