FitNEXT exists to give British readers fitness information they can trust. This page sets out exactly how we do that, from the sources we draw on to the people who sign off on a finished article. If you ever feel a guide does not live up to these standards, please tell us.
Our editorial principles
Evidence first
Claims are grounded in published research, official UK guidance and qualified clinical opinion.
Independence
No supplement brands, gym chains or PR agencies pay to influence what we publish.
Transparency
Authors are named. Reviewers are named. Updates are dated. Mistakes are flagged in public.
UK relevance
Our recommendations reflect British supermarkets, weather, NHS guidance and working patterns.
Sources we use
For factual claims about training, nutrition, physiology and health, we draw on the following hierarchy of sources, in roughly this order:
- Systematic reviews and meta analyses from peer reviewed journals such as the British Journal of Sports Medicine, Sports Medicine, the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research and the British Medical Journal.
- Position stands from recognised UK and international bodies including the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), the British Dietetic Association (BDA), the National Health Service (NHS), the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
- Individual peer reviewed studies, weighed for sample size, methodology and applicability.
- Expert practitioner opinion from qualified UK coaches, registered nutritionists, physiotherapists and clinicians, clearly attributed.
We do not treat blog posts, social media threads or supplement company white papers as authoritative sources.
How a guide is produced
Every article on FitNEXT moves through the same four stage process before it goes live.
1. Commission and research
Topics are chosen based on reader questions, search demand from UK readers and gaps in our existing library. The assigned author gathers sources, drafts an outline and shares it with an editor for sign off before writing begins.
2. Drafting
The author writes a first draft, citing sources for any factual claim that could plausibly be questioned. Drafts are written in British English, with British spelling, units and references throughout.
3. Editing and fact checking
A second editor reviews the draft for accuracy, structure, tone and consistency. Every numerical claim, date and citation is checked against the original source. Anecdotal claims are softened or removed. Marketing language is stripped out.
4. Expert review
For topics with health implications (rehabilitation, pregnancy, chronic conditions, clinical nutrition, eating disorders), the article is reviewed by a qualified clinician or registered specialist before publication. Their name, credentials and review date appear on the published page.
Use of artificial intelligence
We use AI tools selectively for tasks such as outlining, grammar checks and image research. Every article on FitNEXT is written, edited and reviewed by a named human author and editor. No article is published as raw AI output. Where AI assistance was meaningful, we say so.
Corrections and updates
If we get something wrong, we want to fix it quickly and visibly.
- Minor factual corrections are made in place, with a short note at the foot of the article explaining what changed and when.
- Substantive corrections that materially change a recommendation appear at the top of the affected article, dated and signed.
- Routine updates happen at least annually for our most read pages, and the "last updated" date in the article reflects the most recent substantive review.
To request a correction, email corrections@fitnext.co.uk with the article URL and the issue. We aim to respond within two working days.
Independence and conflicts of interest
FitNEXT does not accept paid placements, sponsored articles, gifted products in exchange for coverage, or affiliate relationships that influence editorial judgement. Where an author has a personal or professional connection to a brand, person or organisation discussed in their work, that connection is disclosed at the top of the relevant article.
We may earn a small commission from a small number of clearly marked, editorially chosen product recommendations (for example, a beginner barbell or a heart rate monitor). These never appear inside health or medical guidance, and never alter what we recommend.
User generated content
Comments, contact form submissions and any other reader contributions are moderated by FitNEXT staff. We remove content that is unlawful, abusive, defamatory, off topic or that promotes products in a misleading way. Reader questions are welcomed and frequently shape future articles.
Contact the editorial team
For editorial questions, story tips, expert review enquiries or feedback on a specific article, please use the channels listed on our contact page. Press enquiries should be sent to press@fitnext.co.uk.