Sam Hopes
Sam Hopes is a level 3 fitness trainer, level 2 reiki practitioner, and senior fitness writer at Tom's Guide. She is also currently undertaking her Yoga For Athletes training course. Sam has written for various fitness brands and websites over the years and has experience across brands at Future such as Live Science, Fit&Well, Coach, and T3. Having worked with fitness studios like F45 and Virgin, Sam now primarily teaches outdoor bootcamps, bodyweight and calisthenics, and kettlebells. She also coaches mobility and stretching-focused classes several times a week and believes that true strength comes from a holistic approach to training your body. Sam is currently in training for her next mixed doubles Hyrox competition in London this year, having completed her first doubles attempt in 1:11.
In her spare time, she enjoys CrossFit, yoga, and running and can be found perfecting her handstand walks and handstand push-ups in the gym whenever she has the chance to be upside down! At work, she can be found testing the latest fitness technology and wearables, anything yoga and CrossFit-related, and has a keen interest in nutrition, sleep, and recovery.
Latest articles by Sam Hopes
No push-ups? Try the dolphin press to strengthen your chest, core and shoulders instead
By Sam Hopes published
Need help with push-ups? Try the dolphin press and watch your upper body strength transform.
How to master the jerk the right way, according to a CrossFit coach
By Sam Hopes published
Learn how to jerk, push jerk, and split jerk using this step-by-step guide on technique, weights, and more. According to a qualified CrossFit coach.
Concentric vs eccentric movement: which is better for muscle growth?
By Sam Hopes published
Should you focus on concentric or eccentric loading to build muscle and strength? We cover the benefits of both and how to prioritize them.
Oura Ring vs. Ultrahuman Ring Air — which smart ring should you buy?
By Jane McGuire last updated
Which is the best fitness tracker ring? We put the Ultrahuman Ring Air and Oura Ring 4 head-to-head.
10 best weighted jump ropes 2024: tried, tested and reviewed
By Jane McGuire last updated
The best weighted jump ropes are affordable and can provide a great workout at home. Here's our round-up of the top picks from the market.
I did the 12-3-30 treadmill workout for a month — here's my results
By Jane McGuire last updated
What is the 12-3-30 treadmill workout, how do you do it, and what happens when you do it for a month? We put it to the test, and here's how it went.
Bored of stretching? You just need this one exercise and a resistance band to strengthen your hips, glutes and hamstrings
By Sam Hopes last updated
You just need this one exercise and a resistance band to stretch and strengthen your hips without weights. Here's how to do the psoas march.
Mobility expert shares the 3 exercises you need to strengthen your hips and reduce lower body tension with just a foam roller
By Sam Hopes last updated
A mobility coach shares the three exercises you need to build strong hips and reduce lower body tension using a foam roller.
Chiropractor shares the one move you need to unlock tight shoulders and relieve upper body tension, and I've tried it
By Sam Hopes last updated
I'm a personal trainer, and this is the one exercise I use to unlock my upper back and reduce shoulder tension with a kettlebell.
The best water bottles to buy in 2024: our thirst quenching favorites
By Jane McGuire last updated
We've drank from dozens of the best water bottles and these are the most reliable options we've tested.
I'm following this 3-week 'Live Below Parallel' routine to boost lower-body mobility — here are my results so far
By Sam Hopes last updated
I'm following this three-week 'Live Below Parallel' lower-body mobility routine to boost hip flexibility and improve squat depth — here are my results so far.
We've tested the best exercise bikes to help you boost your fitness at home
By James Frew last updated
review The best exercise bikes provide a brilliant lower-body workout and they're a great tool for improving your cardiovascular health.
Fitness expert shares the best hip thrust exercise for sculpting stronger glutes — no weights required
By Sam Hopes last updated
Glute ‘expert’ shares the best hip thrust alternative for sculpting stronger glutes with or without weights.
9 best protein shakers of 2024, tried and tested
By Jane McGuire last updated
These are the best protein shakers, from no-frill drinking receptacles to premium models with hidden pill organizers.
I’ve been using the Moonbird breathing coach device to build mental strength — here’s my verdict
By Sam Hopes published
We tested the Moonbird breathing coach device to see if it could improve mood and sleep hygiene and reduce stress. Here's what happened.
Best home gym equipment 2024: Tested and reviewed by our experts
By Sam Hopes, Jane McGuire last updated
We tested the best home gym equipment items, including treadmills, adjustable dumbbells, yoga mats, and kettlebells, and these are our top picks.
Who needs leg raises? Try this lower abs exercise to strengthen your core and hips instead
By Sam Hopes published
The in-and-out abs exercise builds stronger core muscles and hips without using weights. Here's how to do it.
Metabolic Resistance Training: what is it, and how can it help you burn fat and build muscle?
By Sam Hopes published
Metabolic Resistance Training combines strength training and fat-burning cardio to help you build strength and muscle, burn calories and boost your metabolism. Here's how.
Standard lunges aren't the only bodyweight exercise you should do to build leg strength — try box pistol squats instead
By Sam Hopes published
The box pistol squat is a great bodyweight lunge alternative for building lower body strength, power and mobility. A personal trainer explains how to do it.
Forget the gym — this 20-minute walking workout builds full-body strength and boosts your metabolism
By Sam Hopes last updated
A walking workout could build lower body strength and boost your metabolism without weights. Here's how to do it, and the benefits of walking.
No planks? Try the ‘stir the pot’ abs exercise instead to strengthen your core and shoulders
By Sam Hopes last updated
If you can't do planks, try the "stir the pot" stability ball plank exercise and watch your core strength and stability transform.
I did 70 decline push-ups every day for a week — here’s what happened to my upper body
By Sam Hopes last updated
A personal trainer shares her experience performing 70 decline push-ups every day for one week in this push-up challenge, and here are the results.
Pilates instructor shares 3 favorite moves for strengthening your back and boosting posture — and 3 common mistakes
By Sam Hopes last updated
A Pilates instructor shares three Pilates exercises to build a stronger back without weights. Here's how to do them, the benefits and why we love them.
Personal trainer shares one simple exercise to strengthen your hips, build core stability and improve the L-sit
By Sam Hopes published
The leg lift exercise strengthens the hip flexors, builds core stability and activates the gluteus medius muscles. A personal trainer reveals one simple trick to boost hip mobility.
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