Jessica Downey
Jessica is an experienced fitness writer with a passion for running. Her love for keeping fit and fueling her body with healthy and enjoyable food quite naturally led her to write about all things fitness and health-related. If she isn’t out testing the latest fitness products such as the latest running shoe or yoga mat for reviewing then she can be found writing news and features on the best ways to build strength, active aging, female health, and anything in between. Before then she had a small stint writing in local news, has also written for Runners World UK (print and digital), and gained experience with global content marketing agency, Cedar Communications.
Born and raised in Scotland, Jessica is a massive fan of exercising and keeping active outdoors. When at home she can be found running by the sea, swimming in it, or up a mountain. This continued as she studied and trained to become a PPA-accredited magazine journalist in Wales. And since working and living in London, she splits her time between weight training in the gym, trying new fitness classes, and finding scenic running routes. Jessica enjoys documenting this on her fitness-inspired Instagram page @jessrunshere where she loves engaging with like-minded fitness junkies.
She is a big fan of healthy cooking and loves learning more about this area with expert nutritionists she has met over the years. Jessica is a big advocate for building healthy relationships with food rather than building restrictive attitudes towards it. When she isn’t eating or running she also enjoys practicing yoga in her free time as it helps her to unwind and benefits her performance in other sports.
Latest articles by Jessica Downey
I did 30 half kneeling kettlebell presses every day for a week — here's what happened
By Jessica Downey published
How to do a half kneeling kettlebell press and is it a good move for building upper body strength? Our writer put the press to the test and wrote about her experience.
I tried this 30-minute indoor walking workout — here's why it's perfect for the holidays
By Jessica Downey published
I tried an indoor walking workout instead of going to the gym and didn't expect to gain so much from it. Here's my full rundown.
Forget weights — it only takes 8 moves to sculpt your upper body and abs
By Jessica Downey published
These eight bodyweight exercises engage your abs and upper body muscles and can be practiced at home or the gym! Here's how to do them.
7 ways I'm surviving winter marathon training
By Jessica Downey published
Training for a marathon in winter is no easy feat. From staying on top of a training plan to staying safe in unpredictable conditions, here are my seven survival tips.
Garmin just rolled out a big update to its most popular watches — here’s all the new features
By Jessica Downey published
Garmin has released exciting new updates for some of its most popular devices including the Enduro, Epix, Fenix, Forerunner, Venu 3 and more.
I did the triangle pose every day for a week — here's what happened
By Jessica Downey published
Our writer performed the triangle pose for 90 seconds on each side of her body every day for one week. Here's her results and how to try it out.
Forget crunches — you just need this 4-move workout to build a stronger core and sculpt your abs
By Jessica Downey published
Level up your plank game and tighten your core with this simple routine
Forget the gym — this resistance band routine uses 7 moves to strengthen and sculpt your glutes
By Jessica Downey last updated
This lower body workout uses resistance bands and seven exercises to challenge and sculpt your glutes
R.A.D R-1 review: A new kid on the running shoe block
By Jessica Downey published
A review of the R.A.Ds R-1 running shoe - the new kid on the block offering up a cushioned, lightweight neutral shoe. Here's how we found testing it.
I switched to nasal breathing only while running a 5K — here’s what happened
By Jessica Downey published
Our fintess writer spoke to a nasal breathing expert and realized she could become a better runner if she adopted nose breathing. Here's what happened on her first nose-breathing 5K.
Forget sit-ups — you only need a pair of dumbbells and 7 exercises to sculpt your abs
By Jessica Downey published
Want to build a stronger core and sculpt your abs? These seven dumbbell exercises are a great place to start. Here's everything you need to know.
I drank the same smoothie as Tom Brady every morning for a week — here’s what happened to my body
By Jessica Downey published
What happens when you drink Tom Brady's favorite smoothie every morning? We tested it out for a week to see why the quarterback can't get enough of it
I ran a half marathon in these Lululemon running shorts and they’re 42% off for Black Friday
By Jessica Downey published
I've clocked many sweaty miles in these Lululemon running shorts and now they are on sale for $29 cheaper. Here's how to shop
Hip flexors: What are they, how to strengthen them and why you should
By Jessica Downey published
Explore the role of hip flexors and why exercising them can improve your mobility and exercise performance.
Forget pull-ups — it only takes 5 dumbbell exercises to sculpt your back and biceps
By Jessica Downey published
It's back and biceps day and here are five dumbbell exercises you won't want to miss
I test running vests for a living — here's 6 early Black Friday deals I'd recommend
By Jessica Downey published
We've spotted early Black Friday deals on a fine selection of running vests including savings on big brands like Salomon and CamelBak
9 ways to stay safe while running in the dark
By Jessica Downey published
Running in the dark is dangerous so here is a useful collection of practical tips to help runners minimize risks and stay safe during nighttime workouts
You only need a kettlebell and these 7 moves to train your entire body — here's how
By Jessica Downey published
No need to fret if you have little time to work out. You can strengthen and tone your entire body with just seven kettlebell exercises.
I did kettlebell hip marches every day for a week — here’s what happened to my body
By Jessica Downey published
Find out everything you need to know about kettlebell hip marches and what happens when you do them every day for a week
I did kettlebell side bends every day for a week — here's what happened to my abs
By Jessica Downey published
This is how to perform kettlebell side bends and my results after doing them every day for a week
I took a greens powder every day for 2 weeks — here’s what happened to my body
By Jessica Downey published
Greens powders are all the rage on social media but are the results really as good as the internet says they are? We found out
3 standing dumbbell exercises for building strong and defined shoulders
By Jessica Downey published
A minimal equipment workout for maximum upper body gains
Forget the gym — this 4-move dumbbell routine strengthens your upper body and core at the same time
By Jessica Downey last updated
You don't need the gym (or fancy equipment) at home to blast your upper body and core muscles — here's how.