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
![a photo of a woman stretching a resistance band behind her back](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zrAuQtFo2ecmePdNSYbnKd-320-80.jpg)
I ditched the gym and tried this back strengthening resistance band workout instead — here’s what happened to my upper body
By Jessica Downey published
I ditched the weights section of the gym for a resistance band and tried this this 8-move back strengthening routine. Here's what happened.
![a woman doing mountain climbers in a pink room](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/G3ZWDerHabmVxdiciUugr9-320-80.jpg)
Personal trainer shares a 14-minute HIIT workout to build muscle and burn fat
By Jessica Downey published
No equipment is needed, just you and this 14-minute HIIT circuit from Nike trainer, Naomi Heffernan.
![A collection of Nike running shoes arranged on grass in the sun](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MVSv4mDsj6YsPqFz2ESxTG-320-80.jpg)
The best Nike running shoes in 2024
By Jane McGuire, 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.
![Man lifting a heavy kettlebell using right arm in a half squat position during gym workout](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SRHfobqEogfcMYE5V5MF98-320-80.jpg)
Ditch the gym — you just need 1 kettlebell and this 5-move low-impact workout to build muscle all over
By Jessica Downey published
Grab a kettlebell and get ready to use this low-impact routine to build muscle, burn fat and improve your overall fitness.
![a photo of a man and woman performing plank shoulder taps](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LJhUKYCbCyxDbqNcR6zvT6-320-80.jpg)
Forget sit-ups — you only need 15 minutes and 8 moves to build a stronger core and improve your posture
By Jessica Downey published
Build strength, tone muscle and get fitter with this 8-move no equipment core workout.
![a photo of a woman doing a HIIT workout](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XjZKZtuatMvyJZxQ9MYT9a-320-80.jpg)
Best HIIT workouts for beginners you can do at home
By TJ Fink last updated
Get your heart pumping with these beginner HIIT workouts suitable for beginners and all levels.
![a photo of a man sat by a turbo trainer](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dJoYEUdZaaEZCF3sZrTRFA-320-80.jpg)
Best cycling indoor trainers 2024
By Dan Cavallari last updated
The best cycling indoor trainers to buy if you're looking to keep up with training all year round
![Shokz OpenSwim Pro on a hard surface](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tguMJJDDkCHQmGnuZkdiEW-320-80.jpg)
Best bone conduction headphones in 2024
By James Frew last updated
Our pick of the best bone conduction headphones are effective open-ear solutions designed to suit all kinds of activities and budgets.
![a photo of a woman's abs](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HuhHVEKJj2JxfPfrtppd4J-320-80.jpg)
Forget sit-ups — try this 5-move workout to sculpt your core
By Jessica Downey last updated
Tone, strengthen and challenge your core with this five-move no equipment workout.
![a woman performing dumbbell raises by a pool](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Rmf7kLkRwFeRu8a4wWZ8R4-320-80.jpg)
You don't need the gym to build stronger shoulders, just a pair of light dumbbells and these 7 upper-body moves
By Jessica Downey published
Find some light dumbbells and get ready to sculpt and strengthen your upper body with seven Barre inspired exercises.
![a man performing mountain climbers](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZC8f5M4ZyRhShqDF9e5BmK-320-80.jpg)
Forget weights — you only need 10 minutes and this 7-move workout to build full-body strength and muscle
By Jessica Downey published
This short strength-building workout targets the upper and lower body as well as the core muscles, helping to sculpt muscle all over.
![a pair of green Crocs on blue decking](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7EqQF3E3pSvPFRbuxgq6w9-320-80.jpg)
Amazon Prime Day Croc deals — 13 sales you can still get now from $19
By Jessica Downey last updated
Prime Day may be over but there are plenty of Prime Day Croc deals still to shop. Here are my favorite deals right now.
![A collection of waterproof headphones next to a swimming pool](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9qVK5cCT9s8ftTvZi4Mbd3-320-80.jpg)
We've tested the best waterproof headphones 2024 for motivational swim sessions
By Alice Barraclough last updated
Keep motivated on every stroke with a the best waterproof headphones to listen to music and podcasts while swimming.
![a photo of a woman doing a plank](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/P4ezHN7VXVuoKg6nNwqY8S-320-80.jpg)
Plank exercise: This is how long you should hold a plank for
By Jane McGuire last updated
How long do you need to hold a plank exercise to see results? It's not as long as you think.
![a photo of a member from the Tom's Guide team wearing the Shokz OpenRun Pro headphones](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MR773ryTwRbF7z4FMDjYGk-320-80.jpg)
Prime Day Shokz headphone deals — these are the best deals on my favorite bone conduction headphones
By Jessica Downey last updated
Shokz makes some of the best bone conduction headphones on the market and despite Prime Day having ended you can still save up to 31%.
![a woman in workout wear bending into a lunge with a Tom's Guide Prime Day deals badge above her](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/drKTXp6thr8ynKUQbWD3oP-320-80.jpg)
Amazon Prime Day leggings deals — 11 deals I'd buy now from Sweaty Betty, Nike, Adidas and more
By Jessica Downey last updated
The Prime Day deals on leggings are still going meaning there is still time to grab a brilliant deal from big brands including Sweaty Betty, Under Armour, and more.
![a photo of the Skechers Women's Hands Free Slip-ins Ultra Flex 3.0](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vTMiTRmSqwKg35mWPEWxF-320-80.jpg)
By Jessica Downey, Alyse Stanley last updated
Skechers shoes experienced some big reductions in the 2024 Amazon Prime sale event and many of them are still available to buy.
![Person tying their shoe lace](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HJ3JXDrbmRxKzJSQfwT6Rb-320-80.jpg)
I’m kitting myself out with these 7 running gear essentials for Prime Day — and you should too
By Jessica Downey published
From trainers to watches to vests and more, there are huge deals on my favorite running gear essentials during this year's Prime Day sale event.
![a photo of a woman doing a kneeling push-up](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/usbRupNmtTtChXNrG4XeGH-320-80.jpg)
Ditch the weights — this 8-move no jumping workout builds strength and boosts the metabolism without any equipment
By Jessica Downey published
No jumping, just eight bodyweight exercises to help you build strength and tone all over.
![a photo of a woman doing a kettlebell raise](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uvTjGyQ67eyR8HERQrnihg-320-80.jpg)
Strength coach shares a 6-move workout to sculpt your core — and all you need is 1 kettlebell
By Jessica Downey published
Sculpt your core muscle with a six-move kettlebell routine from strength coach, Teddy Savage.
![a photo of the Lenzyne Macro drive bike light: best bike lights](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3xHDjTdWBBPHxKVfFopSVA-320-80.jpg)
Best bike lights in 2024: Tested and reviewed
By Dan Cavallari last updated
The best bike lights we've tested, including the best front and rear bike lights to keep you safe, as well as the best bike light sets.
![Man performing a Russian twist outdoors with a medicine ball](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gnTkzdpDtoMRUMa8mqmSfK-320-80.jpg)
Russian twist: how to do it, and the benefits for your core
By Jane McGuire, Sam Hopes last updated
How to do a Russian twist, the benefits of Russian twists, and the best modifications to try.
![The Beats Powerbeats Pro charging case](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/A5sxwbCakgCSvUwGxb3ba6-320-80.jpg)
The best running headphones in 2024
By Nick Harris-fry last updated
I've tested the best running headphones to help you find a set that'll suit your training, last through even the longest sessions, and help you stay motivated on your run.