James Frew
James is Tom’s Guide’s Fitness Editor, covering strength training workouts, cardio exercise, and accessible ways to improve your health and wellbeing. His interest in fitness started over 10 years ago after being diagnosed with a chronic illness.
To help manage the symptoms, he began focusing on strengthening his core, taking regular walks around the city, and practicing meditation. He also invested in fitness trackers, home workout equipment, and yoga mats to find accessible ways to train without the gym.
Before joining the team at Tom’s Guide, James was the Fitness Editor at Fit&Well, where he covered beginner-friendly exercise routines, affordable ways to boost your wellbeing, and reviewed weights, rowing machines, and workout headphones.
He believes that exercise should be something you enjoy doing, so appreciates the challenge of finding ways to incorporate it into everyday life through short muscle-building sessions, regular meditation, and early morning walks.
James’ work has appeared in Live Science, Happiness, and consumer technology sites like MakeUseOf, Lifewire, and Blocks Decoded. He has reviewed headphones, fitness trackers, and smartwatches, covered events like the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), IFA, and Black Hat Europe, and was named Muck Rack’s Featured Journalist in February 2021.
He was a regular contributor to the Really Useful Podcast and a co-host for the Blocks Decoded podcast, and spent five years as a Listening Volunteer for the UK-based mental health charity Samaritans. Outside of work, you’ll find him out on long dog walks, listening to podcasts, and excitedly checking out each week's New Music Friday releases.
Latest articles by James Frew
You only need 1 kettlebell and 6 moves to build full-body muscle with this strength-training workout
By James Frew published
This short kettlebell workout is designed to build muscle all over, engage your core, and develop your mind-muscle connection with a single weight in just 28 minutes.
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.
We've tested the best cheap running headphones for exercise on a budget
By James Frew last updated
These cheap running headphones make an excellent companion, whether you're into casual jogs, speed training or marathons.
Forget sit-ups — build a stronger core and boost your balance with this 25-minute standing abs workout
By James Frew published
This bodyweight standing abs workout is designed to strengthen your core, boost your balance, and improve your posture with several no-equipment moves in just 25 minutes.
Build muscle all over and boost your metabolism in just 40 minutes with this full-body dumbbell workout
By James Frew published
This short dumbbell workout is designed to strengthen muscles all over your body, develop your core, and boost your metabolism in just 40 minutes with a single pair of weights.
The best running headphones in 2024
By James Frew last updated
We'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.
Best Skechers shoes in 2024
By Jane McGuire last updated
We've tested the best Skechers shoes to help you find the right pair for your next walk, training session, or run.
We've tested the best exercise bikes to help you boost your fitness at home
By James Frew last updated
review The best exercise machines are designed to work muscles all over your body, get your heart pumping, and boost your metabolism without leaving the house.
We've trained with the best sports watches for tracking your outdoor workouts
By Jane McGuire last updated
The best sports watches have GPS built-in, long battery life, and plenty of fitness and heart-tracking sensors to record your training.
The best blue light blocking glasses in 2024
By Kate Kozuch last updated
We put the best blue light blocking glasses to the test to see which are most comfortable, durable, stylish, and easy to see through to help you find the right set for your eyes.
Build stronger arms and work your core with this 30-minute upper-body dumbbell workout
By James Frew published
This short, high-intensity session is designed to strengthen your upper body, engage your core muscles, raise your heart rate and boost your metabolism — all you need is a set of dumbbells.
Best headphones and earbuds for working out 2024 — tested and rated
By James Frew last updated
We put the best workout headphones to the test to help you find a set that'll keep you motivated whatever your training style.
Forget weights — this 7-move Chris Hemsworth resistance band workout builds full-body muscle
By James Frew published
This short seven-move session is designed to work muscles all over your body, strengthen your core, and boost your heart rate in just 15 minutes without a dumbbell in sight.
I tried a calming mindful yoga practice, and the results were surprising
By James Frew last updated
After turning to home workouts for the past few years, returning to the studio reminded me of how much I missed a regular yoga practice and how good it made me feel.
I ditched Spotify for Apple Music for working out — here’s what happened
By James Frew published
Music can be a great motivator, but which streaming service is best for fitness playlists? I gave them both a try to see whether Apple Music or Spotify's workout tracks came out on top.
Forget sit-ups — build core strength and improve your posture with this 10-minute abs workout
By James Frew published
This short bodyweight session strengthens your core, boosts your balance, and raises your heart rate for a metabolism-boosting, muscle-building workout you can do from anywhere.
Forget fitness trackers — Sennheiser's new sport earbuds track your heart rate through your ears
By James Frew published
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM Sport earbuds combine the company's famous audio quality with fitness tracking smarts to help you stay motivated and boost your workout performance.
Forget weights — work your core and build stronger arms and shoulders with this 8-move TRX workout
By James Frew published
This short workout is designed to strengthen your core and build upper body muscle without weights using just your body weight and a pair of TRX straps.
Best treadmills for indoor running and walking workouts 2024
By Jane McGuire last updated
We've tested the best treadmills for indoor workouts and low-impact walks to help you move your body and boost your cardio fitness at home.
Build full-body muscle and core strength in just 8 moves with this dumbbell and kettlebell workout
By James Frew published
Two dumbbells, two kettlebells, and 8 moves to build muscle all over
Best Fitbit 2024: Pick the perfect fitness tracker based on our testing
By James Frew last updated
Which is the best Fitbit to help you achieve your goals? We'll help you pick a fitness tracker with the best features in 2024 for the money.
The best trail running shoes for men and women in 2024
By Jane McGuire last updated
We put the best trail running shoes to the test to help you find a comfortable, durable, supportive pair for your next off-road run.
16 moves, 8 minutes, and no equipment: strengthen your whole body and boost metabolism with this workout
By James Frew published
Work muscles all over, no weights required