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 don’t need sit-ups to build core strength — use this 10-minute resistance band abs workout instead
By Jessica Downey published
These nine exercises target your core with the addition of a resistance band to promote muscle definition and growth.
You don't need the gym to build upper body muscle — just these 5 moves and a pair of dumbbells
By Jessica Downey published
Tone, strengthen and sculpt your key upper body muscles with these five dumbbell exercises.
This low-impact workout burns fat and sculpts your core in just 18 minutes
By Jessica Downey published
A low-impact workout to help burn fat and tone your core. Here's how to do it at home.
What running shoes were the Paris Marathon 2024 winners wearing?
By Jessica Downey published
What shoes were the winners of the Paris Marathon 2024 wearing? Here's the shoe both the men's and women's winners had on their feet.
This 7-move stretching routine increases your range of motion and boosts your recovery
By Jessica Downey published
Just five minutes of post-exercise stretching can help improve flexibility, reduce muscle soreness, and enhance recovery. Why not try these seven stretches after your next workout?
Forget pull-ups — this dumbbell workout builds your shoulders and biceps in just 5 moves
By Jessica Downey published
If it’s upper body day for you, this five move dumbbell routine will target your biceps and shoulders. You’ll not only add definition to your upper body but you’ll also stimulate muscle growth.
Forget the gym — sculpt your lower body muscle with just a resistance band and 7 moves
By Jessica Downey published
You don’t need lots of equipment to strengthen your lower body. Resistance bands are a great tool for building muscle and this 7-move workout is a great place to begin.
I did an 8-minute hip mobility routine every day for a week — here’s what happened
By Jessica Downey published
We need hip mobility to maintain optimal range of motion, prevent injury, and support proper posture. Here's what happened when our writer did an 8-minute mobility routine every day for a week.
Forget weights — just use these 5 bodyweight moves to sculpt your upper body
By Jessica Downey last updated
Here's no-equipment routine that offers an excellent way to tone and strengthen your upper body wherever you are.
You only need 5 moves and 1 kettlebell to develop full-body strength — here’s how
By Jessica Downey published
These five kettlebell exercises target muscles all over your body for a more time-efficient way to workout.
I cycled around Düsseldorf on the Orbea Diem — and it completely changed my opinion on e-bikes
By Jessica Downey last updated
I spent a day cycling around Dusseldorf on Orbea’s latest e-bike, the Diem. Here’s my honest thoughts.
You don’t need the gym to sculpt your abs — just try this 5-move dumbbell routine
By Jessica Downey last updated
Try these five ab exercises to tone and strengthen your core.
I spent a week running with the Veja Condor 3 and I was amazed by their comfort
By Jessica Downey published
We put the Veja Condor 3 to the test to see how this eco-conscious designed shoe fares up on the roads.
Forget planks — you only need 10 minutes and a pair of dumbbells to build a stronger core
By Jessica Downey published
Combining bodyweight and dumbbell exercises, you'll tone and strengthen your core in just 10 minutes.
You don’t need the gym to build a stronger chest — just a pair of dumbbells and these 5 moves
By Jessica Downey published
Build your chest muscle with this five move dumbbell routine.
I tried a week of gratitude runs to boost my well-being — here's 3 ways it changed my training
By Jessica Downey published
I tried practicing gratitude while running instead of looking at my fitness tracker and it was a game changer.
Forget sit-ups — build core muscle with this 4-move foam roller workout
By Jessica Downey published
Try a different way of working your abs today and learn how to incorporate a foam roller into your core strengthening routine.
Strava's latest update adds more performance data for cyclists — here's what's new
By Jessica Downey published
Strava has just announced it is adding Best Efforts for Ride — enabling cyclists to access deeper insights on their performance.
You don’t need weights to build strength and burn fat — just these 7 body weight moves
By Jessica Downey published
You can build strength and torch fat with this simple seven move no equipment workout. Ready? Let's go.
Drop the barbell — you just need 4 moves and a pair of dumbbells to sculpt your upper body
By Jessica Downey published
This bicep and tricep routine shows just how simple yet effective an upper body session can be. Here's how to complete this four move dumbbell workout.
You don’t need the gym to build upper body muscle — just a set of dumbbells and this 6-move shoulder workout
By Jessica Downey published
You only need 6 exercises and a pair of dumbbells to build upper body strength and muscle in your shoulders. Here's how.
Forget sit-ups — you just need a pair of dumbbells and 6 moves to sculpt your abs
By Jessica Downey published
This is an all standing dumbbell workout, meaning you don't need to lie on the floor to train your core.
I tried this 6-minute mobility routine as soon as I woke up instead of hitting the snooze button — here's what happened
By Jessica Downey published
I don’t always feel like working out as soon as I wake up so I tried completing a six minute mobility routine instead. Here’s what happened.
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