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
Best running watches of 2024
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.
Forget planks — this 5-move workout sculpts your core in only 12 minutes
By Jessica Downey last updated
This plank workout will help build, tone and strengthen your core and abs without any equipment — here's how.
How to increase the battery life on your smartwatch
By Jessica Downey published
Your smartwatch is of no use to you when it’s on charge so here are 7 things you can do to preserve your smartwatch’s battery life better.
No, not pull-ups — you just need 2 dumbbells and 10 minutes to strengthen your shoulders
By Jessica Downey published
Spare 10 minutes, grab a set of dumbbells and start strengthening your shoulders with these seven moves.
The best Nike running shoes in 2024
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 shoes 2024, according to our testing
By Jessica Downey, Jane McGuire last updated
These are the best running shoes on the market right now for men and women based on our testing and reviews.
You only need 2 dumbbells and 6 moves to build full-body muscle and boost your metabolism
By Jessica Downey published
This short routine is designed to work muscles all over your body, engage your core, and raise your heart rate to boost your metabolism with just a pair of weights.
No, not the gym — you can build core strength and sculpt your abs with just your bodyweight and these 4 moves
By Jessica Downey published
Follow trainer Lisa Lanceford's four move bodyweight routine to build s stronger core and sculpt your abs.
My Garmin watch alerted me to a heart issue I didn’t know I had — here’s how
By Jessica Downey published
I found out I had an irregular heart beat thanks to my Garmin watch — here’s what happened.
I ran a marathon with the Shokz OpenRun Pro bone conduction headphones — and they're 31% off right now for Prime Day
By Jessica Downey published
I couldn't have picked a better pair of headphones to wear for my marathon this year and right now they are $55 in the Amazon Prime sale event!
These are the 7 yoga mats and accessories I recommend for beginners this Prime Day
By Jessica Downey published
We've rounded up the yoga equipment you'll need to take up yoga and thanks to Prime Day you can shop some for less!
Amazon October Prime Day Croc deals — 15 deals you can get right now from $17
By Jessica Downey last updated
Prime Day ends today but you still have time to pick up a new pair of comfortable, customizable shoes with the Prime Day Crocs deals.
Run, don’t walk! One of our favorite carbon fiber running shoes is 47% off for October Prime Day
By Jessica Downey published
The Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 running shoe is marked down to $120 in the October Prime Day deals. Here's how you can scoop up this deal before it's too late!
We ran 55 miles in the Brooks Glycerin Max and it’s a shoe that delivers both comfort and energy return
By Jessica Downey, Nick Harris-fry published
The Brooks Glycerin Max features Brooks's highest stack height to date. Here’s what happened when we put the Glycerin Max to the test.
You don’t need the gym to build muscle all over and strengthen your core — try this 30-minute full-body dumbbell workout instead
By Jessica Downey published
Build and sculpt muscle across your entire body and tighten your core with this 30-minute trainer led dumbbell routine.
Ditch sit-ups — this 5-move abs workout builds core strength and improves your posture in just 10 minutes
By Jessica Downey published
This ab workout from trainer Kayla Itsines is little on time but big on building strong results.
Best women’s running shoes 2024: tried, tested, reviewed
By Jane McGuire last updated
The best women's running shoes we've tested, including designs from Nike, New Balance, Brooks, Saucony and more.
The best running sunglasses 2024
By Jennifer Rizzuto last updated
Protect your eyes from the sun, bright skies and debris with a pair of the best running sunglasses. These are our top picks from testing dozens of pairs on the market.
The best running belts 2024
By Hollie Sick last updated
These are the best running belts we've tested that keep important items safe without obstructing your running experience.
Forget the gym — you only need these 5 moves to become faster, fitter and stronger
By Jessica Downey last updated
Improve your power and strength without any equipment — just use these five plyometric exercises.
Ditch the weights — this resistance band workout will build lower body strength and improve your mobility in just 20 minutes
By Jessica Downey published
This 20 minute trainer led workout walks you through a strength building routine for your lower body.
Strava just released a new feature and it’s available to all users — 5 things you can now change with Quick Edit
By Jessica Downey published
Quick Edits will allow all Strava users to instantly adjust activity details such as adding in images, adjusting who can view it, hiding the map and more.
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.
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