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
Forget crunches — these 5 standing dumbbell exercises build stronger abs
By Jessica Downey published
This all standing workout strengthens your core without any planks or crunches. You just need a pair of dumbbells!
Forget the gym — you just need a pair of dumbbells and 6 exercises to build lower body muscle
By Jessica Downey published
This minimal equipment workout will help to strengthen your lower body and build muscle in your legs and glutes.
You don’t need the gym to build upper body muscle — just 8 exercises and a set of dumbbells
By Jessica Downey published
This eight move workout is designed to build and strengthen muscle, and all you need is a set of dumbbell to train with.
You don’t need crunches to build a stronger core — just 10 minutes and 5 exercises
By Jessica Downey published
The ideal core workout for when you're short on time.
Forget the gym — you just need a pair of dumbbells and 6 exercises to build full-body muscle
By Jessica Downey published
This workout simply uses your body weight and a pair of dumbbells to build and strengthen muscle all over.
Merrell's sale is here — 5 deals I'd buy right now starting at $7
By Jessica Downey published
Merrell's semi-annual sale has begun and you can save up to 50% off on some of its best hiking and outdoor wear.
I boosted my exercise recovery with heat and cold therapy — here’s what happened
By Jessica Downey published
Heat and cold therapy is rising in popularity, boasting various physical and mental health benefits. Our writer gave it a go, here's what she found.
I use these 5 strength exercises for runners to boost my training and avoid injury
By Jessica Downey published
Our writer who is in the thick of marathon training swears by these five strength exercises. Here's why they benefit her running.
I tried a 15-minute wall Pilates workout — here are my honest thoughts
By Jessica Downey published
Working with a wall in Pilates adds both stability and resistance to your training, and it’s free. But does it offer a good workout? Our writer put it to the test.
Forget the gym — you just need a pair of dumbbells and 5 exercises to sculpt your shoulders
By Jessica Downey published
Strengthen your upper body with this five exercise shoulder pump — grab some dumbbells and you're good to go.
Forget weights — this bodyweight workout strengthens your abs in just 7 moves
By Jessica Downey published
This equipment-free workout helps strengthen your midsection, improve your posture, and build your abs, all without a dumbbell in sight.
You don't need weights to build a stronger core, just this 4-move bodyweight workout
By Jessica Downey published
This short routine works your midsection with three rounds of bodyweight exercise for building a stronger and more defined core.
I got two personal bests in these Hoka running shoes and they're 20% off right now
By Jessica Downey published
I've run PBs in the Hoka Kawana, and right now they are discounted by $28. Here's how to get your hands on this deal.
I tried exercise snacking every day for a week — here are 3 ways it changed my workouts
By Jessica Downey published
It's free, you don't need a lot of time, and it makes you feel good — why wouldn't you want to try it?
Forget shin pain — follow these 3 tips for a pain-free running experience
By Jessica Downey published
Three tips to help prevent shin splints while running.
I did 50 kettlebell upright rows every day for a week — here’s what happened
By Jessica Downey last updated
Are you a fan of upright rows? Here’s what happened when one of our writers tried completing 50 of them with a kettlebell every day for a week.
Forget crunches — this 6-move dumbbell workout strengthens your core and builds full-body muscle
By Jessica Downey published
Grab some dumbbells and try these six exercises to train your core and build muscle all over.
5 things I wish had known before getting my first road bike
By Jessica Downey published
Our writer shares some valuable tips she has learned since buying her first road bike.
I did 75 banded mountain climbers every day for a week — here’s my results
By Jessica Downey published
Mountain climbers are a great exercise for building core muscle. Here’s what happened when we tried adding a resistance band to the exercise.
How to warm up for a run — 5 running coach-approved exercises
By Jessica Downey published
We spoke to elite runner and run coach, Helen Gaunt, to find out how to warm up for a run the best way possible. Here are her five essential exercises she does before a run.
Forget big weights — all you need is 1 kettlebell and 20 minutes to build lower body muscle
By Jessica Downey published
Strengthen your legs, boost your lower body muscle, and improve your posture in just 20 minutes.
Wandrer helped gamify my running, and I think I prefer it to Strava
By Jessica Downey published
Our fitness writer found a running game that rewards you for conquering new miles. Here’s why she thinks it makes running more fun.
5 ways to avoid running injuries, according to a world class physiotherapist
By Jessica Downey published
Runners, here are five ways you can injury proof your body and reach your full potential while running, according physiotherapist Helen O'Leary.