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
I’m a personal trainer — this 5-move bodyweight workout builds stronger abs and boosts your metabolism
By Sam Hopes last updated
Personal trainer shares a five-move bodyweight workout to build stronger abs and boost your metabolism without weights.
I did dead hangs every day for a week — here's what I learned about my body
By Sam Hopes last updated
The dead hang is a bodyweight exercise that stretches and strengthens your upper body, develops spinal and shoulder flexibility and improves posture.
Forget deadlifts — this back extension strengthens your back, glutes and hamstrings without weights
By Sam Hopes last updated
Bodyweight back extensions are one of the best compound exercises for strengthening your posterior chain muscles. Here's how to do them, according to a personal trainer.
No, not stretching — reduce upper body tension and build mobility with this 10-minute foam rolling routine
By Sam Hopes last updated
Foam rolling reduces stiffness and relieves tension. This 10-minute routine focuses on relieving upper body tightness and can be done anywhere.
Forget weights, this 30-minute Pilates workout for beginners strengthens your abs and hips
By Sam Hopes last updated
This bodyweight Pilates workout for beginners builds a stronger core and hips without weights and only takes 30 minutes.
Oura Ring 4 — price, release date, features and more
By James Frew last updated
You can buy the Oura Ring 4 right now and it comes with a new design, better battery life, and improved accuracy.
Oura Ring 4 is finally here — 3 things I'm relieved Oura is doing better this time
By Sam Hopes published
Oura has improved the design, durability and accuracy of the Oura Ring 4. Here's what you can expect from the next-generation smart ring.
No, not planks — try this deadbug variation instead and watch your core strength transform
By Sam Hopes published
Deadbugs are a bodyweight core exercise that strengthens your abs and deeper core muscles without hurting your lower back. Here's how to do them and the benefits.
Forget frog pose — these 3 mobility exercises unlock tight hips and release tension in your glutes and lower back
By Sam Hopes last updated
These 3 mobility exercises unlock your hips and build lower body flexibility in less than 15 minutes, according to a personal trainer.
You don’t need the gym to strengthen and sculpt your entire body — try this 3-move kettlebell complex instead
By Sam Hopes last updated
Build full-body strength and boost core power using a personal trainer's three-move kettlebell complex. Here's how to do it and the benefits.
Ditch planks — this 15-minute abs workout builds core strength with 6 moves and a resistance band
By Sam Hopes published
This 15-minute abs workout by Anabolic Aliens builds core strength using six exercises and a resistance band. Here's how to do it.
Personal trainer shares one bodyweight exercise you need to boost upper body mobility and loosen your shoulders
By Sam Hopes last updated
The side-lying internal rotation exercise relieves tight shoulders and improves range of motion. Here's how to do it, and the benefits of stretching the shoulders.
Forget regular kettlebell swings — this resistance band alternative builds full-body strength and power
By Sam Hopes last updated
A personal trainer explains how to do banded kettlebell swings, the benefits, muscles worked and why the resistance band variation is effective for strength and conditioning.
Progressive overload: What is it, and how does it help build muscle and strength?
By Sam Hopes last updated
Progressive overload training could help you build muscle and strength and increase workout intensity. We break down four ways to add overload principles into your training safely
I tried this Pilates ‘swimming’ exercise to strengthen my back, glutes and hamstrings without weights — here’s how
By Sam Hopes last updated
You don't need equipment to strengthen the muscles along your posterior chain. Here are the benefits of the Pilates 'swimming' exercise, and how it can improve posture.
Personal trainer shares the one simple hip flexor trick you're missing to boost lower body flexibility
By Sam Hopes last updated
The 90-90 exercise stretches the hip flexors, gluteal muscles and external rotators. A personal trainer reveals one simple trick to boost flexibility and improve squat depth.
I’m a personal trainer — here’s what agonist vs antagonist muscle groups really mean
By Sam Hopes published
Muscle pairings are agonists and antagonists. Agonists are the primary working muscle during an exercise and antagonists are the relaxed muscle. A personal trainer explains all.
CrossFit athlete shares ‘simple but effective’ workout to build full-body explosive strength and power
By Sam Hopes last updated
CrossFit Games athlete and 5x Fittest Man on Earth Mat Fraser shares a 30-minute full-body strength and conditioning workout that builds strength, endurance and power.
How to do the clean exercise for power, explosive strength, muscle growth and endurance
By Sam Hopes published
Learn how to power clean, hang clean, and squat clean using this step-by-step guide on technique, grip, weights, and more. According to a qualified CrossFit coach.
Oura Ring has helped me detect sleep apnea — here's what you need to know
By Sam Hopes last updated
The Oura health app has features for detecting breathing disturbances like sleep apnea. Here's what happened when our writer discovered hers using the Oura Ring 3.
You don't need planks to strengthen your core — here's a 5-move abs workout using just a yoga block
By Sam Hopes last updated
Nope, no planks, just use this 25-minute yoga block abs workout to build a stronger core without weights.
No, not sit-ups or crunches — this is the one low-impact exercise you should try to strengthen your core instead
By Sam Hopes last updated
You don't need sit-ups or crunches to strengthen your core or build muscle. Inchworm walkouts and walk-ins can be done using your body weight or with kettlebells and are low impact.
3 things I wish I had known about stretching vs mobility when I started weightlifting
By Sam Hopes last updated
Stretching increases muscle flexibility to improve range of motion and mobility means moving joints through range of motion to improve movement efficiency — here's some tips.
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