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

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.

What to eat before a marathon according to an endurance sports nutritionist
By Jessica Downey published
Endurance sports nutritionist, James LeBaigue, shares when you should start adjusting your diet before a marathon and how best to do it.

How to track your sleep with a Garmin watch
By Jessica Downey published
If you want to get a better night's rest, learning how to track your sleep with a Garmin wearable can offer actionable insights to improve your sleep.

Forget barbells — you need just 1 dumbbell and 6 moves to build bigger glutes
By Jessica Downey last updated
You don't need big fancy gym equipment to build glute muscle, a pair of dumbbells will do the job. Here's how.

Forget sit-ups — this 5-move Pilates routine sculpts your core in just 7 minutes
By Jessica Downey last updated
This Pilates workout uses 5 exercises to strengthen the core and requires no equipment. Just roll out a mat and you're good to go!

Forget the gym — chisel your upper body with just a kettlebell and 5 exercises
By Jessica Downey published
Build upper body muscle with just 1 kettlebell and 5 moves.

Forget squats — this 20-minute dumbbell workout strengthens your lower body in just 4 moves
By Jessica Downey published
Four dumbbell moves to build a stronger lower body — and they don't involve squats.

I’ve been training with electrolytes for the past year — here’s how it’s made me a better runner
By Jessica Downey published
Why do runners take electrolytes? Our fitness writer decided to put training with electrolytes to the test for a year

You don’t need the gym to build a stronger core and upper body — just a pair of dumbbells and 6 moves
By Jessica Downey published
This six-move routine will strengthen your core and upper body muscles with just a set of dumbbells

What is Zone 2 training?
By Jessica Downey published
Zone 2 is one of five heart rate zones you can enter when exercising. But what does this mean for your fitness and how can you benefit from zone 2 training?

Forget the gym — this yoga-inspired workout builds a stronger core and arms in just 5 moves
By Jessica Downey published
This yoga-style workout is a great way to strengthen your arms and core without weights.

7 ways to become a better treadmill runner according to a Peloton Tread instructor
By Jessica Downey published
Peloton Instructor Jermain Johnson shares seven top tips for becoming a better treadmill runner.

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!
Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox.
Here at Tom’s Guide our expert editors are committed to bringing you the best news, reviews and guides to help you stay informed and ahead of the curve!