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. Having worked with brands like F45 and Virgin, Sam now primarily teaches outdoor bootcamps, calisthenics and kettlebells. In her spare time, she enjoys CrossFit, yoga and running and is currently training for her next Hyrox in London. She can be found testing the latest fitness technology and has a keen interest in mobility, stretching and writing on hot topics like nutrition, sleep and recovery.
Latest articles by Sam Hopes
Abs vs core muscles — here’s why you should know the difference
By Sam Hopes published
What is the difference between abs and core muscles? A personal trainer explains everything you need to know about your core.
5 best weightlifting belts 2024, tested and reviewed by our fitness experts
By TJ Fink, Jane McGuire last updated
Here are the five best weightlifting belts for strength training, powerlifting and weightlifting, regardless of fitness ability or level. Tried and tested by Tom's Guide.
This 3-move stretching routine will develop healthy shoulders and strengthen your upper body
By Sam Hopes last updated
Strengthen your shoulders and stretch your upper body with this three-move routine. It only takes 15 minutes to increase spine flexibility, here's how.
Forget regular squats — try prisoner squats to build lower body strength instead
By Sam Hopes published
The prisoner squat is a bodyweight exercise for strengthening your core and lower body, developing posture, and stabilizing your upper body. Here's how to do it and the benefits.
Front squat vs back squat: which is better for building strong quads?
By Sam Hopes published
Should you focus on back squats or front squats to maximize quad muscle growth? We cover the benefits of both and how to use them to build lower body strength and muscle.
Who needs planks? The crunch clap exercise builds powerhouse core muscles without weights
By Sam Hopes last updated
You don't need planks to build powerhouse core muscles. The crunch clapping exercise strengthens your abs without weights, and a personal trainer explains how.
No, not push-ups — here's one exercise you need to strengthen your upper body without weights
By Sam Hopes last updated
The dead hang is a bodyweight exercise for strengthening your core and upper body and developing posture and spinal flexibility without hurting your back. Here's how to do it.
These are the 8 best 30-minute workouts to build full-body muscle and strength and boost metabolism
By Sarah Jacobsson Purewal last updated
These are the best 30-minute workouts on YouTube, from beginner yoga and cardio dance to HIIT and weight training.
You don’t need the gym — this kettlebell arm workout sculpts your triceps, pecs and shoulders in 5 moves and 15 minutes
By Sam Hopes last updated
This five-move kettlebell workout strengthens your upper body, builds a strong core and boosts your metabolism in 15 minutes. Here's how to do it.
3 reasons you're not building strength in the gym — according to a strength and conditioning coach
By Sam Hopes last updated
These are the three main reasons you're not building strength during exercise, and how to avoid them, according to a strength and conditioning coach.
I added a turbo downward dog into my exercise routine and it transformed my yoga practice — here's how
By Sam Hopes last updated
The turbo dog pose is a variation on the downward dog in yoga and helps build upper body strength, focusing on your triceps, shoulders, back and chest muscles. Here's how to do it.
9 best Pilates exercises for strengthening your core and boosting posture
By Jane McGuire last updated
Dig deep into your core muscles with these nine Pilates exercises designed to strengthen and define your torso muscles.
4 reasons you’re not building muscle in the gym — according to a strength and conditioning coach
By Sam Hopes last updated
Here are the four main reasons you're not building muscle mass and how to avoid them, according to a strength and conditioning coach.
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.
You just need 20 minutes, 1 kettlebell and Joe Rogan’s 5-move workout to build full-body strength and core power
By Sam Hopes published
Build a stronger body and boost core power with this five-move kettlebell workout from Joe Rogan and Onnit. Here's how to do it and the benefits.
Who needs crunches? This 3-move ab workout sculpts core muscle and boosts muscle endurance
By Sam Hopes last updated
Who needs crunches when this 3-move ab workout sculpts core muscle and boosts your muscle endurance? Here's how to do it, according to a personal trainer.
I did 50 double push-up burpees every day for a week — here’s what happened to my body
By Sam Hopes last updated
The double push-up burpee adds intensity to the standard burpee exercise. Here's what happens when you do 50 reps a day for one week.
No, not planks — try bear crawls instead and watch your core strength transform
By Sam Hopes published
Bear crawls are a bodyweight exercise that strengthens your core, hips and upper and lower body without hurting your back. Here's how to do them and the benefits.
Grab a kettlebell — this 4-move workout builds full-body muscle and strength and boosts ab power
By Sam Hopes last updated
Build a stronger body and boost core power with just four exercises and a set of kettlebells using this effective workout from kettlebell expert Eric Leija.
Forget weights — this 10-minute yoga routine builds full-body strength and stability and boosts focus
By Sam Hopes last updated
This short 10-minute yoga routine builds strength and flexibility and boosts focus and stability. Access the full workout by Breathe and Flow yoga.
This 3-move stretching routine will develop healthy hips and strengthen your lower body
By Sam Hopes last updated
You can stretch and strengthen your hips and lower body using these three exercises, and it only takes 15 minutes. Here's how.
I tried a 2-minute grounded Copenhagen plank every day for one week — here’s what happened
By Sam Hopes last updated
Here's how to do the grounded Copenhagen plank, the benefits, and what happens when you do it for two minutes every day for one week.
Who needs weights? This 5-move bodyweight workout boosts core strength and torches every major muscle group
By Sam Hopes last updated
You don't need weights to target every major muscle group, build core strength and boost your metabolism, just this five-move bodyweight created by a personal trainer.
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