
Sam Hopes
Sam Hopes is a level 3 qualified trainer, a level 2 Reiki practitioner and a fitness editor 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 Active and personal trained, Sam now primarily teaches outdoor bootcamps, bodyweight, calisthenics and kettlebells. She also coaches mobility and flexibility classes several times a week and believes that true strength comes from a holistic approach to training your body.
Sam has completed two mixed doubles Hyrox competitions in London and the Netherlands and finished her first doubles attempt in 1:11.
In her spare time, she enjoys CrossFit, hot 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 in fitness technology and wearables, anything yoga and CrossFit-related and has a keen interest in nutrition, sleep and recovery.
Latest articles by Sam Hopes

You don't need leg raises to strengthen your deep core muscles — I’m a personal trainer, and I prefer the 'in-and-out’ exercise
By Sam Hopes published
A personal trainer shares why the in-and-out exercise is a worthy alternative to leg raises for strengthening your deep core and hip flexor muscles.

I did 30 inchworm push-ups every day for a week — here’s how it boosted my body
By Sam Hopes published
One personal trainer tried 30 inchworm push-ups every day for one week, and here's what happened to her body.

Oura's latest update brings AI-powered meal and metabolism tracking to the table — I'm worried this could go very wrong
By Sam Hopes last updated
Oura introduces two new AI-powered metabolic health tracking tools to help you balance your blood sugars using your diet and lifestyle. Here's everything you need to know.

I'm a personal trainer — this 5-move abs workout strengthens your core and hips using dumbbells
By Sam Hopes last updated
No sit-ups, just a five-move workout to strengthen your core using dumbbells, written by a personal trainer.

Forget weights — you just need 'dropsets' and 25 minutes to build full-body strength using your bodyweight
By Sam Hopes last updated
You don't need weights to build stronger muscles, just 25 minutes, 10 exercises and this dropset workout.

Ditch the crunches and sit-ups — use the ‘corkscrew’ exercise to strengthen your abs at home or the gym
By Sam Hopes last updated
Ditch the crunches and sit-ups and use the corkscrew abs exercise to build a strong core at home or the gym. It's low-impact and you don't need any equipment.

I'm a personal trainer — try these 5 kettlebell swing variations to build full-body strength, power and core stamina
By Sam Hopes last updated
Personal trainer shares the five kettlebell swing variations she uses to build strength, power and endurance, plus the benefits and how to do them.

What is exercise RPE? Here’s how it can boost performance and prevent injury
By Sam Hopes published
A personal trainer shares what the exercise rate of perceived exertion means and how it can help you boost performance and avoid injury.

I didn't expect this 15-minute kettlebell abs workout to beat me — but it torched my entire body and core in just 3 moves
By Sam Hopes published
This three-move kettlebell abs workout builds core stability and full-body strength without the need for crunches, sit-ups, or twists.

Can you lose fat and build muscle at the same time? Experts weigh in
By Sam Hopes last updated
What is body recomposition, and how do you lose fat and build muscle at the same time? We asked a strength and conditioning coach and a nutritionist.

What's the best exercise bike? I'm a fitness expert and these are my top picks
By Sam Hopes last updated
review The best exercise bikes provide a brilliant lower-body workout and they're a great tool for improving your cardiovascular health.

Forget the gym — this 250-rep dumbbell ‘chipper’ workout builds full-body strength and core muscle in 3 moves
By Sam Hopes last updated
Chipper workouts build strength using high reps to overload the body. A personal trainers a 250-rep workout to try.

I just tried a 60-minute puppy yoga class for the first time — I barely did yoga, but I nearly bought a puppy
By Sam Hopes last updated
One writer tried 60 minutes of puppy yoga for the first time, and here's what happened, plus the benefits of just one class.

I’ve been drinking collagen water every day — here's what I've learned so far
By Sam Hopes last updated
What does drinking collagen water every day do to your body? We tested it out to see what, if any, benefits exist.

Do you find lunges uncomfortable? I ditched them for Cossack squats, and my lower-body strength and stability transformed
By Sam Hopes last updated
Do you find lunges uncomfortable? Add the Cossack squat to your routine and improve lower-body mobility, strength and stability.

No, not downward dog — unstick tight shoulders with this quick and simple mobility exercise from a personal trainer
By Sam Hopes last updated
Unstick your shoulders, triceps and spine using this one-minute mobility exercise, according to a personal trainer.

Personal trainer says forget the gym — use a 25-minute dumbbell workout to strengthen your legs, glutes and core instead
By Sam Hopes last updated
A personal trainer recommends using this squat-free dumbbell workout to strengthen your core and legs.

10 best weighted jump ropes 2025: 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, tried and tested by our fitness team.

I tried 3-minute monster walks every day for one week — here’s what happened to my body
By Sam Hopes last updated
What is the monster walk and what happens when you try it for three minutes every day? One personal trainer tested it out, and here's what happened.

Forget the gym — 3 things I wish I had known as a hot yoga beginner
By Sam Hopes last updated
Three tips for hot yoga beginners, the benefits of hot yoga and the difference between heated yoga and Bikram.

The experts have spoken — these 4 resistance band exercises strengthen your lower body and improve hip mobility
By Sam Hopes last updated
These are four of the best lower-body exercises you can do with a resistance band for strength and mobility.

I took creatine every day for 6 weeks like Mark Wahlberg — here’s what happened to my body
By Sam Hopes last updated
What does creatine do to your body? We tested it to answer what are the benefits, how creatine improves performance, and how it could build muscle mass.

9 best cross training shoes 2025: tried, tested and reviewed by personal trainers
By Sam Hopes last updated
The best cross training shoes for weightlifting, CrossFit, and Hyrox, including models from Nike, Reebok, R.A.D, and NOBULL.
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