Alex Hutchinson - The Globe and Mail

Alex Hutchinson

FreelanceJockology columnist

jockology@globeandmail.com http://alexhutchinson.net

Alex Hutchinson writes about the science of fitness, exercise, and health. A former national-team distance runner and postdoctoral physicist, he is the author of the 2018 book Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance. He is also a contributing editor at Outside magazine.

21

Years in Journalism

Education

Ph.D., University of Cambridge

M.S., Journalism, Columbia University

B.Sc., Honours, Physics, McGill University

Honours & Awards

National Newspaper Award (Canada)

National Magazine Award, silver (Canada)

National Magazine Award (U.S.)

Lowell Thomas Award for Travel Writing

Latest articles

February 9, 2026

SMART goals make intuitive sense but are not a good fit for everyone, says one researcher.

SMART goals make intuitive sense but are not a good fit for everyone, says one researcher.

The problem with ‘SMART’ fitness goals

3 min read

December 23, 2025

Fitness trends to watch in 2026

3 min read

December 3, 2025

Posters with the slogan "Get Your Red On" outside the McGill University athletic centre in Montreal on Tuesday, November 13, 2018. (Dario Ayala / The Globe and Mail)

Posters with the slogan "Get Your Red On" outside the McGill University athletic centre in Montreal on Tuesday, November 13, 2018. (Dario Ayala / The Globe and Mail)

opinion

McGill University should rethink the gutting of its varsity sports programs

Alex Hutchinson

6 min read

October 14, 2025

Hyrox’s ‘hybrid athletes’ compete in fitness races that combine running, strength training and endurance.

Hyrox’s ‘hybrid athletes’ compete in fitness races that combine running, strength training and endurance.

Strength and endurance may not be enemies after all

3 min read

September 22, 2025

New Zealander trailer Ruth Kroft competes in the 22nd edition of the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) a 174km trail race crossing France, Italy and Switzerland in Chamonix, south-eastern France, on August 29, 2025. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP) (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD/AFP via Getty Images)

New Zealander trailer Ruth Kroft competes in the 22nd edition of the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) a 174km trail race crossing France, Italy and Switzerland in Chamonix, south-eastern France, on August 29, 2025. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP) (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD/AFP via Getty Images)

What ultra-endurance athletes know about coping with pain

3 min read

August 4, 2025

Woman on fitness mat eating healthy vegan salad after workout. Vegan diet and sport concept.

Woman on fitness mat eating healthy vegan salad after workout. Vegan diet and sport concept.

How nutrition can accelerate your post-exercise recovery

4 min read

July 16, 2025

Runners jog along Toronto’s waterfront as wildfire smoke rolls into the city on June 6, 2025. (Sammy Kogan/The Globe and Mail)

Runners jog along Toronto’s waterfront as wildfire smoke rolls into the city on June 6, 2025. (Sammy Kogan/The Globe and Mail)

How to exercise when wildfire smoke causes poor air quality

Alex Hutchinson

4 min read

June 15, 2025

Many people associate fibre with breakfast cereals, but you can get it in all kinds of food.

Many people associate fibre with breakfast cereals, but you can get it in all kinds of food.

Athletes and exercisers shouldn’t avoid fibre, despite what you may have heard

3 min read

May 16, 2025

opinion

We should turn off GPS – it’s a no-brainer

Alex Hutchinson

7 min read

May 4, 2025

New research suggests that activities that make kids think fast are good for their brains.

New research suggests that activities that make kids think fast are good for their brains.

The best sports for kids’ brain growth are ‘open-skill’ like soccer and baseball, says major new study

3 min read

March 23, 2025

Group of women running down gravel road. Achilles heel injury

Group of women running down gravel road. Achilles heel injury

Why the Achilles tendon is the secret to running prowess

3 min read

March 9, 2025

Full length of tired young man sitting on bench in gym. Attractive male is with towel around neck after workout. He is resting in health club.

Full length of tired young man sitting on bench in gym. Attractive male is with towel around neck after workout. He is resting in health club.

In a workout slump? Here’s how to handle a bad patch in your fitness routine

3 min read

February 10, 2025

Female athlete running on treadmill during sports training in a health club. High intensity running on treadmill

Female athlete running on treadmill during sports training in a health club. High intensity running on treadmill

Working out smarter, not harder: How many easy workouts equal one challenging one?

4 min read

December 23, 2024

The price of bio-hacking/that it provides wellness solutions for the elite, and is the hype around bio-hacking worth the cost of admission?

The price of bio-hacking/that it provides wellness solutions for the elite, and is the hype around bio-hacking worth the cost of admission?

From biohacking to injury prevention, these are fitness trends to watch in 2025

Alex Hutchinson

4 min read

December 9, 2024

The pack of riders (peloton) cycles in the ascent of Forcellino Di Bianzano, near Lago di Endine lake, during the 118th edition of the Giro di Lombardia (Tour of Lombardy), a 252km cycling race from Bergamo to Como on October 12, 2024. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)

The pack of riders (peloton) cycles in the ascent of Forcellino Di Bianzano, near Lago di Endine lake, during the 118th edition of the Giro di Lombardia (Tour of Lombardy), a 252km cycling race from Bergamo to Como on October 12, 2024. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)

The secret ingredient your pre-workout warm-up needs

Alex Hutchinson

3 min read

December 2, 2024

Group of women, young ladies doing push-ups together in gym together. Exercise and personal trainer

Group of women, young ladies doing push-ups together in gym together. Exercise and personal trainer

Scientists know exercise helps fight depression. Now, new programs aim to put that knowledge to use

Alex Hutchinson

3 min read

October 21, 2024

Studio man portrait. Man with extended arm. Illustrated representation of the structure and musculature of the human arm.

Studio man portrait. Man with extended arm. Illustrated representation of the structure and musculature of the human arm.

Workout variety and fueling up can help avoid muscle shrinkage, study shows

3 min read

September 30, 2024

Shot of a group of people running along a roadhttp://195.154.178.81/DATA/i_collage/pu/shoots/784328.jpg

Shot of a group of people running along a roadhttp://195.154.178.81/DATA/i_collage/pu/shoots/784328.jpg

We’re in a postmodern footwear era. Here’s everything you need to know about this brave new sneaker world

Alex Hutchinson

4 min read

July 29, 2024

Outdoor orienteering check point activity

Outdoor orienteering check point activity

The benefits of engaging your brain during a workout

Alex Hutchinson

3 min read

April 22, 2024

TELTOW, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 13: The photographer holds an ear of corn he found on the ground next to a corn field during harvest on September 13, 2012 near Teltow, Germany. The annual corn harvest is underway in the German state of Brandenburg, where corn is widely planted and used for animal feed as well as the produciton of biofuels. Analysts recently predicted that German corn farmers are likely to benefit from global warming, as higher temperatures will mean an earlier planting season. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

TELTOW, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 13: The photographer holds an ear of corn he found on the ground next to a corn field during harvest on September 13, 2012 near Teltow, Germany. The annual corn harvest is underway in the German state of Brandenburg, where corn is widely planted and used for animal feed as well as the produciton of biofuels. Analysts recently predicted that German corn farmers are likely to benefit from global warming, as higher temperatures will mean an earlier planting season. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

It’s possible to rely on plant proteins without sacrificing training gains, new studies say

Alex Hutchinson

3 min read