Ally Head
Ally Head is Marie Claire UK's Senior Health and Sustainability Editor, a nine-time marathoner, and a Boston Qualifying runner. With eight years of editorial experience under her belt, she has a keen eye for a story, a passion for digital journalism, and is always innovating and pushing boundaries with how online content should be delivered to ensure her pillars are consistent top performers. Day-to-day, she manages a team of freelancers and works across site strategy, features, and e-commerce, overseeing all health and sustainability content, commissioning strategy, and reporting, and managing MC UK's yearly Women in Sport campaign and shoots, too. She regularly hosts panels and presents for events such as the MC Sustainability Awards alongside presenting for her two regular franchises, Decoded and Wellness Wins. The first is an Instagram franchise where she interviews fitness royalty including the likes of Kayla Itsines, Jillian Michaels, and Doctor Julie Smith in front of millions of followers, and her newest addition, Wellness Wins, shines a spotlight on the latest must-try wellness products that she's genuinely tried and loved. Before joining MC, she freelanced for the likes of Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Grazia, The Telegraph, Refinery29, Stylist, Good Housekeeping, and more. Prior to that, she was headhunted to lead digital strategy at Foodism. Her first ever journalism job was at Women's Health, where she worked for three years and headed up their nutrition content, cutting through the clean eating noise and enlisting qualified dieticians and nutritionists to give their take on everything from protein shakes, to probiotic gut health supplements. She's won a BSME award for her work on Sustainability and scooped a Spirit of Hearst award in 2018, too. She has an MA in Magazine Journalism from City University and a BA in English Language from the University of Birmingham. While at Birmingham, she was Head of Marketing for student radio station Burn FM and Travel Editor at the student newspaper, Redbrick, winning Article of the Year for a long read about living in New York in 2015. When she's not writing, she's training for her next race or hunting down a good pastry. Follow Ally on Instagram for more.
Latest articles by Ally Head
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Being outside is one of the most effective ways to boost calm - 4 invaluable lessons I learnt from an off-grid weekend
It's a busy time of year - but sometimes, all it takes to boost calm is to step outside.
By Ally Head
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8 Christmas workouts personal trainers swear are quick, effective, and most importantly, fun
Bookmark these for when it gets busy.
By Ally Head
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I'm a wellness enthusiast—62 gifts guaranteed to boost self care and make your loved ones smile this festive season
So good you'll want them for yourself, too.
By Ally Head
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Keen to shop with a conscience this Christmas? 41 ethical gifts our Editors recommend
Take a considered approach this holiday season.
By Ally Head
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As someone who works out five times a week, Sweaty Betty kit has long been a go-to - and now is a great time to shop the brand
Kit that lasts the long run.
By Ally Head
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I've tested thousands of items of fit kit in my time - lululemon always comes out tops and you won't get it at a better price than RN
Kit that feels like a second skin.
By Ally Head
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I'm a Health Editor who runs marathons for fun - these are officially the 20 best gym leggings you can buy
I've tested thousands and these are, hands down, the best.
By Ally Head
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We've tried every item from the lululemon Align range - and thanks to a rare discount, I've never seen it as affordable
Tried and tested.
By Ally Head
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I was fully prepared to call the trending TikTok walking pad a fad, but it's seriously improved my fitness
Trust me on this one.
By Ally Head
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We're ruthlessly picky Editors - meet the wellness products we *actually* recommend to family and friends
These ones come Editor-approved.
By Ally Head
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Wondering if Adanola is having a Black Friday sale? We've asked the brand - plus, my must-buy items, as a Health Editor
Easily one of my go-to's for athleisurewear.
By Ally Head
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Feeling run down? 6 exercise moves that a trainer swears by to relieve tension and boost calm during busy periods
And... breathe.
By Ally Head
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On the hunt for the best protein powder for women? 10 a Health Editor uses to boost satiety and build muscle
Let the gains, begin.
By Ally Head
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I'm a Health Editor who tests running trainers for a living: this is officially my pick of the best
Don't be confused by the jargon - we've tried 100's of trainers and these are the ones worth investing in.
By Ally Head
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As it's revealed gynaecological waitlists have doubled in the UK, we ask - why are female health diagnoses taking so long?
New BBC stats show a staggering three-quarters of a million women's health appointments are still waiting to happen.
By Ally Head
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I test leggings for a living - these are the 16 best pairs of high waisted gym leggings you can currently buy
That won't roll down, sag, or cut you in half.
By Ally Head
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Ever wondered which is more effective: weekend or weekday workouts? PT's share the definitive answer
Are you team weekdays or weekends?
By Ally Head
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Wellness Wins: I always thought acupressure was a bit woo woo - but the Yogi Bare mat is a total recovery game-changer
I can't recommend it enough.
By Ally Head
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Two thirds of women exercise less during winter - 9 simple ways to stay on track
If you're feeling demotivated or unsafe.
By Ally Head
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How to cope with bad news — 4 expert tips for dealing with distressing global events
You may not be able to change the situation, but you can change the way you react.
By Ally Head
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I'm a 9x marathon runner who works out five times a week - 6 tips for making winter training enjoyable
Trust me - these are game-changing.
By Ally Head
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Workout leggings with pockets are game-changing - I test kit for a living and these are, hands down, the 13 best pairs
Starting from £14.99.
By Ally Head
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I'm a world-renowned gut health doctor - 5 surprising foods that might be triggering painful bloating this autumn
The more you know...
By Ally Head
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I've worked in the health industry for ten years - and I can safely say I'd avoid these 6 fitness trends at all costs
Trust me on this one.
By Ally Head
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A top expert answers - can you do Pilates effectively at home without spending money on equipment?
The question you've all been asking.
By Ally Head
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I'm the first to ignore viral fitness trends - but, as a Health Editor, can't stress how much I'm loving the Winter Arc challenge
This one gets my seal of approval.
By Ally Head
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Trust me, I'm a personal trainer - these are the foolproof ways to make your resistance band workouts even more effective
You're welcome.
By Ally Head