Lois Mackenzie

Lois Mackenzie

Fitness writer

Lois Mackenzie is a fitness writer working on news, features, reviews and buying guides for Coach and sister site Fit&Well.


Lois is an avid runner, hill walker and has just completed her first marathon. She can often be seen sporting her trusty waist lead as she runs the streets of Glasgow with her two dogs in tow. 

Lois’s love of the outdoors comes from growing up in the Western Isles and, when not writing, spends her time exploring Scotland’s many beaches or (slowly) bagging Munros. 


She studied at the University of Aberdeen where she attained a master’s degree in English literature, followed by a master’s in digital journalism at Strathclyde University.


Lois was previously a senior SEO reporter at Newsquest Media Group covering breaking news and sport, trends and lifestyle as well as producing buying guides across more than 200 local newspapers. 

Latest articles by Lois Mackenzie

View of a woman's lower legs performing a calf raise
I Tried These Four Exercises For Weak Knees And Mine Feel Stronger Already

By Lois Mackenzie Published

Strengthen the muscles around the joint to keep knee pain at bay

Leg Exercises
Woman balancing on one foot
I Tried These Foot And Ankle Strengthening Moves For Runners And The Results Surprised Me

By Lois Mackenzie Published

Incorporating Victoria Sekely’s series of foot and ankle exercises into my marathon training was totally worth it

Running
Man performing high kicks in an outdoor exercise class
This Five-Minute Full-Body Warm-Up Is My New Workout Non-Negotiable

By Lois Mackenzie Published

Save this routine and use it before your next gym workout

Workouts
Woman performs weighted sit-up
I Tried This Short Abs Workout And I Felt The Benefit In Just 10 Minutes

By Lois Mackenzie Published

When life got in the way of a trip to the gym, I used this short session instead and it’s become a new favorite

Abs Workouts
Woman performs a lunge while holding dumbbells in a home
It Takes Just Two Dumbbells And 30 Minutes To Build Strength All Over And Burn Fat

By Lois Mackenzie Published

Use dumbbells to even out your strength gains with this full-body workout from Roxanne Russell

Dumbbell Workouts
Woman performs kettlebell swing
No Squats, No Lunges, But I Still Found This Six-Move Workout For Runners Effective

By Lois Mackenzie Published

I tried this short strength-building routine from Tanya Poppett and it was a refreshing break from the norm

Running
Man performing sit-up
Crunches Vs Sit-Ups: Which Is Better For Strengthening Your Abs?

By Lois Mackenzie Published

Both the crunch and sit-up train your rectus abdominus, so does it matter which you use?

Abs Exercises
Woman performs dead bug exercise as trainer looks on
How To Do The Dead Bug Exercise

By Nick Harris-Fry Last updated

Develop core strength and stability with this simple balancing bodyweight exercise

Core Exercises
Woman performs reverse crunch lying on her back in her living room
How To Do The Reverse Crunch

By Nick Harris-Fry Last updated

Flip the classic crunch for a more effective abs exercise

Abs Exercises
Man performs flutter kicks exercise
How To Do Flutter Kicks

By Nick Harris-Fry Last updated

Target your lower abs with this challenging bodyweight exercise

Abs Exercises
Woman performs bicycle crunch exercise
How To Do A Bicycle Crunch To Get The Best Results

By Nick Harris-Fry Last updated

Strengthen your abs and obliques, and boost your coordination and stability with this simple bodyweight exercise

Abs Exercises
Man performs Russian twist exercise using a medicine ball
How To Do The Russian Twist And Build A Strong Core

By Nick Harris-Fry Last updated

This rotational move works your obliques and entire core to give you a strong foundation for all sports

Core Exercises
Woman performs dead bug exercise on an exercise mat next to a sofa
How To Do The Bird-Dog Exercise

By Nick Harris-Fry Last updated

Improve stability and relieve back pain with this simple core exercise

Core Exercises
A runner with knee pain sits on a bench holding her knee
I Run Five Times A Week And These Two Physio-Approved Knee Exercises Are Now A Staple Of My Routine

By Lois Mackenzie Published

I take the threat of knee pain seriously, so I took preventive action

Leg Exercises
SiS Blackcurrent gel
Quick Runners! Stock Up On Our Recommended Running Gel Before Prime Day Ends

By Lois Mackenzie Published

With 20% off SiS running gels now’s a great time to buy in bulk, but be quick—the Prime Day sale ends tonight

Supplements
Aonijie Hydration Vest worn by the author
This Viral TikTok Running Vest Is Reduced For Prime Day—Here’s Why I Love It

By Lois Mackenzie Published

You can get the TikTok viral running vest on Amazon Prime Day sales.

Running Gear
Woman halfway thought the walking plank movement
Three Bodyweight Moves Are All You Need For An Effective Abs Routine

By Lois Mackenzie Published

I tried Kira Stokes’s straightforward routine and I’ll be coming back for more

Abs Workouts
Woman performs lateral lunge in gym
I Tried This Five-Move Leg Day Warm-Up And My Workout Felt 10 Times Better

By Lois Mackenzie Published

Get ready to lunge and squat with this warm-up routine from Krissy Cela

Leg Workouts
Woman stands holding dumbbells in a gym, people are working out behind her
I Tried This 12-Minute Dumbbell Sweat And Felt The Burn In My Legs And Core For Hours Afterwards

By Lois Mackenzie Published

This HIIT workout from Bradley Simmonds is short, intense and highly effective

Dumbbell Workouts
The writer using Garmin LiveTrack during a run
Why I Use Garmin LiveTrack On All My Runs And How To Set It Up

By Lois Mackenzie Published

Garmin’s useful safety feature can also help friends and family track where you are on your run or ride

Fitness Trackers
Man performs squat in his living room, holding dumbbells by his shoulders
It Takes Just Two Dumbbells And Six Moves To Build Leg Strength

By Lois Mackenzie Published

Trainer Kirra O’Brien demonstrates her effective lower-body dumbbell routine for strong quads and calves

Dumbbell Workouts
Woman performs Romanian deadlift using a kettlebell
I Tried This 15-Minute Knee-Friendly Workout To Strengthen My Legs

By Lois Mackenzie Published

I had a knee niggle, but still wanted to keep training, so I turned to this lower-body strength workout which avoids squats and lunges

Leg Workouts
Woman performs Russian twist exercise at home using a kettlebell
You Only Need One Kettlebell And These 10 Moves To Build Core Strength

By Lois Mackenzie Published

Roxanne Russell guides us through her short but effective kettlebell core workout

Core Workouts
Runners cross Tower Bridge during The 2023 London Marathon
London Marathon Reveals Ballot Result Date For 2024 Race

By Lois Mackenzie Published

More than half a million London Marathon hopefuls will soon have the answer they’ve been waiting for as the ballot result date for the 2024 race is revealed

Running
Woman performing abs exercise in gym
This 15-Minute Abs Routine Humbled Me With Just Three Bodyweight Moves

By Lois Mackenzie Published

It’s simple to add this abs routine to your next workout, but will you find it easy?

Abs Workouts
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